Daily Thrifty Tips - November 9, 2007

We have more recalls in the More Reading section. We also will be posting more later on this morning. Be sure to check online to make sure toys you buy as gifts have not been recalled. Not all toy stores are doing a good job of getting these off the shelves. Also check your toy boxes to make sure there aren't some in there. They say that only a small fraction of these toys are being returned to the stores.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

• Send to a Friend!
• Share a Tip (You could win $25!)
• Share a Photo (You could win $25!)
• Have a Question? Submit a request...
• Link to ThriftyFun.com
• View Active Topics!

Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.

Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Craft: Making Roses for Decorated Cakes

I have decorated cakes for 30+ years and recently developed a way to make beautiful roses for wedding and specialty cakes by hand, using regular icing instead of fondant.

Make icing using a bag of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup Crisco (do not substitute!) and a very small amount of water (3-5 tablespoons). You want your icing to be thick--yet smooth, similar to modeling clay.

To form a rose, start with a ball of icing about the size of a dime in the palm of your hand. Flatten it thin, and roll lengthwise, jelly roll style. When finished lay on a flat surface, in an upright position to begin forming your rose.

For petals, use about the same amount, flatten this thin but not as thin as for the middle of the flower, in an oval shape. Pick up your middle and attach the petal to the middle section. This is like working with modeling clay and you simply mold the flower petals on, one by one.

After you have formed the flower to your liking, using your fingertips, roll the tops of the petals to make your flower realistic looking. If you aren't satisfied with the look, take apart and try again. The more you experiment, the easier it gets.

After these are made and placed on waxed paper, they can be air dried for several days or used straight on the iced cake. Since they have no flavoring in them they will not go bad before using them. I used this method on weddIng cakes recently with great results. Handmade roses for wedding cakes can cost up to $15.00 and you can form your own for less than $2.00 per batch.

Sharon - Ravenna, KY

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56664588.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

"Outdoors Indoors" Kitchen Decor

My kitchen needed a re-do and money was tight. So, started looking around and found some old lattice pieces outside and my kitchen theme became "Outdoors indoors". We painted the cupboards hunter green and the lattice white, put green leaves on with shaped painting foam stamps. Cut to fit and spot glued them on the doors. Used little clay pots for handles.

For the floor, we took an old piece of canvas tenting, painted it white, used masking tape to make "lattice" stripes ,then painted over with green. A floor cloth to match my cupboards :0)

By Maggie from Bloomington, MN

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73571350.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Scary Pumpkin

This scary pumpkin won a prize! He is pretty scary, huh.

By Jackie from Orlando, FL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83260893.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Teddy Bear (Shih Poo)

Teddy Bear is a Shih Poo. Teddy is about 9 weeks old here. We got Teddy in the summer to replace our kitty who died. Teddy loves to jump but because he is so small, he doesn't get up on anything. But I give him an A for effort. Teddy seems to love everybody and all of our other pets. He is such a blessing to us!

By Sherri T. from Granbury, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14638475.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Disguising a Telephone Pole

In an attempt to hide a telephone pole in our front yard, or at least draw attention away from the pole, I designed this area to have different textures and focal points. Big stones, mulch, tall shrub, wide bush and a variety of flowers that will bloom at different times in spring and summer. I have added decorative small rocks around the Yucca plants (not shown in this picture). Only took one day to put together.

By CalaLily from Alexandria, VA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56063456.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Making Your Pasta Sauce Richer

When making pasta sauce, from the jar or from scratch, add in a tablespoon of powdered cocoa. It makes the sauce richer. Yum.

By Daphna from Alachua, Florida

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34623919.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Website for Homemade Seasonings

A friend sent me a wonderful site for homemade seasonings. I just wanted to share with everyone. here is the link:

• http://www.recipe-recipes.net/seasoning/seasoning-mixes.htm

By Bonnie from Parma, OH

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79000945.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Save Money on Vacations Using Craigslist

Use Craigslist to get vacation deals. We are going on a trip to Las Vegas so I put a post for coupons for the Las Vegas area. I posted a request on the LV Craigslist. I did the same when we planned on visiting Destin, Florida. I know a lot of locals don't use car rentals or hotel coupons too often so they sent whatever they had. It was so easy and free. You can do this for any place you visit. Just go to craigslist.org and then to the particular city you'll be vacationing in and post. If you have holiday traveling in mind, do it now and see what interesting coupons and savings you can get.

By Bobbie from Rockwall

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23043298.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Dry Towels Speed Up Laundry Drying Time

Throw 1 or 2 clean dry towels into your dryer along with your clothes. The dry towels absorb the excess moisture in the wet laundry which speeds up the drying process.

By Marge from Sanborn, NY

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54831078.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Family Trip Instead of Toys for Christmas

A couple of years ago my daughter asked her kids what they wanted for Christmas: toys or going to the Wisconsin Dells for Christmas with the family? Would you believe they picked going to the Dells? They said they had enough toys and that they get toys for their birthdays.

Now we have made it a family tradition, we all go together and get rooms at one of the indoor water parks from Dec 23-25th and spend quality time with the whole family. The cost is the rent of the rooms and we bring all our own food. Each family brings enough food for that family and when it comes time to eat we gather in one room and have a buffet. This year the place we are staying has a fully stocked kitchen all you provide is the food.

By Arlene from WI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74780783.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Website for Knitting Baby Clothes

Website for knitting instruction, baby clothes, etc. There is lots to pick from. Even though I do not knit I know there are many out there who do. This site is all about infant wearables and tells how to knit them. Thought it might be great to use for Christmas gifts given for those who knit and need ideas. Great pictures with each instruction also.

• http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/baby_clothing.php

JC

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64499803.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Used Dryer Sheets to Clean Eyeglasses

Used Bounce sheets from in your clothes dryer are excellent eye glass cleaners! Don`t use new ones, only ones that have already been used.

By Bud from Bradenton, Florida

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78079213.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Chopping Up Halloween Candy for Baking

If you haven't stocked up on leftover Halloween chocolates yet - you still may be lucky and have time! Sometimes they are reduced by as much as 75%! It's a little work but unwrap the individual pieces and chop or food process them. Then freeze for future use in cookies or as toppings! Brownies are GREAT with a few single solid milk chocolate bars melted on top as the brownies cool!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83679043.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Use Your Leaves As Winter Mulch

With winter fast approaching, we need to concentrate on protecting our treasured flower gardens. In a pinch, if I don't have adequate mulch to use on every flower bed, I have my son rake the leaves that fell during fall into a big pile. I take most of my hanging pots and place them in bare spots in the flower beds. I then pile the leaves onto the bed, completely covering everything.

I have done this for the last 3 years and it works very well. When the last frost has come, I then carefully remove any loose leaves and use the rest for natural mulch. It's not the most attractive way to protect your flowers but definitely the most inexpensive. I have annuals that return every year due to this primitive mulching method, with great success too.

By Cindy Duncan from Alabama

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15246524.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Sounding Off About Toy Recalls

Tell us what you think about the recent toy recalls and what you are going to do about toy purchases this Christmas.

Tell Kids And Boycott

I want to say, first of all, that I appreciate your letting us know of the most recent recalls. I have a suggestion that might help us to deal with it. Sit down with all the kids in your life and explain to them that there are greedy people on the earth who are allowing really bad stuff to be painted onto the toys and you don't feel comfy buying dangerous things for them.

Then boycott and tell everyone you see about it. Contact Target, ToysRUs, et al, and let them know you are boycotting. Then start contacting legislators at all levels and demand that Child Endangerment Charges be brought against all the involved persons in our government as well as the other offending nations.

If you let a toddler ride without a belt they will slam your hiney in jail. The person who tries to poison our little ones should get at least as much jail time.

By MartyD from Houston, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18585970.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Use Bartering as Part of Your Budget Plan

When trying to stretch your Xmas gift budget, don't forget about the power of informal BARTER. At a church sale last weekend, I traded several bottles of fancy bubble bath and some hair product for a wooden screen I had. You can do that for all sorts of things! I have also bartered labor for discounts, etc. You could also offer to clean someone's house or apartment as a barter gift if you have more time than money!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80810125.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Uses for CD Containers

How can I reuse the containers that CD's are purchased in?

Too Blessed to be Stressed from Kissimmee, FL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70196883.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

"Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" Float Ideas

I would like ideas for a Christmas Parade Float. The theme is "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree". We are a Baptist Church in town, so of course we would like something to do with church and/or Jesus in our themed float. Any ideas out there?

M. Head from Commerce, GA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72047430.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Socks Resistant to Getting Holes in the Heels

Does anyone know a brand of socks that are resistant to getting holes in the heels from calluses?

Tammy from MO

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84801952.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Christmas Crafts Using Old Magazines

I have piles of old glossy magazines and I don't want to just throw them away. Can somebody please help me? I want to make Christmas crafts out of them. Thanks!

Loi from Philippines

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73361022.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Christmas Parade Ideas

Looking for ideas for a Christmas parade!

Kari from Menomonie, WI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58086507.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Deep Butter Coffee Cake

When I was a young adult there was a bakery in St Louis, Mo that sold deep butter coffee cakes with a crumb topping, they were to die for! I'm wondering if anyone has a recipe for this? It might also have been a gooey butter coffee cake with crumb topping. Thanks

Sherri from Anacortes, WA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80831580.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

"Winter Wonderland" Themed Float

We are a Sign Company and want to make a Christmas float using
the theme "Winter Wonderland". Can you give us some ideas ?

Signtastic from Sebring, FL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88912405.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Fundraising Ideas for Sunday School Kids

I teach a Sunday school class for little kids 5-8yrs and I can't think of ideas to raise money fast. We don't have any money and we need to fix our room. Please I need help!

~God Bless You~

Emili from Chicago, IL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73026639.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Yamaha Recalls AC Power Adaptors Due to Electric Shock Hazard

Hazard: The housing of the power adaptor can separate, posing an electric shock hazard to consumers.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21584599.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

American Honda Motor Corp. Recalls Lawn Mowers Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: Due to a manufacturing defect, a crack can occur in the fuel tank causing a fuel leak. If gasoline leaking from the fuel tank is ignited, a fire or explosion can occur.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13732715.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Coby Electronics Recalls DVD/CD/MP3 Players Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: The portable DVD/CD/MP3 players can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14260113.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Cribs Sold By Bassettbaby Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard: Sold Exclusively at Babies R Us

Hazard: The bolts connecting the top corners of the crib can come loose, creating a gap and posing a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard.

          

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84875493.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Toy Cars Recalled by Dollar General Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Hazard: Surface paint on the cars contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62533016.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Recalled by Carrier Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: An electric heater in the unit can break, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30302797.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Schylling Associates Recalls Collectible Toy Robot Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Hazard: Surface paints on the robot contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93593336.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Growing a Pine Tree

Does anyone know if a pine tree can be grown from a pine cone? Where are the seeds? Has anyone done this with success?

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12685451.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print