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Vol. 8, Num. 71, April 10, 2009 (Read It Online) This is Friday's newsletter, so it's a couple days delayed. It gives us a chance to wish everyone a Happy Easter! We hope everyone is having an enjoyable weekend! 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:
Vegas is a 5 year old Seal Point Siamese Cat. We found him abandoned in our apartment parking lot on a rainy Feb. day and brought him into our apartment to give him a home. He loves to play with straws and loves being up under my husband to receive some affection. I have video of my husband with him on Tangle at this location: By Mrs. Lynetta from Cedar Rapids, IA
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Rate It: Craft Project: Retro Starburst Mirror Bring back the Groovy Days by decorating your walls with a mirror you can make yourself!
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42029794.tip.html
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Rate It: We raise our chickens and are getting 8 eggs a day now. It is nothing short of wonderful to know there are plenty of eggs on hand and we are raising some new chicks. Here is one of them, so cute. We have to keep a heat lamp on them now but before we know it, we will have additional layers. By Beth from Ft.Blackmore VA.
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Rate It: Garden: Terracotta Chimney Flue Tiles Our patio area is only 16 feet by 8 feet. Our climate is hot and dry in the summer but we only get about four hours of direct sun and some areas get less than that. I wanted colorful shade loving plants that require very little care. We used terracotta chimney flue tiles for containers, which are available at major nurseries and construction supply stores. Coleus, impatiens, vincas and herbs filled the bill. The trellised plant is a clematis and the tree in the upper right is a California bay laurel. Source: Sunset Western garden book for the chimney flue tiles idea. By fletchypoo from San Jose, CA
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Rate It: Craft: Easter Gingerbread House We have always made Ginger bread houses at Christmas time. I've had so much fun making them over the years that I decided to carry it over to Easter. Here is my first creation, the house of Mr. Easter Bunny himself. Source: the idea just came to me By Jan Lee from L.I. NY
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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!
Shaving Cream for Emergency Carpet Cleaning After coming home from a twelve hour day at work, I was greeted by my loving, newly adopted Boxer! I was also met with a stench that would wake the dead, and when I looked inside my home. I saw a dog parent's worst nightmare: projectile diarrhea on my light beige carpet covering approximately 15 square feet! Having no name brand carpet cleaners in the house, I had to get creative and fast before I passed out from the sight and smell. To my surprise and delight the following procedure worked flawlessly for the stain and smell. I ran into the shower and grabbed my Gillette Foamy shaving cream. (After cleaning up what I could wearing gloves and a respirator), I squirted the foam on each of the separate 18 (yes 18) soiled areas. I let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, with a towel that was dampened with hot water, I agitated the spots and EVERYTHING came out instantly! I have found this works better than all the name brand, expensive carpet-stain removers on the market! By Greg from Columbia, SC Editor's Note: Be sure to use the old fashioned white shaving cream. Using a gel based shaving product will not have the same effect and may stain your carpet. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf250938.tip.html
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Rate It: Make Coupons for Frugal Gift Giving This is a great gifting giving tip for those on a budget who cannot afford to give a gift, or for those wanting to give to someone who may not want to accept a gift. For those who may be lonely and not want to ask for help or companionship; make dinner coupons for so many free dinners a month. Often the elderly do not eat well because they are alone and do not want to cook for themselves. They are also, at times, very lonely and will not tell you they need visitors and they enjoy the dinner company. You can create coupons for any category you think they may use such as help with lawn work or gardening. These are great for all age ranges of people such as babysitting coupons for moms, etc. By Tracey from Thomasville, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61141557.tip.html
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Rate It: Free Source of Covered Wire for Projects When your children or grandchildren receive gifts of toys which are secured to the packaging with all those nice plastic coated wires, volunteer to help them get it off by untwisting it instead of cutting it. According to the size of the toy, you may get one or two nice pieces, or even 5 or more. They are already cut into generous lengths; and because of the smooth covering, they protect whatever it is you are using them for. They are much more durable and longer than the twist-ties from bread wrappers, etc. and are kinder to plants you may want to tie up to a stake. Another favorable feature is they aren't going to rust and disintegrate when you used them outside. Knowing how useful these wires are keeps you from getting impatient when trying to get the toy freed from the maze of wires in the packaging; sort of like a frugal treasure hunt! By Sandy from Elon, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94730334.tip.html
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Rate It: I have been having a major declutter at my house. Nothing has been spared. I figured if I hadn't looked at some of the stuff I was considering hanging onto, I didn't really need it. I went through one room thoroughly every day, sparing nothing! The last time I did this a couple of years ago, I hate to admit, even my husband got included in the decluttering, but that's another story! (hee hee!) I donated things to every thrift store in my small town (we only have 1500 people in my town so it didn't take long!) I found boxes of stuff in the garage that hadn't even been opened since we moved here five years ago, so I threw caution to the wind and threw it out without looking in it. I felt very brave doing that! My husband (the current one!) is from Ghana in West Africa, so I when it came to my clothing, I bundled boxes and boxes of it up and sent it over to his family. They were absolutely delighted with it. It certainly didn't go to waste which made me very happy. Even my sister joined in with recycling her clothes to Ghana! By Lynn from Drysdale, Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48208263.tip.html
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Rate It: Last year I made a wonderful little Easter basket for my 5 year old granddaughter using an Easter Bonnet from the dollar store instead of the traditional Easter Basket. These Easter Bonnets for kids come in many different styles and colors at my local Dollar Tree. Just fill the upside-down Bonnet/Basket with colorful Easter grass and treats. She loved the Easter Bonnet Basket so much that she wore the bonnet to church on Easter Sunday and now wears it all the time when she plays "dress-up". For an extra-special bonnet, use hot glue to attach a ribbon-bow along with silk flowers and leaves to the hat in colors that match her Easter dress. By Cyinda from near Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25731853.tip.html
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Rate It: Avoiding Quarrels On Easter Morning We color and hide Easter eggs every year for our 4 children to find Easter morning. Early on when we only had 2, we found one always found more then the other and a lovely morning quickly turned into a fight! So I started assigning a colored string of yarn draped throughout the house with Easter eggs hidden along the way per child. Each child has to follow their own color and as they follow the winding trail behind couches, under tables, and over TVs, they also collect their eggs and it all leads to their Easter baskets. The kids love waking up to the mess of yarn in the living room and no one argues about who got more eggs! By mae11197 from branford florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87169642.tip.html
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Rate It: Older children that have outgrown your typical Easter basket still love getting a basket, so I put new summer outfits, passes to a movie, gift certificates or cards to fast food places, and favorite candy bars, cookies or even gum. Dollar Tree carries clear plastic gift bags to go over your basket and some even carry the shrink wrap kind you heat with a hair dryer! I don't always use a "basket" either you can use bucket hats, new decorative waste cans for their room, popcorn bowls (make sure to put some popcorn in their basket!), anything you can "stuff" their items into. I even make my husband one with things he likes and needs, after all who doesn't like getting a basket! Source: Myself. I needed ideas for a 13 year old step child because I had a smaller child! By brwnis65 from Hernando, MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32736056.tip.html
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Rate It: Drag Bed Springs to Grade a Dirt Driveway If you have a dirt driveway or lane, this tip is for you. Our lane is 1/4 mile long, and it gets worse every year with deep holes. As soon as it gets wet, either from snow and rain, or from the neighbor's irrigation system, it gets soft and we sink into the mud. We were afraid we would have to hire someone to grade it again. Some friends came out Sunday because we had some banty chickens for some children they know. They took one ride down our lane and offered this suggestion: Tie an old set of bed springs to the back of your pickup. Tie on some cinder blocks to weight it down. Drive up and down the lane until it is smooth. That's it! They once lived in a rental with a whole mile of lane, and their landlady asked them how they kept it so nice! We just happen to have a set of bedsprings. By Coreenhart from Rupert, ID Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17002822.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Rescued Baby Birds Warm We live in a rural area with lots of trees, and occasionally have had to rescue baby birds who have been hurt by a cat or simply got blown out of a tree with their nest destroyed or unable to be found. I was trying to think of a good way to keep them warm one day when I remembered the old baby wipe warmer I'd kept, just in case. The quilted cover surrounds an old baby wipe box that of course has a lid that opens up. The quilted cover is then plugged in. The wipe box is the perfect size to hold one baby bird (or even more) after I line it with some warm cotton and maybe some grass clippings for natural measure. I keep the box open, and the bird stays warm at night when I can't keep it warm enough with body heat. I also use an old dropper from an infant bottle of Tylenol to feed the babies with, and it works great. We don't have an animal rescue here in the middle of nowhere, so we had to come up with a way to try to save our feathered friends on our own. If we see them blown out of their nests, of course we stick them back into it. But if they're hurt or something, the baby wipe warmer helps a lot, it also helps for stray eggs my son finds on occasion, to keep them warm and hopefully incubate them 'til we can figure out where to put the eggs. By Joan from Middle of Nowhere, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99983967.tip.html
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Rate It: This isn't a question but some info on hens and chicks. I found that they flower when they mature at around 3-4 yrs old. This is the site where I found the info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_and_chicks. Hope it helps someone! Hardiness Zone: 7a By mfedukovich from Southern WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50609490.tip.html
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How do you get red pop stains out of the carpet? By Fran from Cleveland, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf435675.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Purses Out of Candy Wrappers I've been searching to find a way to make a candy wrapper purse, but they all involve weaving the wrappers. I want to make it different, somehow, so you can see all that's on the wrappers. Maybe including thin plastic, like the kind in the fabric section of craft stores. I have an idea in mind but am not sure about how to attach the wrappers to the plastic, then attaching all purse pieces together. Any suggestions would be helpful. I know this will involve effort and time (I have plenty of time and I don't mind the effort), but I really want to recycle my wrappers. Thank you in advance! By Craftymama Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf451164.tip.html
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Rate It: Sleepover Party Ideas for Girls My daughter wants to have a sleepover party for her birthday on August 26. But I don't know what I'm going to do to make her party fun. Please help! Sarah Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82058682.tip.html
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Rate It: Graham and Brown Wallpaper #19473 I am looking for one roll of Graham and Brown wallpaper #19473. Does anyone know where I can get one? Jeff Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39076428.tip.html
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Rate It: I was at a baby shower where they gave the mom-to-be a clothesline full of clothes, that they pulled out of a basket. As the clothesline went around the room a poem was read. Does anyone have that poem? By dlbaker127 from Moncks Corner, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20334885.tip.html
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Rate It: On March 14th, I planted two Skyline Honeylocust trees in front of my house (along the street on the narrow strip) as part of a Friends of Trees planting day. They were bare root and planted to the proper depth. Other trees on the street and in my yard are starting to bud, but these trees aren't doing much. Will they take longer to leaf? Are they in shock from the transplant? Should I be worried? Thanks for your help and any info you can give me! Hardiness Zone: 8a By Paularod17 from Vancouver, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44494277.tip.html
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Rate It: Booking an All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation I am looking for great travel tips on booking an all inclusive Caribbean vacation. Any ideas on how to make it cheaper? By Jimmy from Bristol, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58346914.tip.html
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Rate It: I love to go for walks. However, I have developed painful heel spurs. They become very painful if I walk too much. I am desperate to lose weight. I do not have access to a pool, nor the money to join a gym. What can I do besides riding a bike? I want to walk, it is so freeing, how can I do it without pain? By Wacky Camper from Westland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67878765.tip.html
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Rate It: Can anyone estimate how big my puppy will get? She is 10-11 weeks old and weighs 3 1/2 lbs. She is a dachshund/pomeranian mix. I'm not sure if its mini dachshund or standard and that's part of what I'm trying to figure out. Thanks for your help! By Daisy's Mama from Nashville, TN
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Rate It: How do I get a mold smell out of our clothes? By Kellysam69 from Sanford, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53577331.tip.html
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Rate It: What is This Piece of Furniture? I have a piece a furniture and I am trying to figure out what it is and what it would be worth. Can anyone help me with this? I think it is a china cabinet. I have no idea what year it would be from. By Teriborch from Chicago, IL
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Rate It: Using Moth Balls for Squirrels Can I use moth balls to rid my garden of squirrels? If not moth balls what else is effective? By Mabrams from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94350558.tip.html
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Rate It: I found a set of four Currier and Ives Lithographs a few years ago at a yard sale. I put them in my craft room until I knew what to do with them. I forgot them until last week when cleaning my room for more space. Does anyone know anything about them and maybe what to do with them? Thank you. By CharityRenee from AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21340916.tip.html
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Rate It: Crafts Using Burnt Matchsticks Does anyone have any ideas for making things from burnt matchsticks? I made a cross with some and that turned out wonderful. Any suggestions? I remember when I was a little girl my uncle made lamps and coffee table tops with them. He has passed away and I would love to find some of these patterns. Thanks in advance for your help. By Busdrivr from Clemmons, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38076595.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have a good recipe for sourdough bread? Every time I try one it turns out a disaster. Help! By Busdrivr from Clemmons, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86913424.tip.html
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Rate It: My daughter cries about everything. She will cry if she doesn't get her way. She cries when her sister gets something and she does. She doesn't like to do her homework but she like to play. I sometimes think that I am going to go crazy with her. She doesn't put on her clothes in the morning to go to school, I have to put them on. By Zulaika from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64177825.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know where I can get a wooden bowl to make creamed corn with? I know it's an old item but I don't know where to get it from. Thank you. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41786720.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I hang a curtain sconce? By Knobknob Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25920406.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a little blister looking thing on the side of my mouth were my teeth are. It's right below my wisdom tooth, but it's on the inside of my gum, not the outside. It's been there for almost 6 months. I always pop it and it always comes back about 1 week later. It's very small but I'm not sure what it is. Can anyone help? By Amiee123 from Mississippi, LB Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20451363.tip.html
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Rate It: Old Dog Urine Stains on Carpet I have two puppies. Every now and then I catch them peeing on the carpet! I try to clean it up as soon as I see it, but there are times when I don't catch them. The bedroom is really bad because they go at night when I am sleeping and cannot let them out! It's making my apartment smell really bad! I don't even like to have company over because of the smell! Its horrible. I've tried everything! It just won't come out. The last product I used just made my carpet all stiff and hard, so now I'm trying to figure out how to fix that! Can someone please help me? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf668825.tip.html
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Rate It: My Frigidaire is approximately 3 years old and I have the most horrible smell inside the fridge. It actually smells like a dead carcass. I looked underneath in the drip pan and it looks like sludge. I cannot get the pan out. I poured bleach in there but the smell is still there. Any suggestions? By Jen from Ogden, UT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001392.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have a solution for baggy eyes? Not the Dean Martin look, I am talking Alfred Hitchcock, and am desperate. They are not really bags, more like suit cases! By Popet from London, UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30528135.tip.html
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Rate It: Change the Color of Metal Trim We are updating our master bathroom, and have come to a roadblock. We have a very large, custom shower door. The metal trim on the shower door, and the sink fixtures are all that really shiny brass color. I really don't like that finish. I am wondering if there is some chemical or something I can wipe on the brassy metal to change it. My preference would be to make it look more silvery, but honestly anything would be better than brass to me. We looked into just getting a new shower door but to replace ours is really expensive because of its size and that is has to be custom. Please help if you have any tips or tricks. By Freblame from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80776264.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you get rid of pet odors? By oz4410 from SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95885250.tip.html
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Rate It: When doing panel knitting, I don't understand when it states to turn at last peg then wrap last peg one more time. When I try to go back for the second roll then tie off the last peg does not tie off right. By Jonielle from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82773801.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for instructions to crochet an oblong rag rug. By Dee307 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64448858.tip.html
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Rate It: Last night the bathroom tub overflowed. This morning a 3 sq ft area of vinyl floor is warped. What can I do? By Peachey from Noblesville, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89553411.tip.html
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Rate It: Starting Sunflowers from Seeds I bought some cut sunflowers from the store and wonder if the seeds are or will mature so they will dry out and be able to be planted. Or do I need to start with sunflowers that are still in the ground? Hardiness Zone: 8a By Mockingboyd from Charlotte, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27302953.tip.html
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Rate It: Mower With a Briggs & Stratton Engine Won't Start I have Briggs and Stratton riding lawn mower, Model 42A707. I just replaced the battery. When I turn the key, you can hear the starter spinning, but the gear on the top of the starter will not pop up to engage the motor gear. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks. By Pengteo from Redmond, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14752090.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Nail Polish From a Sweater How do you remove nail polish from a sweater? By Twilighter444 from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf617980.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:
Cultivating a Natural Garden
One of the most prevalent attributes common to natural gardens is that they work with - not against - nature. The design has the appearance of a garden that happened naturally instead of a planned, sculptured look. Natural gardens also house native flora that thrives with relatively low maintenance, and embraces nature by providing a haven for wildlife.
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Rate It: Growing Tomatoes
Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family. Originally from South and Central America, today the tomato is grown worldwide for its brightly colored, edible fruits. Red tomatoes contain the pigment lycopene, a well-known antioxidant thought to help prevent some cancers.
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