Give garden statues a makeover
Dear Debbie,
We have several outdoor resin figurines that have faded due to sun and water. Can they be painted, and if so, what type of paint should we use? Lena Dear Lena,
All outdoor painted figures will fade and even chip over time due to weather. But they are easily refreshed. Clean your figurines with mild soap, and use a toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies as paint will not stick to dirt or grease. If there are sharp edges, smooth them out with sandpaper. Let the piece dry thoroughly before you start to paint. Prime with an exterior high adhesion primer first, then paint with acrylic craft paint. A top coat is a good idea, so look for a varnish that supplies UV protection. The Ducks in Rain Boots and Hats shown here are from Plow and Hearth, plowhearth.com. They are resin painted to look like wood, very realistic and full of fun.
Enjoy your garden and all the whimsical spots you have created. Dear Debbie,
We are fortunate to be asked to visit friends at their summer cottage, and would like to take a gift that would be appreciated. They always have lots of company. What do you suggest? Vivian Dear Vivian,
Entertaining when you are on holidays should be as effortless as possible. Generally, there is some discussion beforehand regarding who is bringing food, beverages, snacks and so on. Opt for a category that can match up with a useful gift. Here are some popular options. For fish lovers, a fish platter is always appreciated; fill it with smoked salmon to be served for breakfast, lunch or hors d’oeuvres. Drinks caddies are essential for carting beverages down to the beach or dock. You can find ones that are compartmentalized in cooler bags at home stores. The container is the gift, then fill with specialty beers, juices, glasses, homemade jams and preserves, whatever you and your hosts like. Think about crowd control too. A set of eight labelled napkin rings will keep everyone organized and cut down on paper products. And for the bathroom, a thoughtful and eco-friendly gift is a selection of natural soaps and lotions. Any of these ideas will please your hosts and guarantee a return invite.