Trick the eye If you have a small garden or patio, create zones with screens and planting, so you can’t see it all at once. Not knowing where the garden…
Five summer-flowering shrubs to add colour to your garden
Carolina allspice Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is a large summer-flowering shrub (3m high, 2m wide), with dense, glossy leaves and rich red flowers that open from fat buds along the…
Fern Britton reveals why she’s happier following her split from Phil Vickery earlier this year
The 63-year-old tells us her grandmother was just the same: ‘She was strong and independent – which she needed to be to have had a baby out of wedlock back…
How to make a personalised hot water bottle
Give someone the gift of a personalised hot water bottle with our how-to tutorial. We’ve made ours with the cosiest of wool felts in a mustard and white colour combo.…
The benefits of tea: how a cup can work wonders on your wellbeing
Lots of us sip a soothing cuppa to make us feel better, but the benefits of a brew could be more far-reaching for our health in general. Research suggests it…
Why you should have your own herb garden
A herb garden filled with herbs must be some of the hardest-working plants around. Not only do they look good and smell wonderful, they bring bees and other useful…
Andrea McLean reveals the ups and downs of mixing business and pleasure
But she also runs her own business, having launched website This Girl Is On Fire with her husband Nick Feeney last year. More recently, the couple have expanded the site…
14 reasons why knitters make the BEST partners
Being able to knit is an amazing skill. Knitters should be loved and cherished by their other halves because… 1. They’re full of so much knitting love that they’ll sit…
Discover the six amazing creatures you might spot at Britain’s riverbanks
Animals that you might spot near Britain’s riverbanks Water vole Britain’s largest vole, the water vole, has thick brown fur, short ears and a round nose. Sadly, its numbers are…
10 ‘health’ foods nutritionists would never eat
We’re bombarded with foods and drinks which claim to boost our wellbeing and trim our waistlines. But behind the hype, it seems some of the things we consume may not…
Have a go at paper quilling for beginners
Paper quilling is so easy for beginners with our step-by-step tutorial. If you’ve never tried paper quilling before, this is the perfect beginner papercraft project to give it a go.…
5 things you should be doing for a healthier, happier heart
Here is the expert advice you should follow for a healthy heart. What you should be doing for a healthy heart 1) Know your body’s vital statistics Understanding your cholesterol, blood…
How To Knit: Understanding basic knitting abbreviations
Having trouble working out what the abbreviations mean on knitting patterns? Follow our guide to basic knitting abbreviations. Practically all knitting patterns use some sort of abbreviations. Each pattern will…
5 brilliant small towns in the UK to visit this year
Overseas travel may not be a sure thing this summer but if you’re looking forward to life after lockdown, now is the perfect time to start planning a staycation to…
How To Make: Piping for a cushion
You can buy ready covered cord, but with our simple guide you can learn how to make piping in any colour you want. Once you’ve made your piping, have a…
‘I need to be outside and always on the move’ Kate Humble opens up on living and working with her husband on their Welsh farm
The 51-year-old TV presenter – who lives with her husband, Ludo Graham, on a farm in Monmouthshire – reveals her Animal Park co-host and good friend Ben Fogle rang her…
Create a seaside garden bursting with colour and nautical inspiration with these tips
Your seaside garden can face many challenges. Gale-force winds, salty air, bright light and poor soil can all make it tricky to establish and maintain . But with the right…
How to make appliqué coasters
Set down your cuppa on one of these pretty appliqué coaster designs. They’re so easy to make with a few fabric scraps so, if you have a free afternoon to…
‘I love an excuse to get dressed up!’ Michelle Collins reveals how lipstick helps her through lockdown
But Michelle Collins has now admitted she could return to either one. ‘I’d never say never about going into a soap. I’m a jobbing actor and I want to be…
How to make an elephant cushion
Making our cross-stitch elephant cushion is so easy with these simple instructions. If you’re a fan of embroidery and cross-stitch, then this is the sewing project for you. Stitch three…