Artful dodges: Finger-paint landscapes and crayon masterpieces are making their way home now that school’s in session. But refrigerator door isn’t the only solution.
Instead create a collage: Use magnetic or cork boards to showcase multiple paintings and drawings. Hang alone or fashion a series down a staircase or in a playroom. Coat a closet or bedroom door with magnetic paint to make it ready for an art exhibition.
Invest in frames: Use acid-free mats to keep construction paper from fading. Deborah Wiener, owner of Designing Solutions in Silver Spring, Md. suggests Pottery Barn Kids’ Ashby Gallery Frames ($25 to $49). Their hidden pockets allow for easy picture replacements when next year’s artwork needs the spotlight. Kids’ art also can be displayed in shadowbox frames. Or use plate racks as easels to display artwork in plastic picture.
Another display option is a customized enlargement of the art, which makes for a dominant piece of decor in a hall, playroom or child’s bedroom. FedEx Kinko’s can transform a letter-size masterpiece into a 36-by-48-inch color poster.
One ringy-dingy: Do you have ring around the toilet? It’s the Carey brothers to the rescue. Once the toilet has been cleaned, pour in one or two quarts of vinegar. Let the toilet sit for at least 24 hours. Wipe away the mineral build-up with a bowl brush or a sponge and flush your problems away. A once a month treatment will prevent the “return of the ring.”
Before trying this, you need to find out how much liquid you can pour into your toilet before it flushes automatically. Pour in one quart of plain water. If the toilet doesn’t flush try a second quart. If after the second quart is added there is still no flush, change to vinegar. If the second quart of water flushes the toilet, then only use one quart of vinegar.
Check out the fancy black toilet in our Home Front feature on Page 5. No rings visible there.
Early warning buzzer: Meerkerk Gardens will hold its annual autumn rhodie sale, offering hundreds of species and hybrid rhodies from start size to mature landscape speciments, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 21.
Proceeds from the sale benefit the nonprofit gardens to care for the 10-acre display.
Now’s a good time to soak up some fall colors with a tour of the gardens, which features azaleas, maples, magnolias and enkianthus as well as the vaunted rhododendrons.
Meerkerk Gardens is on Whidbey Island just south of Greenbank off Highway 525 at 3531 Meerkerk Lane.
Parking in the main lot and entry to the gardens is free although donations are gratefully accepted. Call 360-678-1912 or visit their Web site, www.meerkerkgardens.org.
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