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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Garden: Singing Frog

This is my singing frog, he is so happy!

By littlegreeneyes from Sacramento CA

Singing Frog

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Craft: Wine Cork Self Portrait

Here is a self portrait I made of myself out of wine corks. It took me 4 years to complete. The smaller the image or the further back you are, the easier it is to see.

By El Pac from Seattle, WA

Wine Cork Self Portrait

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Violet at 8 Months (Parakeet)

Violet is 8 months old and a Parakeet. My daughter got her for my husband's birthday.

She likes to sing, chirp, fly around and look out the window and watch the... birds. She likes to be tucked in at night. When we see that she is getting tired we say, "Does Violet want to go to bed?" Then she will hop up on her swing (that is where she sleeps), she stretches her wings a little and we put her cage cover on and say, "Good night Violet".

By Mary Lou from Maryland

Editor's Note: To see a previous post about Violet, follow this link:

Violet (Parakeet)

Violet At 8 Months (Parakeet)

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Autumn (Shetland Sheepdog)

Autumn was born on August 19th, 2008. She is a Shetland Sheepdog. I found a breeder with a litter of Shelties that were ready to go on my daughter's 4th birthday. There were 6 of them to choose from, and it was quite difficult! Autumn was the smallest and loved playing with my daughter, so she was the one!

She loves grabbing our Shih Tzu, Shelby, by the tail and running around the house with her (it is the only way she can keep up!). Autumn is extra special for me. We brought her home on the one year anniversary of the passing of our former Sheltie, Pearl. As Autumn grows, she looks more and more like Pearl every day. I like to think that she sent this little angel to me.

By Stacey from Dorr, MI

Autumn (Shetland Sheepdog)

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Craft Project: Edible Jewelry

This craft is easy, inexpensive, and makes for a great way to occupy your child when you need it most. You will want to make several to store so they are ready to use when you need them!

Edible Jewelry

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Tip Contest
Submit a Tip or Recipe!
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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!

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Use a Cool Hair Dryer to Clean Computer Keyboard

Use your hair dryer on the cool setting to clean your computer keyboard instead of spending money on expensive canned air. Turn the keyboard upside down and blow the air up into it. I clean the tower (CPU) now and then as well. Dust and hair accumulate around the fan and vents can cause all sorts of problems, such as over-heating.

By Nancy C. from Los Angeles, CA

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Stop Squeaky Tennis Shoes With WD-40

How to stop a tennis shoe (sneaker) from squeaking:

Step 1: remove the insole from the shoe.

Step 2: spray lubricant (WD-40) on the problem area.

Step3: replace the insole.

Source: Trial and Error! I tried other lubricants, but WD-40 worked perfect and stopped the squeak immediately.

By kodidog from Denver, CO

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Fixing Rubbing Alcohol Stains on Wood

Take a clean, dry paper towel and rub the stained area while heating the area with a blow dryer.

Source: My own experiment.

By Rochelle from Blue Springs, MO

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Magnetic Sheets for Vents

Magnetic Sheets is a great way to cover a heating/air conditioning vents! We rent an older home, and most of the heating/AC vents are rusted wide open. Since our landlord isn't interested in fixing our oven, we know she's not gonna repair the small stuff, either. Most of the time, the vents are fine as-is, but the one under my sewing table either roasts or freezes my feet, depending on the season.

I've often found magnet sheets at Dollar Tree, and lucked out yesterday. Bought a package of two 6-inch by 9-inch magnetic sticker sheets, and trimmed one to fit the vent. Perfect! My feet are happy, the magnetic surface adheres to the vent without sticking up and catching on anything else, and if I want to, I can even use the adhesive side to decorate the thing. And it's easy to remove anytime. The magnet side is down, faces away from my sewing machine and is far enough away so it doesn't affect any computerized sewing functions.

The strip I cut off the sheet to fit the vent will be featured in the Craft idea I hope to write up tomorrow. I like to use it all when it comes to craft supplies!

By Dorrie from Norman, OK

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Use Old Socks for Thumbless Mittens

We are having below freezing temps with A LOT of snow. We have had to hand shovel it. We are building a home, and of course, it was to be complete before winter. All our gloves are packed away. To shovel without gloves is freezing. We couldn't get to a store for a couple of days. So I doubled up old socks, and used as a mittens without a thumb. Boy did that warm up our hands.

Source: My own freezing hands said "do something"!

By Sherri from Lyle, WA

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Overcoming Anxiety in the Dentist's Chair

If you are apprehensive like me, and hate getting shots at the dentist office, I have a trick. I always lift one leg slightly when I know my dentist is giving me the shot. My sister told me a dental assistant had shared this tip with her; concentrating on something else takes your mind off of the shot. It helps with some of the anxiety! Try it the next time you have to get dental work!

By Karen from Union, SC

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Look for Candles at Thrift Stores

Thrift Shops can be a good source for candles! I am burning up my stock over the holidays and snagged some decorative ones in my thrift shop wanderings, good ones, too.

The tapers may be slightly damaged, used or, in my case, a bit melted out of shape at the top - but those are problems easily fixed with trimming. And I got 6 brand new good red hand dipped candles for about $2. The better candles do burn better. (Tea lights can be a good deal at the 99 cent store and elsewhere - look out for them.)

By Pamela M.

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Cord Maintenance

Do you have any electrical cords hanging around your house and you don't know how to keep them neat? Fold them up and insert them into an empty toilet paper tube, then store them in the utility drawer.

By Spooky J from Fitzroy Harbour Canada

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Save Your Back While Hanging Laundry

To save bending down and picking out your clothes one by one to peg on the line, put your hand through the waist and leg of the undies and fit as many as you can along your arm, thus bending once instead of many times. If your pegs are in a hanging basket, or pegged along the hem of your shirt, then this saves bending as well.

By Joy from Surrey Downs, Australia

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Use a Plastic Spoon for Hot Soup

Try using a plastic spoon when eating hot soup or other hot foods to keep from being burned. This is especially nice to give to kids who sometimes hurry.

By melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

Two very successful psychoanalysts occupied offices in the same building. One was 40 years old, the other over 70. They rode on the elevator together at the end of an unbearably hot, sticky day. The younger man was completely done in, and he noted with some resentment that his senior was fresh as a daisy.

"I don't understand," he marveled, "how you can listen to complaining patients from morning 'til night, on a day like this, and still look so spry and un- bothered when it's over?"

The older analyst replied: "Sorry, I can't hear a thing. The battery in my hearing aid went dead years ago."

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

Sharpening a Paper Cutter

We are trying to find out how we can get two paper cutters' blades sharpened. Does anyone know where we can take them? Or does anyone know how we can sharpen them? There must be some way. Thanks for your help in this.

Teri

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Longshoreman Jobs in New York

How can I get casual longshoreman work?

Tony from New York City, NY

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Removing Sump Pump Oil Stains

Would someone kindly clue me in on how to remove the oil that has poured out of the small, yet monstrous, sump pump? Of course, I opened it by the sink, so it's on the countertop, countertop wood trim, wood cabinet door, my Levi's left leg, and a nice lake like puddle on the open face wood floor. It's a medium weight, clear, petroleum base oil. Thank you way ahead of time.

Jane from Baltimore, MD

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Using Lemon Juice on Moss

Will lemon juice kill moss?

Gary from Mount Vernon, WA

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Push Mower Carburetor Not Working

I have a carburetor for a Craftsman push mower. Gas is not going through the carburetor, the prime bulb seems not to be working. Is the carburetor clogged up?

Rickey from Gastiona, NC

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Pirate Ship Made from Recyclable Materials

How can I build a pirate ship with recyclable materials for kids?

Somya from Ottawa, Ontario

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Child is Forgetting Their Homework

My son is in 4th grade and frequently forgets to bring his homework home from school. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make him remember to make sure that he puts his homework in his backpack? Thank you.

Lena from Chicago, IL

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Manual for George Foreman Grill #GR18PL

I need a manual for the George Foreman grilling machine Model: GR18PL.

Louis

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What Breed is My Dog?

Bo was a foster dog that I ended up keeping. I've had him for 4 yrs now. He's the laziest dog I've ever had. I would like to know what he might be mixed with. I think he comes from a hunting breed because of his outside behavior. Can anyone guess to what breeds he's mixed with?

virraszto from MI

What Breed is My Dog?

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Permanent Marker on Locker

How can I get permanent marker off my locker?

John from Seatle, WA

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Substituting Bouillon Cubes with Granules

If a recipe calls for chicken bouillon cubes and you only have granules, do you know how many cubes equals so many tablespoons of granules?

jho from Chassell

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What is This Plant?

What is the name of this of plant?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Beth from Charleston, SC

What is This Plant?

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Base for Glass Blocks

Has anyone tried making a light kit on a base with interchangeable glass blocks for different occasions?

Cari from Jefferson, OH

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Coat Hanger Yarn Cat

Does anyone have a pattern to a yarn kitten or cat pattern made with a clothes hanger? It is made like the poodle dog.

Martha from Smithdale, MS

Coat Hanger Yarn Cat

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Cat Got Into the Garbage

Help, Goblin did it again! She is rotten to the core, the runt of the litter, jet black and even has a wart on her ear! We got her on Halloween. She is a true Trash Cat, and is very hard to keep out of the kitchen trash. I have yet to get the bleach spray bottle thing going, to keep her out of it.

Last night she got a hold of the meat inserts I threw away. You know, the padded liners you find under your store-bought meat that absorbs the yuck. So, do you think she can pass that stuff? It's pretty much impacted tissue paper right? Anyone know if a vet visit can be avoided?

Dede from Macon, MO

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Pit Bull Puppy Keeps Peeing Inside

I have a 7 month old pit. She's a good dog but sometimes she goes in the house. I take her out in the morning and afternoon and she goes outside. The problem is that she goes outside and still goes inside. I need help. I'm running out of puppy pads.

Wally from Philadelphia

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Stained Glass Painting Designs

I am looking for free download stained glass painting designs. I would appreciate if you can kindly help me on that. Thanks.

AARTI

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Adopting a German Shepherd

I adopted a female German Shepherd from a local vet whose owner had dropped her off and not returned. She is around 11-15 weeks old and about 17-19 lbs. This is my first German Shepherd, and she is supposedly purebred, but I don"t know if she is too small. Anyone that knows about German Shepherd pups, I would be grateful for any opinions shared.

Gabriella from Spartanburg, SC

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Cooking Pork Chops in a Convection Oven

I need to prepare 170 pork chops in a convection oven. Can anyone help me? I tried four, 1 inch thick chops, at 325 degrees for 25 minutes and they were hard and dry. Is there some way to cook them with a marinade or something? Thanks.

Maryann from Naples, Florida

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Refrigerator Cookie Recipes

I'm looking for a recipe for the refrigerator cookies you can get at the bakeries and grocery stores.

Nicole from Canada

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What Type of Flour is Used for Baking?

What type of flour are you suppose to use when baking? Is it all purpose, self rising, or regular flour? I am using all purpose flour, but my cakes still don't come out right. Anyone who knows what kind I should use, please let me know. Thanks.

Mary from San Antonio, TX

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Six Square "Trip Around the World" Quilt

Has anyone ever made this quilt using only six squares instead of seven?

Adelaide

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Paint Colors for Kitchen with Burnt Orange Countertops

I have burnt orange counter tops (1976), with beige/white flooring. I am looking to paint the walls and possibly the cabinets, any suggestions?

Mardi

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Reducing Household Garbage

Aside from eating less (therefore less garbage from food packages), recycling a few cans I rinse out and an occasional clean empty jar saved for some other use, what are ways to recycle, reuse, and reinvent some of the packaging items so they don't end up in the garbage?

I moved to the country so I can have a "burn pit" or "burn barrel". I have been buying much less food stuffs. Everyone else out here subscribes to the $25 a month garbage pick-up service, which so far I have been able to get by without. I make at least one trip to town a week (if not more) and take my little garbage with me.

I also keep my bag of trash as small as I can so I can toss it in the car wash bin or sometimes when I stop for gas I leave a small trash sack in the gas station barrel. My friend thinks thats just terrible saying "they have to pay for that service so you shouldn't do that !" but when I am a customer there it is you or I they pay for it on behalf of so I use it! It has never been a HUGE kitchen bag full, only small shopping sacks so I feel I am not doing wrong.

I am always on the lookout for more creative ways to use my trash items to give them a second chance before giving up on them. I never have minded reusing things around the house or giving them away, not everyone recycles. So I am wondering what you do in similar circumstances.

Campers also sometimes have this same dilemma. If they pay a camping fee of some sort as I have done in the past or a maintenance fee for a camping club as I also have done, then the trash pick-up is paid for them as a part of their stay. What do you think?

melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO

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Kittens With Diarrhea

I am looking for a remedy for 2 week old kittens with diarrhea.

Clouie from Philippines

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Pen on a Leather Purse

I have blue ballpoint ink on a Coach sand pebbled leather bag. What's the best way to remove it? Thanks!

Cathy from Cleveland, OH

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Preventing Mildew On a Shower Curtain

I have a claw foot bathtub. We have to use shower curtain liners all the way around for showering. That's a lot of vinyl. Does anyone have a trick for keeping them scum-free? It doesn't matter what color curtain I buy, they all get scummy. I've even bought the ones that say mildew-proof. I don't want to waste my money on shower sprays and cleaners anymore and I'm tired of replacing the curtains every few months. I'm thinking vinegar might do the trick, but the smell is too strong. Any other ideas? Thanks.

Gloria from Western NY

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Selling Extra Craft Supplies

I have tons of craft materials (new) like ribbons, mini figures, small wood pieces, etc. and craft magazines that I would like to sell. Does anyone know how to go about selling these things? Thank you!

Casey from Plano, TX

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Inexpensive Father's Day Gift Ideas

I found some good ideas for Mother's day gifts. Now I need help with Father's day ideas for the men at my church.

Renee from Rocky Mount, NC

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Unclogging a Toilet

How do I unclog a toilet?

Nancy from St. Albans, West Virginia

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Recipe for Subway Style Bread

I am looking for the Honey Oats and the Parmesan cheese bread recipes. Please help.

Debbie

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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 on Pizza

Frozen, carry out or homemade: here are your tips for saving money on pizza as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Have we missed anything? Feel free to post your favorite tips below.

Saving Money on Pizza

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Daily Thrifty Tips - January 20, 2009

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