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Vol. 7, Num. 247, December 22, 2008 (Read It Online) Here's another of the December newsletters that were delayed. We have one more to send out, then we will be all caught up. 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: Christmas Santa Purse This is a cute Christmas purse made from an old Santa's hat you had stashed away in the Christmas decorations.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67446272.tip.html
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Rate It: Craft: Give "Joy" For Christmas Instead of plain ol' Christmas cards, I wanted to make something small for everyone at work. I made 50 of these and they were quick, CHEAP and easy! It was about $7 for 2 bags of the Almond Joys, I had some card stock at home and printed the little cards out on my computer! I wonder what my co-workers will think when they see these little treats on their desks in the morning!
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Rate It: Craft: Christmas Bear In A Jar This was such a cute idea I just had to share. Hot glue a small Christmas bear (found at any craft store) to the bottom of an old fashioned canning jar, add some greenery, include something like the snow shoes or you could add a mail box or a small wrapped gift, etc. add some fake snow and a pretty ribbon on the jar and you've got a very cute original Christmas decoration.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Colorful Christmas Pinatas These fun and colorful pinatas make a great gift and holiday activity for kids of all ages!
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55974299.tip.html
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Rate It: This are pictures of what I call Anything Wreaths, just to show you can make your own wreaths very inexpensively out of just about anything. Both are made using grapevine bases, which I picked up for pennies at yard sales, and a glue gun. The larger "gold" one is filled with gold holly leaf sprigs that had pink jewels attached, which I got free from a friend who was going to throw them out. It is now on my front door. For the second smaller one I cut apart four sprigs of poinsettias, two gold and two silver, that I had also picked up at a yard sale - smaller pieces go farther than keeping them in one piece. The ribbon bow on the first is also homemade from yard sale ribbon. I got two beautiful wreaths for next to nothing. If I can do it, you can too! Have a great holiday! By Marie from West Dundee, IL
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Rate It: Craft Project: Snowman Nitelite This is a simple, eye-catching snowman that lights up.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27455943.tip.html
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Rate It: A snowman made from a recycled spaghetti jar.
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28457162.tip.html
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Rate It: Loki is 6 but the photo was taken when we first got him. A friend saved a feral cat who was pregnant, Loki was one of the kittens that we took in.
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Rate It: Craft Project: CD Christmas Wreath This is a Christmas wreath using old CD's for sparkle. Can be used with or without greenery
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73655347.tip.html
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Rate It: This is an ornament that the kids can help make. A nice addition to the tree. My version is rather unique since I use a tree branch for the body, a bead from an old car seat for the head, and popcorn for the hair.
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Rate It: Try this different style of painting with your child. I'm sure they will have fun with it, and you just might get into it yourself!
View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81607304.tip.html
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Rate It: Buddy is a 6 month old Pomeranian. I purchased Buddy from a friend when he was just 8 weeks old. He was only 2.1 lbs.
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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!
Heat Pinecones In Microwave For Craft Projects Pine Cones can be put into the microwave and heated on low temperature. Cones that have not opened will open up. They will be an undamaged specimen for craft projects. While doing this you will experience another benefit, Free Room freshener. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32017775.tip.html
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Rate It: Needing a Successful Fundraiser? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53280198.tip.html
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Rate It: I make cards whenever possible but when I have to buy one, I am always amazed at how much they cost. I like to give truly recyclable cards. Instead of signing the inside of the card, I attach a sticky note inside and write a little note and sign it. On the outside of the envelope I write their name on a sticky note, along with the words "A truly recyclable card." If mailing, I fold a sheet of copy paper over the blank envelope, address it and tape it shut. The recipient then has a small gift of a brand new "unused" card to re-gift. When a nice card costs $4 to $5, it kills me to think it will be tossed after one use! Of course, this isn't for everyone but those that are frugal and environmentally conscious, it's a fun treat. Yes, my friends and family laugh at me but those cards are enjoyed more than once! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34402625.tip.html
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Rate It: Making New Clothes from Old Clothes When my children were growing up I used to take all my husbands, and my old jeans and shirts and make simple shorts with elastic bands for my kids. Then for my girls and Myself I would make little sun tops out of strips of material. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10458348.tip.html
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Rate It: With the economy like it is, I have come up with some ideas to save money on family gifts. By the time you have bought for your siblings, their spouse then each kiddo, you have spent a chunk of money. I buy a large gift bag for each family, put in a couple of movies I know they will all like, add popcorn, snack crackers, candy, hot chocolate mix [my homemade recipe] and chips and dip. This works great, and is perfect for a long winters night. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63724483.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding Coupons for Holiday Shopping During the holidays I always try to spend wisely. This year I am under larger budget constraints than ever, so I decided not to purchase any items online or at stores unless I have a coupon. Search online for coupons and coupon codes. My tip is if you don't find a coupon or discount code for a store email them and ask for one! Every time I have done this so far this season I have gotten a response with a coupon or coupon code for my purchases. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45846559.tip.html
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Rate It: I just came back from my weekly thrift store run and found small ceramic flower pots, already painted for 40 cents each. I am adding a envelope (downloaded from Alenka's printables) of seeds from my garden and a candy cane. I will give these as a small gift for office co-workers, since I am known as mother nature--this fits perfect with everyone's thoughts of me. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14668395.tip.html
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Rate It: Decorating Small Christmas Trees Decorating a tiny tree? You can use all sorts of odd things on it. I clipped a bunch of hair clips with red decorative buttons on them onto the branches of one small tree, just the right scale. I also wrapped some branches with fluffy colored hair elastics (put them in a figure 8 around the branch) And at the top - a hair bow! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94994890.tip.html
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Rate It: Thomas the Tank Engine Santa Shirt This is so simple and involves no sewing! I first bought a green plain t-shirt at a craft store for $2.50 and then cut up a big Thomas from a pillow panel. Next I ironed on wonder under to the Thomas cut out and then peeled back the paper on the wonder under and ironed on the green shirt. After that I got a stocking from the dollar tree that had a Santa on it, and removed Santa and got his hat and put it on Thomas fastening it with a safety pin. You could sew this, but I can't sew so I used fabric glue and one small safety pin. The last thing I did was take fabric paint and trace around Thomas. It is so cute and you could do that with your child's favorite character. It really brightens them up to see their favorite character with a Santa hat on! Cute, fun, easy and inexpensive! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88613637.tip.html
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Rate It: Easy Scented Pinecone "Firestarters" Because pinecones can be picked up off the ground at this time of the year this is a very inexpensive holiday gift for your coworkers, friends or family. Scented pinecones can be used as fire starters or just put into a pretty bowl or by the fireplace to make the room smell nice. Directions To make up several bags of scented pinecones first gather them off the ground around any pine, spruce or fir tree. It's best to gather them on a dry day when it's not raining or snowing if possible. Next, spread them out on newspaper to let them dry out overnight... To add scent, I recommend using real essential oils. They can be bought on the internet or at most Health Food stores. My 3 top favorite scents for pinecones are orange-citrus, cinnamon-spice or if you like the smell of Christmas trees use "Spruce". Don't use the "pine" scent because your cones will then end up smelling like the cleaner Pine-sol. Take a disposable styrofoam cup or a small ceramic or glass bowl or cup (not plastic) and fill it up with about 3/4 of a bottle of rubbing alcohol (about 12 ounces). To the alcohol add 1 or 2 teaspoons of your essential oil of choice and stir until the essential oil is mixed in with the alcohol. (Obviously, do this AWAY from any flame and don't smoke while doing this!... Outside on a porch works best) You can either dip your pinecones right into this mix or you can put the scented alcohol into a well-marked spray bottle and spray the pinecones outside as they sit in a cardboard box that's lined with a plastic bag. My favorite is an old box that held a case of small bottles of water because this already has the plastic on it. Lastly let the alcohol evaporate then put these pinecones into a restaurant style gallon jar with a lid or keep them in large gallon size zip-lock baggies until you're ready to give them as gifts. Use care if you bring these scented cones into an office because some folks have allergies to certain scents, so it's best to make sure your gift is wrapped in plastic, or is in a fancy glass jar with a ribbon or a tightly sealed ziplock bag. The scented alcohol can also be sprayed on your older potpourri to make it smell like new! And the pinecones can also be used on top of packages as decorations in place of ribbons. By Cyinda from near Seattle
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Rate It: Pumpkin for Firmer Stools In Dogs My year old Scottie has solid stool at first, then it turns to very loose (sometimes diarrhea). I was told to use 100% pumpkin (1 Tbsp. per 50 lbs), WOW it worked like magic. He loved it and this morning his stool was firm and dry. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31428877.tip.html
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Rate It: Give Containers for Leftovers During the Holidays Every year for the Holidays, my family gatherings produce an abundance of great food. The problem is there are a lot of leftovers, and not enough mouths in the home we gathered at, to eat them. So for the past few years I have brought my own frugal gift to each of my relatives. My kids and I decorate used plastic food containers and give them as gifts, to be used, to take home leftovers in. They are empty when received (sometimes I tuck in a good recent pic of the kids) and full of leftovers when they leave! The food doesn't go to waste and the hostess doesn't lose her good plastic bowls. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62489021.tip.html
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Easy, Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe Does anyone have an easy, soft sugar cookie recipe? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18129157.tip.html
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Rate It: I am trying to melt butterscotch morsels in a microwave using a double boiler. They will not melt like semi chocolate chips. What do I need to do? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55909892.tip.html
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Rate It: I'm looking for Waverly Garden Room, Garden Lane dishes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32825878.tip.html
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Rate It: Microwave Turns On But Doesn't Heat Food The over-the-range microwave oven will power on but will not cook/heat. Is it the microwave or the outlet? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26027055.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Stains on a Granite Headstone Red dye from a floral arrangement stained granite a cemetery headstone. Does anyone know how to remove it? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96378830.tip.html
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Rate It: Are Thrifty Store Shoes Safe to Wear? Is it safe to wear thrift store shoes? Some people have athletic feet and foot fungus. Just curious before I buy. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72772807.tip.html
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Rate It: Ideas for a 30th Birthday Party Does anyone have any ideas for my 30th birthday party this January? It will be at a house and it is very cold outside (Michigan weather)! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83944820.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Mold on Curtains without Washing How do you get rid of mold on curtains without washing them? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65196851.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you warm up a baked potato? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70314013.tip.html
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Rate It: Blind Kitten Has Stopped Using the Litter Box I saved a kitten that had eye goop and a runny nose. He is now blind and I can't not get him to use the litter box anymore. He did at first but in the past month he has been using the floor, usually right in front of the litter box. I put him in the box when I see him starting to go but sometimes he freaks out when I stick him in there. Why? I need to save my floors, please help! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90208188.tip.html
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Rate It: Jewelry Made Out of Game Pieces I would like to make jewelry from Dominos and Scrabble pieces. Can you please tell me how? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66069061.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding the Current Value of Porcelain Dolls I have two porcelain dolls by Julie that were bought 30 years ago for $250.00. I would like to know their current value. Can anyone help? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63434690.tip.html
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Rate It: Japanese Colored Dandelion Flowers Does anyone know where I can get the Japanese Colored Dandelion flowers or seeds? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46964559.tip.html
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Rate It: Reviews of High End Washer/Dryer Sets Our washer and dryer of 10 years is starting to give out. The set was a cheaper one, and now my husband and I would like to replace it with a really high quality set. We are willing to spend some money if we won't have to replace it soon, and the set is energy efficient. Anybody have a set that they love or hate and why? Just want some input on what brands, style, etc. we should be looking into. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96087149.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I store sweet potatoes? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47582745.tip.html
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Rate It: Freezing Shepard's Pie Made With Previously Frozen Potatoes Can I freeze mashed potatoes, thaw them, and re-mash them to make Shepard's Pie? Can I then freeze the Shepard's Pie? Will the twice frozen mashed potatoes taste O.K.? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25988763.tip.html
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Rate It: I just got this puppy, she was a dump on the side of the road. I have been told that she is a yellow lab/German Shepard mix. I have also been told that she is definitely a pit bull. Can someone help? I love her no matter what, I just want to know.
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Rate It: How do you stop kittens from scratching wallpaper? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33503991.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Paint from a Wooden Table How do you get paint off a wooden table without damaging the wood? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74665660.tip.html
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Rate It: My daughter wants to know how to tell if our dog is sick. I can't remember, is it when the nose is cold and wet or dry and hot. Thanks!
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Rate It: Risks of Roundworms for Humans I'm looking for info about fleas and roundworm health risks to humans. We have had an infestation of fleas from a previous tenants cat that left "salt and pepper-like" droppings everywhere. Our dog has had an on-going issue with roundworms and tapeworms. I've had severe stomach-aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Am I just being paranoid? A friend said this can be harmful to humans. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49016787.tip.html
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Rate It: I opened my mail this morning and it said I had 12 new messages, I deleted the first one and then suddenly the screen "rebooted", meaning that it went blank then came up again and all my new (12) emails were deleted. Can you help? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96289825.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know how to make chocolate rum balls? We had them before and they were so good. Thanks for your help. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82929448.tip.html
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Rate It: How Many Ounces is a No. 303 Can? I have an old recipe that calls for a NO. 303 can of fruit cocktail. What size can would that be in ounces? It is used in a great recipe for a fruit cocktail cake that is very moist. Thanks for any help on this. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89489145.tip.html
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Rate It: Pre-lit Tree Lights Not Working I bought a pre-lit Christmas tree from Elder Beerman's after-Christmas sale. The tree was a display tree, and for some reason when it was taken down all the light sets where unplugged. It has been a total nightmare in getting the lights to work. The tree was put in a different box with the wrong instructions. I have no idea how to even plug the lights up without the schematic diagram. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57196567.tip.html
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Rate It: Applesauce Christmas Ornaments I am looking for the applesauce and cinnamon recipe to make Christmas cut-out ornaments. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93080983.tip.html
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Rate It: I was wondering how much Dawn (dish detergent) is added to the water in a spray bottle that will stop ice from forming on the steps after it is sprayed. I lost the information on it. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf917534.tip.html
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Rate It: I want to make a Crown Royal Bag Quilt for my husband. Do you have any pictures or any ideas where I can buy the special gold bag that came out in the 70's? Thanks much. Happy holidays. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79817899.tip.html
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Rate It: Planning Christmas for My Children Without Any Money Is there any way I can give my family a Christmas. I have 6 kids that I cannot give Christmas to. My husband lost his job. Anyone have any ideas?
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Rate It: Last night my 11 year old daughter forgot to add water to the Easy Mac container. She's home suffering from pneumonia and I was in the shower at the time. Our whole house has the most putrid smell and the microwave reeks so bad. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf630948.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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