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Hello,
Both of our contests end tonight at midnight. Best of luck to everyone that has entered.
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Kia (Pekingese) and Her Puppies
Kia is our 2 and a half year old pekingese who had 5 puppies three weeks ago. They are hard on her, but she is a very good mother to them! We have had Kia since she was 8 months. The father of these puppies is our year old pekingese, Snuggles. We have found good homes for 4 of the puppies and plan to keep one.
By Suzanne
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It's my Mother-in-law's birthday. I can't say that I am her favorite but...you know : ) I have been making quilts. You can say I am a "quilting junkie". So I decided to make her one. This pattern I haven't seen before, I'm sure it's out there, but I call it the "T-quilt" (my name is Tracey.)
I wanted every time she seen it to think of just how wonderful I am. : ) If you look closely I just cut strips and sewed them together, then cut into squares...sewed each row together which made the front (lots of T's). Making sure the pattern made a T. I used batting and brown fabric for the back. I do believe when I gave it to her I may have seen a smile : )
By Tracey
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How to look sweet and up to no good at the same time.
Hope you enjoy this picture on the slide it was took at the Dayton Tennessee strawberry festival I call watch out here I come.
By Brandy
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Today's Tips
Unique curtain solutions. Post your ideas.
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Tips for organizing paint brushes. Post your ideas.
Using Styrofoam Inserts from Packages
I use recycled styrofoam inserts from packages I've received to stick my paint brushes (brush side up) and extra drawing pens (and pencils) in, that way, they are right at my fingertips when I am being creative.
By Regina Burrell
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Put hand lotion on hands first before working with greasy or oil and the cleanup will be easier.
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Whenever I go shopping, I notice how expensive lunchmeat is. My son LOVES cheese (cheese sandwich for lunch, cheese with dinner, cheese as a snack), and it really runs up the bill. Before I go to the deli, I'll run by the little cases they have around the deli (check all of them), and I see if they have any packaged "cheese ends". Last time I shopped, I bought two HUGE packages.
A lot of times, they are larger chunks, but you can make them work in sandwiches, and you'll also find slimmer slices mixed in with the larger ones. I usually buy a few packages of these, and one pound of regular sliced cheese. I use the cheese ends whenever I need to melt cheese for something, or am running out, and they are much cheaper than deli prices! I've also bought turkey ends for hot turkey in gravy, and bologna ends for my boyfriend's sandwiches.
By Jacqueline Reitnauer
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Sell Your Unwanted Items When You Want New Things
I noticed this recently - I have a lot of junk sitting around! A lot of it is stuff I need to cycle out. Now I don't usually want a lot of things, but recently I've wanted to buy some more books than I usually tend to purchase. So I went thoroughly through all of my things, and started posting on Ebay, Amazon Marketplace, and local free classified sites to sell the things I didn't want. Most of it sold, and I earned easily over $100.00. It was nice to have that extra money !
By Jackie Reitnauer
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Tips for getting the most out of thrift store shopping. Post your ideas.
I recently went to the local Goodwill and noted that all of last season's clothes were on sale. Thrift stores tend to do this at the same time that regular stores are changing over their clothing merchandise for the upcoming season, so don't hesitate to check out the thrift store first. You can easily get a very nice shirt or pair of pants for about 2.00 on sale at the thrift store. College areas or areas with a young demographic tend to yield the best secondhand merchandise.
By Jackie Reitnauer
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Saving Money on Litter For Small Animals
If you're like me, you want the best for your pets. Since conventional pine and cedar litters are not good for the health of your hamster, gerbil, mouse, rat, etc etc, I use Carefresh, which is a recycled wood pulp paste (or something like that). Well that is EXPENSIVE.
I also didn't want my rodents sitting in uncomfortable aspen shavings (aspen is the only other safe litter as it doesn't have all the oils that pine and cedar do), so I had an idea. I started buying one HUGE bag of Aspen for 8.99, and one large bag of Carefresh for 19.99. This lasts me about 2 months for 4 rodents. I also use toilet paper as their bedding inside their houses, and when I'm really running low and need to stretch the litter, I fill in with shredded up paper egg cartons.
For their food, I also mix in plain rice puffs or cheerios. The hamsters love them, and they are really cheap in the grocery store.
By Jacqueline Reitnauer
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Use club soda to get wine stains out of linens and clothes.
By Teri Hanmore
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Find Scrap Lumber for Wood Crafts
If you're into crafts such as tole painting. You might want to become buddies with someone who works at a lumber yard. We know a couple. The husband worked at a lumber yard and was able to take home all the scrap lumber, since it was going to be thrown away, anyway. His wife did tole painting and other crafts. She was able to use all the scrap lumber he brought home. She'd have yard sales, along with craft sales and selling items on Ebay. They do real well doing this. By not having to pay for the wood for projects, she could charge cheaper prices, if she chose to.
By Terri
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Improving the Exterior of Your Home
Tips to help you improve the exterior of your home. Post your ideas.
Now is the time, to update the outside of your house. If painting the whole house is out of the question. You could make shutters for your windows, if you don't have any. This will really change the outside of your home's appearance. Add a few hanging pots with pretty flowers or some nice potted ferns or flowers to set on your porch or deck. You could even put some yard ornaments out on the porch, or in your yard or flower garden. Maybe a pretty birdhouse or feeder. Some lawn furniture or a pretty park bench. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy the season!
By Terri
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Which do you prefer when you go shopping? Paper or plastic?
When the store clerk says "paper or plastic", ask for paper. You can take the bags apart and use the paper for sending packages, copying pattern pieces, using for book covers. You can even decorate it and use it for wrapping paper.
By Ardis Ilene Barnes
Editor's Note: I also use them when I make homemade granola or party mix. I pour the mix into the paper grocery sack and it absorbs the excess oil or butter.
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Tips for cleaning a car or trucks windows. Post your ideas.
Don't use paper towels when cleaning car windows, Use newspaper. The shine is so much better.
By Matt
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Spray skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat for 1 minute.
Add onions and cook until they begin to soften.
Add vinegar and cook 2 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Top 2 slices bread with ham, cheese and onion mixture and remaining bread slices.
Spray skillet with cooking spray add sandwiches to pan cook until browned and cheese is melted.
By imaqt1962
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix good thoughts, consideration, kind deeds, forgiveness and well beaten faults. Add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy for others. Fold in prayer and faith to lighten other ingredients and raise the texture to great heights of Christian living. Pour all into your family life. Bake well with the heat of human kindness. Serve with a smile.
By Terri H.
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Cream butter; add sugars gradually, mixing well after each addition. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients, except oats. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture. Stir in oats and coconut. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a ungreased baking sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.
(If you like coconut, these are really good. We'd found some cookies while on vacation in the South, we liked. We tried this recipe in hopes of finding that recipe. It's as close as we've come in likeness to those.)
By Terri H.
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Thoroughly cream shortening, sugars and butter. Add well beaten eggs and mix. Add dry ingredients and pecans. Drop from teaspoon about 2" apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until light brown.
By Terri H.
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Cream butter and sugar; add eggs, mixing well. Add flour and salt and stir until blended. Stir in chocolate morsels and pecans. Spoon mixture into tart shells, filling three-fourths full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Tart Shells:
Directions:
Combine all ingredients; stir until blended. Shape dough into 72 balls; chill. Place in greased miniature muffin pans, shaping each ball into a shell.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup warm water in a large mixing bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add remaining water, potato flakes, and next 6 ingredients, stirring well. Add 1 cup bread flour; beat until well blended. Gradually stir in oat bran, rye flour, whole wheat flour, and enough remaining bread flour to make a soft dough. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a well greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down, and divide in half. Shape each half into 12 loaf shaped rolls. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 20 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 2 dozen
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine gelatin and sugar in a medium saucepan; stir in water. Let stand 1 minute. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat; cool. Stir in strawberries and remaining ingredients. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Cover and freeze 8 hours. Spoon about 1/4 of the frozen mixture into container of an electric blender or food processor. Top with cover, and process until smooth; return to pan. Return pan to freezer; freeze 4 hours or until firm. Let stand at room temperature 15-20 minutes.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Shape into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets; bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Bake pie shell according to directions, let cool.
In medium sauce pan, whisk together all remaining ingredients (except cool whip).
Cook over medium heat 5-7 minutes or until thickened.
Pour into pie shell and chill 4 hours or until set.
Spread with cool whip and serve (or use real meringue and bake at 350 degrees F 5-7 minutes.)
By imaqt1962
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Spray medium saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat 1 minute.
Add onion and cook until tender. Add beans, salsa and cheese stirring occasionally. Pour over cooked rice.
By imaqt1962
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Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest Prize! Now a 2 $25.00 Gift Cards
In our contest we are giving away two $25.00 Gift Cards (we will
select to winners at random) at one of the following stores: Home
Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you
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:
Wallpaper Border York - TB 9816-B
I am looking for a roll of wallpaper border. York - TB 9816-B - It has pink rose, small other small flowers in shades of blue/white with a little pink - white background and a greyish border. I have two - but I am short one. If anyone would have three borders with a similar pattern (at a gooood price) I would also be interested in that. I need it by June 18, 2005.
Heloise
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How do I remove egg stains from my painted front door? The neighborhood children were playing a game of let's torture the neighbors. School won't start again until September. Help.
Gloria
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I need to know if bread will help my dog's diarrhea? If not, what else can I try because doctors aren't helping.
Asia
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I bought a comforter set from Mervyn's and the comforter is too short, so I have about 10" showing. I can't return it because I washed the sheet's. I put the short end under the pillow shams, so maybe it won't be quite so noticeable, but really it still show's. Any ideas?
Susie from Oklahoma
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Ideas for Fixing Up Lampshades
I have 2 lamp shades that I want to fix up. Can you paint them or put fabric on them? Do you have any ideas for me?
Thank you.
June
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Good Products for Dry Sensitive Skin
I do consider myself to be a frugal person, but must admit that I have a weakness for nice cosmetics, cleansers, etc. But we all know that they are very expensive, and never go on sale at department stores. Can anyone recommend very good products for dry, sensitive skin that don't cost an arm-an-a leg??!! Renee
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I was thinking of doing a candyland theme for our prom next year, and I was wondering if anyone out there has any ideas. Has anyone had a candyland themed prom? If so, what did you do for decorations and all that?
Marti
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Removing Texture from Popcorn Ceilings
How can you remove a popcorn ceiling and is it safe? I heard it can spread asbestos.
Rosie
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I have two pairs of white jeans that have rust spots on them from water. I have tried using bleach and bleach pen but it didn't work. How can i get the rust out without throwing them away?
Leann from Illinois
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Red Candle Wax on a White Tablecloth
How do I remove red candle wax from a white tablecloth?
Linda in Alabama
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Trying to Locate Craft Supplies
I am looking for the solid color loops that you make potholders out of on a loom. My grandmother made a bedspread of beige squares (loops) that had a soft feel to them. Not real ragged on the ends. This was many years ago and I wonder if there is somewhere that still sells the single color loops. Also, where can you find macramae cord to buy? I can't find that in my town either. And does anyone know where I can get the net you use to stictch pictures onto.
Thanks for any help,
Donna K
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i have baby kittens in the insulation of my trailer, I dont know how to get them out. I tried to catch the mother cat but every time I try to see where she is feeding the kittens she gets up. Anyone have any advice?
Fay
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It is my turn to host a group of friends that just started a every-other-month get-together. The hostess is to come up with something to make. I'd like to "discover" how to make exfoliating bath rubs and hand rubs. My daughter-in-law has some hand scrub beside her kitchen sink she uses all the time and it makes her hands look like she's just had a spa treatment on them. It's got some crystal type (epson salts) in it and some oil, then scented lightly. I'd love to gather the stuff up to make this as our June get-togehter project. Anyone know where I can find information on making this type of product?
Peggy Locke
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Dog Urine Smell on Hardwood Floors
My older, more dominant, dog is often peeing on our area carpet which invariably stains our hardwood floors, leaving a terrible urine smell. Can anyone recommend a "homemade" product that's not so costly or recommend one on the market? I've tried a few items such as "natures miracle" and "simple solution" but neither really takes the smell out. Also, if you know of an inexpensive medicine for my dog for this habit, I would like to know of that too.
Thanks,
Connie Bodine in Austin, TX
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Raymond Waites Wallpaper #591785
I am looking for a roll of Raymond Waites Wallpaper. It is from the kitchen and bath book and it was also in a few others. It is a plaid with maroon, green and a tan color. It's # is 591785. If anyone knows where I can find it, I 'd really appreciate a response. It would save me alot of time and money of having to redo my whole kitchen.
Thanks,
Shelly from Oklahoma
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I was hoping that someone had instructions on how to make a polyester rag rug. The strips are made from old polyester clothing, but I need the instructions. A friend was given one as a gift and I loved it. Thanks in advance.
Lisa from Dunedin, FL
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How do i get gravy out of my carpet?
Heather
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I am looking for directions on using folded magazine pages to create picture frames, boxes, and bowls. I would appreciate any information or direction! Thanks.
Rebecca from Mississippi
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
The Best Art Supplies ... at the best discounts! Since 1911, artists have turned to D. Blick Art Materials for dependable savings, a huge selection, and fine customer service on art supplies.
Click the link below to visit D. Blick!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/dblick.lasso
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Royal Rhubarb Pie (With Easy No-Roll Pie Crust)
By LeAnn R. Ralph
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