Dear Helaine and Joe:

Charles M. Schulz, the creator of “Peanuts,” and my grandfather were pen pals and this sketch was sent to him for his birthday. The drawing is approximately 24 inches high by 12 inches wide and is inscribed “From Snoopy to Mr. Mike (my grandfather’s dog) in honor of Doctor Bob Kane’s birthday!” and signed “Charles M. Schulz.” The drawing is framed and is only slightly creased. Should we have this piece insured?

D.C.H., Washington, D.C.

Dear D.C.H.;

There are many beloved cartoon characters, but it would be hard to top Snoopy in the hearts of many Americans.

Charles M.

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Energy saving compact fluorescent lamps has become very popular in home lighting. To add more light design in this sector Moises Hernandez has come up with his new Capullo bulbs which is inspired from a natural element “cocoon”. The light fixture is enclosed with a spiral structure which is very compact, very similar to what we see in cocoons. In both of them the spiral part protects the changing/transforming interior mechanism. So,

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It’s used to wrap homes during construction. It’s also a sturdy mailing envelope. It can be a tote bag, an identification wristband, a banner, a map. A race bib, a lamp shade, a camping ground cloth or a hoodie.

Tyvek is used for all of these things, and more.

Crafters are finding new ways to work with this lightweight, strong material in part because it has fabric-like qualities. A stroll through online crafting blogs shows artists crafting Tyvek into beads, and sewing, weaving and knitting it.

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If you’re worried about home value–and who isn’t these days?–think light and bright. Walk around the house and look for ways to add natural or artificial light, open space and a few bright pockets of color. With a little home decorating finesse, you can turn a boring house into a fun designer’s showroom. And, you can boost your home value.

Kitchen Lighting Tips

In many homes, lighting can be a challenge. It’s either too bright or too dim, leaving areas without the right amount of light. When adding kitchen lighting, the challenge is to find the right mix of functional and aesthetic lighting. Here are tips from HGTV to get you started. The key is Read full article…