Daily Thrifty Tips - February 27, 2007

Fabric-fun Pillows Made from Children's Artwork

Children should first think of a shape and pencil it onto their fabric. Now, they can fabric paint to make their picture (a car, a train, a person) come alive. Let the kids go with it, mistakes can easily be touched up afterward with help from a guardian.

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Happy Birthday Hayley (Jack Russell Terrier)

Hayley is 10 years old today, February 27, 2007. She is a Jack Russell Terrier. My son gave me Hayley for my birthday in April, 1997. I had to put my Sheltie (Lady) down whom was 12 yrs old, and said I wasn't going to have another dog. Since, I'm a people person; everyone suggested that I get over losing my Lady, and get a Jack Russell. So, glad I did. She is fantastic, and so much fun and company!

Hayley loves to walk, walk, walk in any kind of weather. When she sees me put on my walking shoes, she goes for her leash. She also likes to play with her toys, and for me to interact. But most of all she loves to cuddle. And when it's time for bed; she gets under the covers, and has to be touching me at all times. She also is my alarm clock, and paws at me to awaken me.

Hayley was named after the the Halle Bopp Comet of 1997. We thought this was a very appropriate name for her, considering the time of her birth. Her nickname by many people is "Comet."

By Judy from Collierville, TN

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Taking Garden Photographs

I love to experiment with my camera and take close-up photos of flowers I grow in my garden. I then frame these pictures to display around my house.

By Kathy from Warrenton, VA

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Save Your Cell Phone Accessories

Don't toss your old cell phone accessories, like the power cord or car charger. We get the free phones when we re-up on our subscription and found that after having one brand, we went back to the original brand we first had, for which we had already bought the car charger. So we went back to the OLD one. So remember that specific brands have their own connections. Maybe you and your friends could trade. I got a charger from a buddy once.

By Pam from Los Angeles

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Home Remedy For Dry Feet

I have dry feet in the winter and have tried everything to soften them up. I hate to pay for a pedicure in the winter since no one will see my feet. But I detest haveing ugly dry flaky heels. They also start to hurt if they get bad enough to crack. Lately I have been using baby oil on my feet right after I get out of the tub. I rub my feet down good with the baby oil and then I use an inexpensive lotion on top of that. Once these two products are on my feet, I do put cotton socks on at least until I go to sleep.

This has worked miracles on my feet. I also use the regular items such as a pumice stone on my heels before I do all of this, but only once I started using the baby oil and lotion together did I get results I can appreciate! Hope this helps someone as well!

By JONNIE from Owensboro, KY

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Keeping Pests Out Of The Pantry
By Ellen Brown

Tips For Control

Despite strict manufacturing and sanitation practices, it's a fact of life that a certain amount of insects show up in the foods that we purchase. These foods include grains, seeds, dried fruits, cured meats, pet foods, sugar, spices and baking mixes. It can even include our macaroni and cheese (oh, the horror!). Obviously we can never completely prevent pests from arriving in our home via food from the grocery store, but there are things we can do to prevent them from setting up permanent residence in our pantries and cupboards.

• Clean up food spills (especially grains and pet foods) immediately.

• Don't allow crumbs and food particles to accumulate. Vacuum your pantry periodically.

• Wipe down pantry shelf paper (including underneath it). Don't use bleach, ammonia or other strong detergents in food storage areas-they won't affect the insects. Wiping down shelves with hot water and a mild detergent is sufficient.

• Keep bird food and pet food in airtight plastic containers.

• Do not purchase boxed foods if the carton appears to have been damaged in shipping. Inspect packages carefully and make sure bags and cartons are well sealed.

• Frequently inspect food for possible infestations. Remove any infested foods from the pantry immediately.

• Use older pantry foods first before opening new packages.

• Pantry insects can easily chew through plastic wrap, wax paper and cardboard. Remove pantry foods from their original containers and store them in glass or plastic containers with airtight seals.

• Store flour and other cold foods in the refrigerator or freezer to keep bugs out.

• Purchase only as much food as you will go through in a short time. Try to use cereal and grain products within two weeks of purchase.

• Place foods in the oven (pet foods, dried peas and beans, for example) at 140º F for 1 hour to eliminate pests.

• If pest problems continue, seek assistance from a licensed professional.

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Save Produce Bands For Gardening

Do you buy lettuce, broccoli and other vegetables in the supermarket? If so, you probably have noticed that some distributors wrap their vegetables with a green Velcro-like band. Well, save those bands! They make perfect ties for staking tall annuals, perennials and vegetable plants in your garden this summer. The best part is that you can adjust the size of the tie very easily as the plant grows, so you never have to worry that it's too tight. And as a bonus, they're green, so they blend right in to nature's color scheme.

By Lydia Theys from Woodbridge, CT

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Scented Rocks

• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/4 teaspoon essential oil (any kind)
• 2/3 cup boiling water

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Oven Cleaner For Bathtubs

I too have used over cleaner on a bathtub. My son moved into a condo and the tub had crud on it between the shower curtain and tub that we could not get off. I tried oven cleaner, let it sit and it scraped right off!

By Shar from Phoenix

Editor's Note: With this tip, I worry about the oven cleaner damaging some types of bathtubs. You probably should test this on an inconspicuous place first.

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Super Foot Bath

Soak and massage your feet in a glorious foot bath to relieve tired muscles and soften hard, dry skin.

Ingredients

• Plastic tub, such as one you might use for dishes
• Marbles
• Hot or cold water (This is a choice. I find hot more relaxing.)
• Fragrance oil or scented bubble bath
• Towel
• Body or foot lotion

1. Place enough marbles into the tub to just cover the bottom. Add water at an appropriate temperature for you. The water level should be just high enough to cover your ankles.
2. Mix in your scent of choice.
3. Place feet into the bath and gently roll them over the marbles. Try picking up and releasing marbles with your toes to relax your feet.
4. Soak feet for at least fifteen minutes, then dry and cream them

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Zippers on Sofa Cushions

Many people make the mistake of assuming that the zipper on sofa cushion covers is so you can remove it and toss it in the washing machine. Look for a tag on the cushion for cleaning instructions. Most cushion covers will shrink if you launder them like you would sheets or clothing, leaving them unusable.

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Kitchen Clean Up Tips

Appliances: To shine chrome, use vinegar or window cleaner.

If the numbers on your oven dial are worn, take a yellow crayon and rub it all over the number on the dial. Gently wipe off the excess crayon and paint with clear nail polish.

To clean splattered food from the interior of your microwave, bring 1 cup of water to a boil until steam forms on the inside walls of microwave. Remove water and wipe with damp cloth. You may have to repeat the process to get a really big job done.

To rid yellowing from white appliances try this: Mix together: 1/2 cup bleach, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 4 cups warm water. Apply with a sponge and let stand 10 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Instead of using commercial waxes, shine with rubbing alcohol.

For quick clean-ups, rub with equal parts of warm water and household ammonia. Or, try club soda. It cleans and polishes at the same time.

Blender: Fill part way with hot water and add a drop of detergent. Cover and turn it on for a few seconds. Rinse and drain dry.

By Jan from Suring, WI

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Keep Craft Supplies In Individual Ziplock Bags Or Totes

Busy Moms, this is a dream come true. I am a teacher and also a mother of a 5 year old who loves crafting. As I am a crafter as well, I am always looking for fun, fast, easy ways for us to do a craft or my students to do a craft without spending so much time setting up and cleaning up and having more time for fun. It hit me in my class one day to put all the materials needed, right down to the glue and scissors in individual bags that are labeled and ready to go at a moment's notice. Each bag includes paper towels for messes and paper plates to work on and to let the craft dry on as well. If you are gathering the materials anyway, it is just one more step to stuff them into ziplocks.

I even do it at home now so when my daughter and her friends want to make a craft. I can pull out some baggies and away they go with little or no help from me. I love it too for my crafts. I put mine in totes because they are larger but I can grab a tote and craft away.

Yes, you do end up buying multiples of things like scissors and glue but who can't use more of those? I get mine at the dollar store so it doesn't break the bank and re-use any left-overs for another craft bag. I have even started giving them as gifts and other Moms love them!

By Stacy from VA

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Wedding Reception in a Church's Gym

I need ideas on transforming a church gym into a reception area for 250 wedding guests. I have endless strings of white lights but have no idea how to begin this project!

Barb from Three Rivers, MI

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Stripping the Color from Clothing

How do I strip color from clothing to ready it for re-dying?

Deb from Kenai, Alaska

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Where Can I Buy Diaper Pins?

Can someone tell me where to purchase diaper pins?! I used to use them, with cloth diapers, many years ago, but they seem to not be available any more!

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Changing Cat Foods

My cat was started on a diet of a rather expensive cat food a while back and I want to try and start him on a slightly cheeper, but still nice food (fancy feast versus friskies if it makes any difference.) I have tried to just give him the new food and this is apparently the wrong thing to do seeing that he brought it back up. Is there any way that I can make this easy on his stomach and easier for my cleanup?

Thanks,
Sara from CT

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Condensation Inside a Watch

I bought a watch not realizing it was not water resistant. It got wet and now has condensation on the glass. How do I get rid of the condensation?

Sharon from Mililani, HI

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Oils That Prevent Bug Bites

What oils can I use to prevent bug bites?

Gladys from Chelsea, MA

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Tattoo Ink Stains

How to clean tattoo ink out of clothes?

Cheri from Texas

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1980s Prom Dress

I need to find a cheap 1980s prom dress for my daughter. It is only for a dance recital, so I don't want to spend much money for it. Anyone have any suggestions where to find one besides ebay?

Shawn from Bedford, Indiana

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Bubble Bottles for Wedding Favors

Does anyone know where I can buy empty bubble bottles for my wedding?

Jenny from Mankato, MN

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Bombs for Termites

Can you use the bombs for getting rid of fleas in your home for getting rid of termites?

Cindy R from Oxford, NJ

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Making Sea Shell Jewelry

My mother used to make beautiful shell pins, and earrings. She taught me how but she has passed, and I don't know where to get the shells and pin backings etc. from.

Dina from Kissimmee, FL

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Krazy Glue on a Kitchen Countertop

I got Krazy Glue on my kitchen counter top. Does anyone know how to get it off?

Thank you in advance,
Penny from Ipava, IL

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Buying Turkey Loaf

Who makes a turkey loaf? we used to buy one several years ago. If anybody knows, please tell me where I can buy it.

Thanks,
Gene from Woodbury, New Jersey

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Using a Tub Drain Remover

When I tried to use a Dumbbell Wrench (also called Tub Drain Remover) to remove a tub drain, the cross bar breaks off. I am wondering whether I might turned in the wrong direction? Does turning anti-clockwise loose the tub drain? I had water leakage to my ceiling from a tub on the 2nd floor. I had it fixed by a plumber, who simply applied some plumber's putty under tub drain. But after a couple years, the problem occurs again. Do you have some suggestion on how to fix it? I saw someone posted a tool called drain key to remove a tub drain w/o cross bar. Has anyone actually used it. My house was build on 1999. Thanks.

George from Atlanta, GA

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Cooking Ham Tips

Tips for making great ham. I thought I read a thread one time on cooking ham but I can't find it.

Ann

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Donating Used Stuffed Animals

I am looking for places to donate used stuffed animals. My kids love them and always ask for them for holidays, birthdays, etc. I have tried to ask people not to get them new ones, but the kids love them and some people can't NOT get them new animals. I weed out the collection when they're not home, and have a couple of garbage bags full of animals that they have forgotten about. They're in good shape, and I am sure that some children would love to have them.

Does anyone have any ideas of places that I can donate them? Last year we donated them to a local church, and they seemed stunned (overwhelmed) by the amount, so I need a couple of different places to give them to. Any ideas? I don't know of any shelters nearby, and I don't want to pay to send them somewhere.

Mary Kay McCann from Marengo, IL

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Bulging Ceiling From a Water Leak

My basement sheet-rock ceiling seam bulges, about 3" wide and 6 ft. long (from a water leak). How can I get ride of this slight bulge (1/16") as I paint the ceiling?

Thanks,
Susan from Washington, DC

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Changing the Color of a Fabric Chair

Would I be able to change the color of a chair with fabric paint? Is there a spray can fabric paint that I can use? I have a nice chair but the color is all wrong.

Thanks,
Octoberbabye from Bradenton, FL, USA

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Medium Weight Vinyl

I need to sew a strip of vinyl to a one-stoke brush holder so the brushes will not fall out. I have a Singer sewing machine about 40 years old. I would like to know what size needle and thread I need to use. Any suggestion?

J. Roland from Aberdeen, MD

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Family Reunion Centerpieces

I'm planning a family reunion in April in Florida. I need table centerpieces. My father has 10 siblings and I would like to have ten tables to represent each sibling. Any suggestions? I will be flying 5,000 miles to the reunion, and will be arriving a few days before the reunion. So I need to make something before hand to ship or make it there quickly.

Karen from Wasilla, Alaska

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Craft Uses for Old Belts

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