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How-to Make a Wooden Storage Box on Wheels and With Rope Handles
How-to making a wooden storage box on wheels with rope pull handles, using recycled material.
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How-to Make Heavy Duty Wooden Wall Brackets
A quick guide and tips (with images) on how-to make a pair of heavy duty wooden wall brackets from recycled hardwood.
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Bedroom Makeover – to Replace Cabin Bed With Small Single Adult Bed
A redesign of a bedroom to replace an old cabin bed with drawers and cupboards below, and adjoining wardrobe, and shelving with a new small single adult wood pine bed, without compromising on storage space to much.
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Choosing the Best Whirlpool Bath to Suit You
Basic guidance and tips in choosing the best whirlpool bath shower (indoor Jacuzzi) with shower screen to suit you; a general overview from my own experience and research.
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Renovating a Cast Iron Garden Bench
A quick guide to how I renovated an old cast iron garden bench by replacing all the old rotten wooden slats with new chestnut slats, repainting the cast iron ends, and strengthening the metal brace.
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How-to-make a Table Top Display Stand
Made from reclaimed and recycled wood; a step-by-step guide, with images, to making a wooden table top display stand for cards, ornaments etc. with hidden storage at the rear. Flexible design, easily modifiable to suit e.g. make it with more or fewer tiers, making the tiers taller or shorter etc.
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How-to Make a Bespoke Wooden Desk Tidy
How-to guide on making a wooden desk tidy from recycled wood, with a scalable design so that you can make your own bespoke desk tidy, as big or as small as you like, to suit your own requirements.
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How-to Make a Low Cost Portable Exhibition Display Board
How-to-guide to making a portable exhibition display board on a low budget; utilising recycled and upcycled materials.
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How-to Make Protective Storage Box for Lens Filters
A general how-to guide giving tips and ideas to make a protective storage box, for camera lens filters, to protect the glass filters. With the storage box made from recycled wood and repurposing materials.
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Exploring North Devon on Holiday
Our holiday tour of North Devon, staying in a holiday cottage on a working farm, and including our visit to the Victorian Steam Punk weekend festival at Lynton & Lynmouth, a working Victorian steam train station and the Valley of Rocks.
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How-to Make a Greeting Card/DVD/Blu-ray Display Stand
How-to guide to make a greeting card display stand from recycled wood, suitable for displaying greeting cards, DVDs/Blu-ray/CDs and coasters.
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DIY Kitchen Paper Holder Stand From Recycled Wood
Learn how to make a unique paper towel holder by upcycling old wooden dining chair legs and pine salvaged from a DVD storage unit (any scrap wood will do).
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DIY Toilet Paper Holder From Recycled Wood
Upcycle an old broom handle and some scrap wood to make a toilet paper stand that holds up to 5 toilet paper rolls—never be caught short again.
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Upcycling Folding Bed Table from Hardboard Top to Solid Pine Wood Table Top
How-to guide to upcycling an old folding bed table from a sticky back vinyl covered hardboard table top to a solid pine top, using recycled wood and using teak wood stain to finish.
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Making an Oak Panel From Strips of Salvaged Oak
Having been given oak flooring that had been cut into strips, I decided to dowel-join the strips to make an oak panel for use in a future DIY project. Here's a guide for salvaging and repurposing oak.
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Homemade Pear and Green Tomato Chutney Recipe
Simple recipe to make a tasty homemade pear and green tomato chutney.
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Exploring North Norfolk, England
Our holiday exploration of North Norfolk, England: Exploring various historic sites and towns to admire their architecture and history, and one evening enjoying a variety show in the pavilion theatre on the end of Cromer pier.
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Vegetarian Stuffed Marrow (Courgette) Recipe
Recipe to make vegetarian stuffed marrows with vegetarian stew mix using fresh or frozen vegetables, vegetable stock, vegetarian gravy and soya mince.
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Platform Ideas to Fit Sliding Mitre Saw to Workbench
Using recycled wood to create platform to overhang workbench, on which to sit sliding mitre saw that would otherwise dangerously overhang the workbench and be top heavy when saw blade is pulled forward; and using clamps rather than bolting it in place so saw can easily be moved for use elsewhere.
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Beamish, England’s Open-Air Museum Depicting the Industrial Revolution
While on a week’s holiday touring Durham County, England, we spent the weekend at Beamish, an open-air living museum representing life in northern England during the height of the Industrial Revolution. The highlight of our visit was the DLI (Durham Light Infantry) display.
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Exploring Durham County, England
Our holiday to Durham County, North East England, included various historic sites (the highlight being Beamish), staying in a medieval castle and enjoying the beauty and waterfalls of the North Pennines AONB.
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How to Make Hairbrush Rack & Shelf
How to guide on making a hairbrush rack and shelf, with mirror; re-designed from a previous version and made from recycled wood and wire pegs.
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Our Bedroom Renovation
Bedroom renovation makeover: Including electrics, replacing the skirting, replacing some of the fixtures and fittings, such as mirrors and painting and decorating, and having a new fitted Axminster carpet laid.
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Bathroom Makeover and Wardrobe Mirrors
Brief step-by-step guide to painting and decorating our en-suit bathroom: And fitting made-to-measure mirrors to the bi-fold doors of the built-in wardrobe in our bathroom.
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Reducing Our Carbon Footprint & Saving Money with Solar Panels and Wall Battery
Our journey to getting solar panels and wall battery installed in our home, and switching Utility Company to get the best tariffs for importing cheap electricity overnight to recharge our wall battery, and getting paid a good rate for exporting our surplus energy generated by our solar panels.
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From Lord Mayor’s Chapel to Victorian Folly
A journey piecing together clues to discover that ruins of a Victorian folly in Henbury, Bristol, are actually the original frontage to the 13th-century Lord Mayor’s Chapel in College Green.
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How to Make a Wooden Housing for External HDDs (With Filing Tray on Top)
A step-by-step guide to making multipurpose wooden housing for external hard drives (or similar equipment) with a filing tray on top. It's designed to protect equipment on the desk (and to stop the cat from knocking them over every time she jumps up to get to the windowsill).
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How to Make Wooden Filing Tray Storage Units
A step-by-step guide to making wooden stacking filing tray units from plywood—a dual three-tier unit and a single-tiered unit with shelving on top.
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The Mistral Story
The remarkable story of a Dovercourt Swan, named Mistral, as told by Patroller Eileen Tyrer in her letters to me; including Mistral’s love triangle as it unfolds.
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Recycling Salvaged Decking and Offcuts
This article will break down how to salvage and recycle decking and decking offcuts into a range of DIY projects around the garden, including a folding garden BBQ table, wooden seating, and compost and recycle bins.
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Resizing Built-in Bathroom Cupboards
Modifications made to our built-in airing cupboard and wardrobe in our bathroom by repositioning the dividing panel between the two cupboards, specifically to make the wardrobe wider by narrowing the width of the airing cupboard.
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Marginalisation of Cars in the UK
A personal look at how cars are being marginalised in the UK in preference to public transport.
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Making a Cable Management Trough From Recycled Wood
Follow this simple step-by-step guide and make a cable management trough from recycled wood. It's designed for easy and versatile use, and it fits on the back wall beneath your computer desk (to keep all the cables off the floor).
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How to Make a Corner Wall Shelf Unit
A step-by-step guide to making a corner wall shelf unit from a sheet of 12 mm (½ inch) plywood, using recycled pine wood for the sides and inner shelf supports.
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How-to Make Folding Doors for Cupboards
Step-by-step guide to making and fitting folding doors for a cupboard; made from 12mm (½ inch) plywood; using piano hinges and recycled wood.
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Creating Usable Under Desk Storage Space
Recycling and repurposing to create bespoke usable shelving under our office desks, including rationalising the storage space in the far corner under the desk; by recycling old shelves to make a bespoke shelving unit, and repurposing an Ikea computer desk into a storage unit under the office desk.
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Modifying Built-in Wardrobe Storage Space
Step by step guide to modifying a built-in wardrobe, including making and fitting a bookcase to fit inside, internal wall repairs, and fitting bespoke folding doors to the cupboard above the wardrobe.
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Major Home-Office Makeover
Major home-office makeover involving a series of mini DIY woodworking projects using recycled and salvaged wood where possible, modifying the electrics, cable management, painting & decorating, and rehanging picture frames, paintings and fixtures & fixtures on completion.
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How to Retrofit Additional Shelving to a Built-in DVD Storage Unit
Join me in this simple task of retrofitting two additional shelves to an existing built-in DVD/Blu-ray storage unit, closely matching the existing hewed wood effect (medieval-style) and wood stain colour of the existing shelving unit.
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Renovating and Reupholstering Oak Dining Chairs
This article breaks down the renovation and reupholstering of four oak vintage Ercol dining chairs, including cleaning, re-staining, and polishing.
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Repurposing Shelves to Display Cabinet for WWII Artefacts
Step-by-step guide for repurposing a built-in corner unit to a sealed display cabinet for displaying WWII artefacts; using recycled wood for the front, and facing the inside in white with white-faced hardboard salvaged from a redundant wardrobe.
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How-to Make a 4-Drawer Narrow Storage Unit with Pigeonhole
Step-by-step guide to make narrow tallboy storage unit (with drawers and pigeonhole) from recycled salvaged plywood, bespoke design to accommodate small wooden drawers repurposed from Ikea stack furniture, and to fit profile of a writing desk bureau; in readiness to renovating our home office.
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Recycled Soap With Honey Recipe
This recipe and step-by-step guide (with images) shows you how to recycle soap bits to make homemade soap with added honey. You can also scent it with essential oils and fresh or dried herbs and optionally colour it with food dye.
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Making Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Here are five simple steps to making your own essential oils from fresh eucalyptus leaves. This process is ideal for scenting homemade candles and soaps!
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Renovate & Repurpose an Oak Dining Table Into Sewing Table
Learn how to turn a dining table into a sewing table with this guide. It's not just another oak dining table renovation and repurposing project: I also show my experimental approach, as I explored various options (while thinking out of the box) to meet specific criteria to a satisfactory level.
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10 Weird & Whacky British Sports
Ten weird British sports, including Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling, the Worm Charming Championship, and the Isles of Scilly's Gig Racing.
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Our New Pet: Eufy RoboVac
An overview of the eufy robotic vacuum cleaner, why we chose it and like it; and our initial experience in setting it up and using it around the home, including how we resolved a few minor issues.
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Adding Shelf to Create Storage Space Under Side Table
Simple step-by-step guide with illustrated images, to add a shelf across the table leg stretchers (between the legs) of a nest side table which already has a wooden remote control holder fitted to the side of the table.
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How-to Make a Wooden Stand for a Viking Drinking Horn
Step-by-step guide, with images, to making a simple wooden stand for a Viking drinking horn; optionally using scrap wood and therefore not costing anything other than a few hours of your time and the price of a bit of wood dye.
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Lemon Curd and Jam Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Recipe for two variants on chocolate truffles, one with jam and the other with lemon curd filling; tips and techniques based on my personal experience and preferences developed over the years, and the kitchen equipment I use in making the truffles.
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Why I Chose the QLED Over an OLED TV and How I Resolved the Digital Audio Issues
This article covers the author's personal choice of a QLED over an OLED TV, benefits of the universal remote control, and how the author resolved the issue of linking three devices to a 7:1 Dolby Digital surround sound home theatre system when it only has two optical audio inputs.
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Add-on Pocket to Bespoke Wooden Remote Control Holder to Hold More Remotes
Remodelling my bespoke wooden remote control holder to accommodate six remote controls, rather than the three it previously held; achieved by adding an additional wooden pocket to the front. Then upholstering the pockets with carpet to snuggly hold the remotes.
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Holistic Approach to Tackling the Climate Change Crisis
My personal interpretation that climate change action being taken around the world does incorporate a holistic approach, contrary to views of some Americans I’ve talk with on social media, who are dismissive of the efforts being made because they think governments focus too much on the wrong issues
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Bespoke Wooden Wildlife Camera Stand: Design, Construction & Field Test
Bespoke design and build of an adjustable wooden stand for use with wildlife camera mounting arms. This is for easy and flexible use in the back garden. It's built from durable scrap wood and designed for potential multi-purposing as a garden table.
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Renovating and Reupholstering Solid Oak Carved Back Chairs
A simple guide to the renovation of four upholstered solid oak dining chairs with carved backs.
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Renovating a Writing Desk Bureau to Retain Patina
This is a guide to sympathetic repairs and modifications to an old writing bureau to retain its patina.
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Fitting a Window Roller Blind to French Doors
This is why we opted for a window roller blind for our French doors, rather than a proper full-length door blind, to block out the evening sun, and a basic step-by-step guide to the slightly unconventionally way I fitted it, and why I fitted it that way.
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How to Fit Waterproof LED RGB Strip Lights for Decking
Quick guide for installing waterproof multi-coloured LED strip lighting around decking, lawns and gardens. Tips on laying the cables and protecting electrics from the weather.
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Emmet’s Visit to Kernow: Cornwall's History and Culture
This isn’t about my Cornish holiday; it’s a focus on the Celtic Nation of Cornwall, who under EU Law were granted national minority status by the British Government in 2014, giving them the same legal recognition as other Celtic nations in the UK including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
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How to Multi-Zone a Robotic Lawnmower
Many cheaper robotic lawnmowers are limited to single zoning a lawn (boundary wire). I briefly explain single zoning and its limitations and give a step-by-step guide with photos to a simple and inexpensive method for multi-zoning your lawn by using a two-way switch to create two circuits.
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British Ghost Trains
Ghosts trains in Britain is the bizarre situation where trains run, often with no passengers, as a legal requirement to keep uncommercial routes open under franchise; it's a cheaper and easier option for train operators than getting the service closed.
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Public Rights of Way on Private Land in England and Wales
This is an overview of the Liberal Laws (based on Common Law) governing the Public Rights of Way in Britain to cross private land for access to the British countryside, with a summary of the history and struggle by activists to get ancient rights into modern legislation for the benefit of Ramblers.
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How to Make a Sewing Cabinet With Drawers
Step-by-step instructions for making a bespoke, wooden sewing cabinet on wheels with a hinged lid and shallow drawers for accessories.
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How to Make a Multi-Purpose Protective Cover Box From Recycled Wood
How to upcycle a folding table and use other recycled wood to make a wooden box to protect an overlocker (serger) sewing machine.
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How to Use a Nilfisk Pressure Washer in the Garden
I purchased the Nilfisk pressure washer to clean my decking prior to re-oiling it. Now I use it to clean all manner of other items around my garden.
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How to Lay Plastic Grids for Gravel Driveways
Learn why and how to lay plastic grids for your gravel driveway, how to choose plastic grids based on price and quality, and how to backfill with gravel to provide a stable surface.
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DIY Remodeling: Stairs and Landing Makeover (With Pictures)
This article explores how to make over your stairs and landings. It covers replacing carpets, rewiring and downsizing the meter cupboard, replacing the skirting boards, varnishing, wallpapering, painting, decorating and other minor DIY tasks.
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Small Bedroom Den and Home Office Makeover
See a makeover of a small bedroom den that doubles as an office. The main aspects are rationalising electrics and cable management prior to painting and decorating.
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Anthropogenic Climate Change and its Effects on Global Warming
In spite of increasing evidence that Anthropogenic Climate Change adversely affects Global Warming, there are many (especially Americans) who remain sceptical; with even some believing it to be a hoax
- 6
Multimedia Technology in the Home: UK vs USA
My personal overview on how some home multimedia technologies in the UK compare with the USA e.g. TV, Radio, Phone and Broadband Internet. Focusing on where technologies diverged between UK and USA.
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Cultural Divergence of America and Europe
My personal views on the widening social and cultural divide between America and Europe, looking at our histories to explore the influence of social reform, particularly for Britain since WW2.
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How-to Make Side Cupboard Extension to Built-in Corner Unit
Step by step guide to add cupboard extension to the base cupboard of a built-in corner unit; using recycled wood including downsizing an old louvre door to make two new doors to fit the new cupboard.
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How to Make a Spice Rack From Oak Tongue and Groove Floorboards
This article shares the design concept and a step-by-step guide to making a bespoke spice rack from solid oak tongue and groove floorboards. The rack includes a paper towel holder.
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Dining Room Makeover
Dining room makeover; includes chasing and capping cables in brick walls for electric sockets, plaster repairs, fitting new solid wood pine panel door (and wood staining), painting, and decorating.
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Kitchen Makeover: Removing Brick Doorstep and Modifying Wall by the Backdoor
This article will serve as a quick guide to minor modifications in the kitchen prior to painting and decorating, including demolishing an old brick step to level the floor, and levelling a wall to better fit fixtures and fittings.
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How to Build a Timber Frame Conservatory
My design concept and build of a DIY timber frame conservatory with cedar wood cladding and roof tiles. Here's a step-by-step guide to building your own with recycled windows and laying cedar wood tiles.
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American Misconceptions of Muslims in the UK
A personal view (from a British humanitarian atheist) of American misconceptions of Muslims in Europe, specifically Britain, to dispel some of the myths perpetuated in the American news media.
- 3
Modernising and Double-Glazing an Old Porch
My journey of renovating my whole porch. Including adding an air vent, restoring the door sub sill, rewiring the doorbell, and upgrading the windows and doors to double-glazed uPVC units. I will also describe the painting and decorating to finish.
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How I Renovated My Porch on a Shoestring Budget
Learn how I renovated my old front porch, including wood restoration around windows and doors, insulation, and painting and decorating after adding built-in cupboards.
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How to Make Built-In Cupboards for a Porch (DIY Design)
A how-to guide and design concept for maximising porch space by creating built-in cupboards on a budget with recycled wood and downsizing old louver doors.
- 3
Eurovision Song Contest: Mission Statement to Make Peace Not War Through Music
Brief overview of Eurovision and why it was created after the 2nd world war as a tool to promote peace in Europe; the longest running live annual TV event, with audiences of over half billion people.
- 17
What a Brit Thinks of the NHS
The NHS is a political football that’s frequently dissed with bad press. The aim of this article is to dispel some of the myths and propaganda (much from the USA) and show the NHS for what it is.
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Why Can't the USA Be as Energy Green as Europe?
Unlike the USA, Europe is on track to be 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2050. The EU’s 2010 vision is to achieve 20% renewable energy by 2020, 30% by 2030 and meet or exceed 80% by 2050.
- 5
Wildlife Pond Makeovers: Water Features and RGB LED Strip Lighting
This is a how-to (from my own experience) for making and maintaining wildlife ponds. It includes water features and waterproof RGB (coloured) LED strip lighting.
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American vs. British Accents, Dialects and Languages
A brief comparison between British and American English; then an overview of various native languages, dialects and accents in Britain to highlight the language diversity in the UK compared to the USA.
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How to Make an Over-the-Door Display Shelf
A step-by-step guide to making and fitting a simple display shelf above the door for displaying soft stuffed toy animals. This can be used as an alternative to the hammocks designed for the same purpose.
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The UK Educational System and How it Differs From America
This article provides an overview of the British educational system from primary school to university, which by explanation aims to highlight some fundamental differences between the UK and USA.
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How to Make a Simple Shelf Unit for Wall Mirror
Simple step-by-step guide for making a wooden shelving unit, from recycled wood, that neatly fits under a wall-mounted mirror.
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American Foods That Are Banned in Europe
I’m no health freak but when I started to look at what goes into the food we eat I was surprised to learn how toxins banned in Europe (and other parts of the world), are widely used in USA foods for artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives; including fresh foods like apples and oysters.
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How to Make a Volcano Candle (a Huge Candle With Many Wicks)
Step-by-step guide on using recycled candle wax to make oversized candles with multiple wicks.
- 3
UK Transport System and How It Compares With the USA
This is a comparison of aspects of public and private transport systems between the USA and UK based on my personal experiences of the integrated transport system in England and views expressed by Americans.
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How to Make a Photo Light Box on a Shoestring Budget
Step-by-step guide to make a studio photo light box from recycled materials on a shoestring budget. Ideal for great product photography.
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Comparison of British and American Housing
This article highlights differences between UK and USA housing to show some of the social and cultural differences between Britain and American homes (based on my personal knowledge and perceptions of America).
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Renovating an Ornamental Garden Windmill
A how-to guide on restoring an old ornamental garden windmill, with modifications to make it more impervious to rot, and sails more inclined to turn in the wind.
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American Misconceptions and Fears of British Social Politics
Personal view from my experiences of Americans online, where their lack of knowledge and understanding of the British Social and Political ethos leads to fears and misconceptions.
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How to Plan and Build the Perfect Garden Deck
Balancing aesthetics, comfort, and functionality with the perfect seating, planters, lighting, and décor for your deck.
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How to Make a Simple Multipurpose Doorstep for Your Cat Flap From Decking
This guide will help you craft an external doorstep for your cat flap that is made from decking. It is a simple, quick, and inexpensive multifunctional design. It also hides drain pipes with a platform for plant pots.
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Victorian Lamppost Restoration Project for Your Garden
Here's how I renovated a second-hand garden streetlamp bought from a reclamation yard. Details are included on how I securely fitted it to decking in my garden.
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Upholstering With Different Types of Materials Made Easy
Easy guide to upholstering with different types of materials, including furniture fabric, faux fur and carpet. Examples upholstered includes chairs, stools, sewing box and padded cat flap insulator.
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DIY: Insulating Your Cat Flap
This is a simple DIY guide to insulate your cat flap and keep out cold winter draughts. This will keep your home warmer and save on energy bills. The insulator also doubles up as a cat bed when not in use.
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Guide to Making a Cat Highway and Cat Tree Fit for a Maine Coon
Maine Coons are too heavy for normal cat furniture! Let's discuss how to modify a cat tree to make it suitable for the weight of a Maine Coon and tips for incorporating your cat tree into a cat highway.
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Upcycling Old Wooden Tool Chest to Sewing Box
How to upcycle and repurpose an old wooden tool chest into a sewing box. This guide will add wheels and a seat for easier storage under a table when not in use. This box can be multi-functional by doubling up as a stool.
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Upcycling a Solid Oak Valet Stand to Sofa Table
A how-to guide on making a sofa table on a low budget by repurposing an old oak valet stand and by recycling wood from solid teak French doors to make a second one with the same design.
- 3
Making a Bespoke Cabinet With Drawer From Recycled Oak
How-to guide for making a solid oak cabinet for the living room on a low budget from reclaimed timber and floorboards that match the general style and dimensions of existing oak furniture.
- 6
Renovating A Living Room
Complete Living room makeover including structural modifications to alcove under the stairs, making the old fireplace into a design feature and hide the surround sound speaker wires behind coving.
- 2
Repurposing a Freestanding Mirrorred Wardrobe as a Built-In Closet
Learn how I dismantled and used wood from a large, mirrored-door freestanding wardrobe to make a smaller bespoke built-in wardrobe.
- 3
Bedroom Renovation on a Shoestring
Repurposing and recycling salvaged wood to makeover a bedroom on a low budget, with key targets of the design being to improve quality, aesthetics and functionality from the original at a low cost.
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How to Renovate an Old Garden Shed Into a Food-Storage Area
Learn how we converted our garden shed to a food-storage area by using kitchen units and upcycling and recycling building materials.
- 8
How to Make a Low Budget Built-in Shoe Rack
Step-by-step DIY how-to guide to make bespoke built-in shoe rack, to keep shoes tidy in a concealed cupboard with sliding door; simple design concept that can be adapted to meet your own requirements.
- 5
How to Restore a Cane Walking Stick and Make a New Handle
Here's my illustrated step-by-step guide to restoring an old cane. I used a lathe to make a new purpleheart wood handle and fitted a motif coin on top of the handle.
- 7
How to Make a Simple Walking Stick and Umbrella Rack
This is a DIY step-by-step guide for making a walking stick and umbrella rack at little to no cost by using bits of scrap wood and utilising wasted space.
- 5
The Family of Richard Middleton (Captain in the Union Army During the American Civil War)
The story of the Middleton family of Washington DC, who lived through the American civil war, and their relationship with my great-great Grandfather, George Burgess (1829-1905) of Bristol, England.
- 2
Making a Shoe Rack From an Old Dish Rack
Upcycling and repurposing an old dowel and wood dish rack as a shoe rack; detailed illustrated step-by-step DIY project to make a bespoke made-to-measure fitted shoe rack to sit inside a wardrobe.
- 12
WC, Sink & Shower Room Renovations in a British Home
How-to renovate and modernise a shower room; a complete makeover from replacing the tiles, vanity sink, cistern and radiator with a towel rail; and replacing the floor with floor tiles.
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How to Make a Wooden Bathroom Wall Cabinet
Detailed illustrated step-by-step how-to DIY guide to make bespoke bathroom wall cabinet (medicine cabinet) to fit the available space, with adjustable shelves, open bottom shelf and mirrored doors.
- 2
How to Convert a Plastic Moulded Toolbox to a Camera Equipment Box
Simple illustrated DIY step-by-step how-to guide for using a Dremel to upcycle and repurpose an old pre-moulded tool box into a padded box for storage of sensitive camera and lighting equipment.
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Precision Seed Sowing Made Simple
Review and demo of the dial seed sower, a simple, inexpensive easy to use and very effective hand device to aid sowing small seeds with precision; and therefore reduce work of thinning seedlings later
- 3
How To Make Space Saving Shelving Under an Open Kitchen Worktop
An illustrated how-to DIY step-by-step guide to making fixed and adjustable shelves for additional storage, under your kitchen worktop, as a space-saving concept of reclaiming wasted space.
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How to Make a Custom Kitchen Plinth Drawer
This step-by-step guide teaches you how to built a wooden kitchen plinth drawer to utilise wasted space under kitchen cupboards.
- 2
How to Restore & Repurpose an Old Scale Into a Fruit Bowl
Simple, illustrated how-to guide on restoring an old pair of scales and multi-purposing them as a functional fruit bowl when they're not used to weigh objects.
- 2
How to Fix a Wobbly Folding Table and Make It Stable
Simple and inexpensive step-by-step guide to fix a wobbly folding table and make it more stable.
- 2
How-to Make a Kitchen Vertical Rack for Aluminium Foil and Greaseproof Paper
How-to guide to make a wooden foil rack from scrap wood, for little or no cost; for tinfoil, Clingfilm and greaseproof paper; a simple space saving idea to utilise wasted space in the kitchen.
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Upcycling Hacksaw to Make Cheese Cutter and How to Make a Cheeseboard
Problems of cutting hard cheeses and illustrated step-by-step upcycle guide to making a cheese cutter from repurposing a hacksaw blade. You'll also make a cheeseboard to match from recycled wood.
- 3
How to Repurpose Towel Rail into Toilet Roll Holder
DIY illustrated step-by-step how-to guide to repurposing an old towel rail into a toilet roll holder; and using the spring sprung spindle from an old plastic toilet paper holder in the new holder.
- 6
How to Make a Spanner Rack
How-to illustrated step-by-step guide to making a spanner rack, recycling wood to make a tool rack as a simple and inexpensive storage solution for your DIY tools for little or no cost.
- 7
How-to Multipurpose Tea Trolley as Sewing Table
DIY how-to multipurpose a tea trolley for a sewing table, as a space saving concept; with illustrated step-by-step guide and video demo for the sonicrafter as a primary tool used in the conversion.
- 4
Restoring Drawers in an Old Sideboard to Make Them Run Smoothly Again
How-to step-by-step guide to renovate drawers in an old sideboard to make them fit properly again, and run smoothly; as they once did; Illustrated detailed showcase with tips, advice and suggestions.
- 3
Pear Fruit Salad and Yogurt Recipe
Recipe for a refreshing dessert dish of cooked pears, soft fruit salad around the sides and yogurt; fully illustrated. Plus recipe idea to use apples instead; and tips for growing your own fruits.
- 2
How to Fit a Drawer in a Workbench
How to fit a pre-made drawer to the underside of a workbench; this guide also demonstrates the versatility of the Sonicrafter to quickly, easily and accurately cut the aperture for the new drawer.
- 2
Pumpkin and Apple Pie (A British Variation on a Traditional American Dish)
A British twist on a very traditional American Pumpkin pie, using fresh pumpkin from the garden and adding a cooking apple to the recipe with pleasing results.
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Sunrise Pear Dessert Recipe
A refreshing fruit cocktail with a difference; a simple recipe I conjured-up from fresh fruit and yogurt as an alternative to a plain and simple fruit cocktail, packed with nutrition and vitamins.
- 5
Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe Made With Crusts
Don’t throw your crusts away! This recipe allows you to use leftover crusts to make a tasty and wholesome variation to this very traditional British bread and butter pudding dessert dish.
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How to Make a Cold Frame by Utilising Your Brick BBQ
DIY illustrated how-to guide to multi-purpose brick BBQ as a cold frame. By repurposing and upcycling an old windowed door, scrap wood and glass to make the removable bespoke top and front sections.
- 3
Organic Vegetable Gardener Tips on Seasonal Planner
Information and tips with illustrations to planning and growing organic vegetables and fruits in your greenhouse and back garden for healthy eating with fresh veg, and to save money on the food bill.
- 7
Strengthen and Extend Your Cat Tree With a Cubbyhole Activity Centre
Cat trees bought off the shelf are not made for Maine Coon cats, but if you like doing a bit of DIY they can be strengthened and extended to support the weight and size of your Maine Coon pet.
- 6
Vegetarian Shepherds Pie
Vegetarian shepherd’s pie recipe using soya as a healthy alternative to meat, made with veg and potatoes, natural ingredients for flavouring; served with peas and link for making the vegetarian gravy.
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All About Cross-Breed Cats: Our Maine-Coon Ragdoll
The gentle giant of all domestic cats, the Maine Coon, makes a lovable and endearing pet, as portrayed in my showcase of our adorable half-breed moggies (also part Ragdoll, another adorable cat breed).
- 2
Somerset, England: Picture Perfect Cheddar Gorge and Caves
I visited and reviewed Cheddar Gorge, a great spot in Somerset, England. It's famous for its caves and the world-famous cheddar cheese. This article is packed with photos, tourist information, and a map.
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Crisp Banana Sandwich
Crisp banana sandwich, potato chips in American; a quick British snack with a difference. A very tasty, simple, easy and quick snack to make; and great for potato couch snacking in front of the TV.
- 4
Communal Vegetable Gardening With Friends and Neighbours
Communal vegetable gardening with your friends and neighbours, a concept of mutual benefit by sharing seeds, seedlings, plants and fruits and vegetables with each other; our approach to achieve this.
- 4
Handcrafted Wooden Ornaments
Showcase of handcrafted wooden ornaments; solid wood elephants and a pair of giraffes carved from bamboo. And review and recommendations of ornaments made from real wood.
- 2
4 Handcrafted Coal Ornaments and Carved Figurines
I show and review handcrafted coal ornaments, especially Welsh coal. Although they're hard to find, you can still find a nice selection of coal ornaments online.
- 2
Décor Fridge Magnets
Fridge magnets can be functional as well as decorative; here I explore various types of fridge magnets you can buy looking at their durability, aesthetics and uses.
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Slate Coasters as Art Décor
Review showcase of slate coasters, which are decorative and functional; my favourite type of coaster is slate because it has an air of natural quality and when not in use makes great art decor.
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Stuffed Baked Potatoes With Cheesy Potato Sauce Recipe
Here is a recipe for making potato cheese and onion sauce for stuffed baked potatoes, and a recipe for a complete meal with the stuffed baked potatoes complete with baked beans and hard-boiled eggs.
- 102
How to Save Money With an Electricity Usage Monitor
My review on using an energy saving monitoring device and how it can help you save money on your electricity bill; also an illustrated how-to set guide and how to use it and other related devices.
- 10
Make Your Own Wooden Laundry Basket
How-to DIY guide for making an Innovative bespoke built-in wooden laundry basket that doesn’t get in the way and doesn’t get chewed by the cats; space saving durable solution illustrated with photos.
- 12
How to Make Shelving From Recycled Laminated Chipboard Furniture
Comprehensive illustrated DIY how-to guide on recycling wood from old laminated chipboard furniture to upcycle and repurpose for shelving and new cupboard doors; with joints and shelf support tips.
- 4
How to Make a Wooden Hairbrush Rack
Illustrated step-by-step how-to guide to make a simple bespoke wooden hairbrush rack in 4 easy steps on a shoestring budget from recycled material e.g. piece of scrap wood and an old wire coat hanger.
- 0
Which Jewelry Box is Right for You?
Jewellery (jewelry) boxes come in all shapes and sizes to cater for all needs. Here I review all the jewellery boxes around the home looking at the different designs and their various uses.
- 3
The Art of Balancing Ornaments
Tips and ideas on displaying your ornaments to balance them for a more pleasing effect e.g. odd numbers work better than evens, and proportioning style and size.
- 5
Remodelling an Old Broken Magazine Rack
Illustrated DIY step-by-step how-to guide on remodelling an old broken magazine rack to make it bespoke for our needs; with ideas and suggestions and our sourcing of suitable materials and tools.
- 6
How to Make a TV Remote Control Holder
How-to DIY guide to recycling wood and scrap materials to make bespoke made-to-measure caddy for storing TV and other remote controls all in one handy place; detailed illustrated step-by-step guide.
- 4
Gift Ideas for Décor Collectable Mugs
For inspiration and gift ideas, showcase of our collection of décor mugs hanging on cup hooks in our kitchen that are also functional; including personalised, colourful, humorous and themed mugs.
- 7
Restoration of an Old Framed Oil Painting on White Opaque Glass
How-to guide for restoring an old tole oil painting on glass; I’m not an artist but I appreciate good art, and so it was when I decided to restore an old Tole painting by my great-grandmother.
- 3
Interactive Feeders and Toys That Cats Love
Interactive feeder toys are great because cats love them, and they keep cats active! This is an in-depth review based on our experiences with our Maine Coon cats.
- 2
How to Make a Wooden WC Roll Holder for Spare Toilet Rolls
DIY how-to step-by-step guide to make wooden toilet roll holder in 8 easy steps from a broom handle and piece of scrap wood to hold spare toilet paper; fully illustrated with photos, advice and tips.
- 2
Kitchen Storage Jars and Containers
Review and recommendations for great kitchen storage jars; including marble, glass, wood and stainless steel; showcased with samples from our kitchen, their function, aesthetics and durability.
- 5
Remodelling Stairs and Replacing Pine Floorboards With Oak
Detailed and fully illustrated step-by-step how-to guide to renovate old staircases back to bare wood, after removing fitted carpet; and replacing pine floorboards with solid oak flooring on landing.
- 5
The Natural Beauty of Wooden Fruit Bowls
My review and recommendations of great wooden fruit bowls; showcased by our collection demonstrating their use, versatility and beauty, and their duel role for display and functionality.
- 7
Beauty Dishes and Softboxes and How to Adapt Them to Fit Older Studio Light Fittings
Review guide for beauty dishes and softboxes for photography, and illustrated DIY Rico style step-by-step how-to guides to make and adapt lighting equipment to fit Bowens photographic studio lights.
- 26
Why Wooden Breadbins are Great
Review and recommendation for quality made wooden breadbins based on my own personal experience; looking at the beauty of natural wood and finding the ideal location for bread-boxes in the kitchen.
- 15
Software Guide for Better Photography and Videography Post Production
Camera, equipment and software review and recommendation for great multimedia photography and videography post production; illustrated showcase guide from a professional photographer and videographer.
- 76
Tips for Doing High-end Photography on a Shoestring Budget
Ideas and tips on adapting and making equipment for photography on a low budget; photographic kit, including lighting and studio equipment for Canon cameras and Bowen lights that is normally expensive
- 3
Candle Making From Recycled Wax
Detailed illustrated step-by-step how-to guide to make attractive and scented candles; the instructions given are for using recycled candle wax although the principle is the same for using new wax.
- 2
Choosing the Best Family Tree Software
My review of the best genealogy software for creating and maintaining a database of your family tree on your computer including my experience of using Roots Magic and Family Tree Maker.
- 2
Transitioning From Analogue to Digital Radio: A History
Brief history and transition from analogue to digital radio, how it differs between HD, Satellite and Internet Radios in America and DAB in Europe; showcase of my DABs, and some recommended radios.
- 6
A Sat Nav With Humour and Attitude
Being a road atlas navigator of the old school who has now used for many years and become dependent on Satnavs for holiday travel and day trips, I give my full review of our experiences with TomTom.
- 2
Software Package to Design and Print Your Own Personalised Greeting Cards: A Personal Review
Review and recommendations for great software for making your own personalised greeting cards for all occasions; includes illustrated step-by-step how-to guide and info to using studio card programs.
- 10
How to Replace Your Watch Batteries and Save Money
Step-by-step how-to guide to changing watch batteries; fully illustrated with videos and photos, and review and recommendations for watch repair tool kits necessary for replacing your watch battery.
- 5
Fortified Tea Wine Recipe
Fortified tea wine recipe made with 12 tea bags, grape concentrate and fresh oranges and lemons. Matures in 5 months although taste improves with age; a refreshing drink that goes well with biscuits.
- 2
DeWalt Power Tools - Drill Screwdriver and Jig Saw Reviewed
Detailed and illustrative review and recommendations for DeWalt power tools, cordless drill and screwdriver and the DeWalt jig saw with video demo; includes pros and cons of cabled vs. cordless.
- 0
Enhance Your Workshop with Tool Accessories
Review of hand and power tool accessories, which over the years I have found a great asset in my home-workshop; and would recommend for any DIY enthusiast e.g. drill hole saws and Forstner bit sets.
- 21
Woodworking Made Simple with Decking Offcuts
7 DIY projects illustrating how-to recycle and repurpose wooden decking off-cuts in the home and garden e.g. recycle and compost bins, ramps, table tops, raised beds, shelving and cat scratching post.
- 2
Review: The Evolution Rage Circular Saw That Cuts Through Hidden Nails and Screws
My fully illustrated review of the Evolution Rage Circular Saw. The blade quality and performance were the main features that impressed me.
- 6
The Versatility of the Dremel for DIY
Detailed and illustrative review of the Dremel with recommendations ; showcase demonstrating its versatility for cutting, sanding, polishing and engraving in wood, metal, plastic and glass.
- 3
SoniCrafter the Ultimate in Versatile Power Tools for Sawing Wood in Tight Spaces
Review and recommendations for the SoniCrafter e.g. Rockwell; a versatile multipurpose power tool saw for DIY jobs in tight and awkward spaces. Worx model fully illustrated with video demo.
- 2
The Best Russell Hobbs Jug Kettles
From personal experience, my review of the cordless Russell Hobbs Jug Kettles with a detailed look at their various features including ergonomic design, viewing window and pouring spout.
- 14
What Lurks Behind Your Garden Shed
What lurks behind your garden shed illustrates how you can reutilise a small and normally wasted space behind the shed and multipurpose it for your own garden use while still catering for wildlife.
- 18
Banana Fruit Salad with Custard and Cake Dessert Recipe
Simple desserts prepared and ready in just a few minutes; all that is required is banana and fresh fruits, Swiss Roll cake and custard; and for a variation fresh fruits and a large pot of yogurt.
- 12
Pest Control in Five Easy Steps for Safe Organic Gardening
5 safe ways for pest control in organic gardening; full review with recommendations of the methods I find effective; wildlife ponds, soapy liquids, Sluggo, Diatomaceous Earth and companion planting.
- 11
Dalek Stools - The Perfect Kitchen Solution for Small People
Dalek stools, solution for small people to reach kitchen wall cupboards and shelves; my full illustrated showcase review and recommendations, includes alternative step stools from my own experience.
- 2
Using a Bialetti or Blender to Make Banana Ice Cream Milkshakes
How to step by step guide with tips and ideas to use your blender and the Bialetti milk frother for making banana ice cream milkshakes.
- 3
Who Discovered America Before Columbus
Light-hearted look at who really discovered America, Bristol’s link through John Cabot and his ship, the Matthew; and the Middleton Family of Washington, my great-great grandfather’s American friends.
- 3
Recycling Salvaged Window Glass for DIY Projects
How-to recycle salvaged glass and mirrors in DIY projects around the home; illustrated showcase packed with tips and suggestions, and a guide on cutting and reusing glass to fit glazed cupboard doors.
- 14
Cauliflower Cheese Recipe Served With Baked Potatoes and Baked Tomatoes
Cauliflower Cheese, a traditional British recipe; also included here is the how to for making the cheese sauce and as a complete meal I serve it with baked potatoes and baked tomatoes.
- 1
How to Make an HDD Storage Rack From Wood for External Hard Drives
This article contains a DIY-illustrated step-by-step how-to guide to make your own storage rack to hold a bank of external HDD hard drives as a storage and backup solution for your computer or iMac.
- 9
Mashed Potato and Cheese Toastie With Baked Bean Option
A simple and quick snack or meal using leftover mashed potatoes and grated cheese. Options: add tomatoes, onions, and baked beans.
- 3
Salvaged Scrap Wood Storage Ideas and Troubleshooting Guide
Finding space to store salvaged scrap wood in your garden shed or workshop for future DIY use can be an issue; here, I showcase my temporary storage solution with suggested ideas for the longer term.
- 4
How-To Make an Egg Rack for Your Fridge or Kitchen
DIY Illustrated how-to guide to make a Perspex egg-rack for the fridge door shelf. Additional info and tips are given for making a free standing egg rack for the kitchen worktop or for wall mounting.
- 4
Roast Potato Cheese Bake Pie Recipe
A simple recipe for turning your leftover roast potatoes into a tasty dish; with serving suggestions, including either fried or poached egg with baked beans, tinned tomatoes or peas.
- 8
How to Hew Wood to Create 17th Century Style Shelving
How-to hew wooden shelves to create that 17th century effect; illustrated showcase step-by-step guide with photos and video to hewing wood using a jig-saw with tips, advice and recommendations.
- 28
How to Make Built-in and Adjustable Shelves
How-to guide to build shelf units for storing DVDs, CDs or paperback books, with fixed and adjustable shelves and how to create a hewn effect with a jog saw; a comprehensive guide with illustrations.
- 8
How to Make Green Tomato Chutney
You can use those end-of-season, unripe tomatoes you picked from your garden or greenhouse to make an excellent chutney. I also include recipe tips for using the chutney in a ploughman’s lunch.
- 18
Review of the Kenwood Electric Can Opener
This is my review of the Kenwood tin can opener with a personal detailed illustrative review and recommendations. I also compare other types and models of manual and electric tin openers.
- 2
A Personal Review on Deep Fat Fryers
My review for the best deep fat fryers based on my experiences of using these kitchen appliances; to mainly cook chips (French Fries in America). I also look at alternative methods of frying chips.
- 8
Mashed Potato and Cheese Omelette Recipe
Simple and easy illustrated recipe to make cheese and mashed potato omelette, with tips for variations in ingredients and various cooking methods to make this tasty meal suitable for vegetarians.
- 3
Toaster Review and Tips on Other Ways to Toast Your Bread
I like toast; this review based on my experiences looks at some of the best available toasters e.g. T-Fal models, and explores other ways of toasting bread like griddlers, grills and sandwich makers.
- 6
Great Bread Makers Reviews and Recommendations
Review and recommendations for bread makers; illustrated showcase from what we use in our kitchen, with advice, tips and suggestions on choosing the best bread maker for your requirements.
- 5
Tomato and Potato Pie Recipe in Cheese Sauce (1940 Style)
This is my adaptation of a 1940s wartime recipe, tomato and potato cheese pie; as a vegetarian the main difference being to substitute lard for margarine. An easy bake wholesome, and nutritious meal.