Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: With the invention of the e-reader and digital downloads of books, you might not be buying as many books as you used to. But what if you have dozens of vintage books?

Book readers, you can turn your books into art and home decor. Make sure you don't have any first editions, of course, and then consider the following hints:

• Install floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the den or family room, and display the books artistically. Tuck some greenery, flameless candles and brass pieces in as accents.

• Hollow out a book and use it to store valuables in the bookcase.

• Glue stacks of books together to make a stool, small table or nightstand.

Individual pages of books can be a crafter's dream:

• Laminate individual pages with special passages and quotes for place mats or wall hangings.

• Fold pages into pretty flower shapes to make mobiles and wind-spinners.

• Decoupage favorite quotes onto coasters, small boxes, catchall trays and keepsake and jewelry boxes.

Keep books alive by incorporating them into your surroundings and home decor.

DEAR HELOISE: I've conquered the problem of ring around the collar. I got to the root of the problem: washing my neck. If you jump in and out of the shower, you may overlook your neck and behind your ears.

Now I make a concerted effort to clean my neck with a textured washcloth and rub gently behind my ears.

-- Rob B. in San Antonio

DEAR READER: If you have ring around the collar on shirts, removing it is easy. Try using cheap shampoo. It is designed to break down grease in your hair, and it is safe for most fabrics.

DEAR HELOISE: It's getting difficult to read some coupons that use fancy colors. What is wrong with the old black printing on light-colored backgrounds? That would be helpful, especially to us older folks.

Also, today's fewer coupons expire in a short time (two weeks for some).

-- Carole M., Cody, Wyo.

DEAR HELOISE: I had a toothbrush holder that I didn't need anymore, so I decorated it, and it now holds my pens. The toothpaste section is for my glasses.

-- Janet R., Salado, Texas

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

[email protected]

Weekend on 09/22/2016

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