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Vol. 7, Num. 241, December 12, 2008 (Read It Online) Susan is still on leave as she deals with medical issues. We really appreciate all the kind words and prayers that you have sent her way. Thanks for reading.
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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:
Emma is 4.5 years and an English Mastiff. I got her as a puppy in Chiliwack BC. Breeders. She likes to hip check you... lol. She's a pretty lazy dog but when she has energy we take her for a short walk.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Easy Christmas Centerpiece Here is an easy way to dress up your dining-room table for the holidays! Approximate Time: 10 minutes Supplies:
Instructions:
Take an empty box (I used a shoebox, see photo) and cut a square in top to accommodate a piece of floral craft foam. Wrap the box in pretty Christmas paper, cutting out square in top of box again to insert foam. Tape Christmas ribbon around box.
Insert piece of craft foam (see photo, I cut my first hole too large, and had to use pieces to fit snugly).
By roseoma3 from Liberal MO
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Rate It: Craft Project: Pre-made Scrapbook The perfect homemade gift idea! Pop in your favorite movie and have fun making this craft! Whoever you give it to will appreciate the time you put into it and the uniqueness of the gift. This will make it easy for them to showcase the holiday photos that tend to get tucked away and never looked at again. Approximate Time: 1-2 hours Supplies:
Instructions:Purchase or use materials you already have in your scrapbooking collection. Create pages for scrapbook, leaving out photos (the recipient of the gift will add them!). Use magazines, books, or the Internet for layout ideas. Voila! Easy as pie! By Ci Ci from Yakima, WA
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Rate It: This is a picture of the pretty morning glory I planted near the house. Humming birds enjoy them during spring and summer.
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Rate It: Mailbox in garden to keep gardening tools handy and dry. And it's cute
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Rate It: Mr. Smith is 5 years old and a Tabby Tom. Two years ago, my young niece thought Smith would like it better living with me.
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Rate It: Craft Project: Paper Bag Gingerbread House Have fun with the kids making faux gingerbread houses. Approximate Time: 1 hour Supplies:
Instructions:First open lunch bag and fill with stuffing,paper, or shredded paper, I used my shredded waste paper. Fold top over like if you had a lunch in it.
Staple the fold down on each end. Take second lunch bag leave unopened. Cut off the fold so that the bottom part is off. Glue over the other bag so it resembles a roof.
Now let you imagination go wild. Use any scraps, buttons, felt, poms poms you have to decorate the bag to look like a gingerbread house. There is no wrong way to decorate it and the kids all do it differently. I did, however, make my kid add a chenille stick coming from the chimney to look like smoke. We had limited supplies so they used markers to decorate. Adults can do a more polished version but the kids love it and it's a lot cheaper than wasting all the food as we have never eaten a real gingerbread house. By Hobbyist from Massachusetts
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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!
I have been using these two tips for many years and have received only compliments! For a very unique baby shower gift, buy a potty (just the pot), and then with the help of your Pharmacy and Dollar stores, fill it up with useful items the baby will need; this makes a very economical gift if you use dollar stores. Use a large cello wrap and bow, looks great and I guarantee it will be one of a kind. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90673639.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Plastic Coffee Containers for Paint Cans This is one from my hubby. He has me keeping all of the 2 pound plastic coffee containers with the handles on them for future use in his shop. He builds houses and remodels them as well. He says these containers are perfect for holding paint while working on a house. He can hang on to it easily with the handle an they are very sturdy. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66782618.tip.html
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Rate It: Save Change Throughout The Year I have found an easy way to save money for Christmas... I never give the exact change when buying something. I put all of the loose change I have received for that day in a money jar. It really adds up fast. I also keep a jar beside my washing machine to collect all the change that accumulates there. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92853250.tip.html
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Rate It: The least expensive Christmas tree decoration I know is to use lawn harvested pinecones. Pick up any size or kind from the ground (ask permission but most are happy to get rid of them!), take them inside and let them warm up and open up. I put mine in a plastic bag so any critters are contained. I then roll the opened cones in a little glue that I put on plastic and them roll the cones in glitter I put in a box lid so I can reuse the glitter for another project. Set aside to dry the glue then add a loop of thread around the top to hang it from the tree. Another decoration idea is to spraypaint cones or roll the cones in sequins, seed beads, or anything small, safe and decorative. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25997926.tip.html
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Rate It: If you have an extra over-the-door wreath holder, hang it over the door to the laundry room. This gives you an out-of-the-way place to hang clothes straight from the dryer or right after you've ironed them. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19359917.tip.html
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Rate It: Be Aware Where Your Christmas Goodies Are Manufactured While shopping recently for peppermint candy canes to crush up and use in my holiday baking goodies. I searched several stores in my area, looking for U.S. made of these particular candies. Every candy cane, I found in Walgreen's was made in Mexico. Every candy cane, I found in CVS was made in China!! I didn't then and still haven't purchased any peppermint candy canes. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79677796.tip.html
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Rate It: A Spoonful of Sugar for Hiccup Relief Just a spoonful of sugar helps the HICCUPS go away. It really works. As soon as one of the grand kids here gets a bad case of hiccups they come with a spoon. A small spoonful of sugar later, hiccups are gone! Has worked every time for us! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19498538.tip.html
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Rate It: If you are a mother who periodically finds half a peanut butter sandwich, the bottom of a cupcake or a partially eaten cookie left by a child whose eyes were bigger than their stomach, there is a solution other than the "momism" about starving children in Africa (China, Bangladesh, Uganda ...). In a friend's house, the scraps are deposited in a large, covered, plastic container labeled, "good-will can". The children know that these leftovers will be put out daily for the birds, squirrels and other animals who share the world with us. We have attracted many varieties of birds and small animals that are fun to watch and and have taught the children that they can share with those less fortunate who are not human Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28442484.tip.html
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Rate It: "Fresh and Easy" Neighborhood Market for Grocery Discounts If you live in the Phoenix or Las Vegas area, or in SoCal, there is an amazing market chain called "Fresh and Easy". Shopping there has slashed our food bills by 75%, plus we're eating healthier than ever before (much of it is organic, free range and no hormones added). Since everything they sell is never frozen, they mark everything down 50% after it's been out for about a week. I usually go as early as I can get there (they open at 8am). For example: right now they have fresh ground beef 2 lbs. for $2.88. In about a week, I'll find it in the "clearance" area for 50% off. that's only $1.44 for TWO pounds of ground beef. Plus, if you ask, they'll give you coupons ($2 off of $10, $4 off of $20, etc.). Today I got five full grocery bags of really nice ground beef, pre-marinated chicken, mushroom stroganoff (freshly made), and lamb chops for $26.00! I have a vacuum sealer, and freeze everything as soon as I get home, and it's truly fresh AND easy (and best of all, CHEAP). By Lisa from Las Vegas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37345220.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Your Swimming Pool as a Garden We used to have a swimming pool. We did not like to swim or spend so much money to keep the pool clean, it takes lots of money and time to keep it clean. I suggested we have it filled up with dirt so I could have a garden, We had it filled up, I had a very pretty garden all the year, very good idea. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65067656.tip.html
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Rate It: Make Elderberry Elixer for the Flu If any of you have access to elderberries, consider making a thick elixer (cook with a little water and sugar, simmer an hour , strain. Elderberries are known to help fight influenza. I would freeze in ice cube tray, and after frozen pop out cubes and put in lidded container. Melt as needed and give few spoonsful to anyone getting sick with respiratory type illness. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62613813.tip.html
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Rate It: Do give it a try, it is easy to do, and makes all the difference in the world as to how moist the turkey is. I use apple juice, water, brown sugar, fresh rosemary, whole nutmeg, whole allspice, 1 large apple (cut in large chunks), 1 large lemon (cut in large pieces), 1 large orange (cut in large chucks), and lots of Kosher salt. When I opened the bag last night, to make sure the bird was still submerged, oh boy it smelled so good! Probably once you brine, you'll never go without again. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67076801.tip.html
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How can I find ideas to unclog a toilet? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf322674.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can I find plastic window kits? I want a roll and the plastic strips that make it removable. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14619774.tip.html
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Rate It: I am considering Hydrosil heating. What is the electric consumption and cost? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf561166.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Homemade Dry Laundry Detergent I use 1 cup grated and powdered Fels naphtha, 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda which I mix and use as a dry powder laundry detergent. I want to use 1 tbsp. for light large loads. Should I use 1 rounded tbsp. or 1 level tbsp.? I change my clothes everyday and they don't get dirty since I work inside. What do you use that is working for you? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82303255.tip.html
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Rate It: How To Get Your Hair To Grow Faster? I want to grow my hair. What can I do? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf990161.tip.html
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Rate It: I would like to make a facial scrub similar to St. Ives. Their scrub is too coarse for my skin, I need something with smaller grit. What can I use? I have heard of using ground almond shell. Is this ok? What else is there to use, I like to make mine up enough to use for a month or so at a time. Please help. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf784524.tip.html
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Rate It: I want to make a pinata in the shapes of a 4 and 0 for a 40th birthday party. Any ideas? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38778251.tip.html
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Rate It: Using a Cake Mix That's Expired Can baking powder be added to freshen a cake mix past it's expiration date? During my late husband's bout with cancer, a lot of food items didn't get used since he didn't have an appetite. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74351480.tip.html
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Rate It: Reviews of Breeze Brand Litterbox Has anyone tried the Breeze brand of litterbox they sell at Walmart? It comes with special litter that is made to let the urine "flow through" it then down into a drawer that's got an absorbent pad in it. The pad lasts one week and looks like a kitty diaper. Supposedly, you scoop the solids and change the pad once a week and only put in new litter once a month. It sells for $29.99 at Walmart, the refill pads (4 to a pack) are around $4 and the litter is around $7. It's made by Tidy Cat. I'm thinking of buying one. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81894054.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for a recipe for potato chip dip. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98816340.tip.html
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Rate It: Candle Pedestals Made from 4x4's I am making wooden candle pedestals out of 4x4's. Does anybody have ideas for how I can dress up the front of them? Thanks in advance. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14104884.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you make a dog bed? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37851193.tip.html
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Rate It: After you color in your eyebrows using stencils do you tweeze the remaining? And how do you know which stencils match your face? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11397223.tip.html
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Rate It: Repair a Crack on Plastic Shower Floor How do you repair a cracked shower stall floor? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46277972.tip.html
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Rate It: Dawn Detergent To Unclog Drain How do you unclog a drain with Dawn dish washing liquid? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48678507.tip.html
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Rate It: "Putting on the Hits" Performance Ideas We've been invited to a New Year's celebration, but are supposed to perform in "Putting on the Hits". Any ideas on what we can do? There will be about 5 of us available to perform. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88380368.tip.html
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Rate It: I used to have a wonderful fudge recipe using ice cream. I cannot find it and wonder if someone has one they like? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18932375.tip.html
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Rate It: Minimum Payments to Avoid Collections Is there any truth to if you pay just $5.00 on your credit card bills that they can not turn you into a collections agency? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59087139.tip.html
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Rate It: Crocheting Fur for the Top of Gloves I would like a pattern for crocheting fun fir around the top of mittens and gloves? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36944643.tip.html
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Rate It: Bamboo Palm Plant is Losing Leaves I have a bamboo palm indoors that is losing leaves after they turn brown. The stems are drooping and growth has stopped. What am I doing wrong? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17101479.tip.html
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Rate It: Can Holuptsi made with cooked rice and raw shredded potatoes be frozen after cooked? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75144467.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Cats Out of the Christmas Tree How do I keep my cats away from the Christmas tree? The tree is fake. My kittens climb in the tree, chew the branches and go potty below. Is there something I can spray or a way I can teach them? Thanks in advance. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74558980.tip.html
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Rate It: What is the optimum condition for my desk bamboo to grow? I am in a competition with my peer and after one day he has substantial growth and I do not. I have placed it under my desk for the evening because I'm afraid maybe it's getting too much light. Your advice? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58663179.tip.html
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Rate It: I am trying to find Knifty Knitter patterns. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22130558.tip.html
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Rate It: I acquired a huge can of stale ground coffee from my workplace (Kirkland brand) and am wondering what I can do with it besides the usual recycled tips I've found online (ie. garden, compost...) My boss says the can has been there for about 2 years and only been used once. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99342776.tip.html
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Rate It: Electrical Tape Adhesive on Clothing How do you get adhesive from electrical tape off of clothes? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32855468.tip.html
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Rate It: How Much Does a Family Picture Cost? Does anyone know how much a family portrait runs? I have 12 people and we want to do a "cousins" photo, but we want to have it done by my friend and pay him a fair fee. Not sure what the sitting fees and portrait prices are for something like that. If anyone knows, please fill me in. Thanks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10956751.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a Plumeria that did not bloom this year, 2008. It is planted in the ground, about 6 ft. tall and has branched into 2 branches. It has lots of leaves but no blooms. My neighbor has a much smaller Plumeria that has bloomed and is still blooming even though it's almost Dec. Should I cut mine back or add the high phosphate fertilizer or is it too late in the year to fertilize? It bloomed in 2007 when it was about 5' tall and froze that winter. Thanks for the help. Hardiness Zone: 9a Diane from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16158136.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:
Free Feel Good Family Activities
Often when we're feeling down we spend our money. Shopping, eating out, or going to a movie is a temporary fix for low spirits. Instead, try some free feel good activities that can be done with the entire family.
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Then, using 97 cent Christmas poinsettas and some Dollar Tree pieces of fake cedar garland, arrange your centerpiece! I have used these as centerpieces for our Church Christmas Banquet for each table, and the cost is very nominal, as I purchased flowers, ribbon, wrap, and greenery at the Dollar store!
