Daily Thrifty Tips - August 30, 2007

It's been a busy week for us, my daughter, who has been working for us, is on vacation. We are a little behind on posting new requests but hope to get caught up later today.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Country Wedding Background

Here's an eyesore made into a photo op. This ugly storage shed was in the yard where I had my wedding. With some hay bales, country collectibles and fresh cut sunflowers I had a great background for pictures. It tied in just right with my country wedding theme too!

By Robin from Clyattville, GA

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Donkey Ride On The Beach

Instead of taking the kids to the funfair on holiday, spend time on the beach with them. A little tent is ideal for putting up and stowing all kinds of things. A donkey ride is just as much fun as many of the kids rides - and a lot cheaper and greener too.

By Barbara from Stone, Staffordshire

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Skeeter (Black Lab)

Skeeter is six years old. He is a Black Lab. A friend gave him to us six years ago. He was born on Valentine's Day.

He likes to run and play and let you scratch his stomach. He is a loving and faithful friend.

By Lula from Morton, MS

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Miniature Pinecone Christmas Trees

These are little Christmas trees made of pine cones. I recommend this craft for kids 8 and over.

These take about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to make

Materials

• 2 to 4 inch pine cones, with or without a stem
• a Popsicle stick
• hot glue gun
• several sizes and colors of small beads
• green acrylic paint
• small paint brush

Instructions

1. To make the Christmas tree stand, break or cut 2" pieces of Popsicle sticks and cross them over each other to make an X. Use hot glue to glue them together where they cross. Be careful not to touch the glue. It is HOT!.
2. To level the "stand" put a dab of glue on the bottom end of each top Popsicle stick. Flip it over quickly while the glue it hot and press it lightly on a flat surface to flatten the glue and hold it there a few seconds while the glue sets. Lift it carefully and turn it back over.



3. Put a small amount of glue on the center of the X and place the bottom of the pine cone into the glue and hold it there until the glue sets.
4. Paint the pine cone green and let it dry. Then in each pocket of the pine cone, insert a colored bead and secure it with a tiny amount of glue.

By Jan

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$40 Bedroom Makeover
By Tawra Kellam

By shopping at thrift stores and making do with what I had, I spent under $40 redecorating my daughter's room.

Elly's new room took me two days work, 15-30 minutes at a time, resting about 1-2 hours in between. It took me about one day to put the paint on the walls. (That's with the help of a 3 year old.) I was sick or I would have been able to complete it in one day.

To redecorate, we designed the room around a comforter that Elly had received from her grandmother as a gift. We purchased everything from the thrift store over 2 weeks. We had to go about 3-4 times, but it was well worth the savings.

For color on the wall behind the bed, I found a twin sheet that I had on hand that I had purchased for $1 at the thrift store. I ironed the sheet and then used the staple gun to staple it up on the wall. I hung the canopy with a hook we already had and then tied it by gathering it and stapling the gather. Then we stapled a tassel on the gather. We found the tassels for $.12 each on clearance after Christmas.

Elly wanted a tall princess bed, so we took identical sized boxes of books from the garage and put one under each leg. (We self-publish so we had a ton of books.) We removed the wheels from the bed frame. Then we put a board on top of the boxes for stability. Elly's bed frame is now about 15 inches feet off the ground so use the space under the bed for storing toys.

My mom made some pillows to go with Elly's comforter from material she already had. The long pink bolster was the one thing we bought retail. That was some new "extra fluffy soft" material that she purchased for about $5 for one extra special pillow.

I found a picture at the store to put on the wall behind her bed instead of a headboard. We didn't have any night stands that would work, so we stacked three boxes of books in the corner and one box in front to make a staggered "L" shaped night stand. We covered the boxes by layering a white sheet and then lace on top. She now has a nice place for her drinking cup, clock and stuffed animals.

I couldn't find curtains to match and didn't have any material to make any so I had to come up with something else. I found a white round tablecloth that I had. I ironed it, folded it in half and then draped it over her curtain rod. Then I took some fake flowers that I already had and put them on top. It turned out pretty nice for a free curtain!

We found a free standing mirror for $5 at the thrift store. There were two things wrong with it. It didn't have a base and the person had painted it black, inadvertently getting spray paint on the glass. Polish remover took off the paint in a just a couple of seconds and we simply leaned the mirror against the wall in the corner.

We made a craft table from one that the neighbors had left on the curb. It was pretty ugly, so we covered it with a tablecloth that looked nice but wouldn't be too big of a loss if she spilled something on it. Mom had a chair that was the right size, but it looked bad, too. She took some lace and tied the corners. Then she put a cluster of flowers on the back.

We also thought she needed something to hang all her art projects on. I found a corkboard that was in good shape, but had been marked up with markers, pens and crayons. I tried painting it with latex paint but the marker marks kept bleeding through. I took the blow dryer and dried the paint. I took the glue gun and hot glued some lace over the top of the cork material to cover up the marks. The paint showed through the lace but the lace covered up the marker marks.

She wanted to decorate with hearts and stars, so I took a large car washing sponge ($.75 each at Dollar General) and cut stencils out of them. I found heart and star coloring pages on the Internet and I printed them. I traced the heart and star on two sponges and then took a razor blade and cut out the edges. I only went down about 12 inch with the cut to remove the excess sponge. Then I put paint on the sponge and pressed it onto the wall. The sponge didn't stamp the image as well as I would have liked, so I painted over the top of the mark my stencil had made with a paintbrush.

We were able to keep Elly out of the room while I did it so she didn't really know what was going on in there. On the day of her birthday, I put a large sheet of wrapping paper over her doorframe and wrote Happy Birthday with a marker and bows. That way she could open her "present" from mom and dad. She was very excited about it!

By Tawra
http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

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Avocado And Mayonnaise Conditioner For Hair

Avocado and Mayonnaise Mask is a very good conditioner. This Deep Conditioner works wonders on Dry and Damaged Hair.

Ingredients:

• 1 Mashed Avocado
• 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise(Plain Mayonnaise)

By Lyon from India

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Check On Repairing Instead Of Replacing

While we have central air conditioning that we primarily use, in summer months. At one time, we only used a "swamp cooler" (an evaporative cooler), but not your basic one. Since we not longer use the swamp cooler, we keep it covered with a specially designed cover. Upon recently checking, the company we'd gotten our cover from has gone out of business and we'd not found a replacement for ours that the sun had rotted some of the threading holding it together. Considering this, it could prove more costly than we wanted to spend at this time. My husband had the bright idea of taking it to a recently opened laundry. He talked to the attendant that in her past had been quite handy with a sewing machine, much unlike us. We picked the swamp cooler cover up today, for the cost of $5.00 (wash, quick drying and resewing the seams). We're in awe, needless to say!

By Terri H. from NV

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Coffee and Dessert Wedding Reception

Have a Coffee and Dessert reception. This is only a possibility if you hold your wedding at an appropriate time of day (either in the afternoon before dinner, or in the evening after dinner) when you are not obligated to feed your guests a complete meal. We had the following:

• coffee/hot tea
• fruit punch made with sherbet, fruit punch drink and ginger ale
• chocolate fountain with fruits, and other dippable items
• cheesecakes
• chocolate-covered strawberries
• variety of cookies/sweet finger foods
• and of course, wedding cake!

For a smaller wedding (we had 200 guests), I think the chocolate fountain, drinks and wedding cake would suffice. Provide some meaningful entertainment (we had close friends and family sing some of "our" songs, and we had a slide show, among other things) and everyone will be enjoying themselves so much they won't notice you've saved so much money on food.

Our reception was very intimate, meaningful and elegant, exactly what I wanted. To top it all off, it was super cheap as well!

By ALS from MD

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Oriental Trading Company For Birthday Goodies

Since schools do not allow homemade goodies for birthdays and holidays anymore, Oriental Trading Company has various items in their catalog that would be fun to hand out instead of candy or sweets. Items like pencils, bookmarks, note pads, etc., are available for cheap! Also, craft kits and activity ideas for teachers and room mothers. So cute and costs just pennies an item! Visit www.orientaltrading.com to get a catalog in the mail or order online. They also have clearance sales, and there is an overstock catalog right now - up to 60% the original prices. So much fun!

By Marie from Idaho Falls, Idaho

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Use A Butter Knife To Get Rid Of Hiccups

To get rid of hiccups, pour cold water in glass and put a stainless steel butter knife into the glass. As you drink the water, the hiccups disappear almost instantly!

By Birthaleen from Burbank, CA

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Have Friends Bring Cookies For Wedding

At my daughter's shower, I wanted homemade desserts. So when people asked how they could help, I told them bring 12 homemade cookies. Some of them brought more and I was given fancy trays with doilies. Out of 40 people, 20 girls brought 15 cookies each. This was a success and delicious as well. Kudos to all my helpful friends.

By Chris M from Buffalo, NY

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Clean Drains With Baking Soda And Vinegar

About once a month I clean my "drains", dishwasher, and clothes washer. In the bathroom drains I put 2 Tbsp. of baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let foam for about 5 minutes, then pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Let set for another 5 minutes, then run faucet for another 2 or 3 minutes.

Do this also for the shower drain. In the kitchen put 1/4 cup baking soda in the garbage disposal side, followed by a cup of vinegar. Use a disposer brush if you have one. Run disposer for a few minutes, flushing it with cold water. For dishwasher, I put baking soda in both dispensers, pour a cup of vinegar in the tub and run a complete cycle. For the clothes washer, I fill the bleach dispenser as directed, put vinegar in the liquid softener dispenser, put about 1/2 cup baking soda in tub and run a full cycle. Notice, no chemical cleaners.

By Ruthvalleygal from Harlingen, TX

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Ice Cream Halloween Bucket

With the dog days of Summer up on us now, a cold dish of ice cream is one of the first things some people think of to cool off with. If you have children, you might already purchase the plastic 1 gallon pail containers of ice cream. If not, you might want to after reading this tip. After the ice cream is gone and the pail and lid and clean, make a cute Halloween treat pail!

Cut a hole in the the lid large enough for large hands as well as small hands to fit into comfortably. Then, paint both the lid as well as the outside of the bucket in Halloween colors of orange and black to resemble a Jack O Lantern. Either your little ones can carry it to collect Halloween goodies in or you could have your Halloween goodies in it on a table near your door for your Trick or Treaters to choose their Halloween snack or goodies from! With a few more months of hot weather, now there's more reason for buying more of the buckets of ice cream, make enough for all your kids or grandkids or sell them at your yardsales!

By Terri H. from NV

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Yellow Jacket Stings

I was stung 42 times by yellow jackets 1 week ago. All of a sudden, yesterday, the skin started peeling off of each sting. The skin looks burnt. what should I do? it doesn't really hurt, but looks awful.

Sharon from Texarkana

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Growing Watermelons

I am looking for information on how to grow watermelons.

James from Las Animas, Colorado

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Refilling Glade Plug-ins

There has been great ideas on how to refill different things. I have one. Can you refill those wall-outlet scenters to make your house smell good? I have several glade ones that are getting very expensive to buy. They say they last a month. I'm not getting that much time from mine. Does anyone have anyway to refill these ourselves? I think we all would love this.

God Bless,
Angelheart from Clyde, TX

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Toothbrush Rug Directions

Are there any free directions for toothbrush rugs?

Debra from Hampton, Tenn.

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Uses for Splenda for Baking

Splenda for Baking is made from sugar and sucralose (those are the only 2 ingredients on the package). Would it be okay to use it to make homemade lemonade (or any non-baking use for that matter)? Thanks.

Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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I Found a Kitten

I just found a kitten outside, it looks like it was an outside kitten with other kittens around. I have never owned a cat before! She looks to be very young, when I brought her home I noticed a little bit of green drainage coming out of her left eye, it's two days later after bringing her home and she still has it. Also, this morning she vomited up what looked to be her kitty food on the floor. I have no money right this minute to take her to the vet. I also have a one year old child that has been around her. Is this bad for her? Also, not sure what to do about the kitty. Please help!

Cheri from USA

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Juicing Grapes

We put raw concord grapes through a Champion juicer. The result is thick and pulpy juice. Are there any recommendations for making the juice suitable for jelly or wine making?

Wayne from Grygla, MN

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Musty Smell on Wicker Baskets

Does anyone know how to get a musty smell out of wicker baskets? I have tried airing them and spraying Febreeze every day but that is not working.

Kailah from New York

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Using a Steam Cleaner on Microfiber

Can I clean a microfiber sofa with a steam cleaner?

Jessie from Attleboro, MA

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Leaking Cellphone Battery

When I was taking my battery out of my cell phone, it was leaking and got on my hands, will I be okay or is it poisonous? Do I need to go to the hospital?

Bunny

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Highlighting Your Hair

Does anyone have a better way to highlight hair besides putting on the little cap and pulling your hair through the little holes on the cap? Seems like this damages the hair. I heard that it is easier to use aluminum foil but I don't know how to use it. Any advise?

Onesummer

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Straightening Curly Hair

I have naturally curly (very curly) hair, and I am trying to straighten it without chemicals or heat, does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried the relaxers and they just made lots of my hair fall out. Please help me.

Janie from Wisconsin

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Can You Tell How Hot a Jalapeño Is?

Can you figure out how hot a jalapeno is just by its appearance?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Underwater Picture Scene Ideas

My Homecoming dance theme this year is Underwater and I've been elected chair person of the picture scene. We don't really focus a whole lot on the dance floor itself with decoration because its dimly lit, so the picture scene is the biggest deal. I was wondering if anyone has any good idea or tips for creating a cute picture scene without spending too much on an outrageous kit that isn't too cute once you get it =). I've done one or two picture scenes in my time I might add.

Any help is appreciated, Thanks!

Hannah from Council Bluffs, IA

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Doggie Diapers Won't Stay On

My pit bull is in heat and bleeding all over the house is there anything to do besides the doggie diapers? She won't keep them on.

Andrea from AZ

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Water Spots on Smooth Tiles

We tiled our shower floor with 2' x 2' smooth cobalt blue tiles. We didn't clean it properly from the beginning and it's dull with water spots (or is it soap, minerals?) I've tried ordinary cleaners, white vinegar and toilet bowl cleaner but nothing works! I would love any suggestions.

Geraldine from Florida

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Leaking Battery on Skin

What will happen if a leaking battery gets on your hand?

Bunny

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Making Embossing Powder

Does anyone know how I can make my own embossing powder? It must be a simple compound. I would love to experiment and make my own!

some1simple from Hill Air Force Base, Ut

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Baseball Cap Brim Lost Its Stiffness

I have a baseball cap that has a very flat brim that has lost all its stiffness. Is there any way to get it to hold shape again?

Annette from Cass, MI

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Girls Softball Banquet Centerpieces

Any ideas for girls high school softball banquet centerpieces. I need enough for each of the 30 girls to take one home? Our mascot is a cougar and our colors are green, silver, and black. Thanks!
Pam

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Patterns for a Crocheted Carry All Bag

Do you have any ideas on how to crochet a bag to carry out of town with me? It needs to be able to hold yarn, hooks and anything else I would need including my cellphone, lip gloss, money and stuff like that. I am eleven years old and go to my dad's house every other weekend and sometimes about once every two months I go to the lake. The main reason I want this is because my aunt is flying in from Las Vegas and she owns a hotel in Mississippi and we stay there sometimes while she is here!

Mackenzie from Millington

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Dog Scratching the Same Place

I have a long haired Shepherd, he is scratching at same spot been 5 days now. What can I do for him to stop that itch for him? Any advice about this before I go to the vet?

Linda from Canada

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Discoloration in a Fiberglass Bathtub

The floor of my fiberglass tub has turned a yellowish color and I have tried almost everything. What will make it white again?

Nancy from Tallahassee

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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:
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