Donna's Day: Creative family fun
Tie Memories to a Chair
BYDONNAERICKSON

Do you have a space in your home where you stash items because you can't bear to get rid of them? My friend Vi, who lived to be 102, had a way of dealing with those things she couldn't part with. Whether it was a snazzy shopping bag from a fancy store or another garage-sale treasure, she would put them in what she called her "just for now" room. She'd say with a chuckle and a twinkle in her eye, "These things are here just for now!"

I've noticed that I've picked up on her approach. I not only have a "just for now" drawer in my kitchen and a "just for now" shelf in the entry closet, but also a growing "just for now" space in the garage. That's where things like old wooden chairs without seats end up.

If you have a sturdy wooden chair with a removable seat stored in an attic or garage in need of seat replacement, or if you find one for a few dollars at a garage sale, here's a fun way to put it back in use, and you won't have to pay for recaning it. Instead, weave Dad's and Grandfather's old neckties around the frame of the seat. You and your kids will be using the basic, simple weaving technique they learn at school when making paper place mats.

Before you begin weaving about 30 neckties onto the chair, you might wish to sand it, apply a base coat or two of latex paint and then paint designs on the slats and legs with acrylic paint in playful colors.

To weave the seat:

--Place chair right side up. Make sure the old seat is removed completely. Wrap a necktie over front and rear seat support, and tie it tightly with a double knot underneath the chair. (It may be easier to tie the knot if you turn the chair upside down). Slide the tie to the left side of the chair.

--Wrap around and knot a second tie next to the first. Continue adding and knotting about 15 more neckties to completely cover the seat space.

--Weave horizontal rows with the basic over-and-under technique using the same number of additional ties. Simply weave a tie over and under the vertical ties, keeping them close together. Double knot each one tightly under the chair. When complete, your seat should be firm and comfortable.

--Trim off excess tie length under the chair.

Donna Erickson's new award-winning television series "Donna's Day" is airing on public television nationwide. Visit www.donnasday.com to find out when it airs on your local PBS station and to sign up for Donna's e-newsletter.

(c) 2007 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.