HELPFUL HINTS

— DEAR HELOISE: Clothing with beads and embroidery can be hard to press. So, turn a garment inside out and fold a terry-cloth towel under it. That way, the beads and threads can sink into the towel and make for a smooth finish without puckering on the front.

- Venetia, North Canton, Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: Instead of spending a lot of money on plastic containers for gift-wrapping paper, a 5-gallon paint bucket that has been thoroughly cleaned will hold several rolls. Also, you can buy tool aprons for these buckets at many hardware stores. The aprons wrap around the bucket and are held in place with snaps. The various pouches on the apron can hold scissors, tape, ribbon, gift tags and various other supplies. Plus, the bucket has a handle for toting around.

- Carolyn in Texas

DEAR HELOISE: After buying shortcake for many years for dessert, I wonder why bakeries don’t make a similar cradle for hot dogs. If they would hollow out the top and the bottom of the hot-dog bun, it would then receive the hot dog and we could pile on the mustard, onions, relish, etc., and it would not fall apart.

- Nancy in Fort Worth, Texas

DEAR HELOISE: When visiting relatives in a nursing home, take family photo albums, with pictures of family reunions, vacations, weddings and graduations. They help create some bright moments.

- A Reader in San Angelo, Texas

DEAR HELOISE: I reuse the big zippered plastic bags that comforters, etc., come in: I make small wreaths for holidays and the seasons, and store them in the bags.

- Tina from Ohio Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail

[email protected]

Weekend, Pages 37 on 07/22/2010

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