I clean stuffed animals one at a time. I take a large metal mixing bowl, fill it with lukewarm water and a TINY bit of dishwashing soap ot make a LIGHT amount of suds. Then I soak the animal after swishing/squeezing it around a bit. Come back later and then squeeze out the soapy water gently, fill the bowl and keep refreshing the water as I squeeze out the dirty/soapy stuff. Once the water comes back clean and not soapy, I squeeze out the animal, then wrap it in an old thick towel and squeeze some more. Changing towels if I have to to get rid of the bulk of the wet. Then I put it in a warm place that has good air circulation, turning it occasionally to allow it to dry in all areas. This is obviously a technique for your average sized stuffed animals, not the big massive ones. I agree with the 'sacrificial bear' idea. Pick the least precious one to practice on. I've done with with animals both tiny and medium sized. Stuffed with poly or even plastic beads. A gentle hand is the trick. And I would do them seperately because there is no way in knowing if there is going to be any dye leakage when you hit them with water. Wouldn't want a dark animal to stain a lighter one. I surface or spot wash anything that is minor. I save this one for the truly dirty animals that have fur or coverings that are not delicate. Nothing painted, electronic, glued body parts, etc.

I found the tax shelter in this posting when searching for a gift for my brother. He is a tax preparer and has everything. So I just had to share what I did for him. I took one of those woodcraft houses from Walmart- removed the two screws from the base. I cut a 1" block of wood that fit into the bottom of the house. I glued this block onto the base thus allowing the top of the house to be easily lifted off the base. I cut a 1/2" groove in the center of the block with the table saw so I could set a card of thumb tacks into it. This was hidden in the house until the top was lifted off. I wrote a poem for this & read it to him while my daughter did a Vanna White presentation of the house. Everyone got a good laugh out of this and I finally did a complete craft project! It's been a while. Hope you have as much fun with this as we did. Here's the poem: I drew your name for Christmas It's an honor, don't you know To get my brothers name for Christmas Ah! ashopping I will go. But then I started frettin After searching high and low Whatever will I get 'im (Twas wrong to worry so!) I went into an office shop Maybe something for your desk? I talked to the clerk a lot She tried to aid me in my quest. He could use a tax shelter Is what the lady said It seemed a bit off-kelter But there was nothing left instead. So here's your little shelter All painted so very nice The foundation has been mended The roofs' been polished thrice. The flowers are all blooming In the big pot by the door The bumblebees are buzzing And there's no sawdust on the floor. It seems to be the perfect place I do agree she's right It sure beats a plain old case And your tacks! They're finally safe at night!

It is what it seems to be....What I thought was wear on the back is blue accents...painted over the gilt. I think I would remove the needle point and clean it and replace it....with more padding under it....and perhaps re tie the springs.....just so they are secure. and I wouldn't do anything else......perhaps rub off the flakes and put some paste wax over what's there. It's a great chair...If it is "of the period" it would be either very late 18th century or very early 19th. The fancy decoration at the top makes me think it's later.

Here are some helpful tips I always recommend to clients: 1. Do away with visual “breaks” in a small space, paint the ceiling and trim the same color as your walls, or to add height to your space, go one shade lighter on your ceiling. 2. Small rooms often lack architectural interest. Use contrasting colors to define an accent wall or to add architectural interest by painting the inside of shelving or windows. 3. Painting the walls with a neutral or white but adding color via your doors and/or molding can add a bit of bold, contemporary flair to a small room. 4. Stripes can work well in a small space because they can be used to create the illusion of height or length. 5. Avoid busy patterns! If you choose small patterns for a small space, try to avoid small patterns that have lots of things going on in them. This can almost be dizzying in a small room. Use your smaller patterns almost like textures. If you need more help and advice, we offer design services from just £80 per room: https://www.gemmarowland.co.uk/packages