March 1985

Editor At Large

I am particularly fond of this issue of Better Homes and Gardens offering 100 ideas for less than $100. That's probably because it was my idea in the first place, more than 22 Marches ago.

MATISSE AT MOMA

DRY-CLEAN ONLY?

A GREAT AMERICAN QUILT FESTIVAL

Here's a chance for quilters to participate in a unique quilt show and contest honoring the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty. Enter The Great American Quilt Festival, sponsored by 3M/Scotchgard, to be held April 30 through May 4, 1986.

SAY "BAA-A-A-A-A-A!"

EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

GROCERY BAG ART

Be creative with a paper grocery bag and you could win $500 (first prize), $250 (second prize), or $100 (third prize) The Second Annual Paper Grocery Bag Art Competition, sponsored by the American Paper Institute and the National Alliance of Supermarket Shoppers, will offer you and your children a chance to turn a paper bag into an imaginative work of art.

LIVING THE COUNTRY LIFE

AIR FARES HOW TO GET THE BARGAINS

The airline that took you to Grandma's house last summer doesn't fly there anymore. The family-plan air fare you used for your ski trip this winter has disappeared. And nearly a dozen air fares are offered for your upcoming vacation at Disney World.

VEGETABLE GARDENING

Close friends who stop by Jim and Helen Rood's suburban Minneapolis home bypass the front door and go directly to the backyard. Here, Jim and Helen spend all of their free time, nurturing one of the most carefully planned, idea-packed vegetable gardens in the country. Let them show you how to improve harvests in your own garden.

Up-to-Date Looks For Out-of-Date Baths

Let warm wood, soft fabric, or a splash of refreshing color rejuvenate your aging bath. Without any structural changes, such cosmetic touches turn the ordinary into something special-- and inviting!

40 Ways To Help Your Youngster Achieve In School

How can parents encourage a youngster to study and learn? It's an extremely important question.

When Your Child Has to Be HOME ALONE

Eight-year-old Andy is home alone after school watching TV when the doorbell rings. He looks through a peephole and sees a man he doesn't recognize. There isn't time to call Mom at work to ask what to do.

THE RIGHT STYLE, SIZE, AND PRICE

Extra style and livability-- that's what your money buys when you purchase a new home these days. Today's modest-size housing is loaded with features you'd expect to find in homes two or three times bigger. Here are three outstanding examples.

How to Choose the Right Neighborhood

The three most important factors you need to consider when deciding to buy one house over another are location, location, and location. Unlike a leaky roof or a poorly landscaped yard, location can't be altered after you purchase the property. Here are some basic considerations to explore before you buy.

What to Look for In Kitchen Appliances

Many homes are purchased on the merit of their kitchens. That's reason enough for those contemplating buying or selling a home to learn more about the mainstays of the kitchen-- the cooking and cooling appliances. If you're evaluating a home on the market, look carefully at the appliances already in place. Find out which are included in the purchase price, and which are not. As a general rule, those connected to the structure of the house (a built-in cooktop, for instance) are considered part of the house.

House Styles and How They Work

Some families have their hearts set on a two-story colonial; others crave a clean-lined contemporary. It's all a matter of taste, budget, and individual requirements. Listed here are seven of the major house styles currently popular with home buyers. Learn how to recognize them by their exterior styling and floor plans, and discover the features that give each its individual appeal.

Go It Alone or Hire a Broker?

If you've got thick skin, spare time, and sales savvy, and you live in a market where homes are selling well, you may be a candidate to sell your own home. But if you're lacking any of these qualifications, sign up with a real estate broker.

What to Look for Before You Buy

A careful inspection of both the exterior and interior of any house you're considering is essential before you make an offer. You'll probably make the initial check yourself. But in most cases, it pays to have your assessment checked by a pro.

New Siding Options for Your Home

Those hefty fuel bills you've been paying this winter may be your house's way of telling you that it needs re-siding. Sprucing up the exterior and cutting down on maintenance chores are just two reasons to add new siding; you also can reduce monthly heating and cooling costs and make your house more livable year-round.

100 IDEAS UNDER $100

You asked for it! 100 terrific ideas for storage, decorating, needlework, and furniture-- all that you can create yourself. You supply the labor, and any of these super projects can be yours for less than $100. Start here with our patriotic garden gate, the first of 100 great ideas to help you five better.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

How to Order Material from the Magazine

Better Homes and Gardens Reader Service has selected the products shown below to help you re-create the ideas shown on our editorial pages in your home. You save time because we've done the shopping for you. And you can be completely confident the home plans, woodworker's blueprints, craft kits, and patterns presented on this page are of the highest quality and meet our strict standards of excellence.

The Man Next Door

"Folks, you are going to lose a lot of weight in the next 10 weeks," said the instructor for our new spring exercise class, "including overcoats, scarves, gloves, and boots."