Housewife and house-husband tips, courtesy of ideas, March 2007
Hi all, I am starting an archive of all the great ideas I come accross in magazines, coz you never know when you have to paint a ceiling, or when you need to know if your bread is cooked through...Besides that, I am tired of all these millions of torn out pages, that lie around in my cupboard...time to put them on soft copy!
How can I tell if a loaf of bread is cooked through?
To ensure that you get a well risen, firm and golden brown loaf of bread, tip it out of the tin at the end of the baking time and tap the base. It should make a hollow, drum-like sound. If it doesn't sound hollow, return it to the tin and bake for a further five minutes before checking again
Sewing tips:
When sewing cushion covers and pillowcases, always snip the seam allowances at the corners diagonally, as this will ensure a neater point
When working ease stitches at the top of a sleeve head, make sure you pull them in evenly, and distribute the gathers or you will end up with the bulk at the seam
Always remember to turn over pattern pieces if you have to cut left and right pieces from the same pattern
What is the best way to store tools? (I am going to have a kick A$$ workshop in my house one day)
Protect the tips of drill bits and blades by storing them in suitable pouches. You can also drill a series of holes in a piece of wood and store the drill bits in the appropriate holes. Make sure the piece of wood is large enough so that you can add new ones over time
Cover saw blades with a lenght of plastic pipe. Cut a slit in one side of the plastic pipe before folding it around the blade and storing securely
Attach magnets to the inside of the lid of your toolbox (Glue them onto the inside of the lid if you have a plastic toolbox) Use the magnets to keep smaller metal tools and objects from rolling around the toolbox or getting lost
Invest in a tool belt that can be fastened around your waist to keep tools nearby while you're working. Empty cool-drink tins can also be inserted into the pouch pockets to create compartments that can hold small items, or to keep tools standing or upright
Cabinets with compartments and drawers are ideal for the space underneath a workbench, especially to store smaller items, such as nuts, bolts and screws. Use transparent containers with small slide out compartments for easy identification. Glass jars also work well. Screw the lids to the underside of the workbench or to an overhead wooden shelf, then simply screw the jars into the lids for quick and easy access and storage.
Tool boards made from plywood are available from most hardware stores. They have holes that can easily be fitted with bolts or short dowels from which to hang tools. You can also fasten clips onto them, which can be used to suspend items. Keep everything in its place by drawing the outline of each tool on the board using a marker, making it easier to know where to replace after use.
Can I make a bouquet garni for myself?
It is not difficult. A bouquet garni is a mixture of herbs commonly used in dishes that need to cook for a long time. Traditionally, it contains a bay leaf and a mixture of origanum, parsley and thyme. If you are using fresh herbs, tie a string around the stalks and supsend them in the pot by tying the string around one of the handles of the pot. If you are using dried herbs, wrap them in a small muslin bag that can be suspended from the handle of the pot. Remember to remove the bouquet garni before serving.
What is the easiest way to paint a ceiling?
Tell your paint supplier the size of the ceiling so that they can supply you with the correct amount of paint. You should buy the specialized ceiling paint - it hides marks well, doesn't splatter and you usually only need one coat to achieve an attractive matt finish.
Cover the entire floor with drop sheets. Secure the edges of the drop sheets with masking tape and join the ones on the floor area with more masking tape
Pour some paint into a paint tray and use a wide paintbrush to paint along the borders of the ceiling and around light fittings and light switches
Paint the remainder of the ceiling with a roller. Use a step ladder to ensure that you reach comfortably. Creat an extended handle for the roller by inserting a broomstick into the opening at the back end of the roller. This also makes it easier to paint larger areas at once
Remember: always work a few feet in front of you so you don't splatter yourself with paint. Work systematically from one side of the room to the other to ensure that you don't miss a spot.
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