Household or sea sponges are the perfect tool for filling in tricky areas of a stencil. Cut the sponge to the desired size and this will ensure no paint ends up in the wrong...

When working with acrylic paints, remember that they dry darker than their undried colour. If you have worked an object that dries much darker than planned, try applying a wash of equal quantities o...

To keep your container of water clear for longer when changing paint colours, just dip your brush loaded with paint into the water, then wipe the bristles on a tissue or piece of paper towel to...

Store your paintbrushes in a container with a piece of florists' foam. The foam makes an ideal stand for the paintbrushes, so you can identify them easily while...

Always use spray adhesive to hold stencils in place. It will not only stop the stencils from slipping, but allow you to move and reposition...

When brushes are bent out of shape, dip them into Clag glue right up to the top of the bristles, then smooth them back into shape. Dry overnight, then wash the glue from the bristles with warm water...

Use leftover pieces of dress fabric to cover notebooks and diaries. Fur fabrics, velour and crushed velvets make sumptuous covers. The fabric can be glued in place with hot glue from a glue gun, and...

When harvesting flowers for pressing, pick the freshest blooms and wait until the morning dew has evaporated. Then sort the flowers into ones that are fleshy or less fleshy before drying them in you...

Don't use rubber stamps just to decorate cards and gift papers. They can also be used to add a decorative touch to candles, boxes, lampshades and even...

To revitalise old potpourri, sprinkle a few drops of essential oil into the dried petals and mix together gently. Add a few dried herbs from the garden, or buy them in delicatessens or supermarkets,...