Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: My silk roses in three hanging baskets became faded by the sun after hanging in the patio for two summers.

I bought rose-colored paint in a spray can and covered the leaves with newspaper and masking tape. I stuck the stems in craft foam. I then sprayed the roses, and you can’t tell they are painted.

The can of paint cost me $2. I certainly saved money. I am sure this procedure can be done with any flower. My arrangements with silk flowers fool people. They think they are real. - Chris Perea, Littleton, Colo.

One of my assistants, Joyce, tried this and she said it works so well. Make sure you do it outside or in a well-ventilated room. Also, the flowers should be sprayed very lightly with several coats of paint and allowed to dry between each coat. This will prevent the petals from sticking together and the paint from running.

I love to recycle things. Thanks for sharing your idea with us.- Heloise