(Courtesy to Pioneer Press: Donna Erickson)

When your plastic salad spinner gets old and dingy, you might decide it's time for a new one. But don't throw out the old one! Salad spinners make terrific painting gadgets. Let me take you for a spin!

  • Salad spinner

  • White or solid-color plain paper plates trimmed to fit the bottom of the spinner

  • Soft clay, plaster tack or double-sided tape

  • Assortment of acrylic craft paints in squeeze bottles

  • Glitter (optional)

    WHAT TO DO

    1. Take the lid off the salad spinner and set a plate in the middle. To hold it in place, fix the plate with a piece of clay, plaster tack or double-sided tape to the little nodule at the center of the bottom of the spinner.

    2. Pick your paints. Bright colors give the finished product a lot of snap. Drop puddles of paint at or near the center of the plate. Add a few blobs here and there, and some tiny dots all around. If the paint is rather thick, thin it out a bit before putting it on the plate.

    3. Replace the top of the spinner and give the crank a whirl. Spin it around for five to 10 seconds, let it wind down and then take the top off. It's so much fun to see the explosion of color with results that are always a surprise. If you wish, add more paint and a pinch of glitter and spin again.

    4. Remove the plate, let it dry and hang it on your wall or fridge.

    MORE TO DO

    Make a napkin ring. Take the painted plate and trim off the edge in a curvy

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    shape, then cut a round hole the size of a quarter in the center. Squeeze a napkin through the hole and you'll have a bright addition to any party place setting.

    Create a gift card: Spin paint on a plain index card, fold it in half, punch a hole in one corner and tie ribbon through the hole.

    Customize a photo frame. Cut out a rectangle or circle in the middle of the painted plate that's slightly smaller than your photo. Tape or glue the photo to the back, glue a loop of ribbon to the top of the plate and hang it on the wall.

    Dress up a postcard. Use a postal-regulation-size index card, spin some paint, add a stamp to the other side along with a note to grandparents such as, "Have a colorful day!"

    Note: Once the spinner is used for this art activity, do not use for food preparation. Paint will adhere to it.

    DONNA ON TV, RADIO

  • Watch Donna Erickson on "Showcase Minnesota" on Channel 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday.

  • Meet her in person at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 31. She will appear on "Twin Cities Live" on Channel 5 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the KSTP-TV building. She also will be interviewed on KKMS Live! AM-980 Radio at 4:30 p.m. at Judson Avenue and Clough Street.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."