hNew book shows steps to dress up a home

hNew book shows stepsto dress up a home
Accessories are the jewelry of the home, the something extra that gives personality to a space.
Author Christi Carter, former president of home-decor direct seller Home Interiors and Gifts, simplifies the job of accenting a home with "Christi Carter's The Art of Accessorizing." The book offers a four-step accessorizing process -- dressing walls, arranging tabletop displays, displaying flowers and foliage and creating ambiance -- along with more than 300 photos for inspiration.
The hardcover book is published by Meredith Books and sells for $24.95.
Putty play
Use children's play putty shaped into a patty to remove cat and dog hair from furniture.
Shrinking covers
When purchasing flannel sheets, make sure that the label says preshrunk. Otherwise, the flannel will probably shrink, causing your fitted sheet to no longer fit.
Creative calendar aidsRed Cross Disaster fund
Jo-Ann Stores' Creativity Calendar lets you give the gift of inspiration while you also give hope to someone in need.
The calendar, which contains instructions for a craft project each month, is a fund-raiser for the American Red Cross. Jo-Ann Stores will donate $2.50 of the $4.99 price to benefit the charity's Disaster Relief Fund.
Projects in the calendar are designed for both new and experienced crafters. They include a memory quilt, a holiday heritage wreath, vintage valentines and a fake-fur muff. The calendar also has Jo-Ann coupons, Red Cross home safety tips and a coupon for CPR and first-aid training.
The calendar is available at Jo-Ann stores across the country.
Pillow talk
European shams require a European-size pillow. European pillows and shams are 26 inches square in size and provide a sophisticated elegant look to your bed ensemble.
Candleholder idea
Create a teacup candleholder by stacking glass teacups and saucers and gluing them together with epoxy. Wrap with raffia to hide the joints, and top with a candle in a matching color.
Hinge hole drilling issnap with specialty bit
If you have trouble drilling precise hinge holes to mount hinges on doors of all sizes because your drill bit wanders a tad (making doors hang kind of oddly), you need to know about Vix.
It's a specialty bit made just for drilling hinge holes. It has an outer cylinder tapered at the end that fits right into the countersunk hinge holes. With the hinge hardware in place, all you do is fire up your drill and press down. The center bit is spring-loaded and lowers down, centered precisely in the hinge hole. It drills to a predetermined depth that you set beforehand.
Disposing of paint
Get rid of aerosol paint by going outside and emptying the spray can into a paper bag. Be sure to wear a mask for protection from the fumes. When the paint is dry, toss the can and bag in the household garbage.
Decorative tassel
Use a glass piece from an old lamp to make a unique decorative tassel. String yarn, ribbon or fuzzy fringe through both openings and hang on a doorknob or drawer pull.
Preventive care ofhousehold appliances
The holiday season is a time when kitchen appliances get a real workout. Unless you use and maintain your major appliances on a regular basis, your holiday baked goods or festive spread may turn out to be disastrous thanks to an appliance on the blink. F2