Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: What to do with empty spools from rolls of gift wrap and ribbon?

I take the ends off and place them over a bow on a gift-wrapped package before wrapping it to mail. That way, the bow is less likely to be crushed. I surround the spool with foam popcorn or crumpled tissue, then wrap. - Mrs. John T. Waters Sr., Spokane

Dear Heloise: I greatly enjoy deviled eggs. Unfortunately, making them often creates a mess.

I solve this dilemma by placing all of the ingredients for the filling in a plastic zipper bag (a sandwich bag works nicely). Then I squish the bag until the filling is evenly mixed. When that is done, I just take some scissors, cut off a small corner of the sandwich bag and pipe the filling into the egg whites.

This is an easy, clean method (no bowls, spoons or large messes on the counter) and the eggs look great! - Dawn Dugle, Indianapolis

Dear Heloise: Although I don’t smoke, I crochet and use a snap-top cigarette case to carry my hooks, scissors, tape measure and yarning needles.

The scissors and one needle are attached with a piece of yarn to prevent loss. Also, a little tubes for 0.5 pencil lead is ideal for storing additional yarning needles. - Lamoyne Clark, Hurst, Texas