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Craft: Updating a Lamp

After redoing my guest room, my lamp did not match the decor. Instead of purchasing a new one, I simply covered an existing one with fabric to match the room. This is a great way to recycle an outdated lamp.

Updating a Lamp

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Tyvek Cosmetic Tote

Did you know you can recycle tyvek into a waterproof and durable lining for fabric projects. Tyvek can be found in jumpsuits/coveralls for industry work. This type of tyvek is very soft and fabric-like. You can also recycle Tyvek from mailing envelopes. This tyvek is medium weight, but not suitable to use with light colored cover fabrics as the printing will probably show through. Tyvek used to wrap houses in new construction is also useful. This is very stiff and paperlike, but softens when you crumple it. It will stay wrinkled though.

Tyvek should not be ironed or put into the dryer.

The tote in the picture is a cosmetic tote made using jumpsuit tyvek on the inside. The handle allows it to be hung from a locker hook or wall hook in a bathroom, and the inside can be easily wiped out.

For fun, I write a message on the tyvek with a sharpie before assembling the project, so the recipient sees the message each time they open the bag.

By Regina from Rochester, NY

Tyvek Cosmetic Tote

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A New Use For Pants/Trousers Hangers

Just as useful as clips, which I sometimes run short of because of having too many snacks open at once, is the hangers with clips! Also, if you are short of shelf or cabinet space, you can hang the snacks on a nail on the back porch out of the way and possibly rodents won't get to them as easily!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

A New Use For Pants/Trousers Hangers

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King Ling (Siamese)

King Ling is a 3 year old Siamese. He was a stray kitten.

He likes to have his head rubbed. We named him King Ling, because he acted like he owned the place. This picture was at Christmas when we got snow in Texas and had to bring him inside. He found this sink.

By Valleygal from Harlingen, TX

King Ling (Siamese)

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Potholders From Fabric Scraps

I have a lot of fabric and a lot of scraps leftover from my projects so I decided to make some potholders from the scraps.I have not been able to master the binding that goes around the edge so I tried something different. I cut some 2 1/2 inch strips (4 per square) and sewed each one to each straight edge (after quilting the square), folded down the end and sewed across it. For loops, I made some from the matching material or you can use bias binding that's been sewed together. These binding strips are cut into 5 inch pieces, fold one in half and insert into end of potholder and sew across.

You can use most anything to sandwich between the potholders but I find old flat blankets or fleece at the thrift store.You can even use old clothes,the possibilities are endless!

I have made 100 or more so far and they are selling like hotcakes, can't make enough of them and they are very easy to make. Oh and these are cut into 9 inch squares.

Hope you enjoy making these potholders as much as I do.

By Marian from Danville, VA

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Simple Ways to Conserve Water

With the drought conditions in many parts of the country, begin to conserve water even if your state hasn't been affected. If it's yellow, let it mellow, bathroom-wise. Turn off the water while brushing. Use gray water for the lawn and plants. Sweep instead of spray leaves off the deck or sidewalk. Use only a glass of water when taking a pill. Run full loads of laundry. You get the idea.

By Rhema from Charleston, SC

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Use Hot Dogs for Cat Treats

When cookout season is over you most likely will find condiments and hot dogs marked down so it is definitely time to stock up! My cat (Omen) LOVES me to slice her a hot dog into her dish for a snack ! The cost of kitty treats is near $3 for a small pouch vs. a pack of hot dogs for 79 cents!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Growing New Veggies From Discarded Roots

I save money by using the bottoms of onions and leeks to grow more of the same. When I clean onions and leeks for eating, I leave a small part of the white area connected to the roots, about a half inch for green onions and the bigger cooking onions, and an inch for the leeks. Then I either place them in a small amount of water to get more roots growing or place them in a plastic bag in the fridge and check them every day for growth. If I clean them in the garden, I cut the really big roots and simply replant them where I pulled them. It's a great way to get free veggies.

I also do the same with cabbage. Cabbage roots easily, usually in a few days. I place the bottom of the cabbage in a tray with a little water. When I see good roots growing and the little cabbages sprouting on top, I cut the plant apart and plant each baby cabbage. Sometimes I get six or more free cabbages from one cabbage bottom. I do the same with big onions that that have gone bad or started to sprout. I can get three or more from a large onion. I just make sure that I cut between each part where I can see the beginnings of a new onion clear through the base of the onion and let root. Try it! I've done this for many years!

By Mary from Paris, Ohio

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Perking Up Instant Hot Cocoa

To perk up a cup of instant hot cocoa, I like to put in a little something extra. I add a dash of flavoring to the prepared hot cocoa, such as vanilla extract, peppermint extract, even coconut or almond is good! I also like to put in a "shot" of half n half or cream if I have it, just to make it even richer.

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Website for Buying Grocery Coupons

This is not a recipe, just a tip to save money. Go to grocerygame.com. You can "buy" coupons for just about anything you need. For example, pay 7 cents for a coupon to save a dollar. It's really cool. You gotta check it out.

By Mel from Memphis, TN

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Using Car Polish to Clean Glass in Your Shower

This tip is for cleaning the glass on your shower screen and keeping it clean. To keep it looking good, use a really good car polish on it and it keeps it clean. I had new glass put on one side and when they put it back in they had some silicon on their hands, with a little rubbing it cleaned it off. I tried everything to get it off and it looks real good. I hope it helps someone else.

By Pamela from Australia

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Easier and Healthier Hashbrowns

When making hash browns, the most time consuming part is getting the potatoes to fully cook. It saves a lot of time to bake the potatoes the night before and put them in the fridge. Then in the morning you just dice them up while still cold and brown them in a pan. This way is more healthy too because you don't have to use so much oil to cook them.

By Roger from Hampton, VA

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Clip Art for Folk Art Projects

I found this great site that has free and buy-able clip art for folk art painting or many other project uses.

http://www.pccrafter.com/

JC from Tenn.

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Share Thanksgiving with a Foreign Visitor

Share Thanksgiving with an International guest! Thanksgiving is one of the few truly American holidays. Try to invite a foreign friend to your home. Maybe you live in a University town and can host a foreign student for the day, or you have a co-worker or friend at church without family?

Inviting this international guest benefits your family and the guest because you learn about their culture and they get to experience this holiday with an American family. It can help your kids (and even you) experience the holiday in a new way by not just going through the motions but explaining why we do this Turkey dinner every year. I'll be having 10 foreign friends over who will stare at the sweet potatoes covered with marshmallows, but then gobble them down! Hosting a lone foreigner for the holiday can lead to a life-time friendship.

By Grister from Limoges, France

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

Painting Walls in a Mobile Home

How do you paint the walls in a mobile home? We are trying to update my boyfriend's mobile home, which is about 10 years old. The walls have these strips of plastic type stuff every 3 feet or so, and I don't know how to get wallpaper out from under those strips or how to paint them and make it look good. Do I have to pull the plastic strips off? And what is the purpose of them, anyway?

Abby from Pensacola, FL

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Target Coupon Code

Does anyone know any coupon code for Target? Thank you.

Patty from Long Island, NY

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Beginners Crochet Christmas Ornaments

Does anyone have directions for a beginner to crochet Christmas ornaments? I would love hearing from you with ideas. I can single and double crochet.

Deb816 from Hampton, Tenn.

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Keeping Cats Out Of The Christmas Tree

I'm wondering what other owners of cats do to keep them out of the Christmas trees? I have a 1 year old cat that I got this year. I just know she will end up batting at the ornaments and maybe climb up the trunk. Any suggestions?

Judy from OH

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Removing Ink from Cotton Doona Cover

I have managed to get blue ink on a white, pure cotton Doona cover.

I have seen some posts suggesting Dawn, or some other commercial cleaners, however these are not available in Australia, so I'd be grateful for suggestions that one might find around the home.

Any help would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks in advance.

Wendy from Australia

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How Much Should Addition To House Cost?

How much should I expect to pay for an addition to my house? I would like to add on approx. 8 x 18 feet to enlarge my master bath and make a bigger closet. I realize a lot of the pricing will depend on the price of the tub, sink, etc, but I am wondering about the base price for the addition itself. Does it normally go by square footage or some other way?

Abby from Pensacola, FL

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Removing Mildew in the Shower

I would like to know how to get rid of nasty mildew/mold in the bathroom. My bathroom really has a bad case of this stuff because it does not dry out properly. This particularly happens in the winter where there is a lot of moisture. I try cleaning it with regular commercial products but I end up taking the cement part between the tiles off. So, I have to continuously re-do this cement part (don't know the right word for it). Also, when I remove this cement part in the cleaning process water gets through to the adjoining walls and ruins my rooms next door. I really would like to find something to help me avoid this problem. Thank you.

Michael

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When To Treat Rose Leaf Fungus

My roses have fungus on leaves. Should I trim them and treat them now or wait until spring. I am a real novice with plants.

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Loni from Sacramento, California

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Where to Buy Laundry Line Separators

I still hang laundry on an outdoor clothes line. I cannot locate line separators anymore. If you need a description, best I can give is they look like large paper clips and are used after hanging several items to keep the lines together (I use a pulley line, not a single one). Can someone out there identify with this this problem and tell me where I can buy these things--I will do mail order if necessary. Thanks for your help.

Monica from Northeast, PA

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How to Make Holiday Candy Lights

Holiday Candy Lights. I am looking for directions on how to make a string of mini Christmas lights into a string of wrapped candies. It used mini lights, cellophane and little clear plastic cups. Would like to make these for Christmas. Anyone have the directions for these?
Thanks!

Mark T from WLA, CA

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Nail Polish on Suede

How do I get red finger nail polish out of suede?

Jennifer from Lansing, MI

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Looking For Discontinued Gutter Coil

Looking for a list of discontinued gutter coil. The color in question is lime green. HELP!

Tracy from Plymouth, MN

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Fun Corn Recipe for Thanksgiving Feast

Need a fun recipe using corn to send to 1st graders Thanksgiving feast!

Betty from Orange, TX

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Information About Tyler Fixture Freezer

Product: Antique 3x5 "Harder Freezer"

Model: HC13E

Manufacturer: Tyler Fixture Corp

This came with my house I purchased last year. Want to know more about it. Anybody know?

John from Hicksville, NY

Antique Freezer

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Crafts for Large Glass Vases

I have several medium to large glass vases that are sitting around collecting dust. I'm wondering about crafts to do with them. I have one on my table filled with pine cones and acorns and other seasonal dried flora as decoration. Thanks!

Stefani from Lexington, KY

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Puppy With Bad Breath

Any advice on bad puppy breath? Puppy is 7 weeks old.

Colleen from Buffalo, NY

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Semi-Formal or Casual 17th Birthday?

I am turning 17 this month and I haven't had a party the last two years so I want to have a semi-big party, but I want it to be original. I'm not sure if it should be semi-formal or just casual. Please help me.

Kayla from Gresham, OR

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Earning Money Online

Does anyone have any ideas on how to legitimately make money on the internet? I am needing to make some extra income and am interested in finding out about some legitimate web sites to work with and for. Any suggestions? Thanks ahead of time!

Robin from Washington, IA

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Where to Purchase 130 Volt Incandescent Bulbs

A subscriber recommended buying 130 volt incandescent light bulbs. Where can these be purchased? Thanks.

Sharon from Southern Illinois

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Who Makes Walmart's "Great Value" Coffee?

Who makes Walmart's "Great Value" coffee?

Bill from Orlando, FL

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Craft Ideas With Zippers

What can you make from lots of zippers?

I have an abundance of all kinds of zippers,different sizes and was wondering if anyone has any ideas of what crafty thing I could make from all these zippers.Something unusual that nobody else has.I sew all the time but hardly ever use these zippers.I make mostly things that are easy to make.Thanks for your feedback.

Marian from Danville, VA

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Paint Peeling on Galvanized Hamper

I have an old galvanized painted hamper. The paint is peeling. Does anyone know how to go about removing the paint and then repainting the surface? I am also looking for any interesting ways to decorate this object. It is very old and I like the shabby-chic look. Thanks!

Carla from Sellersville, PA

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Eyedrops or Supplements That Improves Vision

Anyone tried eye drops and/or nutritional supplements which improve the vision? (cartaract/blurred vision)

How about Catalin eyedrop? works?
How about Sharp Vision (by Irwin Nat'l)?

Many thanks!

Shanna Lu from Seattle, WA

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Looking For Comforter With Large Grasshopper Pattern

I have been searching and searching for a comforter with a large grasshopper on it, and a sheet set to go with it. I really need the comforter ASAP. So I can do with out the sheet set for now. Where can I find this or someone who will custom create this comforter?

K from NEW YORK , NY

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Mildew Smell on Towels

How do you remove the mildew smell from towels. They smell OK until they get used again after a shower. The towels are cotton.

Jayne from Minneapolis, MN

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Removing Gum From a Dryer

There is gum all over the barrel of my clothes dryer help how so I get this off? Thank you.

Marie from Holyoke, MA

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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

How Long Are Seeds Good For?

How long are seeds good for? Advice from the ThriftyFun community.

How Long Are Seeds Good For?

Ideas For Sifting Rocks Out Of Garden

I need to get the rocks out of my garden. I've already made a rectangular "box", open on top, heavy-duty wire mesh on the bottom, but lifting it to shake it hurts my back. I'm trying to create a way to put legs on it and shake it to filter out the dirt. I'm looking for examples, plans, etc.

Ideas For Sifting Rocks Out Of Garden

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Daily Thrifty Tips - November 12, 2007

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