The Shadow
Dear Heloise: I have a decorating tip about choosing the right shade of INTERIOR PAINT for the walls in your home. I got this suggestion from a paint-store salesclerk. It can be hard to choose the right shade from a tiny color strip because light and other factors can change the way the color actually looks in a room. If you buy some sample cans, having several shades next to each other on a wall can confuse your eye.
The clerk suggested that I buy some white poster boards and paint those. The paint on the poster board would come close to matching the paint on the wall.
I taped the poster board on one wall to see the effects of the light, etc., and then easily moved it to another position in the room.
Later, when I was shopping for bedding, bath towels, rugs, etc., I cut a piece of the painted poster boards to carry along to make sure my selections would look good with the room colors. — Beverly Hebert, San Antonio
Beverly, this is a good hint, and I’ve demonstrated this at home-improvement shows through the years. It’s not perfect, but it’s close! Heloise Update: Use straight pins to hold the poster board, and there’ll be no tape marks. — Heloise
SEND A GREAT HINT TO:
Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 1-210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise(at)Heloise.com
FAST FACTS
Dear Readers: Hints for recycling old, plastic shower curtains:
* Use to cover plants during winter.
* Use as a dropcloth when painting.
* Use as a blanket for a picnic.
* Place under sheets as a mattress protector for children.
* Line the trunk of a car when transporting plants or sod.
— Heloise
SEWING HINT
Dear Heloise: The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger carries your column five days each week, and I learn a lot from it. Here is my contribution:
Have a loose button or need a small repair and can’t find thread to match the fabric? Use a strand of embroidery floss. Embroidery floss comes in a wide range of shades for most colors, and it is inexpensive! — Alberta K., Branchburg, N.J.
Thanks for the good hint, and hello to all of my readers in Newark! — Hugs, Heloise
EARRING STORAGE
Dear Heloise: For years, I misplaced one earring in a set because I didn’t have an earring box. So, I improvised and bought a couple of plastic ice-cube trays, which perfectly house earrings, one set per cube space. Added feature: They are stackable and so inexpensive. — Ronnie Bressler, Boynton Beach, Fla.
SOUND OFF
Dear Heloise: I read a reader complaint that when she purchased a new range, the broiler pan was not included in the deal.
I have a somewhat similar situation. I started looking for a new dryer. I was told that the electric cord and vent tubing had to be purchased separately, for $30! Imagine! The dryer ONLY works with that cord, and it isn’t included. — Carolyn, via email
(c)2011 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
