Whodunit?

was it Mrs. Peacock in the dining room with a rope? Or Mrs. Hitchcock in the laundry room with a sewing machine? Everyone looks suspicious at a Whodunit Mystery Party! Here's how to host one:

Set up the game Clue as a centerpiece on the table.Close off the crime scene with real police tape or yellow crepe paper.Suspect a person who might be guilty of committing a crimeThis article adapted and reprinted with permission from Penny Warner and iparty.com. For more party ideas and supplies, visit www.iparty.comOutline a "body" using masking tape to greet the guests as they enter.6 When everyone has arrived, have each character read her or his introductory scripts (the ones you mailed to their homes), one at a time. At this time, you can give any directions or more clues. Keep the victim a secret!9 Finally, ask them to guess the murderer, weapon, method, and motive, and write their solutions on the notepads.1 Write character descriptions for your guests, who become suspects in the mystery. Include an introductory description followed by that character's hidden secrets, phony alibis, and denials of guilt. Tell your guests what kind of mystery they'll be asked to solve. Remember, one of the guests will have to be the victim. Mail these descriptions to your guests before the party so they can prepare their costumes.Hidden Meanings (to be read through a magnifying glass)11 Reveal the real murderer, etc., and award a prize for the correct answer or the closest answer.Play scary movie music in the background.2 Ask your guests to come dressed as their assigned characters--encourage them to be creative in inventing their costumes.8 Let the sleuths investigate the crime scene, search for clues, and ask questions. Then have everyone read the rest of their scripts, which reveal secrets and alibis.Creating the Mystery MoodExactly how much fun you'll have at your party is a mystery. So get investigating! And happy sleuthing!7 Turn the lights out and have the selected victim "drop dead" at the crime scene.3 Set up a crime scene with clues like a half-eaten piece of chocolate, a puddle of water, a scrap of fabric, or a fake check made out to a suspect.5 As the guests arrive, give them small notebooks and pencils to take notes when they find clues.10 Have them read their guesses aloud.Create a puzzling mystery, based on your hobbies, interests, or crazy friends. If you're not feeling creative, borrow ideas from short mystery stories or a mystery game like Clue.4 Write mini-clues on small pieces of paper shaped like magnifying glasses. Tape them around the party room for your sleuths to discover.Sleuth a detective

This article adapted and reprinted with permission from Penny Warner and iparty.com. For more party ideas and supplies, visit www.iparty.com

In-O-Vate Technologies - Most Valuable Product Award 2003

One judge was so impressed by the Dryerbox that he commented: "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of it?" The product is a recessed dryer vent box that saves space in the laundry room because it allows the dryer to be pushed against the wall. It also helps the clothes dryer to operate more efficiently so clothes dry faster and reduces the risk of clothes dryer fires by eliminating the accumulation of lint in the exhaust hose. Dryerbox allows the storage and recoiling of the flex transition hose between the dryer and the wall connection to take place inside the wall cavity, eliminating the zigzag of ductwork. It's made of 22-gauge aluminized steel. Model 350 is 3 1/2 inches deep and model 425 is 4 1/4 inches deep. The Retrofit Box for existing homes is 4 inches deep.

COST: $19 for new construction models and 521 for the retrofit. 888-443-7937. www.dryerbox.com. Circle 322.

Laundry list of spring projects

In many homes, the laundry room is an afterthought, sometimes labeled as a mere "utility room." But shouldn't a room in which you work week after week be just as welcoming and attractive as every other room in your home?

-- Use clear jars that let you see exactly how much detergent you have left.One solution: a set of shelves dedicated to storing clean folded laundry. Individual baskets make it easy to sort the clothes and linens, and each basket can be labeled with a manila name tag so that family members can quickly identify what belongs to them.Here, some ideas for planning storage and work areas that can help you make the most of your laundry room.Curb appealAnd test the sealant by pouring a glass of water onto a dry area of decking. If the water beads up, the existing finish is doing its job. If the boards soak up the water, you need to reseal.Tackle seasonal maintenance projects: Here are some house-care tasks to take care of this month:For more seasonal house-care tips, pick up a copy of "Country Living: Home Almanac" (Hearst Books, 2002).Add decorative woodwork: Brackets and other woodwork on great homes do more than just support the roof -- they place the house in its proper context. What would a Victorian be without its gingerbread trim work, or an Arts and Crafts house without its distinctive brackets?Check your deck: Examine your deck for winter damage such as warped boards and loose nails. Clean any grime or mildew with a scrub brush or a pressure washer.In case of spills, choose a flooring that is water resistant and easy to clean, such as vinyl or linoleum.Update columns: Whether round, square, fluted or smooth, columns make a grand statement. Replacing old, weathered ones is an excellent way to give your house a face-lift. Consider urethane structural columns, which resist decay, insect infestation and water damage. They come preprimed, ready for painting. One source: Style Solutions, www.stylesolutions.com.-- Set up long, open shelves to keep necessities within reach.Sorting the laundry: Baskets, hampers and chutes for collecting dirty laundry are common sights, but few people consider how the clean clothes, towels and bed linens should get back to their rightful rooms.Concealing storage: While it's useful to have your everyday supplies out in the open, it's also nice to be able to tuck clutter out of sight. Simple curtains of ticking fabric hung on a rod conceal under-sink storage with a casual, countrified look.-- Install a peg rail to hold hand towels, aprons, hangers at the ready.To add a flourish to your roofline, look to reproduction companies. One source: The Wood Factory, 936-825-7233.Modern polymer shutters are saturated with color, making them virtually maintenance-free. One source: Builders Edge, www.buildersedge.com.Curb appeal -- the not easily defined sum of architecture, decorative elements, color and other features that make homes attractive at first glance -- is something many people think about only when they're trying to sell a house. But even homeowners who aren't planning on moving should step back now and again to get an objective look at how the rest of the world sees their house.Here are some easy projects and simple spruce-ups designed to boost a home's curb appeal and value:Stash a laundry basket, trash can or spare bottles or boxes of laundry detergent -- but be mindful of curious children or pets.Replace shutters: Once purely functional, shutters today are an essential part of the look of American homes. They make windows appear bigger and more prominent, and they give you the opportunity to work another accent color into your trim.Easy accessibility maximizes efficiency:Wash windows: Wash your windows before the weather gets too hot (when soap can dry quickly, causing streaks). Remove storm windows; replace them with screens.You may want a small TV or radio to help pass the time while folding and ironing. And gardeners should keep in mind that, with a sink and wide counter at their disposal, a laundry room can easily double as a potting area.Setting up your work space: When you're sorting or folding laundry, nothing is more useful than a wide, flat, clean countertop - - except maybe an extra pair of hands. For an unbroken work surface, consider installing under-counter washer and dryer models.

For more seasonal house-care tips, pick up a copy of "Country Living: Home Almanac" (Hearst Books, 2002).

Clothing labels can be confusing

Dear Heloise: I need help with deciphering those care symbols on clothing-care labels. I have no idea what some of them are supposed to convey. Can you help? -- M. Wheeler, Boerne, Texas

Dear Heloise: For years I have been reading that to remove dents from the carpet when you move furniture, put an ice cube in each dent.Dear Heloise: When the fitted bottom of a sheet set wears out or becomes damaged, select a color from the print, purchase a new solid sheet and pillowcases, and you have a new set. I enjoy reading your column daily! -- Bette Jaeger, Stanhope, N.J.I moved some chairs, and they left dents in my carpet. I didn't want to wait for an ice cube to melt, so I took a spray bottle of water and sprayed the dents lightly with water. An hour later, using a fork, it was very easy to hide the dents. -- Sue Plegge, Little Rock, Ark.Good luck, and be sure to tell family and friends about the wonderful chart, too! --HeloiseDear Heloise: We went to a 5-year-old's birthday party, and at some point during the party, the birthday boy and his friends started opening the gifts! The cards were thrown aside, and there were several gifts whose givers could not be identified.1. You can visit the FTC's Web site at www.ftc.gov and do a search to bring up the Clothing Care Symbol Guide and then print it off.My hint is: On the birthday card, write "I hope you enjoy the (whatever the gift is)." This way, if the child opens the gift unsupervised, the parent will know from whom it came later. This could also apply to wedding/engagement gifts, should the card inadvertently become separated from the gift. -- Andrea Hoffman, Rockville, Md.Here are two ways to contact the Federal Trade Commission for a free chart that lists the clothing-care symbols and their individual meanings. This helpful chart is called the Clothing Care Symbol Guide and is perfect to put on your laundry-room wall next to your washing machine for easy reference.Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column. © King Features Syndicate Inc.I'm with you! Many of the symbols don't "say" anything to me, either!2. Send a written request for the Clothing Care Symbol Guide, along with your name and complete mailing address, to:Consumer Response Center600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 130Federal Trade CommissionDear Heloise: Since the invention of the battery-operated toothbrush, I have not had much use for the decorative toothbrush holder that is part of my bathroom accessories. However, I have found the holder to be an excellent place to store my nail clippers, nail file, tweezers and even cuticle scissors. I even put the holders in the guest bathrooms. -- Ginger McGlothlin, Fairfax Station, Va.

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column. © King Features Syndicate Inc.

National sponsors: Southwest Idea House

KraftMaid Cabinetry

Lennox IndustriesMetal Roofing AllianceRugged, roomy, and comfortable, the GMC Envoy XL is a worthy complement to the rural character of the Southwest Idea House. It's stylish and functional, making it perfect for hauling camping gear into the White Tank Mountains or attending an opening at the Phoenix Art Museum. You can take your neighbors along too--the Envoy comfortably seats seven adults. It has a Bose stereo system, second-row audio controls, and a 290-hp V-8 engine.Both houses feature heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems from the Dave Lennox Signature Collection Integrated Home Comfort Systems. These Energy Star-qualified systems are designed to improve indoor air quality efficiently and quietly.www.kraftmaid.com800/462-8782800/953-6669Southwest-inspired reds and blues prominent in this Idea House demonstrate hues from Kelly-Moore's new "The West in Color" collection. It includes 60 shades divided into three regional palettes--the desert, the mountains, and the seaside--from the company's new ColorXperience system. The 20 colors in each palette work with one another, whether you're painting an accent wall or using several shades in one room.www.pella.comKitchenAidwww.kellymoore.com800/422-1230www.maytag.comSupersoil888/562-6567800/446-1071www.kitchenaid.comThe gardens at both Idea Houses thrive, thanks to Supersoil's many planting products, including Premium Planting Mix and Soil Conditioner, a blend of natural ingredients and essential nutrients. The conditioner is mixed with the garden soil to a depth of 6 inches. Containers are planted with Supersoil Potting Soil. The Southwest Idea House garden also uses the Supersoil Palm & Cactus Mix.KraftMaid Cabinetry's range of options allowed us to customize cabinets for many rooms in the Southwest Idea House, including the kitchen, laundry/craft room, kids' homework center, media room, home office, and bag-drop room. The company offers many door styles, cabinet sizes, and cabinet constructions, plus 6 wood species and 34 finishes and glazes.800/531-4411Pella's Architect Series windows and patio doors on the front and back of the Southwest Idea House's gathering room create a see-through effect, connecting the house to the landscape. The argon-filled, low-e, insulated glass reflects most of the sun's rays, reducing fading and saving on cooling and heating costs. The glass prevents heat transfer. Muntin bars (grilles) are bonded to the insulating glass, re-creating the charm of multiple panes.www.supersoil.comJames Hardie Siding Products888/847-3552www.jameshardie.comThe laundry room contains Maytag's state-of-the-art Neptune laundry appliances. The top-loading washer protects clothing by using two tumblers (instead of an agitator) to clean its contents. Washing can be customized with 8 water-temperature combinations and 24 preprogrammed wash cycles. Both appliances are energy- and resource-efficient.GMC Envoy XL800/571-1990Kelly-Moore PaintsMaytag CorporationWeber Grills360/275-6164888/462-9824Professional-style appliances from KitchenAid's Architect Series give an updated twist to the Southwest Idea House's classic hearth kitchen. The centerpiece is the 48-inch stainless steel dual-fuel range. Versatile and durable, the range includes eight burners, four cast-iron full-surface grates, and a griddle accessory. Two self-cleaning convection ovens include bread-rising functions. The refrigerator and dishwasher are also stainless steel for a unified look.Hardiplank Lap Siding creates a board-and-batten effect that establishes the farmhouse character of the Southwest Idea House. Closely resembling wood, this fiber-cement siding has none of wood's drawbacks: It's resistant to fire and damage from insects, rain, and wind-blown debris, and it's guaranteed not to crack, rot, or delaminate for up to 50 years. It also holds paint up to four times longer than wood.Stylistically appropriate to the farm- and ranch-house aesthetic, a metal roof is also a very practical solution for the desert climate. This one can last for more than 50 years with only an occasional hose-down for maintenance. Metal roofs can deflect UV radiation to keep the house cooler. This standing-seam metal roof manufactured by ATAS International is 56 percent recycled content.www.lennox.comwww.metalroofing.comwww.weber.comThere's nothing more enjoyable than dining outside on the patio. The new-this-year built-in grill from Weber's Summit Gold Series has six stainless steel burners, an infrared rotisserie burner and attachment, a smoker, and welded stainless steel cooking grates. There's also a warm-up basket and warming rack. Flavorizer bars prevent flare-ups, making cooking juices sizzle and smoke to flavor the food.866/442-7343Pella Corporation

800/531-4411

Monday's for washing, Tuesday's for ironing

Now here's an idea ... a space saving product for those areas where space is at a premium--the laundry room. The Mobile Laundry Center from Better Lifestyle Products, Kansas City, Kan., is an ironing board, hamper, and basket on wheels all in one easy-to-use unit. The fold-away ironing board is full-size (43 1/2" x 15"), with a specially designed cloth cover with sewn-in padding to reduce movement while ironing. Three slide-out chrome wire baskets provide convenient storage for ironed garments while the hamper (which also slides out) is perfect for holding freshly cleaned wash ready to be ironed. There is a fold-out iron rest as well, and an adjustable clothes hanging rack.

The Mobile Laundry Center sells for $169 and is available online at www.info@betterlifestyleproducts.com.

The Mobile Laundry Center sells for $169 and is available online at www.info@betterlifestyleproducts.com.

A new spin: introducing the ultimate laundry room

Your laundry room used to be the place to keep the washer, dryer, and drop-down ironing board--period. But imagine if it could be more of a creative nerve center--a flexible space for projects and crafts.

Fill the room with light and add inviting touches to encourage creativity. To accommodate books and supplies, install wide, durable counters. Include a range of drawers, cabinets, and shelves to suit various storage needs, and keep clutter behind closed doors.DESIGN: Tamm Jasper Interiors, Scottsdale, AZ (480/423-3561)The deep farmhouse sink is ideal for soaking clothes or arranging cut flowers as well as for cleaning up after craft jobs. The durable counter can also be used for small gardening projects. Cabinets above the washing machine and dryer help keep laundry and cleaning supplies out of view and serve as additional storage for towels and linens.The roughly 130-square-foot laundry room in our Southwest Idea House at Verrado, near Phoenix, demonstrates the point (take a virtual tour of the room at www.sunset.com/verrado). Open shelves and deep drawers offer ample storage for crayons, paints, and scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Barstools provide a comfortable seat at the granite counter.

DESIGN: Tamm Jasper Interiors, Scottsdale, AZ (480/423-3561)