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Vol. 8, Num. 81, April 24, 2009 (Read It Online) In the last issue we mentioned the new sharing feature on ThriftyFun. It allows you to add any post quickly and easily to your Twitter, Myspace, Facebook and other sites so you can share it with others. We've now added Share buttons to posts in our email newsletter. You'll only see the buttons if you receive the HTML version of our newsletters. If you want to share any of the posts in today's newsletters with other click the Share button below the post. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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:
Craft Project: Tray from Vintage Dishes Put this tray on your vanity or dresser to hold your jewelry or use it on your buffet to serve desserts or treats. It would also make a nice gift.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52232474.tip.html
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Rate It: Family Photo: Logan's Easy Chair Here is a picture of our grandson and his new easy chair, just like Grandpa's. Grandpa got a easy chair for his birthday and so did Logan. By sally54 from Buffalo, NY
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Rate It: Craft: Recycling Plastic Canvas I purchased a spice rack with a pineapple motif done in needlepoint on the front. I didn't particularly like the pineapple motif so I removed the plastic canvas piece. I was looking all over for something to put in its place. Then I thought, duh, rip out the old design and needlepoint another! So, I sat down and ripped out the old design while I was watching TV at night. It took me quite a while but I got it done. I then found a pattern for my UGA head. For those of you who are not from Georgia, UGA is the mascot for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the most recognized mascot of all college teams (per Sports Illustrated). Then I went about re-needle pointing the head and freehanded the design for the DAWGS below the head on my salvaged plastic canvas. Then I popped the new design back into the cabinet front. As you can see, I refurbished my spice rack and made it my own! This is going into my University of Georgia themed room in my home. It is a guest/craft/sewing room. It will be holding spools of thread rather than spices. I hope that this recycling of the plastic canvas piece inspires others to do the same and reuse what you have or find before tossing them into a landfill. The only thing left to say is "Go Dawgs!" Source: Me: Being the thrifty/frugal/cheap person I am. I always try to think of a way to use something before it goes into the recycling. By Southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88518158.tip.html
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Rate It: Craft: Simply Patriotic Afghan Simply Patriotic Afghan. The crocheted afghan will be donated to the V.V.A. (Vietnam Veterans of America) Scholarship Program for next year. At the present time I'm working on a second afghan for V.V.A. Source: By MCW from Lewiston, NY
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Rate It: Bruiser is a 1 and 1\2 year old Chihuahua. Bruiser was a birthday gift to my niece Catherine from her father last August. He likes to chase Catherine and chew on her arms, they wrestle all day. She has taught him several tricks, he is very smart for such a small dog. He has been a joy to the family.
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Rate It: My passion is gardening and one of my many favorites are the Peonies. This Peony is ready to burst into glorious bloom! And the fragrance fills the air, how serene. Don't be afraid to divide these beauties. I've done it with a shovel in the fall or early spring. It might sound harsh, but I just put the shovel where I want to divide, leaving at least 6 sprouts, and shove the shovel straight down. Then dig around the perimeter, about 8 inches deep. Loosen from the existing plant and transplant to another sunny location. They won't put on a great display the 1st year, but your patience will be rewarded! By Deb H. from East Brunswick, NJ
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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!
Buy a $1 store timer and magnet it to the fridge for when your kids need a time out or a little time in the corner. My daughter sets it to 5 minutes, and if her 6 year old acts up, she'll sometimes get 5 more minutes. As a back-up plan, use your microwave timer; you can even heat yourself up a cup of tea, so you both get a little time-out! By CDR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30899580.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Silverware Tray to Organize Makeup Drawer I used to hate my makeup drawer! Now I use the silverware trays from the dollar store to organize my cosmetics! Its works great and when it gets dirty I can just toss it in the dishwasher! I even stack one on top of the other. I put less used makeups in the bottom one! By ivorylov from Ocala, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55963167.tip.html
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Rate It: Mark Spool Thread Slot With Red Nail Polish As I become a WOW (wise older woman), I find it easier to see if I mark the slot on a spool of thread (the little slot that holds the thread to keep it from unwinding) with a dot of red nail polish. By Cookie from Warrenton, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72242357.tip.html
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Rate It: Organic Coconut Oil for Cradle Cap Instead of using baby oil on your baby's head for cradle cap, try using virgin organic coconut oil instead. As a natural product, coconut oil is much better for the skin than the chemical-laden lotions and oils most people slather on their children. If you don't care for the light coconut scent, just plain organic coconut oil may be used. You can find coconut oil in the health food store and some grocery stores. By Wendopolis from Galesburg, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77197937.tip.html
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Rate It: Make Picture Cards for a Non-Verbal Child We are always needing pictures for our non-verbal son. We have saved greeting cards to cut appropriate pictures, and then laminate them. He can use these pictures to start conversations about birthdays, and other holidays. They are very colorful and he loves his picture cards. It cost next to nothing (just the laminating), and always have new ones for him as soon as people send cards! By Beth from Ft. Blackmore, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46626812.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Dawn Dishsoap as a Stain Remover I had a cat go on the carpet in my boy's bedroom. I was out of carpet cleaner, so I got an old tea towel. I made it wet with hot water and put Dawn Dish Soap on it. The stain came out and then I tried it on other stains in the room, that I had already tried all kinds of cleaning products on that had never came out. The stains were gone and really impressed me (the carpet looks new again). I am going to use Dawn Dish Soap on all my carpet spills, and stains. With 3 kids, a dog and 2 cats I will always be needing it. By Kristie from Glen Rock, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96674402.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Tampon To Fix Painting Mistakes When painting a room, and you find it tedious, use a tampon. This is how it works. Push a small portion from the applicator. Dip just the tip in the paint. Remove the drip. Blot on the mistake whereas your paint touched the ceiling or vise versa. If you are having a problem painting the trim, dip the tampon into your trim paint, remove the drip and hold it as if using a crayon. You will be able to paint the portion of your trim instead of your wall. Be careful not to get too close to your ceiling. You can use an eyeshadow applicator. You can also use the applicator in the corners and any tiny areas whereas nothing else will do the job. If you need to touch up areas using more than one color, just cut off the used portion of the tampon and you are ready to go on to the next color. You'll have a clean paint job. It took less time than with a brush, a few choice words and a lot of frustration. By Faye from Augusta, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71584710.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Cream of Chicken Soup as Gravy When I make chicken and dressing instead of making the giblet gravy, I just use a can cream of chicken soup with a little added poultry seasoning. By Tee from Tyler, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92619247.tip.html
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Rate It: Dutch Bottle Scraper (Flessenschraper) Get it all out of those jars with this gadget from the Netherlands. My Dutch friend has introduced me to THE "must have" kitchen utensil for us frugalites. It's a bottle/jar scraper called a flessenschraper (bottle scraper) or flessenlikker (bottle licker) in Dutch. It is a spatula designed to scrape out all the contents in bottles, cans, and jars - especially the long ones with a top too narrow to get our traditional spatulas into. The Dutch are known to be a frugal nation, so it is no surprise that they came up with this gadget. It appears that though it is easily purchased and widely used in Holland, it is almost unknown outside that country. I use mine so much that it's time to get new ones. Scraping peanut butter jars, soup cans, mayonnaise jars, etc. with one of these shows just how much we waste because we don't have the proper tool. They are simply made but they are simply awesome tools. Source: Gift from a friend, but you can see a picture and read more about this item on the Wikipedia website: By Sandy from Elon, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25159838.tip.html
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Rate It: After cutting or chopping onions, wet your hands, sprinkle salt generously in the palm of one hand and scrub your hands together with the salt. Rinse with water and the onion smell will be gone. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91435826.tip.html
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I'm looking for some good, easy Earth Day recipes. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. By knewton37 from Philadelphia, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81860642.tip.html
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Rate It: Can you clean vinyl or non-waxed floors with vinegar? How much water and how much vinegar? Can you rinse with alcohol to make it shine? By Jesse from Mesquite, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47294266.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a beautiful soft leather purse I do not want to give up because of a stain. I'm not sure what the spot is. Is there something I could use that won't make the spot bigger and not leave a water mark on the leather? By Ivorylov from Ocala, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf448383.tip.html
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Rate It: My cat is loosing hair on her back legs? Any ideas on what to do? By Runrhonda41 from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39986097.tip.html
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Rate It: What is Coir? It is a substitute for peat moss, but what is it? Hardiness Zone: 7b By Linda from Hot Springs, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38060230.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you make a baby sling carrier for a newborn? My daughter is pregnant with her second child and wants to have her hands free as much as possible when the new one arrives. The baby sling she saw was around $65 and we think I should be able to make one. By MsPatricia from Spring Lake, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41308473.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I flavor my sun tea? I loved the Lemon Ginger sun tea I made over the weekend, but I'm sure there is a less expensive way to achieve similar results. I used individual tea packets that are lemon-ginger flavored. I have less expensive family-sized tea bags which I'd like to use. Would I just add some lemon slices and ginger slices to the sun tea jar before putting it out in the sun? If so, how many slices of each would I use? Do any of you have other tea flavoring ideas that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them! I'm in the mood to try different tastes. Thanks. By Tsiegl from Ashland, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97700516.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for pillowcase patterns. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72111344.tip.html
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Rate It: Cleaning a Stainless Steel Thermos I have a stainless steel thermos and had always cleaned it with Crystal dish soap and had no problem. I was always using tea, however this time I used liquid dish soap. The man used coffee with the cream in it and the coffee came out tasting sour. What happened? W2W Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15031534.tip.html
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Rate It: Is it possible to reface cabinets by simply flipping the cabinet doors over and re-hinging them? Someone told me that they heard of this, but I can't find any instructions on the internet. By Browneyedgirl26 from Oklahoma City, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45473786.tip.html
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Rate It: The walls in my (very old) house have a "popcorn" type texture on them, as does the ceiling. It is covered with many old coats of paint. What can I do to remove the texture? I've tried sanding, but went through 10 sheets of sandpaper and only managed to smooth a section approx. 2 ft. by 2 ft.. The paint just coats the sandpaper. Please help. By Eviltwin617 from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77451098.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know how to get a musty smell out of pillows and linens? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27200109.tip.html
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Rate It: Gluing Seashells to a Bird House I am looking for instructions of how to glue sea shells to a wooden bird house to place outdoors. Please help. By Myantoo from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44680540.tip.html
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Rate It: My chili plant's top leaves are getting smaller. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76839849.tip.html
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Rate It: Name Ideas for a Cleaning Business I need an eye catching, unique name and slogan for my cleaning business. I am the sole owner and am very picky about my cleaning. I was thinking about using the name "Picky", but my mind is blocked for creative and catchy names. I don't like the word Maid. Would you call me for cleaning with the word Picky in my business name? Let me know what you think. By Picky from SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86502935.tip.html
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Rate It: I think I have an Africa palm, which I re-potted after 3 or 4 years (about 3 or 4 years ago). I keep it on my front porch where it gets no direct sunlight and in the winter I keep it in a spare shower, also diffused light. How did it get scale and how do I get rid of the scale? It's on several fronds including new ones, so I don't want to cut them. Someone told me to spray it with Neem Oil which I have in "Garden Safe" fungicide. It says it's safe for house plants, but since I've nursed this huge palm for all these years, I'm afraid it will kill my palm. Do you know what to do? Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 9b By Liz from Salinas, CA
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Rate It: My daughter has a Maltese. He will be one year old this May. We can keep him in the yard for a long period of time to do his business and the minute we bring him in he does it in the house. We put his nose close to it and it still doesn't help. We have been doing this for months to teach him not to do his business in the house. He also has the advantage to go in the yard any time he wants. I leave my slider open just enough for him to go outside when he wants to. Any helpful hints? By Msbell49 from Palm Bay, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83519335.tip.html
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Rate It: My daughter will be a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding later this year. The bride wants us to save rose petals for the guests to throw instead of confetti. How can I dry them without losing their color? By Scottish Linda from Aberdeen, Scotland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10473740.tip.html
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Rate It: I've seen the glass blocks at arts and crafts shows and was wondering where do they get all the different pictures for the front of them? I've seen ones with dogs and even cartoon characters on them. Does anyone know? By Katwalker from Ripley, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75172064.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I use aloe vera from a plant on my dry hands? By Hemlata from Bilaspur, Chattisgarh, India Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76755932.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have a recipe to make a solution to waterproof fabric? I am recovering chairs for a Sunday school and would like to put a protective solution on them. The Scotch Guard Brand is good but a bit expensive. By Valley View from Adelaide, S.A. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20302593.tip.html
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Rate It: Selling Baked Goods at Flea Markets Are baked goods a good idea for Flea Markets? If so what seems to sell best? By Deb816 from Hampton,TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68967196.tip.html
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Rate It: Puppy Won't Stop Biting People
We have tried different things but so far no luck. When she was 7 weeks we were told she would stop soon but she has not so far. I have tried holding her muzzle and saying no. She only bites harder and its very painful. I have also tapped her nose while saying "No biting" but she bites worse. I have tried a cup of coins to shake when she bites and it started to work but then stopped. I tried putting my finger in the back of her throat once, and she made a little gagging noise and continued to bite so that didn't work either. I tried tickling the roof of her mouth and that didn't work. I will try a squirt gun on her but I don't think it will work, she is very stubborn and she loves water. Does anyone have any suggestions? By Alliemccoy from Rancho Mirage, CA
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Rate It: What can be done to clean moss and algae off of terra cotta pots? What preventative measures would you recommend once the pots are clean that could help in eliminating this problem again? Thank you. By Jemstone from Tacoma, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73439769.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I get out yellow stains from the underarms of my shirts? By lesdragons Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89877687.tip.html
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Rate It: What can I make with leftover biscuits? By Cgkoceja from Virginia Beach, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58276803.tip.html
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Rate It: I think my dog is pregnant. What are some signs I should be looking for? I know she has gotten sick two times since I have had her. What should I do? By Jamienimmo81 from Sikeston, MO
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Rate It: Help! Baby boy due in a month, but no name has been picked yet. His sister's name is Summer Grace. Would like a name that goes with sister's name. By Vguy from Earle, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88464211.tip.html
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Rate It: Are Dogwood Trees Harmful to Dogs? Are dogwood trees harmful to dogs? Roxanna Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66854586.tip.html
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Rate It: Manual and Cutters for Sunbeam Pie Maker #4808 I was given a Sunbeam Pie Maker (makes 2 pies). The model number is 4808. However, I didn't get the manual for it. Also, I discovered that there might be pastry cutters that are supposed to come with it but I didn't get those either. So I guess I have two questions. First, does anyone know if I actually need the pastry cutters? Second, does anyone have a copy of the manual that they could share? Thanks! By McJen from Winnipeg, MB Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52920291.tip.html
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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:
The Basics of Square Foot Gardening
Square foot gardening is a concept so easy, yet so overlooked in lieu of more traditional row or mound gardens. It is less time consuming, less physically demanding, and uses less space and water. About the only tools required are a pencil or small piece of dowel (for making seed holes), and a lightweight, inexpensive trowel. It's also the one gardening technique that allows those physically challenged and wheelchair bound the opportunity to garden independently - without help from others.
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