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.

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Beauty (Siamese) and Bon Bon (Calico)

Beauty is a one year old Siamese and the calico, Bon Bon is 4. Beauty is the daughter of Bon Bon who adopted us.

Beauty will play with anything, including the Chihuahua next door. Bon Bon likes tiny stuffed mice. They were sleeping in my pot of anemones. I sent this out with the Christmas cards.

By Elizabeth from Salinas, CA

Editor's Note:

Here is a previous entry about Bon Bon and her kittens:

Bon Bon and Kittens (Calico Longhair)

Beauty (Siamese) and Bon Bon (Calico)

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Decorated Salvage Furniture

These two pieces were gleaned at our cities recycling garage at the city dump. The table is plastic and was a faux wood look. The chair was a little wobbly, as were several more that I picked up. A coat of paint on both (paint from the recycling center also) a little decorative painting and they are both now used as plant stands! These would work great with some decoupage in place of the painting also. I have done several chairs to plant stands that I use outside, just spray them with several coats of clear spray paint and they're good to go :0)

By Maggie from Bloomington, MN

Decorated Salvage Furniture

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Jean Pocket Purse

This is a purse I made for my 7 year old daughter and her friend. I used an old pocket from my husband's old jeans. Carefully cut right along the edge of the pocket. You can use "Fray-Check" on the sides to keep it from raveling later. I purchased the decorative items for about $3 from my local craft store. My daughter gave one of the purses to her friend for a birthday gift. The purse isn't big, but some cute ideas for putting inside of it include: a gift card, small notebook and pen, lip gloss, small candies, etc. I picked up quite a few things at the dollar store. The girls love their purses.

By Denise from Nebraska

Jean Pocket Purse

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Craft: Preschool Homecoming Mums

Small mum with ribbons, charms, etc., just like their high school friends. Can also be used for boys garter.

Approximate Time 30 min

Supplies:

mum
ribbons
hot glue gun & sticks
cardstock circle
charms
curling ribbon
garter

Instructions:

For safety, I make these on a garter so there are no pins. They can also be used for boys garter in highschool. Bells can be used for the high school boys I have left these off of the child's version.

Pull stem from mum. Glue mum to card stock circle slightly larger than mum. Glue might be needed between mum layers if they start coming apart. Glue ribbons between mum and cardstock in length needed for child's size, usually about 6 inches. These are also in your school colors. Glue garter to back of cardstock. Now the fun part, glue charms to ribbons and onto mum. Glue curling ribbon to cardstock and into mum.

By Randa from San Marcos, Tx

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Happy New Year From Rex (Green Iguana)

Rex is a 7 year old Green Iguana. I adopted Rex from my son whom was joining the United States Navy

Rex really likes to take a nice warm bath with just a touch of Gatorade in it to help insure hydration and she also enjoys basking under her Mega-Ray bulb and sleeping with me, her igmommy, at night

Rex would like to take the time to simply say.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR

By Igmommy from Sweetwater,TN

Editor's Note: Here are some previous entries about Rex:

Rex (Green Iguana)

Rex Bathing (Green Iguana)

Happy New Year From Rex (Green Iguana)

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Salvage Chair and TV Tray

These two items were being tossed by a friend..so, of course I had to bring them home. :0)The legs on the TV tray were tarnished and the top was pretty beat up. Some paint, some decoupage and a new tray. The directors chair had a green back and a yellow bottom made from canvas and were pretty stained. 2 coats of blue paint on both sides of fabric, some cups cut from fabric and decoupaged on and a little writing around the outside (coffee cafe) done with a white paint pen and I had myself a nice little nest of chair and side table. I wasn't sure how the paint on the chair would hold up, but it's doing great! And this chair gets a lot of use :0)

By Maggie from Bloomington, MN

Salvage Chair And TV Tray

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Cala Lily (Domestic Shorthair Calico)

Cala Lily Harper Cooper a 4 month old Domestic Short Hair Calico. Currently she likes to climb and hide in the Christmas tree. And snuggle in her Notre Dame blanket.

Cali was found on Harper's Ferry Rd. by our grandchildren's neighbor Bobby Watson of Funkstown, MD. She was covered with mud, under lots of brush and weighed less then a pound. It was a wonder her tiny cry for help could be heard. Although she hissed and clawed at him he took her home to clean her up and then to the vet. The vet had said the kitten would be mean, but he was wrong, she was just frightened! Bobby and wife Julie would have loved to keep this bundle of joy except they have a senior cat who wasn't ready to accept a rambunctious little character. Our grandkids Laura, Kevin and Sean, knowing that we had lost our precious Patches about a year ago to cancer, volunteered us as parents. How glad we are that they did.

Cali is a loving "snuggler" and quickly became part of the family. PJ, our 8 year old tabby, has become a doting 'big brother' and playmate. Corky, our 4 year old Keeshond, doesn't mind having her around as long as she leaves his wagging tail alone, which most times is too tempting to resist. She is our wild child and has enriched our lives as God obviously intended.

By Hilda from Alexandria, VA

Cala Lily (Domestic Shorthair Calico)

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Tip Contest
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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!

Numb Back Pain with Ice

If you have back pain try rubbing a big chunk of ice directly on the painful area. Rub it back and forth for a minute or two. It will numb the area and kill the pain.

By Karen from Dade City, FL

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Computer Wallpaper from National Geographic

If you want hassle-free wall paper or screen savers for your computer that are gorgeous - go to www.nationalgeographic.com and go to photos to download some of their fabulous nature pix!

By pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA

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Remove Batteries From Disposable Cameras

My father taught me this frugal tip: The batteries in a disposable camera are reusable! Before you get the film/disposable camera developed take out the batteries which are normally AA which normally work in remote controls.

Source: My father

By GingerLilyMay from Bedford Hills, NY

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Using a Basket Filter in a Coffee Percolator

I've been trying to cut down on opportunities to ingest cholesterol laden food and drinks. We just recently started drinking perked coffee as opposed to auto drip. There is a lot of oil in coffee. I had forgotten all about it during the years I was using the drip pot.

I bought some filters for the perc pot but didn't like them so I took a left over basket filter and folded it twice, then cut a tiny hole in the center. It will fit around the stem and can be arranged in the basket to filter your coffee. The basket filters are less expensive too. When I scoop the coffee into the basket I put my finger over the end of the stem to prevent coffee from falling down into the stem. You've probably noticed that I am very picky about my coffee.

By MartyD from Houston, TX

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Use Foam Shapes and Alphabet Blocks to Make Stamps

Alphabet blocks can be used to make rubber stamps from precut foam shapes. If you don't want to use the block that way you can cut new ones from scrap wood then glue or use 2 sided tape to attach the foam shapes on all sides of the wood block !

The foam shapes and the kids alphabet blocks are available at the $1 store so you can make a lot of stampers at a very low cost! If you know a scrap booker or tag artist this might be a fun way to be a part of their crafting world with the addition to their supplies this way! And if your lucky, they might gift you with something they actually made using the tool you made and gave them!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, Missouri

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Removing Cat Urine Stain with Hydrogen Peroxide

My daughter's cat urinated on an expensive marble fireplace slab. She poured hydrogen peroxide on the areas involved, left the liquid until it soaked in to dissolve the urine stains.

By Brigid from California

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Donation Instead of Greeting Cards

For the last few years I have made a $100 donation to the National Arbor Day Foundation to help restore the rain forest in Central America, instead of sending out Christmas cards to my selected 100 people. This usually costs me $1 per person plus postage if any, and more than half of these go to people at my work. I made up postcards that read:

"Merry Christmas!
In your honor, 250 square feet of rain forest will be restored in Central America by the National Arbor Day Foundation."

I've discovered that people are more delighted with this simple gift than they are with a plain card, candy or trinket. I then started making a monthly donation to NADF to replant trees in fire-ravaged forests and sending out a postcard to my birthday recipients that reads:

"Happy Birthday! In honor of your birthday, a tree will be planted in a fire-ravaged forest by the National Arbor Day Foundation."

This too has been a popular gift. Each one (birthday and Christmas) only costs me a dollar per person, plus postage and printing on recycled card stock from my computer, and I've made a donation to a eco-friendly charitable organization!

Happy Yule!

By Shellee from Carson City, NV

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Feed Leftover Breads to Birds

Most of us have leftovers from the holidays, such as bread, rolls and cornbread. Don't throw them in the trash! The birds love them! Break or tear them up and place them in a feeder or even on the ground. You can even place them in an onion bag, and hang them in a tree. Do the birds a favor this winter!

By Marilyn S. from Colfax, LA

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

I have five siblings, three sisters and two brothers. One night I was chatting with my Mom about how she had changed as a mother from the first child to the last. She told me she had mellowed a lot over the years:

"When your oldest sister coughed or sneezed, I called the ambulance. When your youngest brother swallowed a dime, I just told him it was coming out of his allowance."

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

Removing Possum Urine Odor

How do you get rid off possum urine odor?

Wilma

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Vegemite Steak Marinade

I used to make a wonderful marinade for steak with a couple of ingredients including Vegemite and Sherry. It was on a Vegemite label but I lost this recipe years ago. I have done a search online, but cannot find any recipes. Does anyone know this recipe?

Cathy from Townsville, QLD

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Stains Caused by Blue Laundry Soap

Need to take out some unusual stains caused by liquid blue laundry soap and blue water softener. Now the clothes have blue splotches on them.
Thanks for any help or suggestions. :-)

anbsmommy from WA

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Removing Silver Polish From Hands

How do I clean my hands after polishing silver without gloves? They are very black and even though I washed my hands after, they aren't getting clean..

Susan from Durham NC

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Repairing a Frayed Drawstring

I have a pair of pants with a drawstring, and it is starting to fray. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how I could repair and save this drawstring. Thanks.

Steve from Phila, PA

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Discouraging a Cat from Urinating on the Floor

I have been having problems with one of my 3 cats urinating in a couple of different areas lately and the house is starting to smell horrible. We took him to the vets to see if he had a urinary tract infection and it was negative, and he still keeps going. He is going on rugs, new hardwood floors, and the basement floor.

I have tried Nature's Miracle (does not work), numerous products from Fosters & Smith (none worked) and numerous cleaning products that also never worked. We heard about cats not liking citrus, so we put lemon juice in a few bowls in the problem areas and the cat drank them! I am going to try a mixture of peroxide, baking soda and vinegar. Hope this works! Any other suggestions would be great!

By Craig from New Oxford, PA

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Removing Crazy Glue

I spilled some crazy glue on my sweatpants. Any advise is greatly appreciated on how to remove it.

Jade from Ventura, CA

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How to Sell Gene Dolls

I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about how to sell Gene dolls, outfits and accessories. I am helping my elderly sister liquidate her collections and of them are Gene Marshall dolls, outfits and accessories.

They are:

El Morocco
The Kings Daughter
Mandarin Mood
Honeymoon
The Kiss
Gene Dress Form (5)
Gene as Red Venus
Picnic In the Country
Black Ribbon
At Home for the Holiday
Good Bye New York
Blue Goddess
Hot Day In Hollywood
Gene Bedroom Suite Dresser
Creme de Casis
Incognito
Breathless
Gene's Director Chair
Simply Gene (Red)
Hello Hollywood Hello
Daughter of the Nile
Destiny
Out for a Stroll
Gene in Monacco
Love Paris
Melody
Gold Sensation

I researched eBay and found them selling for very little money and some weren't even being bid on.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

You can contact me at svalcaniant AT hotmail DOT com

By Sam from Chattanooga, TN

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Ideas for Decorating Bedroom in Tool Theme

Please help me decorate my grandson's bedroom. I am looking for a tool theme. I would like to find some coloring book pictures of carpenters tools to cut out, decorate and possibly laminate or something. Any ideas?

Pam S. Wichita, KS

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Cleaning Coffee Thermos Carafe

How do you clean the inside of a thermos carafe? It is stained with coffee.

Sheila from Boynton Beach, FL

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Repairing the Underside of Furniture

My cats have torn the underside of my furniture to shreds. I'm glad it's the unseen, but I still need to repair it. My living room chairs, couch, and ever under my bed are damaged. Where can I find the batting/filler material, as well as the black thin felt-like material to recover the bottom of my furniture? I'm online savvy, and can usually find what I'm looking for, but this has been a tough. You'd think living in the furniture capital of the US would be easy enough to find what I need! Any help is appreciated! Thanks lots!

Penni from Hillsborough, NC

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Swollen Feet

I know someone who recently had a baby, and is now having problems with her feet swelling. I know this usually happens during pregnancy. But was wondering if there is anything she can do for this. Thank you :-)

anbsmommy from WA State,

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Planning a Skating Birthday Party

My daughter is soon to be turning sweet 16. She wants to have a skating party for her friends. How do I go about planning something like that? We do have a skating rink here. How do I convinced them to close it down for about two hours? How do I decorate something that big? She is going for a 70's theme.

Decandice from Rock Hill

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Recipes for a Dog With Allergies

Does anyone have any homemade dog food recipes for a dog with food allergies? My boxer is on Royal Canine Sensitivity Control and this doesn't seem to be working. We have tried other hypo-allergenic foods but nothing helps. I want to try home cooked recipes.

Rachel from England

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Daschund is Aggressive Towards Children

We have a Daschund that is almost 2 years old. He has shown aggressiveness toward our grandchildren, including biting. We are concerned to the point of seriously considering giving him up, though it is painful. Has anyone had success with behavior training for this specific issue or is this Daschund's personality trait incorrectable? Our grandchildrens' faces seem to be at risk.

Bob from Houston, TX

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Getting Rid of Mice Safely

How do I get rid of mice, safely?

Sheila from Flint, Michigan

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'Vet's Best Ear Relief Wash and Dry' from Petco

I recently read that a product from Petco called 'Vet's Best Ear Relief Wash and Dry' helped their dog with ear problems related to yeast infections. I would like any info regarding treatment for this problem. I have tried the raw diet, I saw no improvement. She began to refuse to eat and had constipation issues with vomiting.

Dawn from New Port Richey, FL

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Making Indoor Ice Candles

Does anyone know how to make indoor ice candles? Not the real ice candles for outdoors.

Crafts4Life from Louisville, Ky

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Renting an RV for a Vacation

My family is thinking about renting an R.V. to take a trip to upper New York state. Would anyone have any suggestions regarding this? Has anyone ever rented an R.V. for a family vacation? I don't want it to turn out like the movies!

Diane from Fond Du Lac, WI

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Tips for Using an Onion Blossom Maker

I bought an 'Onion Blossom Maker' made by Norpro, for a fun thing to make for my family over Christmas. Like the 'Awesome Blossoms' at Outback and Chili's? It was OK, only cost $3.99, but I'm wondering if anyone has used this product and can share tips. What is the best batter to use? Ours fell off. Tips for using hot oil on the stove, we had a hard time finding the right temp.

Kim from Crawford, CO

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'Spring Cleaning' Themed Church Event

I am having a special event at church. The theme is 'Spring Cleaning' and I need decoration ideas for table centerpieces and table top place settings. My budget is limited.

Celia from Jacksonville, FL

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Motorola Phone Software Disc

Where can I find a Motorola phone tool version 3 or 4 software disc?

Steve from Bakersfield, CA

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Musty Antique Dresser

Is cleaning a moldy dresser the same as a musty one? I already tried the coffee in the drawers. Now I have coffee smelling musty, moldy drawers. This is actually a 1950's secretary I just got and I'd really like it not to smell.

Janice from Bethel, CT

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How Do You Bathe an Old Dog?

How do you bathe an old dog? I have a 12 year old Siberian Husky who has joint problems. The weather has been extremely cold lately and I need to bring her in where it is warm. My problem is that she weighs close to 70 lbs and I just got my bathtubs re-done recently so I can't give her a bath in them. She would scratch the sprayed on finish. And, it's too cold to do it outside. Other than take her to PetSmart, what could I do to bathe her where it is warm?

Janene from So. Calif.

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Dog with Irritable Bowel Disease

I need advice from other pet owners who's dog suffers from Irritable Bowel Disease. Our dog (2 years) was just diagnosed, and is now on Prednisone. He's got severe allergies to all grains so we're trying different types of allergen free dog food. I'm not thrilled that he's on meds and am looking for other alternatives. Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated.

Maggie

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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

Saving Money in the New Year

Tips for saving money in 2008. Feel free to post your ideas below!

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Daily Thrifty Tips - January 2, 2008

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