Daily Thrifty Tips - October 26, 2006

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.

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http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Supplies

• Empty Paper Egg Carton
• Black Paint
• Googly eyes
• Pipe Cleaners
• Hot Glue or rubber cement

Instructions

Cut a cup off the egg carton. Straighten all the edges so the cup lays flat when placed upside down. Paint the cup black inside and out, let dry. Take 4 pipe cleaners and line them up straight and twist them together in the middle. Glue the middle to the inside of the cup, let set.

When the legs are securely glued to the inside of the cup bend the legs to make it look like a spider. Finally glue the googly eyes to the side of the cup.

These can be hung or placed around the house.

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Materials

• patio paver
  Note: Use the pavers that are round on one end (The round part is the head). You can find them at most major hardware stores.
• paint
• felt
• small straw hat
• black craft foam
• raffia
• hot glue and gun

Directions

Paint patio paver as in picture, or paint as you like, just use your imagination. Let dry. Cut raffia to the length of straw hair you want, glue on, then glue on the small straw hat.

Cut crow from foam, glue on hat, then cut felt to length for scarf. Glue on.

By Sandy from Bluff City Tn

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Sabrina is 6 years old and is a Miniature Pinscher. My husband had her before we got married.

She likes to bark, eat, cuddle, annoy the cats. You know, the usual.

I bought this doggy coat thinking it would keep her warm if I took her for a walk but while she didn't try to chew it off (like a sweater she used to have.) She did try to see if she could shake it off her legs for a minute or two. She sure looks cute though!

By Anna from Zanesville, IN

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Need a quick and easy Halloween Costume? How about an easy cat nose and ears. Meow!

Supplies

• Paper Egg Carton
• Paint
• Brushes
• Sharpie permanent marker
• Black Pipe Cleaners
• Plastic Head Band
• Felt to match color of nose
• Tack, safety pin, or paper clip
• Hot Glue or rubber cement
• Two pieces of yarn

Directions

Nose

Cut one of the cups off the egg carton, make edges straight. Paint cup in your desired color (not black), let dry. Once dried use a sharpie permanent marker to draw the tip of the nose onto the end of the egg carton cup. Use tack, safety pin or paper clip to poke holes into the side of the cup for the whiskers.

Poke three holes into each side and thread a pipe cleaner through one hole and out another on the other side. Press the pipe cleaner down into the cup so it will not interfere with the nose. Do the same with two more pipe cleaners cut the ends off to make the whiskers the length you desire.

Create one more hole on each side feed a piece of yarn through the each hole and tie a large knot on the inside end. You will use these two strings to tie the nose onto your head.

Ears

Cut two squares out of the felt so it can be folded in half to make one triangle shaped ear. Fold the square diagonally over the head band and glue together and in place on the headband. Do the same with the second square of felt. Now you have the ears for your cat. You could also use polar fleece or fake fur for these.

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When peeling an avocado, leave a little fruit on the inside of the avocado skin and use it to scrub your face. The peel with help remove dead skin and avocado fruit makes a great moisturizer. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse it off.

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If, for some reason, your kitchen sink's drain strainer baskets tear up. Instead of replacing it with new ones designed the same way, just use a rubber sink stopper or plug. It's a lot cheaper to replace the rubber stopper or plug than the metal strainer baskets.

By Terri from NV

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I love to use salon haircare products most of the time. But I can't afford to use them on an everyday basis. So instead, I have found some alternative products to use on days when I'm not really going to be out and about, and I save the good stuff to use when I am more concerned about how I look! This has helped me to be able to use the products I love, but not break the bank!

By Michele from Charlotte, NC

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Save money on chicken by buying them whole and cutting them yourselves. It's easy to learn how to quarter your own chicken. All the leftover bones make great soup stock.

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If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, it is the time of year to have your chimney cleaned and inspected. Keeping your chimney maintained can help increase the efficiency of your stove and also helps prevent chimney fires.

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For an inexpensive holiday gift, for a teacher or neighbor. Get a whisk and fill the inside with kisses. Cover the outside with plastic wrap and and decorate with a ribbon. Also, for extra cuteness, add a little tag saying "We Wisk you a Merry Kiss-mas". It went over very well with the teacher last year!

By Jen from PA

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In the fall, deer will nibble the upcomming buds off the apple trees, ruining the tree and the new to be fruits. For tomato cages, I use a medium weight wire fence with approx. 3 inch openings, very flexible. The tomatoes are gone, the deer are browsing. I lay the cages on the ground in a circle around the apple trees. The deer, not liking the uneven feel of the wire, won't step on it. Plus the fear of getting caught up in the wire keeps them away. If the deer were to get caught in the wire, the small pieces (approx. 4 1/2 feet) wouldn't stay attached for long nor cause serious injury.

By McMillan968 from Pittsfield NH

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Recently I found a cache of old teabags in the back of my kitchen cabinets. These teabags were at least 3 years old and undoubtedly stale. Rather than throw them out, I have been brewing them, one at a time, letting the tea cool and using it on my hair as a rinse after conditioning. Not only does it clean and shine my hair, it also imparts a lovely fragrance.

By ShellR from Greensboro, NC

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Don't toss that broken fan until you've removed both parts of the round wire blade cover and cleaned them well, for two of the finest and sturdiest patio table/garden baskets, chip servers you will ever find for free! One always has a small hole, but the other does not. Some have a cover on the small hole that could be removed to make a larger hole so that a thin patio umbrella handle could be placed inside then pushed on into the patio table hole, creating a nice wind-resistant basket. They're tough and washable for many years of use.

Depending upon the size of the fan, they are often oversized, just the right depth, and tough enameled painted wire of various patterned mesh. Add a large paper napkin or colorful cloth and they're really cool for frugal living! They can even be painted a bright color should they be stained or marred by anything, so slow down and take a good long look using your imagination and right tool for removing. It isn't the least bit hard, only a tiny bit to wash for such great and useful recycled items. I've already used them to sun-dry a number of extra large seed pods, and wet pine cones as well. They make excellent strainer baskets for most anything and even unbreakable tailgate party/picnic servers. I am amazed that I haven't thought of this before with all the electric fans I've tossed in the past.

By Lynda from TX

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

I am trying to get rid of gnats in donut case.

Connie from Piqua, Ohio

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My son will be turning 2 in November. Does anyone have any ideas for a inside party?

Tiffany from Palmetto, GA

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My name is Marnae, and I attend a tiny high-school. When I say tiny, I'm not exaggerating. We have a student body of 22 kids, from grades 7-12. In some ways, we don't have very many opportunities or options. For example, because of our small size, we aren't able to participate in sports. But, in one way, our school is amazing. We have a school choir, and every single student sings in it--and the remarkable thing is, we are actually decent.

About every two years, our choir director arranges for us to go on trips around the country and participate with different singing groups. These trips are one of the only things that students look forward to and plan for. But, also because of our small size, it's hard to raise money for it.. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for fundraising in such a rural community? Anything would be appreciated!

Marnae from Garrison, UT

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I want to bleach my black dress white. But it is satin and lace. Do you think bleach would work on those materials. How do I even begin with how to bleach it, in the washer. in the tub (someone said) and what kind of bleach? I don't even mind if the dress went grey. Just not sure of where to begin. Any help would be much appreciated.

Mercedes from SF, CA

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I have a picture 20" X 28 1/2" that I would like to hang over my brick fireplace. How would I go about doing this? Alan

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What causes a videocassette tape (that you record on, yes, I still record shows on a videocassette tape) to wear out? And how long do the manufacturers of these videocassette tapes expect them to last for a consumer (before needing/having to purchase another videocassette tape)? I regularly clean the video cassette recorder with a VHS tape cleaner as recommended (by the manufacturer).

Ba Rok

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I want a new floor in tile and a laminate countertop. I have white cabinets and will paint the walls. I want a floor in brown tones, I currently have a white floor which shows everything. I do not know how to pick a floor and countertop to coordinate.

Jean from Houston

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How can I remove rust from glass?

Gordon from Ben Wheeler, TX

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How can thermal undergarments be recycled?

Momel from AR

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I am looking for a homemade root killer. I have roots in my septic system drainage. I cannot do laundry without the water overflowing when it spins out. I have to get my drain snaked twice a year. It's getting too expensive to do this.

Thanks,
Tx from Southern, IN

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My puppy has parvo, it's the 3 day of having it. I took her to the vet today where they gave her injections, stuff for throwing up, the runs and antibiotics. She's still throwing up and I am still giving her gatorade every 30 minutes. Does it help that I am giving her gatorade even though 20 minutes later she is throwing it back up?

MarQue from West Valley City, Utah

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Can I kill sand burrs with gardening lime? If so, how much do I use for what size area? I can't burn them because they grow in my yard next to my house. What is my best solution?

Shanna from Bells, TX

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I am looking for a recipe to make catalytic aroma fuel using 99 percent alcohol.

Sharon from Florida

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How do I make cool invites for my 14 year old's birthday party?

Lacie from Henley, MO

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A top came off a highlighter in a new Donney & Burke purse. It leaked through to the leather on the bottom and side. What will get it out?

Karen from Dallas, TX

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My husband just lost his job unexpectedly. I work part-time, and we have a 3 year old son. I'm looking for any tips from others who have been through a job loss. Does anyone have any feedback on what you did day-to-day (financially) to help you get through until starting a new job? We are already pretty frugal - I use lots of coupons, we don't have cable TV, etc. Any tips or advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Lisa from Kenosha, WI

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My 5 month old daughter fights going to sleep. She also cries for what seems to me no reason. I feed her, change her, rock her, give her kisses and hugs and still she cries. Can anyone help with these two problems. Can they be related?

Michelle from Des Moines, LA

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I'm having a baby shower in a couple of weeks and the theme is Blue Jean Teddy. I have the invitations done. I'm looking for some ideas for some decorations and centerpieces. Thank you in advance for any input.

Carla from Effingham, IL

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How do you build a simple and cheap homemade jacuzzi?

Jamish from Ransom, Kansas

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My dog had an accident on a small red rug on top of my beige carpet. The red dye ran straight though and stained the carpet.

Aja from Bellingham, MA

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I have a black stove and it has cooked on food that I cannot scape off. How can I get it off? I tried oven cleaner, and it didn't work. I cannot use a brillo pad because it will scratch it up. Please help.

Ashanti from Atlanta, GA

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I recently had the good fortune to obtain an old Galloping gourmet perfection aire countertop convection oven. I'm totally intimidated by it. My attempt at muffins was a disaster. Crispy outside, wet inside... I'm guessing the temp was too high. Beer chicken was a little dry.

Is there anyone out there who has one of these R2D2 look-alikes, and can give me a few starter recipes (most important is temp and timing) so that I might have a starting point for this culinary adventure?

Thanks in advance,
Doggy U*u*U from TX

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What can I do for my thirteenth? Any ideas appreciated.

Kassy from UK

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I have a fishy smell in my bedroom. It's not there all the time and there's no stains anywhere. I've totally emptied the room and mopped the carpet as I have 2 cats and wondered if they had wee'd. It's not there all the time. It came the other day when I plugged the T.V. in, then another time when I moved a box, it starts weak then gets unbearably strong. After about 30 minutes it disappears again.

Mandy from Great Britain

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How long can a lasagna casserole be frozen? Also, can you freeze a sweet potatoe casserole?

Nancy from Jefferson City, MO

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Does anyone know where I can find a simple Five Year Diary at a reasonable cost? I have been wanting one for a while to track events in the garden, weather, and my life! My Grandmother had several throughout her life. I thought I'd be able to find one inexpensively and have had no luck. I did a web search and the least expensive type was $23 plus shipping and handling! Is this product a thing of the past? Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

Amy from Wheeling, IL

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How do you remove super glue from trousers?

Parker

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Anyone know how to make the fuel for the effusion lamps?

Thanks,
Omi from Navarre, FL

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I am thinking about buying a knitting board, any suggestions? Are they as easy to use as they advertise? I enjoy knitting by hand, but thought this might be something fun to try. Thanks in advance!

Marilyn from Macon, GA

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Does anyone download music off the Net? Which program do you use?

djcwa from Vancouver, WA

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Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Halloween - an opportunity for family and friends to get together and have some fun - There are some inexpensive but fun ways to enjoy the spookiest night of the year, no matter the age. Whether young or old, have fun, make memories, and enjoy food and friendship.

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