If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

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Reuse a Dog Enclosure for Rabbits

I had a cage that was in good condition and had lasted through several small pets. When my rat died of old age, I decided to adopt from the local animal shelter. Here is Ben, he is neutered and he was found in a box in the parking lot. Rabbits love to look in mirrors. A flexible dog enclosure lets him have outside time (supervised). Lots of pets need homes because of the hard economic times.

By Polly from Cloverdale, CA

Re-Use Pet Enclosures For Adopted Pets

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Justice (English Mastiff)

Justice is a 2 year and 2 month old pure bred English Mastiff.

We got her from a Manitoba breeder when she was 8 weeks old. She is all about her humans and just aims to please. Justice is also a trained therapy dog for Saint John ambulance

By Chris from Greenwood, NS

Justice (English Mastiff)

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Craft Project: Love Bug

Make love bugs for any holiday.

Approximate Time: 30 minutes

Supplies:

yarn (multi colored or 3 different colors)
chenille stick
foam or cardboard
5 inch piece of thick paper or cardboard
felt
2 large wiggle eyes
2 inch styrofoam ball
glue

Instructions:

First take thick paper or cardboard 5 inches wide and wrap yarn around paper/cardboard (see photo). I used thick fuzzy yarn so I went around 50 times. If you used standard yarn choose 3 colors that blend and go around 35 times with all 3 at the same time. Take piece of yarn and tie a knot around yarn center of paper. Cut other side so you come out with equal lengths of yarn on both sides of knot.

Take foam ball and glue yarn over ball. Take the foam for felt and make large heart shaped pieces for feet and glue. Glue eyes on yarn. Take chenille stick and cut in half. I made heart for hands from white felt and glued to chenille stick. Stick chenille sticks into the foam. There is your Love bug. You can make the bug hold a sign saying I love you it you want or change it up use green yarn and shamrocks for St. Patricks Day. Red, white, blue for 4th of July. Its endless

By Crafter from New England

Craft Project: Love Bug

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Craft: Marshmallow Sculptures

Next time you are at the store pick up a bag of mini marshmallows and a box of toothpicks. Then when the kids say "we're bored" take them out and watch the kid's imagination and building skills soar!

For ages 5 and up.

By RobinLynn from Needham, MA

Marshmallow Sculptures

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Craft: Tufted Textile Art

This is an image of a picture I did using the same technique as the rag rug using narrower strips.

I stapled a piece of hessian on to an old picture frame and used a book of discarded discontinued curtain samples from the local store (I found cutting the material on the cross made the strips easier to work with).

I placed the finished picture onto stiff board and stretched tucked and glued the border round the back.

I have yet to frame it but intend to place it on with carpet double sided tape to a piece of the heavy board which came with the book of samples leaving a border for framing

I think I will use skirting board, which is very cheap from the wood store, and cut staple it to the back for the frame. Or I could use driftwood as I live 20 yards from the North Sea and have a plentiful supply.

The beauty of curtain samples is that they come in batches of matching hues and complementary colours. I might add some shells and sea glass into the picture and perhaps continue embellishing some on the frame.

Isobel

Editor's Note: Here is Isobel's original post:

Craft: Rag Rug from Recycled Fleece Clothing

Tufted Textile Art

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Tip Contest
Submit a Tip or Recipe!
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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!

My Frugal Life
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Recycled Draft Blockers

Take two tubes from the inside of wrapping paper. Cut them to about 1/2 inch shorter than the door and stuff them with news paper or junk mail. Put them inside one leg that has been cut from of a pair of nylons. Make sure it fits properly before tying the end off.

You can slip them under your door with one tube on each side. The door will slide easily back and forth. I use it on rooms that I don't need to be continuously heated. Not sure how it would work on carpet but I have hardwood floors.

By Melmarr from Michigan

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Layer a Cropped Turtleneck Under Blouses

Many times I find that I need something to fill in the neckline of a blouse or sweater, but don't want the bulk of a turtleneck shirt under it. Dickies sometimes do the trick, but I have found a better solution. I buy a turtleneck; ones sold as "seconds" at an outlet, ones you have with a stain or tear, or ones from a thrift store work fine. I then cut the sleeves off of them and cut the bottom off right under the bust line.

Flawed or stained shirts get a second chance in your wardrobe and you don't have the bulk or heat which come with an entire shirt. These are far superior to the dickies you buy because: 1) They don't pull out or up, or reveal the area between your neck and shoulder like the traditional dickies do. 2) You have a much better array of colors to choose from since the traditional ones are generally found only in a few neutral colors.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Baking Soda for Stained Counters

Get out the baking soda if you want to clean a stain on that darn counter top. It works 100x better than any cleanser on the market. The great thing, it's all natural and you don't have to worry about chemicals getting spread around your home.

Baking soda also works great on any baked on food you might have, say in a casserole dish or frying pan. Put a bit on to the problem area, let it sit a few minutes, then clean. If you want to replace your cleanser completely with the baking soda, take an old Parmesan container. Clean it out, put your baking soda in the container, works great to shake the soda where you need it. Then store in your cabinet.

By TxBluEyes from Kerrville, TX

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Use Lighter Fluid to Remove Labels

The easiest way to remove price and other stickers, even from book covers and jackets, is lighter fluid. Just soak the label and let it sit a minute and most labels will lift right off. Because lighter fluid is very volatile, it dries quickly and doesn't leave a trace. If you have a particularly stubborn label, get as much off as you can after the first soak and repeat. I've never had to do this more than twice.

By Louise from Center Point, TX

Editor's Note: Be very careful when using lighter fluid as it is VERY flammable.

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Links: Frugal Wedding Reception Supplies

I just have to share my good luck at finding the right websites for a budget wedding reception! I am in charge of doing the reception for my budget minded friend, and I have only $200.00 and need to decorate 8 tables, plus 3 tables for cake, wed party, gifts, food, etc.

I have accomplished this task with the help of a thrift store, and these awesome websites. In fact, I am $20.00 under budget! Here are the websites:

www.efavormart.com

www.orientaltrading.com

I found everything I needed and the one even does a flat rate ship fee of $5.95!

She will have balloon arches, Hershey's Kisses tree centerpieces, a photo back drop, and more.

By Dede from Macon, MO

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Treating Serious Behavioral Issues In Children

You might suspect your child might have a disability, screening for disabilities at the child's school is the first step.

Check out psychologists and such for treatment if you feel you can treat the problem or situation on an outpatient basis.

Serious Behavioral Issues:

Self Harm, etc. Sometimes at this level, the child will need to be stabilized at an inpatient facility. In order to put this into motion you must go to the hospital and ask for the child to be evaluated and see if he/she needs stabilization treatment.

This just means that the child will be kept at a hospital or clinic type facility for a few days to a few weeks to see what meds might help the child with his/her symptoms.

The facility will contact you by phone and communicate what they are doing and what they have found. When stabilization is through, then they are refereed to counseling and med therapy on an outpatient basis.

My daughter had to be stabilized about probably 10 times before we were able to say she was functioning at the best level she could. I am so thankful that these resources are available and the internet is a great place to learn.

Home Visit:

Ongoing home visits to support the child and parents. Sometimes they would just come over and talk to my daughter. Other times, they would work out a plan to take her out to eat, etc. She began to look forward to these helpful visits. I loved them, they are kind of a way to keep up on the child's progress in between psychiatrist visits.

One of the Greatest Resources is the Internet!

Always research, research, research. Hope this helps someone. :) I had to find it out on my own, no one walked me through the resources and encouraged me to file for disability for the child. Keep up the filing until you get it! :)

By Robyn from TN

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Picking Colors When Decorating

When you are decorating a room, paint it white or cream then pick one of your favourite dark colours. Use this color for the curtains, light shade, bedding and throw. Add a light colour that you like (any colour, not too dark ) for the accessories; like flowers, cushions, rugs, etc.

Try these combinations:

blue and black
pink and brown
purple and brown
green and blue
green and purple
red and black

By Niamh from England

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Have Evaporated Milk In Your Pantry

I pick up a can of evaporated milk every time I do my weekly grocery shopping. It is very inexpensive and good to have on hand. It can be used in place of light cream in recipes, in place of milk (my mother always made her rice pudding substituting a can of evaporated milk and I still make it that way!)

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

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Storing Paper Scraps

I use a regular household file, the sort with a fold over lid and handle, to store offcuts of card. I sort into colours. It's easy to find the colour I need. I place all the similar shades in the same section in a penny pocket so when I need to use, i.e.: red, I just need to take out the reds. I also find it so easy to take with me if I am doing a charity craft session.

It also useful for card toppers, ie: birthdays, with all the different styles, even the greeting off other cards that can be recycled. There is also less waste as none get damaged or lost. This is a big help when you need to use a portable carrier away from your studio.

By Mary from United Kingdom

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Use a Pastry Blender for Chopping Soft Foods

I have found that a Pastry blender is a real time saver when used to chop hard boiled eggs, avocados, and bananas for banana nut bread. I just put the item in a bowl and use the pastry blender to chop are mash to the desired consistency.

By Janie from Whitehouse, Texas

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

Our business professor was lecturing about different ways to bill customers. He asked, "Who can give me an example of a system where you are billed before you actually receive your goods?"

One student piped up, "Tuition!"

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

Romantic Bedroom Decorations

I need help with romantic ideas for decorating the bedroom.

Beverly from Parkersburg, WV

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Permanent Marker on Paneled Walls

How to get permanent marker off paneled walls?

Patience

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Plug-in Fragrance Stained Furniture

A Bath and Body plug-in fragrance spilled on the furniture. It looks like it took all the color out. Is there anything I can do to restore it?

Gma Di from Northport, AL

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Freezing Homemade Bread Dough

I love the taste of homemade bread, but don't have a bakery in town. I'd like to make bread dough in advance, freeze, and bake as I need it.

I'm looking for recipes that freeze well; length of time that the dough keeps in the freezer; as well as instructions as to when to let rise, when to freeze, and all of that. Thank you for helping me!

Adrianne from Adrian, Michigan

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Chemical Odor After Plumbing Work

I recently had major plumbing work performed in my master bathroom. They had to remove the tiles in my shower to get to the pipes. Upon completion of the work including re-tilng of the shower, there seems to be a lingering strong chemical smell.

We tried to vent out the room for 2 weeks but anytime you shut the doors to the bathroom or bedroom, the chemical smell accumulates. Has anyone experienced this after major plumbing and tile work? Any recommendations on testing the air. We're in our 37th week of pregnancy and are concerned for the baby.

Hegel from Houston, TX

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Crocheted Bunny Pattern

I am requesting help finding a knit or crocheted bunny rabbit pattern. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Linda from Matamoras, PA

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Using Old Newspapers

I would like to know what to do with old newspapers besides recycling. Thanks!

Cindy from WV

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Instructions for Apple Pie Knitting Loom

Someone gave me an old Apple Pie Knitting Loom. Does anybody know where I can find instructions for using it? Thanks.

Beth from Bloomfield, IN

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Mold on Wood Window Sills

How do you remove mold from wood window sills?

Misty from Missouri

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Growing an Easter Egg Plant

I have just purchased seeds for the Easter Egg Plant. I have seen this plant once and it is very beautiful. Has anyone tried to grow this plant indoors and how did it turn out? Any tips and tricks to share about growing and the care of this beauty would be appreciated.

Karyn from Ottawa, Canada

Growing an Easter Egg Plant

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Pie Filling Using Dried Cherries

Does anyone have a recipe for making cherry pie filling using dried cherries?

Darlene from WI

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Microwave Replacement Parts

My wonderful brother-in-law bought my hubby and I a new microwave at Goodwill, on half off day. It looks new, works like new. The only problem is it was missing the round glass turn plate and the ring inside. I found a glass microwave plate at Goodwill (75% off!). How can I replace the ring that spins the plate?

Samaree from Northern Indiana

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Starting Puppy on B.A.R.F. Diet

I am getting an 8 week old pitbull and was wondering when it is that I can start him on the B.A.R.F. diet?

Shaena from British Columbia, Canada

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Decorating a Tip Jar

I am in charge of our tip jar at a pizza shop. For March we are doing a big promotion for March Madness Basketball. I need an idea for some kind of basketball themed cannister or something like that.

Karen from Port Clinton, OH

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Birthday Party for Two Children

I'm having a party for my two boys who will be turning 5 and 10 next month. I need some ideas in how to combine their parties. I need advice on themes, games, etc. Would it be crazy to have two different themes? The older one wants a color theme while the younger is still into Diego. Help me please. The party will be held in our apartment which is quite spacious.

Danielle from NY

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Dog Is Licking Paws

My dog (Rocky) is always licking his paws and making slurping noises. Any idea why? It is making me nuts to hear it all the time.

Sandy from Mtn. View

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Inexpensive Crafts for Kids

Does anyone have any inexpensive craft projects for a 7 year old boy? He is my nephew and he gets bored easily. I don't have a lot of money, so I thought maybe next time he comes over we could do some crafts together. Thank you.

Mindy from Indiana

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InStyler Rotating Curling Iron Reviews

Has anyone tried that new InStyler Rotating Curling Iron yet? If so, do you like it? Any problems with it, etc.?

Lynn from Chico, CA

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Permanent Marker on Vehicle's Interior

My wonderful 3 year old daughter got a hold of a permanent marker in the back seat of her father's new truck. She got it all over the inside of the door (vinyl I think) and all over the back of the seat which is cloth. Does anyone know how to get this out? It's a brand new truck.

Renee from MI

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Permanent Paint on Auto Glass

Does anyone know of any paint that can go on auto glass and is permanent?

Danny from Florida

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Building a Privacy Fence

My husband is wanting to build a wooden privacy fence himself. Does anyone have any suggestions on the building process, like how far apart do you put the posts, how far do you put the post in the ground, etc. Any detail and advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Karen from LA

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Lemon Cake Recipe

I need an easy lemon birthday cake recipe using a box mix, but I am not sure just using a cake mix will make it lemony enough. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to alter it to give it more of a lemon flavor?

Debbie from Detroit, MI

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Tips for First-Time Homeowners

My husband and I are in escrow right now and just signed final loan documents. Lord willing, we will be receiving our key on Monday, 3/2. We have never been homeowners before. We are in our mid-late twenties with an elementary age child. Although we are excited about this new chapter in our lives, we are nervous about the responsibility that comes with homeownership. Any suggestions, tips, and advice for being wise and frugal "adults"?

We already own our vehicles, so the only debt we have is a credit card bill for $1800, a student loan for $4500 which doesn't have to be paid back until I graduate, and basics such as cell phones, cable and internet. I understand these may not be considered basics to others, but if it came down to surviving off of one income, these are the first things that would go. I think our biggest problem now is eating out, we must learn how to cook! Thanks in advance for your help.

Crystal from Los Angeles, CA

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Crafts Using Cat Food Cans

Does anyone have ideas for a craft or a good way to use cat food tins? I have two kitties and they eat a ton of food. I hate throwing them all away. They eat Fancy Feast, so it's the mini cans. Thanks!

Jola from CA

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Easy Diabetic Recipes

I am looking for easy diabetic meals or low carb meals. Any help would be appreciated.

Donna from Arcadia, FL

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Disputing an Electric Bill

Has anyone ever dispute an electric bill? I've been disputing my electric bill for the last 6-7 weeks. My electric bill was reasonable in November - about $110, but then quadrupled to $440 in December. I should mention that we don't heat with electric, and we didn't have Christmas lights going. There are only two of us in the house and we are very energy efficient and frugal with the electric.

I keep detailed records of everything, and it wasn't the rates that increased either, it was the kilowatt hours. All of the bills were based on actual readings, NOT estimated. So anyway, they are saying that they must have under-read the meter in November, so the December bill was making up the difference. So, if they made a mistake, do I have to pay the entire amount? I am going to file a complaint with the Public Service Commission, but was wondering if anyone has had this experience or has any advice.

Laure from North East, MD

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Eliminating Age Spots

I am looking for cheap ways to get rid of sunspots on my face or at least lighten them. Does scar cream product work for this?

RJW

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LA Weight Loss Diet Plan

Can anyone give me the LA Weight Loss diet plan?

Jean

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Making a Bridal Shower Wishing Well

I am looking for instructions to make a wishing well for a bridal shower. Each guest was asked to bring a kitchen item gift for the wishing well.

Pat from Philadelphia, PA

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Free Antique Pineapple Crochet Patterns

I would like to find free antique pineapple crochet patterns.

Susan from Harrisburg, PA

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

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Daily Thrifty Tips - February 26, 2009

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