HEALTH TIP OF THE DAY--IS THERE AN ALLERGEN IN THE HOUSE?

It’s spring, and many of us have lived with puffy eyes, runny noses, and scratchy throats ever since the buds started popping outside. But did you know there are allergy triggers hiding in your home all year round? Health editor Janice Kerr is here today to tell us about one you probably never thought of and how to deal with it. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! For those of you with young children or teenage girls who fill there rooms with stuffed animals, did you know that those stuffed animals harbor millions of dust mites? Yuck, right? Dust mites are one of the most common allergens.

So what do you do? No one expects you to toss out your toddler’s favorite teddy and risk a lifetime of shrink visits. Luckily, there’s a simple solution. Put teddy in the freezer for 24 hours every two weeks to kill those nasty critters. If even 24 hours are too long to be teddyless, You can run teddy through the washing machine in 140 degree water. Both freezing and hot water will kill dust mites.

Thanks, Janice! Wish I’d known about this back when my kids were little. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- EVEN MORE SEWING TIPS

Today I’m back with even more sewing tips.

*Apply fusible batting to the wrong side of fabric for stuffed animals or dolls before sewing the pieces together. This will give a smoother finish to your project when you stuff it.

*To avoid skipped stitches when machine sewing fake fur that has a shiny finish on the wrong side, trace over the seam line with chalk or a bar of white, unscented soap.

*When sewing Velcro to fabric, place wax paper on top of the Velcro and under the fabric to prevent skipped stitches. When you’re finished stitching, simply tear away the wax paper.

*Use a Post-It Note to hold your place when following complicate sewing directions from a pattern or book so you won’t accidentally skip an important step.

*Ballpoint pen ink can be removed from fabric by spraying the area with hair spray before hand or machine washing it.

*To get a smoother, cleaner edge when using pinking shears, place a piece of paper underneath the fabric and cut through the paper and fabric at the same time.

*To puff quilt batting and remove the wrinkles, unroll it and let it lie flat for a week before using it.

*Stuffed animals and pillows can be dusted by placing them in the dryer on the air only cycle for about fifteen minutes.

*For a quick way to finish the edges of appliqué pieces, sew each piece, right sides together, to a piece of interfacing. Make a slash in the center of the interfacing, turn the piece right-side out, and press.

*When attaching safety eyes to stuffed animals and dolls, apply clear nail polish to the placement spot and allow to dry before poking a hole through the fabric. This will strengthen the fabric, keeping it from tearing or stretching when poked.

Have a tip I haven’t mentioned? We’d love to have you post it. Remember to post a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book from this week's Book Club Friday guest author.