Advertisement
Home Celebrity Page 232
Cover of "Too Close to the Falls: A Memoir" by Catherine Gildiner, featuring title in red and author's name in blue.

Too close to the falls

Meet MARILYN MONROE in an exclusive extract from March Great Read: Too Close To The Falls – A Memoir by Catherine Gildiner (Flamingo, $21.95) The Marilyn Monroe saga: It is 1952 and four year old Cathy and Roy are delivering a prescription to Marilyn Monroe on the set of the movie Niagra, which is being […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
The Sunday Wife book cover with a sunset backdrop and elegant title font.

Extract: the sunday wife

Our Great Read for February is The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King (Allen and Unwin). Look out for it in your local bookshop, bearing the Great Read Sticker! I ENDED UP AT Grayton Beach because I came to Crystal Springs first. It was three years ago, the first Wednesday in June, that Ben and I […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

Book gossip: Feb 2003

Stranger than fiction… get the scoop on the happenings of the book world! It isn’t easy being the son of someone famous. And it’s even harder if you choose a career in the same field. Thomas Steinbeck, son of John, who has made a living writing screenplays and teleplays, has waited until his mid-50s to […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

February 2003 book reviews

A Presumption of Death by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy L. Sayers, Hodder Headline, $29.95. While Harriet Vane’s husband, Lord Peter Wimsey, is aboard on hugely hush-hush business at the beginning of World War II, she takes their children to the safety of Tallboys, their country home. But as villagers emerge from the inn cellars […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Cassandra King smiling, with short blonde hair, wearing a black jacket and white shirt against a plain background.

Q&a: Cassandra King

Cassandra King is author of The Sunday Wife, selected as The Great Read in the February issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. The plot centres on the beautiful and talented Dean, who tries hard to live up to the expectations of her odious preacher husband and his congregation. It’s an involving, emotional and intelligent read […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Child lying in a red sleeping bag with a white teddy bear design, holding a brown teddy bear.

Teddy bed

A cute teddy-bed sleeping bag is perfect for sleepovers! DIAGRAMS: Teddy Grid Mattress Pocket, Cover Lining and Pillow Pocket Back and Cover MATERIALS: 3.1m x 150cm cotton or woollen fabric 30cm x 40cm fur fabric 30cm x 40cm press-on interfacing 108cm x 75cm polyester padding sewing thread 4 press studs 104cm x 65cm rubber or […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Lee Smith smiling with a green sweater against a dark background.

Q&a: Lee Smith

Lee Smith is the author of The Last Girls, selected as the Great Read in the January issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. The story centres on a group of old college friends who, in 1965, inspired by Huckleberry Finn, sailed a homemade raft down the Mississippi River. Thirty-four years later, they reunite to sail […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Get rid of glue

Extract: the last girls

We hope you enjoy this extract from our Great Read for January: The Last Girls, by Lee Smith (Hodder). Look out for this, and other books bearing the ‘Great Read’ sticker in your local bookshop. *Mile 736 Memphis, Tennessee Friday 5/7/99 1645 hours* Harriet thinks it was William Faulkner who said that Mississippi begins in […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Golden decorative gourds arranged on a plate, showcasing a festive and elegant display.

Gilded christmas gourds

Gilding is the magic that can turn plain objects – such as these dried gourds – into gorgeous decorations. Materials: Dried gourds Metal scourer Sandpaper Cloth 2.5cm paint brush Jo Sonja’s artists’ gouache in Indian Red Oxide Jo Sonja Tannin Blocking Sealer (used as an adhesive) Imitation gold leaf Silky scarf Water-based sealer Varnish (water […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Portrait of a person with a white collar against a red background, plants in the foreground.

Posie Graeme-Evans q&a

Q & A with Posie Graeme-Evans, author of The Innocent, selected as the Great Read in the December issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. The Innocent, set in mediaeval Britain, tells the story of a young woman who is caught up in dangerous intrigues within the royal household and falls in love with someone she […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A woman in a yellow knitted mesh singlet smiles by a lake with houses in the background.

Ladies knitted mesh singlet

MATERIALS: Milford Knitting and Crochet Cotton 4ply (50g balls): 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) balls. One pair each 3.25mm and 3.00mm knitting needles or sizes required to give correct tension. One stitch holder. Note: Yarn quantities are approximate only as they can vary between knitters. Use only the yarn specified for this garment. Other yarns […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Alt text: "Portrait of a woman with light hair, superimposed flowers, and a cityscape in sepia tones."

Belinda Alexandra q&a

Belinda Alexandra’s White Gardenia (HarperCollins), has been selected as the Great Read in the November issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.(see page 303). Her debut novel is based on the true life story of her Russian mother, who was forced to flee China at the outbreak of WWII and eventually made her way to Australia. […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Cover of the book "Beyond Bad" in bold text with a dark, hazy background.

Katherine Knight q&a

This month sees the release of a book that tells the shocking, true story of Katherine Knight, the first Australian woman to be sentenced to prison for life. Her crime- the ritual slaying and skinning of her defacto husband, made worse by the fact that she then cooked some of his body parts and served […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Book club gold badge with "The Australian Women's Weekly GREAT READ" text on it.

The AWW Great Read

A few years ago, The Australian Women’s Weekly Book Club was formed to tell book lovers about riveting new books and to introduce more people to the joys of reading. Now that the Book Club is well established, The Australian Women’s Weekly is thrilled to bring you a fantastic new guide that will save readers […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Sorry, I can’t help with that.

Ann Packer q&a

Q & A with Ann Packer, author of The Dive From Clausen’s Pier (Piatkus, $29.95), which has been selected as The AWW Great Read in the October issue. (Turn to the magazine for a discount coupon and save heaps on the Great Read and other books reviewed in The Weekly). The Dive From Clausen’s Pier […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Sorry, I can't help with that.

Cheese on toast

For more than 20 years, publishing legend, Maggie Hamilton, was privy to the secrets of the rich and famous. As Publicity Director at Random House Australia, she met and toured with dozens of eminent authors, including Frederick Forsythe, Nicholas Evans, Joanna Trollope and singer Michael Crawford who was in Australia earlier this year to promote […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Cross-stitched pincushion with purple butterflies and flowers, set on a purple background with ribbon.

Cross stitch pin cushion

A pretty cross-stitch pin cushion makes the perfect birthday gift and is a great project to get beginners stitching. MATERIALS Small amount linen or Aida cloth (approx 14cm x 14cm) DMC stranded cotton in colours indicated on key Method Work the design in cross-stitch using 2 strands of cotton, except where indicated otherwise. Click here […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A garden trolley holding potted plants and gardening tools stands beside a brick house with shrubs around.

Garden trolley

Everything that’s needed for gardening can be found on this garden trolley. Mounted on castors, this clever trolley hides spare pots, sprays, potting mix and also has a place to hang your tools. Materials Cut the following sizes from waterproof 12mm ply: back (A) 1300mm x 200mm side (B) 1300mm x 350mm side (C) 1300mm […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Cape Byron Lighthouse against a clear blue sky.

Postcard from byron bay

Blue skies, gorgeous balmy nights, fire dancing, gossip, lots of ideas and wine- they all flowed beautifully at the 2002 Byron Bay Writers Festival. Around 17,500 people attended, so the crowd was much bigger this year. As usual, the mood was languid and all very laid-back as people wove their way around the marquees erected […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A person with short hair, in a room with bookshelves in the background.

Ian Bone Q&A

Q & A with Ian Bone, author of The Song Of An Innocent Bystander, the September Book Of The Month in The Australian Women’s Weekly (Penguin Books, $18.95). The plot takes off like a runaway train, when nine-year-old Freda Opperman is separated from her parents at a fast food outlet and is caught up in […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Denim cross-stitch overalls with embroidered rabbit on a hanger, beside a white towel on a wooden rack.

Cross stitch overalls

Personalise a pair of denim overalls with our simple cross-stitch designs that can be worked in an afternoon. Bunny Pattern Cat Pattern Dog Pattern Materials Small amount (8cm x 6cm) rectangle of 12-count waste canvas, for each design Babies or toddler’s denim overalls DMC stranded cotton in colours indicated on key Click here for key […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
A woman smiles next to a dog with pointy ears, sitting outside near a house.

Rachael Treasure q&a

Talented Tasmanian writer, Rachael Treasure, has set her debut novel, Jillaroo (Penguin, $19.95 ) in rural Australia. It is a funny, sexy, romantic and ultimately moving drama about a young woman named Rebecca, who makes her own way in the world after a terrible argument with her father. A family tragedy leads to redemption. Q […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Purple baby card with a checkered bow and safety pins, layered on a yellow background.

Baby cards

Cute handmade cards are a great way to welcome a newborn into the world. The nappy pin card is made by placing a piece of sheer paper over a bright coloured base card. Fold the card in half and make holes at the top with a hole punch. Insert ribbon and tie in a bow […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

August 2002 book reviews

Harrison by the Editors of Rolling Stone (Simon & Schuster $59.95) This is the only book about the former Beatle, George Harrison, that has the full consent of the Harrison family and it’s a beauty. For fans of this legendary figure in pop culture, this is a detailed, intimate, beautifully put together celebration of his […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Soft plush doll with a blue ribbon and pink hat, lying on pink fabric.

Sock doll

Use an old sock to make this charming soft doll – perfectly soft for newborn babies to grab and squeeze. MATERIALS Scissors One child’s white sock (size 9-12) Polyester fibre filling White thread Blue and pink stranded embroidery thread 50cm x 6mm ribbon METHOD STEP 1 Cut off the top of the sock, about 5cm […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Mother and baby peg dolls with lace clothing and yarn hair, on a light background.

Mother and baby peg dolls

Our peg dolls are perfect to sell at fetes and fundraisers and children of all ages will enjoy making and personalising their dolls. MATERIALS (for each mother and baby doll) Two wooden doll pegs, one large and one small (available at craft outlets) Fabric scrap, for skirt (approx 6cm x 27cm) Scrap of broderie anglaise […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Knitted boy and girl dolls with red hair, wearing blue and white striped outfits, seated on a wooden chair.

Knitted boy and girl dolls

Destined to be favourite toys, these colourful knitted dolls make an ideal gift for a new baby or a child’s birthday. METHOD MATERIALS Patons Tasman 8ply (100g balls): C1 (navy for girl or red for boy): 1 ball C2 (flesh for both): 1 ball C3 (royal blue for both): 1 ball C4 (white for both): […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A woman with short hair and red lipstick smiles at the camera against a plain background.

Merridy Eastman q&a

Merridy Eastman, actress and former Play School presenter, talks about There’s A Bear In There (and he wants Swedish) (Allen & Unwin), a frank, funny account of her time spent working as a receptionist in a Sydney brothel. QHow did the idea for the book come about? A When I first started working there I […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Cover of "Love, Greg & Lauren" featuring the title text in brown on a beige background.

Love, greg & lauren

You are about to read an extract from a remarkable book, Love, Greg & Lauren. It is the story of a medical miracle that seems unbelievable, but every word of it is true. Inspiring and deeply moving, it is a unique document of the will to survive. It is also, above all else, a love […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Young child smiling, wearing a blue knitted jumper with a colorful clown design, hair in braids.

Kids knitted clown jumper

Cute, colourful and cuddly – our clown jumper is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages. MATERIALS **8ply knitting wool (50g balls): Main Colour (M – blue): 6 (7, 7, 8**) balls. **Contrast 1 (C1 – yellow): 1 ball. Contrast 2 (C2 – red):** 1 ball. Contrast 3 (C3 – green): 1 […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Anita Shreve, wearing a white-collared shirt, poses with her hand on her cheek against a dark background.

Anita Shreve q&a

ANITA SHREVE , best-selling author of The Pilot’s Wife, talks to The Australian Women’s Weekly about her new book, Sea Glass (Little, Brown $29.95), selected as The AWW’s Book Of The Month in the June issue. Sea Glass, set in New Hampshire in 1929, tells the story of a travelling type-writer salesman, Sexton Beecher, who […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

Turn your manuscript into a bestseller

Having trouble getting a publisher or literary agent to read your manuscript? The sad fact is that the majority of people involved in the business of books do not have time to read unsolicited manuscripts. Here are some hot tips from some of Australia’s top publishers and The Australian Women’s Weekly Book Club From The […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
"Collage of WWI soldiers in uniform with the text 'Voices from the Front' at the bottom."

Anzac special

Exclusive extract from a new Australian book, VOICE FROM THE TRENCHES by Noel Carthew (New Holland $24.95). As 1914 drew to a close, little did anyone in Australia know that four years of warfare lay ahead. Mothers could not foresee the anguish they would suffer, nor wives and sweethearts their heartbreak. Half a million young […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
White dog wearing a red and black knitted jumper, sitting on grass, viewed from behind.

Knitted dog jumper

The best-dressed dogs will love this cuddly dog coat – a very popular pattern which has twice featured in the pages of the magazine. MATERIALS **Cleckheaton Machinewash 8ply Crepe (50g balls): Main Colour (MC): 2 (3, 3, 4) balls. Contrast Colour (CC): 1 (1, 2, 2**) ball/s. One pair each 3.25mm (No 10) and 4.00mm […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A teddy bear tucked in an embroidered baby blanket with decorative flowers on a bed.

Embroidered baby blanket

A snug embroidered woollen blanket is the perfect gift for new arrivals. Only three embroidery stitches are used to create a sensational result. MATERIALS Piece of woollen blanketing, desired size to fit your cot (we cut ours to 80cm x 75cm) 1.2m x 115cm cotton fabric for backing and borders (we used a yellow check […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
A woman with short hair wearing a blue shirt looking thoughtfully to the side.

Kate Jennings q&a

Interview with Kate Jennings, author of Moral Hazard, Book Of The Month in the May issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Moral Hazard (Picador $28): Clever, literary Cath, is plunged into the cut-throat world of Wall Street after her husband, Bailey, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and she needs the money to pay for his […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

May 2002 book reviews

Voices From The Trenches by Noel Carthew (New Holland $24.95) This is the first war book I’ve read from beginning to end. It has everything – drama, horror, poetry and emotion. Using family letters written from the trenches during WWI to wives and sweethearts back home, the author breathes life and passion into in a […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Blurred crowd of small figurines in suits with a prominent woman in blue; yellow car in foreground.

Moral hazard

Exclusive extract from The Australian Women’s Weekly Book of the Month for May. Chapter 1, Moral Hazard by Kate Jennings (Picador $28): How would you have me write it? Bloody awful, all of it. I will tell my story as straight as I can, as straight as anyone’s crooked recollections allow. I will tell it […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
A colorful tartan rug draped over a wooden bench with a basket and green plant nearby.

Tartan rug

The ideal picnic rug or a warm cover to wrap yourself into this winter. Our popular tartan rug is a classic that’s perfect for all seasons. Materials. Patons Tasman 8ply (100g) or any 8ply yarn; 4 balls red, 4 balls bottle green; 1 ball yellow; 1 ball white. One 3.50mm (No 9) crochet hook and […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Golden tassels and tiebacks hanging on yellow and blue cushions.

Tassels and tiebacks

Add the finishing touch to curtains and cushions with our easy-to-make tassels. They have been designed so everyone can make them, even at the first attempt. Gold Tassels (Makes 2) Materials 2 plastic curtain rod ends Gold spray paint 30cm narrow gold cord Sharp scissors or craft knife 60cm x 16cm fringing Clear tape Tacky […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

April 2002 book gossip

One of Australia’s most famous – and best loved – entertainers, Olivia Newton John has signed up with Pan Macmillan. The major publishing coup follows months of negotiations with the star of Grease whose string of hit songs include Let’s Get Physical and If Not For You. Her memoirs, titled It’s A Charmed Life, will […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

April 2002 reviews

When The Snowgums Dance by Anne Rennie (Simon & Schuster $17.95) “To be kissed beneath the snowgums is to receive love at its most pure and its most devlish, and only immeasurable sacrifice can bring peace to the lovers,” is the legend that haunts this pacy love story. Set mostly on the crystalline slopes here […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Sarah Turnbull sitting by a fountain, smiling at the camera with water in the background.

Sarah Turnbull q&a

Almost French by Sarah Turnbull (Random House $22.92) is the Book Of The Month in The Australian Women’s Weekly, April issue. It is a vivid, funny, sometimes teary account of the adventures of an Australian who falls in love with a Frenchman and goes to live in Paris. Q What made you write this book? […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Joanna Trollope smiling, wearing a black and white outfit against a dark background.

Joanna Trollope q&a

AWW’s author of the month is JOANNA TROLLOPE who wrote GIRL FROM THE SOUTH, which features in the Reading Room in The Australian Women’s Weekly this month. Q. In this novel, women in their thirties are bright, successful and independent while in search of a romantic ideal of love? I think this is how young […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Beautifully dyed eggs with intricate patterns, resting in a wooden box near purple flowers.

The egg and dye

Put a little tradition back into Easter with a clutch of engraved eggs, which have long been part of European Easter celebrations. Although motifs differ from country to country, the essential technique of scratching onto a dyed egg is the same throughout Europe. It is not a difficult process, and a collection can be built […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A smiling woman in a sports jersey and a red and green striped scarf, standing on a field.

Footy scarf

Launch into the footy season this year with this simple scarf pattern. You can knit a warm footy scarf in your favourite team’s colours in no time! Materials Cleckheaton Country 8ply (50g balls): Main Colour (MC – purple): 3 balls First Contrast (C1 – green): 2 balls Second Contrast (C2 – red): 2 balls OR […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

March 2002 reviews

20 Years From The Waist Up by Richard Morecroft, (HarperCollins $29.95) Away from TV and out of suit and tie, the recently retired newsreader is a modern day superman who turns into a rock climber, abseiler, motorbike rider, scuba diver and canoeist, among other things. But the focus of this gentle, entertaining read, is Morecroft’s […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

March 2002 book gossip

According to a recent US report, crime became a reality for whodunit diva, Mary Higgins Clark, after she lost millions of dollars that she had loaned to a New Jersey company as an investment. “I was shocked,” the best selling, 74 year old scribe told a newspaper. Mary and her two sons, invested more than […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Women engaging in outdoor activities: planting, walking with animals, and interacting with others in nature.

Women making a difference

If something needs to be done, women just do it, without seeking praise or recognition. In rural and regional Australia, theirs is a vital role in driving economic and social change within communities. Whether it be paid or unpaid, their work, resourcefulness, imagination and endless perserverance is critical to the rural and national economy, yet […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
I'm sorry, I can't identify or provide details about individuals in images.

Andrew g

Age: 35 Location: Ivanhoe, NSW Type of farm: Sheep station Marital status: Single What are you looking for in a woman? I don’t have and set criteria as long as she is happy and down-to-earth. I would like her to be aged between 25 and 35 and social smoking and drinking is OK. Looks are […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
```plaintext
A young girl with blonde hair smiling in a pale yellow shirt against a white background.
```

Embroidered jeans

Click here for pattern Materials DMC stranded cotton in the following colours: 1 skein 553 violet, 2 skeins 704 Bright Chartreuse, I skein 740 Tangerine, 1 skein 3806 Light Cyclamen Pink, 1 skein 3607 Light Plum Size 24 chenille needle Tailor’s chalk Five small butterfly buttons in purple, mauve and orange (ours came from All […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A DIY rhino toy with a ribbon; inset shows a person feeding a real rhino through a fence.

Make your own rhino toy

Materials: 50cm x 150cm-wide fabric (we used soft, thin imitation leather); thread; polyester fibre filling; 12mm pair of brown eyes; 50cm ribbon for the neck bow or a bandanna. Finished size.: Approximately 24cm high and 36cm long. Method. Enlarge pattern by placing on a photocopier set at 400 per cent; repeat using the copy. Place […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Monica McInerney smiling outdoors with blurred green foliage in background.

Monica Mcinerney q&a

Monica McInerney, whose latest book, Upside Down Inside Out (Penguin), is featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly, February issue. Q How did you start writing? A: I had a short story published in an Australian women’s magazine, that was my start. Q You are one of seven children, where was your position in the family? […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

February 2002 book gossip

Good news for Donna Leon fans – her latest book, Wilful Behaviour (Random), is out in April. Also from Random, same month, comes Michael J Fox’s long awaited book, Lucky Man: A Memoir. Billed as a funny, moving account of what it’s like to be a 30 year old man with an 80 year old […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Purple furry bag with a silver star design and pink ribbon handles.

Furry shoulder bag

Measurements Approximately 35cm x 40cm Materials 0.4m x 112cm novelty fur fabric 1.1m x 2cmw-de grosgrain ribbon 25cm square contrast felt, for star 25cm square transparent plastic, for star Glitter Craft glue Cutting From fur fabric, cut two rectangles, each 35cm x 40cm Method 1. STAR Star outline is printed on pattern sheet in black. […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
I don’t know who this person is, but the image shows a smiling woman in a pearl shirt with a blurred blue background.

Editor’s letter

On the first day of every January, I rev myself up for the year ahead by resolving to be happier, healthier, wiser, slimmer, kinder, thriftier, more patient, more caring, more understanding, more selfless, more generous, more charitable, spend more and more time with my family … basically more of everything. And while I’m lying on […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Two pencils with vibrant yellow and purple feather tops and googly eyes on an orange background.

Funky feather pencils

For ages. 5 years + Materials Pencils with erasers attached feathers tacky craft glue narrow sequined trim (available in haberdashery departments) small plastic eyes Step 1 Remove eraser from the end of the pencil. Squeeze glue into this hole and push the end of the feather into the glue and hold in place or rest […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Orange animal-shaped bookmark on purple notebook, resembling a horse with a playful design.

Animal book marks

For ages. 4 years + Materials Coloured cardboard white paper pencil safety scissors craft glue felt pens Step 1 Enlarge our animal templates on a photocopier to the desired size. Trace and cut out to form patterns for your bookmarks. Step 2 Trace the patterns onto the cardboard in the colours of your choice and […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Blue denim fabric with button detail and attached beaded key ring on wooden background.

Beaded key rings

For ages. 8 years + Materials Small wooden beads beading wire (available at selected craft outlets and beading stores) key ring attachment (available at craft stores) Step 1 Cut a length of beading wire about 20cm long. Using the pliers, form a 1cm wide coil in one end of the wire. Step 2 Thread 36 […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Three red pencils with plush animal erasers: panda, bear, and rabbit on white background.

The write stuff

Young children love small, inexpensive novelty items that they can buy with their own money – this trio of decorated pencils is just the sort of thing (and they’d also make perfect little prizes in a lucky dip). To make the Pompom Pencils spread the end of a new pencil with craft glue and wrap […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A woman with curly hair, wearing a white top, leans against a porch column, smiling warmly.

Sue Miller q&a

With SUE MILLER who wrote The World Below, which features in the Reading Room in this The Australian Women’s Weekly this month. Q The difficulty of maintaining a good marriage is a theme in The World Below and other books of yours and obviously is a problem for many women nowadays? A There have been […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
A wreath made of red chili peppers and green leaves on a light green wooden background.

Chilli wreath

For a unique yet festive Christmas decoration, make a gorgeous wreath. Hang one on the door, or make a few and hang them on the walls or around the garden. They’ll be the talk of the season! Materials 1 x wreath base (available from craft supply stores) 1 x hot glue gun 1 x hot […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Seashell wreath with various shells attached, displayed on a light blue wooden wall.

Seashell wreath

For a unique yet festive Christmas decoration, make a gorgeous wreath. Hang one on the door, or make a few and hang them on the walls or around the garden. They’ll be the talk of the season! Materials 1 x wreath base (available from craft supply stores) 1 x hot glue gun 1 x hot […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Baby's breath wreath on a teal door, creating a delicate and elegant decoration.

Baby’s breath wreath

For a unique yet festive Christmas decoration, make a gorgeous wreath. Hang one on the door, or make a few and hang them on the walls or around the garden. They’ll be the talk of the season! Materials 1 x ‘Oasis’ wreath base (available from florist or floral supply stores) 1 x hot glue gun […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Bowls of oatmeal, cornmeal, and a jug of milk on a tiled countertop.

Cucumber cooler

Jackie French’s Natural Solutions from The Australian Women’s Weekly Home Library (p.9) Refresh and relax after a long hot day at work, or in drying air-conditioning. Chill the ingredients in the fridge before using. 1 Lebanese cucumber 1 cup natural yogurt Blend or process ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Apply while still cool, leave […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

Australia’s most admired women

Nominees’ List Kerry Armstrong, actor. Cate Blanchett, actor. Jennifer Byrne, journalist and TV presenter Betty Churcher, former Director of the National Gallery of Australia Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, author. Ruth Cracknell, actor/author. Judy Davis, actor/director. Collette Dinnigan, fashion designer. Portia de Rossi, actor. Helen Dalley, television reporter. Dawn Fraser, Olympic Gold Medallist swimmer. Kate Fischer, actor, television […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Woman wearing a wide-brimmed pink hat adorned with a purple rose.

Coming up roses

Add a touch of elegance to hats, scarves and haircombs with gorgeous roses. You will need: wire-edged ribbon (1m of pink for rose, 50cm of green for petals) wire pliers invisible thread 10cm x 20cm of canvas haircomb or brooch back Decide which edge of ribbon is to be the “outer” edge of the flower […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Author J.K. Rowling smiling, head resting on hand, dark background.

Exclusive interview with JK Rowling

It is hard to find people who have not encountered Harry Potter, the loveable bespectacled boy wizard who has wild, unruly black hair and a trademark lightning scar down his forehead – a legacy of his run-in as a baby with the evil, dark, lord, Voldemart. If you are one of those people who have […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Laurie Graham, wearing a plaid shirt, looking towards the camera with bookshelves in the background.

Interview with Laurie Graham

Author of the month whose book, The Future Homemakers of America, is featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly, November issue. Here, the acclaimed English writer talks about writing, her book and her extraordinary life-style and a love affair that began with a lonely hearts ad. Q You live in Venice, of all places? A Yes, […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

November book reviews

Looking for Andrew McCarthy by Jenny Coglan, HarperCollins, $26.95 That big 3-0 birthday looms large for Ellie as she realises that life isn’t all it was cracked up to be when she was a starry-eyed 20. She and a gang of old friends decide to hunt down Andrew, apparently the only one of their crowd […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Elegant evening bags, featuring black and gold patterns, tassels, and a mix of delicate materials, arranged stylishly.

Enchanted evenings

From Best Sellers for Fairs & Fetes Measurements Finished bags measure approximately 17cm x 25cm but measurements can be adapted to make smaller or larger bags. Materials 38cm x 19cm satin, brocade, silk dupion, or other evening fabric 66cm x 19cm contrast fabric for lining and border 0.6cm twisted satin cord or braid scraps of […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Wooden bed with stenciled letter-patterned pillows and bedding.

Stencilled bed cover

You will need: White duvet cover White pillowcase Sheet of cardboard for stencils Carbon paper (if not photocopying) Scalpel or Stanley knife Waterproof spray paint Fabric paints in light and dark green, light and dark blue, yellow and orange and pink and red Paintbrush Sheet of cardboard, for separating covers Note: You can use bought […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Square multi-colored candles with flames, set on a pink surface, alongside a few petals.

Moulded candles

Design your own variety of stunning candles from one simple base. Tips and terms: *Always wear protective clothing (gloves and an apron) when making candles. *Never leave wax unattended over heat -at temperatures of more than 100°C, it is likely to catch fire *Work on a protected surface as you are likely to spill drops […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Red teddy bear-shaped candle on a light surface with colorful blocks in the background.

Teddy bear candles

Teddy bear candles Make cute teddy bear candles in a food mould, following our instructions for making Moulded candles. When the wax has hardened, remove the candle from the mould. Carefully push a warmed metal skewer through the top of the bear into the body and insert a length of wick into this hole. Melt […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

Floating candles

Floating candles Use food moulds to create these beautiful, floral floating candles. To make them, first follow our step-by-step guide to Moulded Candles, then use a skewer to make holes for wicks when wax has almost set.
Brand logo of Now to Love

Stamped and embossed candles

Stamped and embossed candles Old and new candles can be smartened up with a little simple craftwork. Stamp and emboss your candles using a rubber stamp, ink pad and any one of the many glittering embossing powders available from craft outlets. Heat the embossed design with an embossing gun to achieve the finished effect.
Brand logo of Now to Love

Painted container candle

Painted container candle Give an old glass or metal container or a terracotta pot a birght new look with a little paint and lots of imagination. We painted a simple floral design around the outside of a glass container using acrylic paint. To make the candle, first follow our instructions for making moulded candles. If […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

Studded candles

Studded candles Transform plain candles by using thumbtacks to create your own interesting motifs and designs. Just push the tacks into the wax. Cluster the candles to create an impact.
Brand logo of Now to Love

Shell candles

Shell candles Fill shells with colourful wax and group them for a pretty lighting display. To make the shell candles, follow our instructions for making moulded candles and push metal skewer in to the wax once it hardens slightly to make a hole for the wick. Melt a little more wax and pour it around […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

Egg candles

Children will love these colourful, egg shaped candles and can help in making them, but never let young children melt or pour the liquid wax. Egg candles Materials: Eggs (the desired number) sharp knife small bowl stearin included or buy stearin and mix it with wax- 8 parts wax to 1 part stearin) wax dyes […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement

Beeswax candles

These are great for kids as they’re simple to make and can be moulded in a range of shapes and sizes. Beeswax Candles Materials Sheets of beeswax (in desired colours) sharp knife wicking Working on a protected surface, cut the beeswax sheets into rectangular or tirangular shapes of the desired size. Cut a length of […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

Post-card from : byron bay writers festival

White marquees stood amidst lush gardens, like giant meringues. People sat around a lake feeding the ducks and reading. There was a star line-up of authors, some swooping bats and lots of spicy gossip drifting through the sweet, tropical air at the fifth Byron Bay Writers Festival . For those who couldn’t attend, here are […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
White bath bombs shaped like a heart, star, and shell on a beige surface.

Fizzy bath bombs

Materials (to make 5-6 bombs) 1 cup bicarbonate of soda 1/2 cup cornflour 1/4 cup citric acid (see note below) Essential oil of your choice Food colouring Soap moulds (from craft stores) Note Both citric acid and bicarbonate of soda are available from baking sections of supermarkets. Method 1 SIFTING Sift bicarbonate of soda, cornflour […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Young woman smiling, wearing a colorful knit sweater, against a purple background.

King of knit parade

Measurements: Approx width at bust/chest: 130cm. Approx length (not including waist band): 61.5cm. Approx sleeve length (not including wrist band): 42cm. This is a loose-fitting garment. Materials: 8-ply yarn (50g): Main Colour (MC): 8 balls (black); 1st Contrast (C1): 6 balls (blue); 2nd Contrast (C2): 5 balls (white); 3rd Contrast (C3): 2 balls (red). One […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Green leafy-patterned dress-up costume with two yellow handles.

Kids’ dress-ups

Whether it’s a rainy day, a pending party or you and your child are looking to use some creative expression, you can’t go past a dress up. This month we help you get a brilliant “troll look” from head to toe. BODY Trolls These spectacular little garbage bag trolls are from the minimum-effort-maximum-effect school of […]
Brand logo of Now to Love

Author interview: Lisa Michaels

In the first of our feature interviews, we profile The Australian Women’s Weekly author of the month, Lisa Michaels, about her book Grand Ambition (Hodder headline $34.95). Q. You are the mother of twin boys, how old are they and do twins run in the family? A. They are the result of fertility drugs and […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
Three-piece lacy baby set with gown, bonnet, and booties on a dark background.

Three-piece lacy set LT

BONNET Using 3.25 needles, cast on 91 sts. Work 28 rows patt as for back of dress. Work 10 rows st-st. Shape Crown: 1st Row: K 1, * k 2 tog, k 8, rep from * to end. 2nd...
Brand logo of Now to Love
Three-piece lacy baby set with gown, bonnet, and booties on a dark background.

Three-piece lacy set

FRONT Work as for back to **. Dec at each end of next and alt rows until 54 (60, 66) sts rem. Work 13 (19, 19) rows. Shape Neck: 1st Row: K 21 (23, 26), turn. Cont on these 21 (23, 26) sts, dec at neck edge in alt rows until 15 (17, 19) sts […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Serves 4

Heirloom shawl

Materials: 20 Patons 3 ply Baby Wool 25g balls (quantity is approximate as it varies between knitters); 1 set 3.25 (No. 10) and 3.25 (No. 10) Milward circular needles (various lengths), or size needed to give correct tension; Milward knitters needle for finishing; 3.00 (No. 10-11) Milward crochet book. Measurement: (approx) 130cm in diameter. Tension: […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
White christening gown and bonnet set on a dark background, part of the "Prince of Wales Feathers" collection.

Prince of wales feathers set

Materials: 20 Patons 3 ply Baby Wool 25g balls (quantity is approximate as it varies between knitters); 1 set 3.25 (No. 10) and 3.25 (No. 10) Milward circular needles (various lengths), or size needed to give correct tension; Milward knitters needle for finishing; 3.00 (No. 10-11) Milward crochet book. Measurement: (approx) 130cm in diameter. Tension: […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Crocheted cushions in pastel purple, green, and pink with a textured pattern.

Crocheted cushions

Decorate your home with these beautiful lavender and green hand-made crocheted bobble-style cushions. Finished size of cushions. Approximately 40cm x 34cm. Abbreviations. Cable: (this is worked over 6 stitches) miss the first 3 stitches, work in a ttr in each of the next 3tr, then work a ttr in each of the missed stitches, starting […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Child playing with a tea set at a small wooden table inside a cozy room with blue curtains and floral wallpaper.

Cubbyhouse

Diagrams Back (Step 1) Front (Step 1) Sides (x 2) (Step 1) Wall joints – detail (Step 4) Floor plan (Step 5) Brick foundation layout (Step 6) Roof – front and back elevations (Step 9) Roof joints – side elevation detail (Step 9) Roof: side-view – elevation (Step 9) Roof plan (Step 10) Roof joints […]
Brand logo of Now to Love
Advertisement
"Smiling woman in a white crochet top poses in front of boats."

The crochet top

For around $35 make this white magic crochet top. FRONT Work as for Back until there are 16 (17, 18, 19) rows less than Back, thus working last row on wrong side. Shape neck. Next row. Patt 44 (48, 53, 58), Dec A, turn. Cont in patt on these 45 (49, 64, 59) sts and […]
Brand logo of Now to Love