Bits
of raffia, lots of color: It’s Caribbean party time
Our
very dear friends are having their 25th wedding anniversary in August.
They are taking a four-week cruise in the Caribbean, and a whole bunch
of us, family and friends, have decided to throw a surprise barbecue/Caribbean
Bon Voyage party as a sendoff. I need some hot ideas!
—Melinda Ann, Salem -August
6, 2004 - Real Living
Fabric
or paper gives cracked vases new life
I picked
up an old glass vase at a yard sale last weekend. It has a fairly large
crack on one side, but the glass is quite thick and the crack seems to
just be ugly, not dangerous. I bought it because I like the shape. The
crack is ugly, what can I do with it?
Milly S. B. Albany -May
7, 2004 - Real Living
Overflowing
organic bags are perfect for craft party
I am
hosting a craft party at my house next month, and I know that you do
lots of interesting design-craft ideas on HGTV.
I need a fun, yet inexpensive idea on what my presentation could be.
HELP!
Joli P. Dallas -April
30, 2004 - Real Living
Save Grandma's chairs with a little creativity
When
my grandmother passed away two years ago, my husband found four old
oak and pine kitchen chairs in a back room. These do not
match, and they all have some damage. I would like to do something fun
with these, but I don’t think they are worthy of stripping and
refinishing to look perfect. What do you think?
Laura V. Salem -April
16, 2004 - Real Living
I love
to have different wall coverings in my home. Just plain old paint is
a bit boring. While I have been successful at some fabrics on the wall
recently, I have been a little scared to do anything with natural fiber.
I know your company works with these . . . can you give me any hints?
Can I do a wall with burlap or abaca and still make it look good?
Frances J. Albany -April
9, 2004 - Real Living
Look
to older homes' elements to give new home character
My
husband and I love old houses, but we were not able to find what we
had in mind, so we have recently purchased and moved into a new housing
area. Although our new house has many features I love, it seems quite
sterile and bland to me. Also, after going through a few others that
were for sale in the same develpment, it is too much like every other
house on the block. I need some inspiration.
Lyndee
M. Albany -April
2, 2004 - Real Living
Spice
up empty space with dramatic statues
The wall
in our entry has one of those sunken alcoves, and I just have never really
found the right thing to put there. It seems to need something that makes
a statement, but still doesn’t seem too pretentious. Any ideas?
Georgia M. Salem -March
26, 2004 - Real Living
Use
nature windows to create furniture
Last
week I talked about creating really fabulous “nature windows using
old salvaged wooden windows, dried plant material and handmade paper.
Space was too limited to go into what you can do with the pieces of
artwork that you have created, so we thought we would explore the possibilities
a bit further this week.
—Sandi
Reinke, Salem -March
12, 2004 - Real Living
Create
nature windowsDear
Sandi: I wanted to get an early start on my Spring cleaning and
in going through a closet I found a box tucked in the back corner that
was full of blossoms and flowers that I had gathered and pressed a couple
of years ago. Art these still usable for any projects or would they be
too dry and fragile after this long a time and I should just toss them?
Cindy P. Newport -March
5, 2004 - Real Living
Natural
journals make a personal project
Dear
Sandi: “I saw a segment on one of the “how to”
shows you were on where you were making unusual journals. Could you
give me some more information on this?”
Joanna M. Dallas
-Feb. 20, 2004 -
Real Living