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Hello,
We have a lots of interesting tips and request today. Please look at the requests and see if you have any advice to offer.
This weekend's TF News will be about quilting tips and tricks. If you have any tips to share, please submit them on the contest form.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
The Simplicity of a Single Floral Plant
The use of a single floral plant in a less than exciting room will focus attention on the elegant simplicity of the flowers used and away from the mundane in the room. It can add a lot by just being placed in a strategic viewing area or by its unique-ness - such as an orchid, which are reasonably easy to maintain.
By Charan Mcmillan
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Here is a fairly simple sign I made. I used 2 pieces of plywood, painted them white and put 2 hinges at the top. I drew the flower and lettering with a pencil, then painted it with paints I had around. I put a coat of clear varnish on it and use it every day to put out on the sidewalk in front of the Shop I manage.
By April
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Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a Digital Camera! You can enter the photo contest here:
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Today's Tips
Tips and instructions for pruning trees. Post your ideas.
Stop pruning trees after they have leafed out. However, you should remove dead, damaged or diseased limbs throughout the year.
By Terri H.
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Tips for fixing a squeaky floor. Post your ideas.
Just put a small dab of glue in between the boards to stop the noise.
By JOHN
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Make table favors with empty toilet paper rolls!
Take a small serrated steak knife and cut through the middle of the cardboard roll, but do NOT cut the back. Seal ends of cardboard roll and fill each side from the middle with candy or wrapped mints.
Now, carefully restore cardboard roll horizontally, and wrap the entire roll with colored foil wrap or regular wrapping paper, or even colored tissue paper if you use several layers works ok. The important finishing touch is the ribbon tied on each end- that's what distinguishes it as an English "cracker".
The favor is snapped in half after the meal is completed. Traditionally, mints are preferred, but any type of wrapped candy is ok, as long as they're small enough to fit in the roll.
I've recycled old wrapping paper for this purpose, so the only cost is the candy and a bit of ribbon for the ends- for approx. $2.00, you could easily make 8 of these favors for parties, holiday celebrations or even weddings depending on the wrapping paper and ribbons used.
Festive, fun and frugal!
By Cindy Merrill
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Removing Yellow Stains from a Juicer
To remove the yellow stains from carrots and other veggies from your Juicer or food processor put a little vegetable oil on a paper towel. It will wipe all stains away.
Beulah
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Fungal Diseases on Rose Bushes
If you have rose bushes, fungal diseases such as black spot and mildew can be prevented, but not cured. Spray a fungicide every 7 to 10 days as a preventative measure.
By Terri H.
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Prune spring flowering shrubs immediately after they bloom or no later than 1 month after they finish blooming. Pruning later than that will diminish next year's blooms.
By Terri H.
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Keeping Window Slides from Sticking
Sticking windows, just rub frames with a piece of soap. Then SLIDE SLIDE SLIDE
By JOHN
Editor's Note: I also use old candle wax for my sliding glass door. It works well. Just reapply when it starts to be hard to open.
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Tips for saving money on landscaping supplies and plants. Post your ideas.
I work around a very busy Metro area. Recently, the landscapers were replacing the spring flowers/bulbs with summer plantings. They were throwing the spring plants out! I asked them if I could have them and they said sure! Needless to say, I have enough tulips for next year and I planted the pansies in hanging baskets. It saved a lot of money by buying hanging baskets this year! So, next time you see landscapers or gardeners replacing plants at a business or business complex, be sure to ask!
By Michelle
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Removing Dog and Cat Hair from Clothing
Use Rubber gloves to remove cat or dog hair from your clothes.
By Domenica
Editor's Note: Then just rinse the gloves off.
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Tips for saving money on dryer sheets. Post your ideas below!
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What did one pancake say to the other pancake?
See you on the flip side.
By JOHN (Made that one up myself.)
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Don't let children drink from a garden hoses. They are sometimes made from a vinyl stabilizer which uses lead. Too dangerous.
By JOHN
Editor's Note: Apparently, some hoses are safe for drinking, and some are not.
The Fairfax County Water Authority FAQ has this to say:
Question: Is it safe to drink water from a garden hose?
Answer: Substances used in vinyl garden hoses to keep them flexible can get into the water as it passes through the hose. These substances are not good for you or your pets. There are hoses made with foodgrade plastic that will not contaminate the water. Check your local hardware store for this type of hose.
This was news to me...
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If pesky moles are keeping your lawn from being as you desired, they can be controlled through harpoon or scissor-jaw traps placed over their active runways. Also, there is a new product on the market called Mole-Exit that is reported to work well.
By Terri H.
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Telling Your Mom You Are Expecting
When my daughter-in-law was pregnant, she found a unique way of telling her mother and I. She found out just before Christmas, and on Christmas Day, there was one special gift for just myself and her mother. When we opened the gift, we each found one baby bootie in the box. It didn't take long to figure out what it meant!
By Jackie S.
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Flavored ice cubes are great in water or lemonade on a warm summer day. Here are some ideas for making your own flavored ice cubes. Post your ideas.
Mint Ice Cubes
I love to freeze mint in ice cubes. Just take a washed leaf and put it in the each compartment of the tray. Add to iced tea or lemonade.
By chrisr3
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No More... Getting Lost in the Pattern
My mother is in her eighties, and was crocheting an afghan of cats. The pattern consisted of about 8 rows, each one different, and then a repeat of these 8 rows. She kept getting lost in the pattern, so I took index cards and printed each row of the pattern on a separate index card. This way she could work from the first card, slip it behind the others, do the second, etc. There were color changes after each set of 8 rows, so I used colored index cards and repeated the pattern rows on different colors for each color change. She was able to keep her place without confusion with these cards.
By Harlean from Arkansas
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If you don't have any bug spray around - try using Listerine. It kills them just as fast as the bug spray and it's not harmful to us.
By Heather S.
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Color code special garbage cans or storage bins in your garage for such things as - sporting goods, toys, backyard fun etc.
By poolpooli9000
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Line the bottom of a 10" tube pan with waxed paper. In a large bowl, sift all your dry ingredients, including spices. In a medium bowl, cream margarine, gradually add sugar, mix until light yellow. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beat well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture alternating with pumpkin. Mix well after each addition. Stir in pecans. Pour into the wax paper lined tube pan and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hrs.
By Terri H.
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Cake:
Glaze:
Directions:
Mix sugar, cake mix, sour cream, oil and eggs. Pour 1/2 of mixture in a greased tube or Bundt pan. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Over cake mix in pan, sprinkle 1/2 of brown sugar mixture and swirl with a knife blade. Pour remainder of cake mix in tube pan and sprinkle remainder of brown sugar mixture over the top, again swirl with knife blade. Bake in 325 degree preheated oven for 1 hr. or till cake tests done. While cake is baking, in a saucepan, brown glaze ingredients. Set aside. After removing cake from pan, while the cake is still warm, pour glaze over top of cake.
By Terri H.
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Razzle-Dazzle Apple Streudel Bars
Crust and Streusel:
Filling:
Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. For crust and streusel combine first 4 ingredients; mix well. Add margarine, mixing until moistened. Reserve 2 cups.; set aside. Press remaining oat mixture onto bottom of 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes. For filling: Combine apples and flour. Stir in preserves. Spread onto crust to within 1/2 inch of edge. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture, pressing lightly. Bake 30-35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars. Makes 2 dozen.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Cream sugar, butter, and eggs. Add sifted dry ingredients alternating with milk. Add vanilla. Chill 2 hours. Roll out on floured board to desired thickness. Cut with glass tumbler. Bake on greased cookie sheet 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Yield: 4-5 dozen.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Cream margarine, peanut butter, sugars (brown and white). Add whole eggs. Blend dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add to creamed mixture. Mix well. Add whole peanuts. Drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix all together the ingredients. Do not use mixer or beater. Stir very well. Will fit one 11x18 or 9x12 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Cream Cheese Filling:
Directions:
Mix ingredients and spread on cooled bars.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Brown hamburger, drain. Layer hamburger, onion, tater tots in 9x13 pan Mix soup and milk (using the can to measure milk) Pour evenly over top of tater tots. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tater tots are brown and crispy (I like to add 1 can green beans to mine , right after I have layered the onion and hamburger)
By imaqt1962
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get to choose which gift card! This contest ends on May 31st,
2005.
Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests:
Lousy Motel - Do I Have To Pay?
Last weekend we spent two nights, two rooms at the MOTEL FROM HELL. We reserved these rooms around 8 months ago, in the vicinity of my daughter's college for her Graduation. Their prices, like all the other places we called, were doubled and tripled for this weekend.
This place was honestly the worst, filthiest place I have ever stayed in. I mean run down, dumpy, threadbare and DIRTY.
But, here is the corker ... the towels and bedsheets were not only discolored to a dark grey and threadbare, but they had stains on them. Filthy, like everything else in the place.
I put this on my master card... two nights, two rooms, almost $600.00 prepaid 8 months ago.
My quesiton: Is there anything I can do to get my money back?
Is there any organziation/organizations that oversee what I consider a health hazard. The tub was absolutely black with filth. I could not bathe there and went to my daughter's house for a shower.
I tried to take pictures of the stained carpets, towels, no overhead lights, other lamps, missing bulbs ... I mean it is almost funny ... but really ... can they get away with this?
If anyone knows who, where, and how I can complain about this and if there is any way to reap my lost money, I would very much appreciate your comments.
I actually brought home a sample of the washcloth as possible evidence. I don't know if that would work for or against me.
How can I prove it?
Thank you very much.
Anjeena from New York
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Removing an Ironed On Applique From a Shirt
I am trying to remove a professionally ironed on applique from a burgandy cotton shirt. Any suggestions?
Priscilla
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I need food ideas that are easy to put together. This is for a surprise party for our pastor, right after Sunday morning service. There will be about 70 people there.
Gooddayb
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Trophy Wives and Tycoons Themed Party
I need help on decorations for a trophy wives and tycoons party?
Natalie
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Sunless Tanning Solution Stain On Clothing
Any ideas on how to remove sunless tanning solution (Mystic Tan) from a light cream colored garment?
The garment is a dry-clean only sweater made of mostly rayon with some nylon and spandex mixed in. It also has black contrasting piping.
It has also been dry-cleaned with no luck, but I am not sure whether the cleaner used heat.
Thanks -- Jen from Kentucky
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I am a believer in not dry cleaning, but recently I washed some Dry Clean Only clothes, in cold water on the gentle cycle, and had some problems with mild shrinking. The pieces didn't shrink a lot, but just enough.
This is probably a silly question, but does anyone know of any real way to un-shrink clothing that has been shrunk? Clothing made of wool, viscose or rayon, which can be very delicate, but not always! Sometimes it turns out fine when washed gently in cold water.
I have heard that soaking the item in cold water with hair conditioner and then stretching it out helps, but maybe nothing really does.
I'd appreciate any tips anyone might have!
Anna
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Parade Floats Ideas For a Scrapbooking Store
I am looking for ideas for a parade float for a scrapbooking store. It has a theme of dragonflies and the parade theme is 100 years of history. Any ideas? I want a really original float. Thanks.
Shannon from Canada
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Okay, floors are coming along. I cleaned with an equal solution of vinegar and water and you wouldn't believe the way it cut the dirt!
Now - to wax or not to wax. There is no shine on the hardwood floors now and it was suggested that they need to be waxed. Any recommendations for what sort of wax to use on hardwood floors?
Cindy
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Hello everybody!
I am a Doctor of plant health students in Hungary (plant genetist esp.). I've a great, a horrifing problem! I'm looking for Solanum Melanocerasum seeds but still have not found any. If somebody has seeds from one or knows where I can get some, please let me know. It is very urgent!
Thank you for the help in advance,
Guanin From Hungary!
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Bouquet Lights - For Glowing Flowers
I recently watched a floral demonstration at a Home Show. The florist used a small light that you just snap and it begins to glow in some of the arrangements. He said they sell them at his shop for $5 each but, since we are on a tight budget planning our daughter's wedding, we wondered if anyone would know the manufacturer of this product who might sell in bulk lots?
This is not a string of lights that you snap and it glows in various colors. This is a light that is clear that shines and makes water or flowers glow. He said they also use them in prom corsages.
Roberta
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Rooting An Azealea - Tips and Advice
Hello,
Last week a friend died, he had no relatives but we were his friend and neighbor for over 30 years, soon they will auction off his house. In front of his house was a beautiful dark pink azealea from which I took some clippings to reroot and grow at my home in another state. It's not as sunny here but I have been trying hard to keep it alive, so far its ok, but losing flower.
Any suggestions? It's in the sunnyest spot in my yard. I could buy one just like it but it wouldn't be the same. Any suggestions on food that would be helpful?
Thank you,
Gail
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I was wondering I do i get rid of bats living on my trees. I look out my window and there's like cocoons everywhere all over my trees, and there's bats living in them. I want to get rid of them, they are everywhere. How would I go about getting them off my trees and away from my house?
Ashley From Massachusetts
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I bought clear storage containers (for cards, wrapping paper, candles, etc.) and placed them inside my cabinet/closet (painted white). When I removed it from the shelf - to take something out of them - I discovered that it had left a gray/black stain on the wall that it touched.
I tried vinegar but it only partially dulled the mark. Are my clear containers of the very inexpensive variety or is my white paint the problem?
Jean
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I have a pair of white - now yellowed cafe kitchen curtains that were in bad need of a wash, they looked yellowed so I figured bleach would whiten them up - nope. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get my white curtains back and get rid of the yellow look? Thanks!
Janis from Ohio
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Other Uses for an Old Sewing Machine
I have an old singer cabinet stlye sewing machine and I would like some ideas of how to utilize it other than using it as an end table with a cloth covering it. I would appreciate any clever ideas you may have. Thanks!
Kim from Virginia
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How do I fix elastic that is around the top of my dress, one side is stretched and the other is not.
Ashley
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Cleaning Dirty Hardwood Floors
Okay, I just recently purchased a home, built in 1957, and it would seem that the wood floors were NEVER cleaned. Someone recommeded "denatured alcohol." Please help - I want to be certain that I use this product without mixing it and that I am not going to have to re-polyurethane the floors. I think they are in good condition, minus the years of "whatever" it is that keeps filling my bucket with dirty water.
Any other suggestions would be helpful as well. I saw the article about the tea bags and would imagine that is only useful once you remove the "grime."
Cindy
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Attracting Fireflies To Your Garden
Do any of you gardners know how to attract fire flies (lightening bugs) to a yard?
Beth
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Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make 11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures of the crafts visit:
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More Reading:
Baby Sleep Tips
By Criss White
Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night's rest.
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8 Simple Tips for Taking Great Baby Photos
By Criss White
Taking pictures of your new baby is a great way to preserve life long memories. Baby pictures can also make great postcards, keepsakes, or baby shower gifts. Here are some simple tips to get great baby pictures:
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Top Cookie Flavors for Baby Showers and Other Parties
By Criss White
Cookies are a very popular treat at any party event and as a snack in general. There are now hundreds of different types of cookies that can be served to your guests and at parties. In case you are having difficulty chosing which flavors to serve, here are the five most popular cookie flavors based on our research study:
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