Area art sales have some great finds

Summertime means a lot of different things to people: vacations, outdoor barbecues, sitting on the patio in the evening with a special someone, more time in the garden, weekends at the lake, maybe water skiing or more golf time. Everybody has his favorite things about these three to four special months.

—Sandi Reinke, Salem - July 29, 2005 - Real Living

Papier mâché forms take on an Asian look

Dear Sandi: My mother-in-law gave me a few pieces of those papier mâché forms found in craft stores. I’m not too sure what I’m going to do with the one that looks like a small reindeer, but a couple of the pieces are different vase shapes. I’d like to do something with these for my family room, maybe something Oriental looking. Thanks.

—Robbie M. Salem - July 22, 2005 - Real Living

Ladders are not just for climbing

Dear Sandi: I recently bought a really interesting old ladder at a garage sale. I’d love some ideas on how I could use it in my house. Thanks for anything you can suggest.

—Margaret V. Salem - July 08, 2005 - Real Living

Not all weeds deserve bad reputation

Lawn daisies spring up in a parking strip, adding contrast to the green lawn and reminding us that some weeds can be given some leeway and even enjoyed.

—Sandi Reinke, Salem - July 08, 2005 - Real Living

Seashell craft a fun way to seat your party guests

Dear Sandi: My daughter is getting married in August Her theme is coastal, and a friend of mine said they saw an article in some magazine about a year ago that showed how to make escort cards using some type of shell and that the article gave your company as the source. Can you provide me with some additional information on what type of shell, what was done, etc. It sounds like a great idea for our rehearsal dinner.

—Stephanie G., Salem - July 1, 2005 - Real Living

Sushi party can be creative

Dear Sandi: Next month, my husband and I are having a fairly large dinner party featuring sushi. I would love any ideas you might have for the decor.

—Jackie P., Salem - June 24, 2005 - Real Living

Semi-translucent shells transform lamp shades

Dear Sandi: I just caught a rerun of a television program you were on where you were making a number of different lamps from seashells. The one that really caught my eye was one where you created a shade made with capiz shells and a handmade paper base. I would love to know how this was done.

—Betsy E. Dallas - June 10, 2005 - Real Living

This spring has been one to remember

I don’t know how everyone else’s gardens have been responding to this spring’s strange weather, but the grounds here at loose ends are really happy, and plants that seem to have just pooped along for the past few years seem to have overnight tripled and even quadrupled in size this year.

—Wendy, Keizer - June 3, 2005 - Real Living

Memorialize gift with creative paper project

Dear Sandi: My girlfriend just came back from a two-week trip to Italy, and she brought me back some beautiful marbleized papers. I love paper and want to use these in some project. Please give me some ideas.

—Jenny P., Dallas - May 27, 2005 - Real Living

Get the distressed look without costly products

Dear Sandi: I have a couple of pieces of furniture that are solid but in pretty bad shape paint-wise.

I would like to do some type of aged finish on them, but frankly when I go to the paint store and see all the different products (glazes, crackle mediums, etc.), it is hard to know what to do. Can you give me some advice?

—Suze L., Salem - Mayr 20, 2005 - Real Living