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Vol. 8, Num. 66, April 3, 2009 (Read It Online) We have lots of new requests today. Please look them over to see if you have any advice to offer. Here are contest winners for last week. Thank you to everyone that took time to share something! Pet Contest Winner Si (Arabian/Quarter Horse) Thank you sharing you beautiful horse. Photo Contest Winner Create Your Own Ribbon Holder This is a simple and cheap way to organize ribbon. Tip Contest Winners Stretching One Meal Into Five A nice way to stretch your meat budget by using meal planning. Trade Spaces for an Inexpensive Getaway A clever way to have a vacation without spending a lot of money. Recipe Contest Winner Lettuce Cup Tacos A healthy twist alternative to hard shell or soft tortilla tacos. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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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:
Craft Project: Plarn Easter Basket This Mini Easter Egg Basket measures 2-1/2 inches wide and 2 inches tall with a 7 inch handle strap Materials:
Instructions: Ch 4 and join with a Sl St to form a ring. Round 1 Ch 1, then work 9 Sc in ring, join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. (10) Round 2 Ch 1, Sc in same st, *Sc in next st, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * - * to end of round, joining with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. Round 3 Ch 1, *work 1 Sc in ea of the next 2 sts, 2 Sc in next st*. Repeat between * to end of rnd. Join with a Sl St to top of Ch 1. Round 4-5 Ch 1, Sc in FLO around entire basket. This creates a bend for the bottom edge of basket. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 1. Rounds 6-8 Ch 1. working in both loops now, Sc in ea st around. Join with a Sl St to top of ch 1. Handle: Using white plarn still attached from last round, chain 20 for handle. Attach with a Sl St into opposite side so handle in centered and matches other side. FO and weave ends under. Cut and trim any loose ends too. Insert ribbon into a st at front of basket and tie a bow. If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using the contact tab. Abbreviations:
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Rate It: Hank (Dachshund/Pomeranian Mix) Hank is a 7 year old Long Haired Dachshund/Pomeranian mix I got 3 years ago from an animal rescue agency, Hank likes to chase squirrels and cats. Run through grass. Dance for treats. Nap in his bed.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Yo Yo Chicks and Bunnies These little creatures will bring delight to an Easter basket or table decoration. They are made of fabric circles called yo yo's. I just added some pom poms, jiggle eyes, etc. It was a fun project. Approximate Time: each one took about 30 minutes. Supplies: For Chick:
Instructions: With a compass, make circles on cardboard of the following sizes in inches: 6 1/2, 6, 5 1/2, 5. Cut circles out and use as templates on fabric cutting one circle of 6 1/2 inches, 2 circles of 6 and 5 1/2 inches and one of 5 inches. You will have 6 circles. Sew each circle about 1/4 inch around the edge with a basting stitch, pull up and gather thus forming a yo yo. Tack thread in the middle to secure gathering. Do this with all circles. Now starting with the 6 1/2 inch yo yo in the middle, stack the other circles over and under the big yo yo (gathered side up) ending with a 5 1/2 inch yo yo on the bottom and the 5 inch yo yo on top. Run a double thread up through the center of the yo yo stack and secure. Now you are ready to assemble the chick or bunny. Using the photo as a guide assemble the head using the 1 1/2 inch pom pom. Glue eyes in place and add a diamond shape beak and jagged feet cut from orange foam sheet or white feet for the bunny. Glue the small pink pom pom for the bunny nose. Attach pipe cleaner ears to top of bunny head. Attach head to the top yo yo with glue. Attach small white pom poms for bunny arms and attach painted egg. Tie bows around neck. By Jan Lee from L.I. NY
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Rate It: At a recent auction, we spotted this red watering can. At once, we realized it would be useful and also very nice to look at in the flower garden. We were fortunate as it sold very reasonably. It has already brought much enjoyment and motivation to work in the flower beds. By Beth from Ft.Blackmore, VA
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Rate It: These are irises at our mail box. I'm very proud of them. By kffrmw88 from Dothan, AL
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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!
Floral Graduation Centerpieces I made topiaries using silk flowers in the school colors. (Real flowers would be great too.) The silks had long, thick stems and I tied them 3/4 of the way to the blooms with ribbon in a school color also. Used a decorative pot, put small rocks in the bottom (for weight) and a small block of floral or styrofoam to hold flowers, then finished pot off with moss. Then I stuck in long green wooden picks with pictures of the graduate glued to the tops of the picks. I also used the name of the college on smaller picks. Very inexpensive and everyone loved them! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28433587.tip.html
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Rate It: Keep a Puzzle Book in the Glove Compartment Keep a crossword puzzle (or another fun book) in the glove box of your car! My husband and I go for little drives in the car and sometimes he'll stop someplace to pay a bill or whatever. We don't always want to lug the baby carrier in and out so I stay in the car with the baby, and I'll pull out the puzzle book and keep myself occupied for the few minutes he is gone! Source: I was sick of waiting for him in the car and just decided on this, it works! By Wdyjsu from Eagle Mountain, UT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50182653.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Painter's Tape to Catch Dust When Drilling Walls Catch dust when drilling into wall or tile, by taking a short piece of wide painter's tape and fold in half lengthwise, sticky part out. Place this L-shaped piece a few inches under where the work is to be done. The sticky ledge catches the dust as you drill. When done, remove carefully and fold sticky parts together trapping the dust to toss. Use another piece to pick up scatters like for lint. Just press on to remove the matter. By Trace from Wartburg, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11433060.tip.html
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Rate It: Grow Your Own Wedding Floral Decorations Need floral decorations for a wedding? I purchased several planter pots at the end of the summer at clearance prices last year. They look like terra cotta but not as heavy. I will fill them with purple and white (wedding colors) annuals and keep them on my patio and deck. At the time of my son's wedding, my husband will use his dolly and transport them to the wedding site. Fresh flowers at an economical price, and I get to keep the pots for years to come! By Becky B. from Nevada, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90259145.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Both Dryer Ball and Dryer Sheet to Prevent Static I love my dryer balls for softness and the fact that unlike fabric softeners, they don't coat the towels and make them less absorbent. But they don't always get rid of ALL the static. So I buy the cheapest fabric softener sheets I can find, and cut them in half. The balls take care of the softness, and the one strip is usually enough to handle the static. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83159552.tip.html
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Rate It: This is an article I wrote on my blog and really wanted to share! Saving Pennies
Many of us are living cheque to cheque and trying to make ends meet. How are we supposed to save money when we barely have enough as it is now for basic needs? I recently wrote an article about the cost of people purchasing a coffee every morning. I was explaining that it's so easy for us to shell out $1.50 a day for a cup of coffee as it doesn't seem like much money at the time, but if you add it up, that $1.50 a day coffee habit turns into an approximate $375 a year expense if you do this 5 days a week. Same with lunches. If you even just spend $3 a day on lunch, this turns into a $750 a year expense on cheap lunches assuming you do it 5 days a week. Most of us spend more than $3 on a lunch. Collectively, this is over $1000 a year just on coffee and lunch! Ouch. The reason I am bringing up this story, is that we can use the same type of logic for saving money. If we put $100 a week in our savings account, it will seem like a lot of money. So let's start with a simple project that no one can screw up: A penny jar. I've talked to friends who said if they had a change jar, they'd dip into it for dimes, quarters, loonies and twoonies (for us Canadians). So they decided not to have one as they didn't think they could save this way. I asked them if they'd dip into a penny jar, they all said "No Way!". Most people hate pennies, they are a nuisance, we even won't pick one up if we see it on the ground sometimes because we're embarrassed. So this is how my penny jar project was born! Today I collected all the pennies I had at the bottom of my purse and a few in my wallet. I counted 18 pennies in total which I placed in a cup I keep at work. I had been collecting change at the bottom of my purse unintentionally for a few days, most people might not have 18 pennies in their wallet or pocket on any given day. To be modest, I calculated that if I saved 10 pennies a day over the course of a year, I would end up with a little over $36 in cash. Just on pennies! Now of course this project isn't meant to save up for a trip around the world, but this just goes to show that our penny friends are actually good for something. Right? Not just for throwing in fountains to make wishes or leave them at the cash for someone else to use in case they need one. We're such penny loathers, yet look what they can do for us? Charities have even jumped on the penny-saving bandwagon. I've often been asked for my pennies by local and national charities who walk around with an empty water bottle (those big ones meant for coolers) asking for our unwanted pennies. We all want to get rid of them, let's face it. I bet they were very successful with this. I don't usually give change to charities but when I'm asked for pennies I'm always much too willing to part with them. I made a promise to myself that when the year is over, I would purchase gift cards with what I saved. This would give me a few gift cards for friend's birthdays. The choice is yours; take yourself out to dinner, go on a grocery shopping spree, purchase a bus ticket to a neighbouring town or go wild and put it in a savings account! Anyone can do this, it's easy. So start picking up those pennies on the ground, ask friends to donate their unwanted pennies and start saving! Source: This is something I wrote on my blog this month: By Lisa from Halifax, NS
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Rate It: Trying to make budget meals exciting can be a challenge these days. I use a three prong approach:
By Frazzled Leslie from New Orleans LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84178244.tip.html
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Rate It: Save Seeds From Store Bought Tomatoes I bought a tomato at the store and squeezed the seeds onto a paper towel. After they dried, I cut the paper around the seed and planted them in good potting soil. Keep damp and you will have tomato plants in about a week. I tried planting seeds immediately after squeezing the tomato and they did not grow, so you must dry the seeds. By Dajavooi from Independence, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99384996.tip.html
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Rate It: Store an Ice Pick in a Wine Cork To safely store an ice pick or any other utensil with a sharp tip, just stick into a wine cork. Better grab a real cork while you can get them since they are being replaced with man-made materials more and more often. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57383574.tip.html
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Rate It: Save Bread Ends for Bread Crumbs If your family does not like to eat the heels of bread left from a loaf, you can put them in your food processor and make it into fine bread crumbs. We usually store it in the bread crumbs container in the refrigerator to keep it from molding. It is perfect because we eat wheat bread and it is hard to find wheat bread crumbs. You can get some fiber while you have your meat. By Doreen A from Owasso, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf899236.tip.html
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1970's Recipe for Meat and Cheese Macaroni Way back in the 70s (?) I got a recipe out of one of the magazines that was called, "Meat and Cheese Macaroni". It had 3 different cheeses in it and was very simple to make. Does anyone have that one? By JoyceH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21409303.tip.html
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Rate It: Paint Color Ideas for Kitchen with Peach Countertops I am remodeling my kitchen and I put in American Woodmark Maple Honey colored cabinets and creamy peach colored granite countertops. I will be putting in White Oak wood floors and need to paint. The problem is my kitchen is adjacent and open to dining/living room and I want to cool down the warmness. Any ideas? By lalindabell from Malibu, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54227792.tip.html
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Rate It: Inexpensive Wedding Reception Locations in Honeybrook, PA My son and future daughter-in-law are getting married in Honeybrook, PA. They have about $3000 total to spend on the reception. Can anybody help us to find a cheap place to have the reception? By poncho67 from Honeybrook, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61639302.tip.html
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Rate It: Manual for Regal Kitchen Pro Bread Maker #K6745S Can someone help me find a manual for the Regal Kitchen Pro Bread Maker #K6745S? By Cherry from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91345357.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you sharpen a rotary cutter? By zeke47 from Boise,Idaho Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10954190.tip.html
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Rate It: Powercraft Riding Lawnmower Won't Start I am trying to fix my MTD/Powercraft riding mower. It has an 18 HP I/C B+S motor, twin cylinder. 42a707 series. It has a hydrostatic transmission. The starter will not turn the motor to start it. I have put on a brand new starter and it still will not turn the motor. Even when I jump past all of the switches and solenoids and jumper straight from the pos (+) battery terminal to the starter, the starter still will not turn the engine. The battery is fully charged and tested so I have ruled that out. My question is could it be that the transmission belts/blade belts are too tight? Should the transmission belts be disengaged when trying to start somehow? Right now the belts are very tight all the time and the engine is VERY hard to turn, even by hand. I know it is not a compression problem, I have taken the spark plugs out and the problem persists. It is not an OHV engine so I am not inclined to believe that it is a valve problem. Should the clutch be disengaging the transmission belt? What exactly does the clutch do on these machines? This may be a very vague question, but I have been fooling with this tractor for a week now and I am at my wits end. If more info is needed, or questions arise please let me know. Help me if you can! Thanks. By drumn4state from Peoria, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31126786.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I remove the drain plug from the combination tub/shower? It is the press and lock version, with no lever. I must remove it to clean it out. Thanks! By Jeff57 from Chesapeake, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58380079.tip.html
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Rate It: Water Spot on Dyed Cloth Shoes How do I remove a water spot from dyed cloth shoes? By cookwie from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80945241.tip.html
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Rate It: Kitchen Appliance Color Advice I need some kitchen color and design help desperately. I am redoing my kitchen with distressed maple cabinets with a coffee glaze. I have chosen Verde Butterfly granite, and am stuck on appliance color. Stainless steel is too high maintenance trying to keep it smudge free, so I was debating between black (which may make the kitchen look like a cave) or white (which may look dated or not compliment cabinets and granite enough). I have standard height ceilings. Please help. Thanks. By Kathy from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89446771.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you remove calcium deposit on a faucet? By cdey from Ocala, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93493965.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can I purchase dehydrated fox urine to put around plants? I thought I heard a feed store? Where in Raleigh, NC can I purchase this product and do you know the cost? Thanks so much. Beth Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23975617.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a 100% polyester 108 in. tablecloth that I cannot remove the wrinkles. When I iron it, the section that I have finished ironing becomes wrinkled when I start to iron a new section. Since it is a large tablecloth, I find it difficult to handle. I have a front load washer and use delicate cycle, and spin it on the lowest speed. I do not use the dryer. I don't have an outside clothesline so I hang it over my shower curtain rod. I have tried many different ways to remove the wrinkles and nothing seems to help. I would appreciate any ideas or advice. Thanks. By mkymlp from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10339949.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can I buy Moldzyme in northern Ireland? I need to remove mold and mildew from football jerseys. They are polyester and cotton. By SPRINGWELLBABE from Annalong, Ireland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59743151.tip.html
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Rate It: Buying a Computer With Bad Credit I would like to buy a laptop computer for school but I do not have good credit. I have been denied credit with Dell and Hewlett Packard. I was wondering is it easier to get a credit card through Walmart or Office Depot? Do you have any suggestions? By Onesummer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48626656.tip.html
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Rate It: I was given a polyester fiber couch with stains and odor. what do I do to get rid of this? By genandy1 from San Matei Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79559932.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Sourdough Bread in a Bread Machine I would like to make sourdough bread in my bread machine. Can I do that? Do I use the friendship or Amish bread starter? Any advice? Thanks! By sissy7575 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99081326.tip.html
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Rate It: Can anyone tell us what do you use to start a compost bed? We are trying to start a compost but are not sure what to put in it. Thanks in advance for all your help. Hardiness Zone: 9a By gaaaamoooom Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69931013.tip.html
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Rate It: School Project: Futuristic Car My daughter has to make a futuristic vehicle out of cardboard boxes, paper plates, etc.. I don't have a clue where to begin. Please help. By Cassiemae from Memphis, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47912716.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a bathtub lever that goes up and down, but recently the lever won't lift up the drain cover to let the water run out. How can I fix this? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf281327.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you make fake cakes? By Catbalu from Anna, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43087332.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know if they have started remaking Grease Relief? I use Simple Green a lot but I need to find something to clean stove rings and pans. By fundjo from Portland, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80921972.tip.html
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Rate It: I have found a pair of stunning blue curtains that I would love to put up in my bedroom. But when I opened them up I saw that they are both riddled with Mildew. How do I get them clean? Please help! By Claireuj from South Africa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79749305.tip.html
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Rate It: Our back yard is full of those little patches of green stickers. They cover more ground than the grass does. I noticed today they are starting to come up in the front yard in spots too now. What are they called and what can I do to get rid of them? Our dogs don't even want to go back there! By sissy7575 from AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94510116.tip.html
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Rate It: Dog is Peeing in the Back of Truck Lately our dog, which travels in the bed of our pickup (tied), has started to pee while traveling. We stop often for him but he still uses the back of the truck as his area. We have traveled with him for several years and he has never done this before. He is a 6 year old beagle/shepherd mix. We love him but can not travel like this. Any suggestions? By Czub from Pittsburgh, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53392966.tip.html
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Rate It: My son is 2 years old. I am looking for a homemade cough remedy. He coughs when he cries and he gets a cough during the day that can last about an hour. I took him to the doctor and he said it was allergies. He gave him medicine but it didn't work. Please help. By Sheetal from Hyderabad, AP Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf137335.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a poor credit rating. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to apply for a Buy Now, Pay Later catalog please? My daughter's birthday is 2 weeks away. The presents she asked for are things I can't afford out right. I have tried a couple of Buy Now, Pay Later sites but because of my poor credit rating I have been refused. Any ideas? By DeeDee31 from United Kingdom Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78765520.tip.html
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Rate It: "Bedtime at Granny's" Rubel Angel I am looking for a Rubel Angel called "Bedtime at Granny's". Thanks. By hupzer from Pretty Prairie, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63279383.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I remove the dust build up from my ceramic flowers? By Glynis from TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92014382.tip.html
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Rate It: What can I use to clean my laminate countertop? It is green. It always looks streaky, and dull. I don't want to ruin it. By lpn925 from Lorain, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86706365.tip.html
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Rate It: Wedding Gift Ideas for Daughter My daughter is getting married for the third time. Any suggestions for a wedding present? Thanks. By ralphed from Middletown, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79845082.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:
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