Unhinged doors still have use

Dear Sandi: “We just bought an old warehouse door from a demolition sale. It still says the name of the warehouse in faint lettering just slightly visible on a portion of the door. I need help to know what to do with this or where to put it in my home to take full advantage of it’s classic heritage and style. Do I just prop it up in the corner of my living room? Or can I do something more dramatic? Any ideas?”

Mary Lou S. Corvallis, OR -Nov. 14, 2003 - Real Living

These Thanksgiving crafts may steal the turkey's glory

Dear Sandi: I have been elected to do the family dinner this year. We don’t entertain very often – any quick and easy ideas for an interesting Thanksgiving table?

Lory O. Salem, OR -Nov. 7, 2003 - Real Living

Old photos can become fun, unique keepsakes

Dear Sandi: My sister has been collecting rare photos for years. While I think she is a bit eccentric, (and I have told her so) I would love to make her something with a few of these photos. I don’t know where to begin however, so I need some suggestions. What would be a nice gift using these old photos?

Marie F. Albany, OR -Oct. 31, 2003 - Real Living

Handmade paper transforms walls

Dear Sandi: I have just discovered the beautiful world of handmade paper. I just love this stuff and a friend has suggested I put this on my wall for a wonderful wallpaper. Can I really do this? Is there anything that I should know before I tackle this job?

Brenda R.K. Independence, OR -Oct. 24, 2003 - Real Living

Established gardens don't have to take years

Dear Sandi: I live in a new home that we recently purchased. I desperately loved the garden area of my old home that had wonderful mature plant material that draped around the back deck, doorway and walkway. It was s nice to view this from inside, and I was wondering what I might do to this new home’yard to create more of an illusion of mature growth and enchantment that I would so love to have again”.

Lois R., Salem -Oct. 17, 2003 - Real Living

Broken terra-cotta piece has uses after accident

Dear Sandi: I am stumped. I do not knoe what to do with a wonderful old terra-cota water pitcher we dicovered on a family trip to Mexico many years ago. My Husband recently dropped this great piece, and parts are cracke and the handle is completely gone. Do I have to throw is away. Or can I do someing great with it to keep the memmories alive?

- Joan Woodburn -Oct. 10, 2003 - Real Living

Bamboo in the home is versatile and beautiful

Dear Sandi: "I understand bamboo is such a wonderful quickly renewable resource, and I would like to use bamboo to enhance my living room area somehow. I need to know what to do as I only want a little accent. Can I use bamboo as a natural molding? Perhaps something like a crown molding?"

- Dan, Keizer -Oct. 3, 2003 - Real Living

Great decor is waiting just outside your door

Dear Sandi: “I love the outdoors and I would like to bring as much of it inside as I realistically can. What suggestions can you provide me with to make this happen? I have been able to figure out that I can throw in some items such as pinecones, leaves, etc. into a bowl, but I need some more real ideas. What inspiration can you give me?”

-Sept. 19, 2003 - Real Living