Q: Please help me find Venus Paradise pencil coloring kits. I purchased these all the time in the 1960s. Thank you. Billy Viger, Powder Springs.
A: Billy, unfortunately, Venus Paradise is no longer in business, so the the pencil by number coloring kits you remember aren't available. However, all is not lost for those who enjoy the popular activity of coloring. At Richard's Variety Store, 2347 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, 404-237-1412, you can find Color Yourself Smart: Masterpieces of Art, $19.95. This coloring book comes with colored pencils from Faber-Castell and features 52 pages of famous art masterpieces for you to color. The book also offers information about the artists and some historical facts about each piece. Richard's also stocks a French line of coloring books and pencils from Abrams Noterie, Vive le Color, $16.95. And if you want to go online, check out the virtual toy store liveandlearn.com. The owners also fondly remember Venus Paradise coloring sets, and have been looking for similar sets for their store. They offer several Pencil Works kits that come with colored pencils. Topics include beach scenes and flowers and pets. These are priced at $10.95.
Q: Do you know where I can find pre-cut linen scented liner sheets for dresser drawers? I want to find them locally and would like to have the price under $20 dollars. The designer types are too expensive for my budget. Any suggestions? Thanks. Bonnie Wilson, email
A: Bonnie, I found a scented drawer liner in clean linen for $9.99 per roll at Cost Plus World Market, 4733 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, 678-731-0014. The rolls come as six sheets that measure 18 by 24 inches each.
Q: I’ve been reading your column for over five years since I’ve been in Atlanta. I love it! Now, I’m asking for help. I used to buy Pillsbury Quick Bread in the Cinnamon Swirl flavor. I no longer see it available anywhere. They all only have the banana flavor Quick Bread mix. Did Pillsbury stop making it? Everyone who has tasted that cake I have made in the past just loves it! J. Caruana, email
A: Pillsbury hasn’t stopped making the Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread. And while it’s not considered a seasonal item for Pillsbury, it is for some local stores. I spoke with someone at Kroger’s corporate offices and learned that the Cinnamon Swirl mix isn’t a regular stock item but usually shows up in some stores around Halloween. You might consider buying several so that you can enjoy them throughout the year.
Q: Help! I travel a lot and love my Close-Up toothpaste, but need to find the travel sizes. I’ve never found it in travel sizes before. Unfortunately, I have to suffer with other brand name toothpaste I don’t like simply because it’s all they will allow through TSA. Can you help? Lisa Gee, Atlanta
A: Lisa, from everything I can find, it seems that the 4-ounce size is the smallest available from Close-Up. However, I think I found a way for you to keep your favorite toothpaste with you wherever you fly while staying within the strict boundaries of the TSA. Check out The Container Store, 3637 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, 404-963-9602, and look for Toothpaste 2 Go. This handy container features an adapter that attaches to your regular toothpaste tube and allows you to transfer toothpaste into the one-ounce tube. It measures one inch in diameter and just over three inches long, making it ideal to carry in the quart-size plastic bag that TSA allows. Toothpaste 2 Go costs $6.99.
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