Daily Thrifty Tips - August 10, 2007

We've having a garage sale today to get ready for the move to the new house. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Sunflower Tiebacks

Quick and easy way to make attractive tie-backs to suit the decor in any room.

Approximate Time 20 - 30 minutes per pair

Supplies:

• felt or ribbon
• measuring tape
• scissors
• silk flowers
• ribbon, twine, or yarn
• glue gun
• 2 cup hooks

Instructions:

1. Cut two strips of felt, each measuring 1 1/2 x 24 inches. You can also use two 1 1/2 inches wide ribbon strips cut to 24 inches.
2. Choose flowers to match your decor and cut off the blossoms. You will want enough blossoms to cover about half of the felt or ribbon strip--the half that will be on the front of your curtain. Glue the blossoms to one end of your felt/ribbon strips.
3. Cut four 5 - 6 inches pieces of ribbon, twine, or yarn. Knot the ends of each piece together so you end up with four loops. Glue two loops to the back of each felt/ribbon strip to make "rings" for hanging. You can also sew on regular curtain rings, if you have them handy.
4. Install cup hooks in the molding on either side of your window, hook one end of the tieback, wrap the tieback around your curtain, and hook the other end of the tieback on the same hook.

By Marie E. Cecchini from West Dundee, IL

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Warning About Lights in Jars

ThriftyFun recently had an article about using glass jars

• Uses for Recycled Glass Jars

Notice the wires that were taken out of the glass vase. They are discolored due to the heat produced inside the glass. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it and to check on any crafts they have made like this. Some people still are not aware of the danger.

Great granny HUGS, Vi

By Great Granny Vi

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Huge Hydrangea Bloom

Here is a picture of my huge hydrangea bloom - endless summer! By Elaine

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Ziggy (Domestic Shorthair Cat)

Ziggy is a 14 year old Domestic Shorthair. My family adopted Ziggy when he was a very young kitten from a friend at school whose cat had a litter. He was the last boy when we finally got there to pick one out, and he was the runt, with a stumpy tail. His mom was ignoring/shunning him, and we had to teach him how to eat and hand-feed him because he was eating the litter when he first came home!

At this age, he basically just likes to lay around near people. If you lay down on the floor, he'll come and snuggle with you. When we go to bed, he's always right there waiting to get a spot. He does have a small "fake mouse on a string" toy he plays with once in a while, though! He also enjoys taking the dry food out of his bowl with his paw and then eating it off the floor. I don't really understand that, but it's cute!

Ziggy has been diagnosed with cancer (malignant hystiocytoma) and we are going to be consulting an oncologist soon (he has an appointment on 7/30/07). He had his second surgery at the beginning of this month (July 07), and he's doing well at this point. We have been told this is a very aggressive cancer, so please keep your fingers crossed for us that he can be treated and given more good years with a good quality of life!

By Jackie R. from Feasterville, PA

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Conjoined Yellow Squash

This is a picture of my conjoined yellow squash--turns out there is another conjoined one just beginning to grow on the same plant! Believe it or not, I grow my squash plants in pots on my deck, which makes gardening a lot easier.

By Marie E. from West Dundee, IL

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Pet Toy From Old Socks

Use this link to recycle socks and make a simple snuggle for your pet. My children made this for a furry friend and she loves it.

• http://www.abc.net.au/creaturefeatures/make/sockbed.htm

By Robyn from Australia

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Bottle Your Own Water

Did you know that drinking bottled water is being labeled "decadent" because of the plastic bottles? Not only that but research has shown that most of the bottled water is just re-filtered TAP water! To get that bottled water taste from tap water - use an old NYC trick - put a container of water in the frig overnight to dispel any lingering chlorine taste, and then use your own re-fillable container if you are on the go.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Repurposing Frisbees

My family always seems to have an overabundance of frisbees (mostly free promotional giveaways) - and since you only need one or two for actually throwing around the back yard, I started repurposing them for other uses.

• Use frisbees as sturdy plates for camping. The extra lip on the side is great for messy foods, they wash up easily, and hold up to most knives. They can also be used to support a paper plate.
• Use them as saucers for plants- indoors and out.
• Use while crafting - they make good bead trays and keep your beads from rolling all over. They are also good for catch trays when working with glitter, so you don't waste the materials that fall off your project.
• If you are hiking with a pet, a frisbee makes a quick water dish.
• They make a good catchall on a dresser for emptying your pockets into at night.
• Take an extra one to the beach to use as a sand scoop, or to hold your collection of stones, shells and beach glass.
• Be sure to keep them out for winter snow fun! They work well for scooping snow together for a snowman.

By Regina from Rochester, NY

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Don't Say It's For Your Wedding And Save Money

Wedding cakes cost from $500-2500 or more. A hairdo (including color) on wedding day that would normally cost $120 cost around $230.00. Don't tell your vendors it's for a wedding. Get your hair done for a "hot date" and get your wedding cake for a "special party."

By cubangirl from Seattle

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Use Washclothes For Cleaning Windows

Instead of using paper towels or newspaper for cleaning your windows, try using the collection of wash cloths you have and never use, or pick up some cheap ones at a yard sale. They do a terrific job with a lot less elbow grease and there's no lint on the windows or black on your hands.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Allrecipes.com For Video Tutorials

Want to master cutting a fresh pineapple and different ways to use it for serving, or the proper way to cut a watermelon, or how to neatly and safely cut an avocado? Then check out allrecipes.com. They actually have video clips to show you how to do these things. It couldn't be easier. Just click on the "Tips and Advice" tab and then do a search for what you're looking for. This is a great resource for all of your cooking questions.

By Momof1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Decorate Your Fan

Get stickers, vinyl decals, or cut wallpaper border to match any decor and attach to your floor fan.

I have had so many compliments on mine with roses up both sides on the front that I decided to share the tip !

It's one of the household items that usually gets a lot of use and should be a lot more attractive than what it comes as from the store!

By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri

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Securing Buttons With Nail Polish

As a very lazy person who hates to sew on buttons I started doing this several years ago. When I put a button on a garment, new or not, I dot the threads with a little bit of clear nail polish. I have only done this for cottons and other heavy duty fabrics such as denim and corduroy. I wouldn't recommend it for silk or other nice fabrics. I also do this when making stuffed toys for my granddaughter. It will keep the eyes in place.

By Marty from Houston, TX

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Thrift Store Bargains for Crafts

Tips for finding craft materials at thrift stores from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas below.

Look At Clothing For Buttons, Fabric Or Lace

Reuse Yarn From Sweaters

By Jeanne

I just love the idea of NOT wasting but even making use of left over scraps for blankets for animals at the shelters! What a great idea! Oh, and you could make little stuffed animals to, maybe even put a little cat nip in a little stuffed mice for the kitties!

By HungryArtist

Find Baskets And Sheets

By lmr5140

Tips For Thrift Store Finds

• Cut off fringe and other trims from bedspreads and rugs and add them to something else you own.
• Spray paint lamps in fluorescent colors to give them a new look.
• Do you have empty bookshelves? Fill them with books!

By Susan

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Dogs Wakes Up Every Night

I have a 9 year old Yorkie, who is totally devoted to me. Since a puppy she has slept on the floor next to my bed. For the past year or so she keeps waking me up at 3 AM to have a pee. At 7 AM, she yips until I get up. Has anyone any tips to help me get her out of this habit?

Stella from Berkshire, England

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How Do I Contact A ThriftyFun Member

I'd like to write a message to one of the members, how can I find her? She lives in my town!

Lily from South Bend, Indiana

Editor's Note: If you are both registered users, you can click on her user code and send her a message through our ThriftyFun message system. If you don't see a clickable user code, write to us and we'll see if we can send her an email on your behalf.

Susan from ThriftyFun

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Reversing The Effects of Salt On Plants

I used salt to kill some weeds, but the problem is the salt is killing everything else! How can I reverse the effects of the salt?

Hardiness Zone: 9b


Martha from Joshua Tree, CA

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Recipe For Boxed Cake Frosting

Am I the last person who remembers cake mix frosting that came in a box? It tasted so much better than that soft canned stuff they have today (overly sweet and I can't get it to stay on the cake! It always oozes off). I know they don't make the stuff any more but does anyone know how to duplicate the recipe for vanilla or chocolate? The mix also made a great fudge. Does anyone remember how it was done?

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Does Yardley of London Make Cosmetics

Does anyone know if Yardley of London still makes cosmetics? I wore them all time when I was in high school in the '60's. The color range was gorgeous and they felt so good on your skin! Also loved their fragrances: light and sweet, I don't like the strong, musky perfumes they have today. Yardley's web site only has bath products. A mail order source would be fine.

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Relieving Itching From Yellow Jacket Stings

Help! A week ago I was stung by way over 50 yellow jackets. The pain has gone by now but the itching makes me want to rip my skin off. I have tried a number of things to relieve it but nothing works for more than a few minutes. Anyone got any suggestions? Do you know how long this will last?

Anita from Montclair, NJ

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Removing Scuffs From Suede Shoes

Does anyone know how to get black scuff marks off of tan suede shoes?

Zee from NY

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Advice On Using Cosmetology Schools

I'm looking to save some money on haircuts and highlighting. It's now $42 for a haircut and in excess of $115 with highlights and lowlights. Please don't suggest going to Cost Cutters or other cheapie places as you truly get what you pay for. Does anyone actually use the cosmetology schools on a regular basis? I know they're supposed to be supervised but I'm still nervous to try them. You probably get a different person each time and it probably takes 3 times as long to get done (I've heard.) Any suggestions welcome.

Pam from IL

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Removing Heater Burns On Leather Couch

I have heater burn marks on my leather couches does anyone know how to remove them? Please help ASAP.

Kashmira from CA

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Pets Pooping On Carpet

I am trying to break one of my pets from eliminating in the same spot. Well, actually, I am working on housetraining entirely. I have an 8 month old sheltie that has recently been introduced into the family. He is doing fairly well in the potty situation but I find a pile of poop in the same area on the carpet very often. I am not sure just who is the culprit - my pom, my cat or the sheltie. I clean the area and then spray lightly w/ vinegar-water. Nothing seems to be working. Isn't vinegar a deterrent for animals? Also, the sheltie was raised in a kennel for the beginning of his life and now wants to poop on the concrete patio since he was allowed to do so in the kennel. I really need HELP. Thanks to anyone that can give me some advice.

Sincerely,

Nelwyn from Bunkie,LA

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Allergen Free HE Laundry Detergent

Help! I am allergic and need a perfume/fragrance free Laundry Detergent preferably for a HE front loaded machine.

I have tried some different ones but none makes my clothes clean. Not even from sweat after using a t-shirt for one day. Tide HE Liquid Free ruin and fade all the colors of my clothes. But still it does not clean the dirt. Nature Clean Laundry Liquid does not clean good enough. Not even when combined with All Natural Liquid Bleach that contains hydrogen peroxide.

What can I use?

WasherD

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Why Are Apples Cracking While Growing?

The fruit on my apple tree keeps cracking, why? The soil medium (ha) is predominantly clay and I do try to get some compost around the tree. The area the tree stands is almost a water table when it rains hard. I'm at my wits end trying to find a reason for the problem.

I have noted this year that some fruit have small black spots on them. The leaves on the tree are curling also. I can if you wish take digital images and forward them if that would help in trying to diagnose the problems. A similar thing is occurring to my pear tree which is about 20 feet away from the apple tree and the pear was planted about 4 years ago. Hope you can help


Paul Clarke from England

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Bugs And Worms Eating Pumpkins

How do I keep bugs and worms from eating my pumpkins?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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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

Outdoor Lounge Chairs Sold at Lowe's Stores Recalled Due to Fall Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2007
Release #07-266

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 493-6560
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Outdoor Lounge Chairs Sold at Lowe's Stores Recalled Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Garden Treasures Cloud 9 Beyond Chairs

Units: About 6,000

Importer: L G Sourcing, Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C.

Manufacturer: Taizhou Yongjiang Arts and Crafts Collective Ltd., of China

Hazard: The chair can break when in the reclined position, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: L G Sourcing, Inc. has received seven reports of the chairs breaking when in the reclined position, resulting in minor injuries such as bruising to the back, hips, shoulders, arms and a torn ligament.

Description: This recall involves the Garden Treasures Cloud 9 Beyond outdoor lounge chairs. The chairs are tan in color, have a light steel frame, cloth seat, a pillow at the headrest and an adjustable sun visor.

Sold at: Lowe's retail outlet stores nationwide from December 2006 through April 2007 for about $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the chairs immediately and return them to any Lowe's retail outlet to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact L G Sourcing, Inc. toll-free at (866) 493-6560 anytime, or visit www.lowes.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07266.html

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FDA Warns Avoid Red Yeast Rice Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2007

Media Inquiries:
Catherine McDermott, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Products Promoted on Internet as Treatments for High Cholesterol Products found to contain unauthorized drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or eat three red yeast rice products promoted and sold on Web sites. The products may contain an unauthorized drug that could be harmful to health. The products are promoted as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol.

The potentially harmful products are: Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, sold by Swanson Healthcare Products, Inc. and manufactured by Nature's Value Inc. and Kabco Inc., respectively; and Cholestrix, sold by Sunburst Biorganics. FDA testing revealed the products contain lovastatin, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mevacor, a prescription drug approved for marketing in the United States as a treatment for high cholesterol.

"This risk is even more serious because consumers may not know the side effects associated with lovastatin and the fact that it can adversely interact with other medications," said Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

These red yeast rice products are a threat to health because the possibility exists that lovastatin can cause severe muscle problems leading to kidney impairment. This risk is greater in patients who take higher doses of lovastatin or who take lovastatin and other medicines that increase the risk of muscle adverse reactions. These medicines include the antidepressant nefazodone, certain antibiotics, drugs used to treat fungal infections and HIV infections, and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

FDA has issued warning letters advising Swanson and Sunburst Biorganics to stop promoting and selling the products. Companies that do not resolve violations in FDA warning letters risk enforcement actions, such as an injunction against continuing violations and a seizure of illegal products.

The FDA warning letters state that the products Red Yeast Rice, Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, and Cholestrix, sold on the firm's websites, are unapproved new drugs that are marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The warning letters are available on FDA's Web site: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/wlcfm/recentfiles.cfm.

FDA advises consumers who use any red yeast rice product to consult their health care provider if they experience problems that may be due to the product.

Report adverse events related to these products to MedWatch, the FDA's voluntary reporting program: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm; 800-332-1088; Fax: 800-332-0178; and MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20852-9787.

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Toshiba Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2007
Release #07-267

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 457-7777
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Toshiba Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony cells used in Toshiba notebook computers.

Units: About 1,400

Computer Importer: Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

Hazard: The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Toshiba has received three reports outside of the United States of notebook batteries overheating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were sold with, or sold separately to be used with the following notebook computer models: Satellite A100, Satellite A105 and Tecra A7. The battery model is printed on the battery.

Model / Computer Model Prefix Number (first 2 digits of serial number) / Model Prefix (first 6 characters) / Manufacturing Date Range / Estimated Retail Pricing (when sold)

Satellite A100 / 16, 26, 36, 46 / PSAA0U / January 1, 2006 - April 30, 2006 / About $1,300

Satellite A105 / 16, 26, 36, 46 / PSAA2U, PSAA8U, PSAA9U / January 1, 2006 - April 30, 2006 / About $1,000

Tecra A7 / 16, 26, 36, 46 / PTA70U, PTA71U / January 1, 2006 - April 30, 2006 / About $700

Sold through: Authorized electronics retailers nationwide from January 2006 through April 2006 for between $680 and $1,300 for the computer systems and for between $90 and $120 when sold separately.

Manufactured in: China (battery packs)

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries and contact Toshiba to receive a free replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely, by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received. Consumers should use only batteries obtained from Toshiba or from an authorized Toshiba reseller.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toshiba at (800) 457-7777 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.bxinfo.toshiba.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07267.html

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