Attaching label or thread to project helps with matching

Dear Heloise: This is a hint that many of my friends have thanked me for, and I thought your readers might find this useful: I often buy vintage embroidery projects, which may or may not have been previously started and ended up at an estate sale. Embroidery projects such as tablecloths are often worked on over several or more years, and many times are left for another generation to finish. It is often difficult to match brands and colors of threads on unfinished projects. I now take the label with the brand and color number and loosely sew it to the project using the colored thread from the skein. Sometimes I also sew the entire skein to the project if I intend to set the item aside, using the label to attach the skein. Now I no longer have to spend frustrating hours taking the article to the store and trying to color-match threads on old projects. Bobbie, via e-mail
Embroidery projects can make great heirlooms! I liked your hint, and so will others, I'm sure! Heloise
Fast facts
Here are some reader uses for address labels:
Karen deBlieux of Calhoun, La., says: "My favorite use for labels is to affix to plastic containers for taking to family, church or work-related events. I place a sticker on the lid and container."
Polly Kay of Mission Viejo, Calif., says: "I put labels on each piece of data needed for rebates. I have always received them."
Doloris Stolle of Mansfield, Ohio, says, "When attending a covered-dish dinner, put address stickers on the bottom of your dish and especially your big spoons and ladles."
Mary Mason, via e-mail, says, "I put the labels inside all my books."
Mary Ann Steelhammer of Kerrville, Texas, says: "Our church has a day school and day care for infants through sixth grade. Since I have a lifetime supply of mailing labels from various charities, etc., I trim my name off and give what's left to our teachers. They say the kids love getting the stickers and put them on everything!"Heloise
Dear Heloise: Before hanging any size picture on the wall, I grab a small comb and place the small or long nail between the threads of the comb. After the nail is balanced on the comb, I can then hammer the nail into the wall without having the nail fall and having me spend time finding it. The technique helps me get hold of the nail correctly. Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.
Sound off
Dear Heloise: My Sound Off is opening a bill from a company and having it include a discount offer for new subscribers. Obviously, I am not eligible for this, and it serves only to make me frustrated with the price I am paying per month.
Hey, business owners, how about a discount now and then for your long-term loyal customers? Don, via e-mail
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate