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Vol. 7, Num. 232, December 1, 2008 (Read It Online) I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend. We are running behind this week so announcing the winners for last week will be delayed a bit. We hope to get to them by the end of this week. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we change our focus to Christmas. If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas, crafts, decorations or budget advice be sure to check out the Christmas section on ThriftyFun: http://www.thriftyfun.com/Christmas_246.html Thanks for reading, Susan
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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:
Easy to make. Pound 2 sticks down through the blue jeans. Stuff jeans with newspapers. Attach a styrofoam ball to the top of the 2 sticks. (I stuffed 2 knitted beanie hats, much cheaper). Cover with a sheet and pin on the felt eyes. I have had so many comments about "my spooks".
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Rate It: Sarah is 6 years old. I got Sarah about 6 years ago. She was only 5 days old and almost dead. But now you would never know it.
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Rate It: Dixie And Bo (Labrador Retrievers) This is Dixie and Bo. They are both about 1 1/2 and Labrador Retrievers. I got them as puppies.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Milkweed Ornaments (Shadow Pods) I used milkweed pods from the woods around my house for this ornament idea. You may have other types of pods in your area or you may be able to find something similar in the dried flower section of the craft store. Great project for Scouts or school groups. Use a hair dryer on the paint and Fiberfill for snow to keep it quick.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Hot Glue Ornaments About 6 years ago, I came across an idea that was so simple and yet so darned cute, I saved the photo and will be making some of these this Holiday.
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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!
Make Reindeer Food For Christmas Eve Materials
InstructionsMix carefully. Add a dash of glitter just before spreading on front lawn on Christmas Eve. The glitter will sparkle under the moonlight and will catch the eye of the reindeer. This makes a great quick snack for the reindeer, while they are waiting for Santa to return to his sleigh.By Leslie from Brandon, MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78475972.tip.html
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Rate It: "Everything is 50 Cents" Garage Sale If you aren't selling a lot of high-priced items at your garage sale and want to go the low-maintenance route, have an "Everything is 50 cents sale (unless otherwise marked)". You don't have to price items unless you want to sell them for more, and it's a good marketing tactic to use on your signs and other advertising, to get people to your sale. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60332925.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Photo Tags for Pre-Readers We have a lot of little ones, (pre-readers), and come Christmas morning there is a big rush to open gifts. So to let everyone help give out the gifts and let Mom and Dad enjoy the activities, we came up with an easy name tag idea. With almost everyone having a picture of everyone they know on their computers, we just print out one sheet of each person's picture (a 2x3 inch size) makes ten gift tags using a business card print program. Cut them apart and use just like store gift tags. You don't have to use print paper just regular paper for this. Even a two year old can recognize who the present is for, and hand over the gift to that person. Lots of fun, and plenty of time for new picture moments. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34019463.tip.html
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Rate It: Smells From Other Cats Can Upset Your Cat If you see a tomcat in your area, be very careful when you are using the hose outside, because you can bring the tomcat (or any other cat's scent) into your home on your shoes. I just read a book by a cat "psychologist" about a cat that suddenly changed it's personality. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33988295.tip.html
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Rate It: Here is a good recipe for cough syrup. Take 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. of honey or sugar, warm it for 10 seconds in microwave. Stir well, add 2 cups of water, shake to mix it. I use a 16 oz water bottle. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97335216.tip.html
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Rate It: Storing Knee High Boots Upright I just came across this great idea: roll a magazine up and insert it into the boot for storage. This way, the leather doesn't slouch down and get wrinkle marks. Easy, cheap, and it works! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40937297.tip.html
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Rate It: Reuse Ice Cream Bucket as Salt Spreader Here's an idea for a cheap salt bucket. If, like me, you occasionally purchase one of those large tubs of ice cream - the one gallon plus one quart size with a handle and a lid - save at least one tub to fill with salt for winter ice. It's the perfect size to carry out to the front or back walk. Since it has a lid, you can store it in the house without fear of kids or pets getting into or spilling it. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40247759.tip.html
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Rate It: Check Credit Card Rewards For Cash Back Hi everyone! Don't forget to check out your credit cards that offer cash back to see how much reward money you've earned. After looking at ours today I'm happily surprised to find that I now have an extra $130.00 to spend on Christmas! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38019859.tip.html
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Rate It: Homemade Columns for a Wedding Reception Make your own columns for a wedding reception. We are using the cardboard tubes from our nearest carpet store, painting them white, and zip tying 3 of them together, then decorating with tulle and twinkle lights. The only cost is the tulle and lights! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65192351.tip.html
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Rate It: Spanish Moss in Lattice Shades Porch This idea will be best where the snow does not blow. I live in Key West, FL. The HOT sun just keeps on shining on my lattice laced porch. In order to keep my windows open, and block the heat, I needed a privacy shade. I bought some Spanish moss, and stuck in the the lattice holes. The moss is like an air plant. No soil needed, and with a water spray a day they flourish. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69607340.tip.html
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Rate It: A friend and I were having a conversation on problems teens have with their skin. She said one of her school classmates made a facial scrub with table salt and water. It was inexpensive and gave her smooth, acne free skin. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf784524.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Thanksgiving Weekend to Sort and Donate Extra Stuff Thanksgiving Weekend - a great time to go through all you're grateful to have, and donate as much as you can! Since so many of us have a lot of time off for Thanksgiving, it's a good time to go through stuff and see all you've been blessed with. If you're like us, you've been blessed with an abundance, even if you mostly buy used stuff in the first place! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65244499.tip.html
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Painting After Removing Wallpaper I have taken down wallpaper and patched the walls, but when I went to paint the wall it bubbled up in spots. What's the problem? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80001434.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have a good recipe for salt dough? I need one that I can brown in the oven as I am making little scented pies, and I don't want them white! Thanks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf879790.tip.html
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Rate It: What color should I paint my living room with a sage colored couch?
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Rate It: I am interested in buying the TV Ears product for Christmas for a family member who has hearing loss but will not wear hearing aids. I think this product is a little bit expensive, but if it works well I will buy it for a gift anyway. I have seen it for sale at Radio Shack and at www.tvears.com/, and I would like to know what the ThriftyFun readers out there who have purchased this product have to say about it. Thank you in advance for your reviews! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85409563.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you repair cigarette burns in the arms of a brown microfiber couch? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62827427.tip.html
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Rate It: Diagnosing Problems with Used Chevy Van We bought a 1998 Chevy Venture Van. The only dealer on the island wants $100.00 per hour at a minimum of 2 hours to plug into their diagnostic computer. The radio doesn't work. The dome lights don't come on. The air blows only warm air. I can buy the reset code online for the radio for $5.00, but as for the rest, I am not sure how to proceed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Aloha. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60385122.tip.html
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Rate It: I have different sizes and kinds of frames on my hallway wall and would like to change it. I'm not sure how to go about doing it. Any suggestions? Thank you.
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Rate It: Crocheted "Deer Trapper" Hat Pattern Does anyone out there have a pattern for something called a 'deer trapper' hat that is crocheted? I'm just really looking for a hat pattern with ear flaps, but either would be awesome! Thanks to all who help! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67111930.tip.html
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Rate It: Replacement Blade for Baker's Bread Machine I have lost the blade to my Baker's Bread Maker. Does anyone know where I can get a spare? Thanks a lot. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94318906.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Rid of Odors on Down Comforter Last winter I bought a king size down comforter, it is dry clean only. When I took it out (I stored it in the duvet cover in a plastic bag that a blanket comes in) it smelled like maybe feathers. I didn't like the way it smelled. My sister said I could wash it at the laundromat. I took it there and washed it in a large machine. I dried it there also for maybe an hour and a half. Now it smells different and even worse. It smelled up my whole house. This was last night, I put it in my dryer for another hour, but it still smells and so does my dryer. What can I do? Is it ruined? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95205949.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Dish Towels Out of Muslin I was given a bolt of muslin fabric, and I am not sure what to do with it all. I would love to make some kitchen dish towels for Christmas gifts. (My main craft is crocheting.) I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14560148.tip.html
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Rate It: I bought a restaurant size baking sheet from the thrift store in hopes of turning it into a large serving tray. The plan was to decoupage pictures of family and friends onto it, or just spray paint it and lacquer it. My question is, would it be safe to eat food that was left on the lacquer/paint? Anyone know of a safe product to use and/or alternative ways of making this idea work? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84813873.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have advice on how to slice glycerin soap without crumbling it? My daughter is trying to make soap loafs and then slice them into bars. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59666330.tip.html
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Rate It: Christmas Card Ideas Using My Kids I need ideas for a Christmas card. I have 3 boys ages 12, 10, and 8 and a daughter thats 5. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82127445.tip.html
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Rate It: What is the best glue to use for gluing two 8x8x3 glass blocks together? I have used Goop glue and it has an odor that doesn't go away much. I stack the 2 blocks on top of each other with a plastic strip in between and need to make sure if I pick them up by the top block only, that they will not separate. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96272572.tip.html
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Rate It: Crafts Using a Half Gallon Jar I have a half gallon jar. Does anyone have any craft ideas I can use it for? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57780892.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for a Thanksgiving cupcake recipe. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49297737.tip.html
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Rate It: Decorating a Trailer Like Santa's Sleigh I am looking for ideas on decorating a 18' trailer as Santa's sleigh for boy scouts. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12826470.tip.html
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Rate It: I have rust in my water. It makes it hard to give kids a bath and laundry comes out looking dirty. Is there anything I can do to help save my family's clothes? We live in the city and the rusty water comes and goes.
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Rate It: Stains from Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner I used Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, and some of the liquid got on the toilet seat, leaving a blue stain. The seat is injection molded plastic. Any ideas about how to remove this stain? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71855405.tip.html
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Rate It: Draping Walls in a Ballroom Hall for Wedding I live in Florida and I am getting married in 5 months. My reception is taking place in a ballroom hall and I want to drape the walls and ceiling. I have no idea where to go and I'm in a tight budget. Please help! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30540278.tip.html
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Rate It: We adopted a mom and her pups from the ASPCA. Does anyone know what breed she might be?
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Rate It: Cleaning a Leather Tiganello Purse I have a Tignanello light brown purse that is genuine leather. How do you clean ball point pen marks off? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49895034.tip.html
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Rate It: Homemade Pledge "Multi-Surface Clean and Dust" I love Multi-Surface Clean and Dust by pledge. It is kinda new and comes in a pump spray bottle. Does anyone happen to know how to make this, or something close? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71353347.tip.html
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Rate It: Are Homemade Cleaners Environmentally Friendly? I like to make homemade cleaners to save money, but are they any better for the environment? For example, the one I make the most is basically a little lemon ammonia and water with a squirt of Dawn in it. I make a whole bottle for pennies, but is the ammonia bad? Do you have any cleaner recipes that would be better? I have not had good luck with just vinegar and water. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52509718.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know what causes the paint to begin to peel from the inside of your microwave. I have had 2 to do this. The first one was under the rollers and it managed to collect water under there so that explains that problem but the one I have now is beginning to flake off at the bottom where the back seam fits, I thought it was dirt. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98240719.tip.html
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Rate It: I received this plant 4 months ago, and the tips of the leaves are turning brown. I thought it was over watered so I stopped watering it and it still is losing the ends of the leaves. I am not sure what kind of plant this is, it has a cane type base. Thanks for everyones help.
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Rate It: Keeping Dogs from Jumping Fence How do you stop your dog from jumping over the fence? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58339014.tip.html
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Rate It: I was just wondering if anyone has any home-made Christmas gift ideas for men, women, girls, and boys? Aliesha Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf849954.tip.html
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Rate It: Home Remedy for Bloating and Burping Looking for home remedies for bloating and gas. Gas goes up instead of down and out. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73158306.tip.html
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Rate It: I thought I smelled gas last night so I called the Scarborough, Maine FD. They said that the smell is from one of the bathrooms and it needed a new seal. My boyfriend says that they don't know what they are talking about. I always smell this in both bathrooms. It is gross. What should I do? Can you get sick from breathing this a lot? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27019639.tip.html
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Rate It: Has anyone used one of those new record player and cassette players that record your old records and tapes onto CDs for the computer? What's the sound quality? Easy to use? Suggestions? Warnings? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69721856.tip.html
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Rate It: Is it feasible to cook one Cornish game hen in a small crock pot? I've decided to be alone with my 4 pups, for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I'm just not interested in cooking a turkey or chicken either time. Thanks so much. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13423848.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:
How To Remove Tree Sap From Just About Anything
Spring and late summer are the prime seasons for sticky, gooey, tree sap. The stuff seems to ooze onto everything with ease. Getting it off , however, can be a whole different matter. Here are some sure fire methods for removing tree sap from just about anything.
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Rate It: Saving Money on a Christmas Tree Tips for Saving Money on a Christmas Tree as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.
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