Daily Thrifty Tips - October 7, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 195, October 7, 2008 (Read It Online) We have lots of new requests coming in this week. Be sure to look them over and see if you have any advice to offer. Here are the contest winners for last week... Tip Contest Winner Reuse Healthy Choice Steamer Baskets By Sandra from Salem OR Sandra finds a new uses for something that is usually thrown out. Pet Contest Winner Honey (Poodle Mix) By Annie from Columbia, MO The picture of Honey sitting in the grass is priceless and precious. Tip Contest Winners Have A Plan In Case Of A Fire By Deeli from Richland, WA Deeli offers some great advice learned from personal experience. Simple things, like having your keys, wallet and phone in the same place at night, can help save valuable time in case of an emergency. Do It Yourself Outdoor Christmas Decorations By Crystal from Branson, MO This post is fantastic! While it didn't have pictures, Crystal did a wonderful job of describing the decorations she created. Recipe Contest Winner Spicy Chicken Salad With Mango Salsa By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario Another delicious recipes shared by Raymonde. Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something. We are currently looking for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas tips. Do you have any to share? Feel free to submit them on one of the contest pages. Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Craft Project: Mini Pumpkin Maracas Garden: Fall Coleus Scenery: Abandoned House Craft: Fabric Wrapped Flat Wood Patty and Creede (Shetland Sheepdogs) Today's Tips: Have A Bag Packed For Trips With Your Dog Watch For Seasonal Clearances For Gifts How To Clean Your In-Room AC Unit Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning As Early As Possible Using Old Socks for Protecting Arms While Cleaning Adding Length to Curtains Buy School Supplies Now for Christmas Leave Remotes and Appliance Manuals When Moving Scramble Eggs In Ziplock Use Your Oven Heat to Warm Your House Joke of the Day New Requests: Potatoes in Tires Vinegar for Dishwasher Rinse Agent Laying Wood Floor Over Vinyl Recipe For Streusel Apple Cake Recipe For Sugar-Free Graham Crackers Homemade Fog Machine Fluid Wendy's Style Chili Smelly Well Water Painting Over Gloss Paint Removing A Willow Tree Revamping Kitchen Cabinets Removing Spray Paint From Clothing Topics For Cookbook Halloween Sleepover For Teenage Boys Looking For 15 in. Foam Pumpkins Staining Cabin Walls Paint Advice For Kitchen With Maple Cabinets and Oak Floors Crocheting a Flat Circle Can a Rat Snake Hurt a Rabbit? Family Gift Baskets for Christmas Answering a Guy's Invitation to a Dance Roman Columns for a Wedding Rustoleum With Specks Coffee Stains on Carpet Decoupaging a Mug Baking Jar Gifts Trim Ideas for Old Cabinets One Piece Crochet Afghan Project Getting Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders Using a Computer in My Living Room Easy Sorbet Recipe Saving Money on Milk More Reading: Make Your Own God Box Using Shrimp Paste Today's Sponsor: 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 Today's Photos: Craft Project: Mini Pumpkin Maracas Shake, shake, shake to the music with these cute little pumpkin themed maracas. A fun fall craft for kids. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12225649.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Garden: Fall Coleus I have enjoyed my Coleus plant this year and now it makes a wonderful fall arrangement for my porch with the fall colors. By Elaine from Iowa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55592638.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Scenery: Abandoned House This is picture I took of a house before it was torn down to make way for a new highway in the area. Never knew it was even there until all the tree around it had been cut down. It looked sad. I photoshopped it just a little to add the shadow around the edges. It was a sunny day but it looked black as ink in the windows! By Kandi from North Augusta, South Carolina Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59248427.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Fabric Wrapped Flat Wood When I submitted my wrapped bed frame, a kind lady said she wanted to do it to her bed, but it was flat. I promised her I would submit a sample of wrapped flat wood. This is, of course, only a small craft project, but I think with a little work, it can still come out great.I would try it without gluing it first, and make sure you don't get frustrated and want to quit but are committed. And, for those who would like to try this, these little boxes are at Michael's and I have seen them at the dollar stores, too. Good luck! By Sandra from Salem, OR Editor's Note: Here is Sandra's original post about a fabric wrapped headboard: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73175338.tip.html Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22707941.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Patty and Creede (Shetland Sheepdogs) Patty and Creede are Shetland Sheepdogs, both are 4 years old. I got them when they were babies. They love to chase balls! By Kim from Jamestown, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24905992.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! 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 Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: Have A Bag Packed For Trips With Your Dog I travel quite a bit with my little Doxie and like to have her "stuff" handy. She needs several things through the day so we now have a "Penny bag" for Penny's stuff. This bag is just a cloth tote that can be washed in the washer. I have a bowl for water and one for food, baby wipes in a little case, her leash and collar, a small hand towel, and a blanket. In the winter, I tuck in her heavy coat in case of break downs. Right before we leave, I slip in a bottle of water and a baggie of food. If it's going to be a long trip or she'll have to stay in the car awhile, I put in a couple of her cookie/treats. This bag stays in the hall closet with our coats. When she sees me walk to this closet, she watches closely and if I get her bag down, she absolutely goes bananas! She reminds me of the Snoopy dog in the cartoons when he jumps up and his feet twitter in the air. She knows her bag means she's going too. Having the bag packed and ready means she gets to go more often. I'm making one for my mother for Christmas for her Teddy Bear. An unused diaper bag would work well. By Judi from Elgin, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10280268.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Watch For Seasonal Clearances For Gifts With a family of 5 kids, there is always a birthday or a holiday around the corner. What we do is always pay attention to the seasons. Seasonally, the store put items such as toys and those kinds of items on sale. We always scope these items out. We have bought $20-30 toys for almost nothing. I am not just talking about toys that were hot last season. This is the time of year when most stores markdown new toys that just came out for the new holiday season. These stores mark them down because they think that they are not going to sell. Then the toys come off clearance when they start to sell again, you have already bought them. By Jessica from Coventry, RI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43873808.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How To Clean Your In-Room AC Unit Please check your appliance warranty before undertaking any repair of your appliance. Be sure to unplug any appliance before attempting any repairs! If the air blowing from your air conditioning unit starts to smell bad, you may have mold growing in your AC Unit. This should be taken very seriously as the stagnant water can lead to fungi, molds, mildews, and bacteria being distributed through the air and water particles being blown out through the unit. Such growths can lead to illnesses like Legionnaires' disease, named after the previously unknown bacteria that caused illness during the 1976 convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. What you will need to clean out your AC Unit: A/C filter cleaner spray on foam in an aerosol can Long Handled AC brush AC Condenser Fin comb New AC filter (if disposable type) Selection of screwdrivers All purpose Oil in container with dropper tip. Spray (pump) bottle full of water HEPA filter mask Rags Vacuum cleaner with hose attachments Multi-compartment container for holding screws (ice cube tray or muffin pan works well.) Unplug and remove the AC from the window and place it in a place where you can easily clean and remove dust, preferably outside or on a concrete surface. If you are going to be cleaning it indoors, be sure to protect your floors with a drop cloth or, better yet, a plastic sheet to catch any water from cleaning. Wear a HEPA filter mask to prevent breathing in any mold or dust particles. Remove the filter from the front grill and replace it with a new filter. If the filter is the non-disposable type, soak it for 15 minutes in a sink with a combination of dish detergent and hot water. Rinse the filter well and allow it to dry completely. Remove the front grill cover from your unit. Check for springs or screws below the front of the unit and gently pull the cover forward while pressing down on the cover. Remove all the screws attached to the metal cover of air conditioner and lift the cover straight up. Be careful to keep track of all the screws you are removing. An old ice cube tray or muffin pan works well for keeping track of the screws. Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If the fan has any oil plugs, take caution when removing them as they might have become brittle over time and will break off, blocking the plug. If this happens, remove the broken plug with the tip of your screwdriver. Add a few drops of oil to each fan motor oil hole (do not over-oil as it could cause damage to your AC Unit.) Clean the front fins using the AC aerosol spray cleaner to remove, dust, dirt, mildew, and stains. The aerosol spray will be able to get in-between the fins to properly remove any mold and dust. Be careful not to bend the fins as they are often made from aluminum or other easily-bendable metal. Because the fins are easily bendable, be sure to use an AC Condenser brush for cleaning the fins. Reshape any flattened or punched in fins, as these encourage mold growth and prevent proper airflow and cooling. The best tool for this task is a Fin Comb which will gently straighten multiple fins in minutes saving you hours of work. Flush fins with warm water (this is where working outside helps!) using the pump action spray bottle. Allow to dry for 15 minutes. Be careful not to spray or spill water onto any electrical parts, as a precaution; cover these parts with a clean rag .If your fins are stained you might need to do clean and flush them again, over a period of several months. Just be sure to unplug the unit every time. Gently clean the condenser coils in the back of the unit with a rag or brush. If there is any standing water from the drip pan or base, be sure to drain it. Gently wipe down the blower fan blades. Vacuum all surfaces of the AC cover inside and the front and back grill assembly. Be sure to vacuum the air vents or wipe off any dust and debris build up with a rag. Reassemble any parts you removed from the unit, plug it in and test to make sure it works. You can place the cover over the unit, but do not put the screws back in, you want to make sure everything was properly assembled and aligned or else there might be noise from misalignment. After you are satisfied that everything is running correct, either reinstall your unit or store it in a cool, dry place. You can set the unit on two pieces of woods to allow for air circulation under the unit and to discourage mold growth. To further protect your unit, use an air conditioner cover. Additional Sources: For more tips on cleaning mold in your home, visit the North Dakota State University's web site: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/safety/ae1179w.htm. Here's a good blog post of a step-by-step process of cleaning an air conditioner with photos. http://learn-something-new.blogspot.com/2006/04/musty-ac.html#links Source: APWagner.com By MikeS142 from NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47137408.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning As Early As Possible Now that fall is upon us, this is a good time to check out your fireplace. If you need to call in a chimney sweep, do it now, before he is in big demand. In our area, we only have one chimney sweep. His rates are lower during the warm weather and higher during the winter months. He explained it to me this way: In the summer, he has some days of no work, and at the most he may work 8-10 hours a day. During the winter, he is in demand and people need his service and he may be working 10-14 hours a day. He feels he deserves "overtime pay" as most others earn, plus he has to pay his seasonal winter help overtime as well. In addition, colder weather also brings on a more dangerous work environment, such as snow or ie on the roofs, and having to set his ladder in snow or ice. So, for your pocket book sake and for safety sake, if you need a chimney cleaning, call and schedule it now. By April from NW Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34973300.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Old Socks for Protecting Arms While Cleaning My son goes through a lot of white socks. Instead of throwing them away, I cut off the ribbing about 1 inch towards the heel. These are great to protect your arms when washing walls above your head and painting, all kinds of messies. I keep some under the kitchen and bathrooms sink and some in my container with my painting supplies. These are adult sized socks. By Margie from Wareham, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54644953.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Adding Length to Curtains Here is a tip to add a little pretty length to curtains so you don't have to spend to replace them if you move and they no longer fit. Add ribbon or trim or how many ever rows of yo yo's needed to make them the right length. You could even add width to them the same way. By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21508202.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buy School Supplies Now for Christmas Buy extra school supplies now, as they start to go on clearance. By Christmas time, new markers, crayons, cute pens, notebooks and folders will make great stocking stuffers and small gifts. They will be needed by then, too. By Linda from Vista CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85228768.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Leave Remotes and Appliance Manuals When Moving When moving, don't forget to leave behind garage door, blind, and ceiling fan remotes as well as, appliance manuals and any warranties that may still be applicable. You could even leave the names and numbers of the utility companies that they may need to call. An extra phone book for the area would also be helpful, along with the names of the closest grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, library, and schools. The garbage pick-up time and day would also be a nice gesture. By Patricia from Imperial, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78016513.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Scramble Eggs In Ziplock An easy way to cook scrambled eggs with no mess. Put a 2 quart sauce pan filled with water to about the 3/4 level on stove to boil. Scramble 2 eggs in a bowl and add about 1/3 cup milk or more and beat. You can add cheese, ham, onions, etc. at this time. Pour into a quart plastic bag and seal. Immerse plastic bag in boiling water in pan being careful not to touch the edges with the bag Cook until no longer runny, approximately 5 minutes or so. Take the bag out of the water and carefully open it. There will be lots of steam. Turn upside down on to a plate and serve. These are the fluffiest scrambled eggs you ever have made. It's unbelievable. And no mess. By Margaret from Dudley, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36288055.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Your Oven Heat to Warm Your House After using your oven in the winter, turn it off and leave the door open so the leftover heat can spread into your home. Of course you need to keep small children away until it cools, but when it comes to conserving energy and money every little bit sure adds up. By Patricia from Imperial, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39810493.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day A nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones had sent to him by an usher. The note read: "Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety." Failing to observe the punctuation, he startled his audience by announcing: "Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Potatoes in Tires We just had our first frost last week and I dug up my potatoes grown in a tire stack. I was disappointed to find only 6 potatoes. I planted 3 seed potatoes in the initial tire, and partially covered the greens, as they appeared to a final height of 5 tires. Any suggestions as to what went wrong. It would be helpful for next years attempt. Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 3a Guy from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf369388.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Vinegar for Dishwasher Rinse Agent Some of you have posted that you use vinegar in the dishwasher as a rinse agent (rather than products like Jet Dry). I'd like to do that too, but I need more information. With Jet Dry, you just put the product in the dishwasher once a month or something like that. Is that what you do with the vinegar - just put some in the dishwasher's little dispensing well once a month? Or do you do it more often? Thanks. Tina from Ashland, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf124892.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Laying Wood Floor Over Vinyl Is there a system to laying wood floors over vinyl? Sheena from Greenville, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28193741.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipe For Streusel Apple Cake I'd like a recipe for a simple, moist apple cake that has something like a streusel swirl or crunchy, cinnamon flavored topping. Thanks! Chloe Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37734012.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipe For Sugar-Free Graham Crackers I know this is a long shot, but does anyone have a recipe for sugar-free Graham Crackers? Debra from Hampton, Tenn Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77913227.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Fog Machine Fluid I have a fogger that we use for Halloween. The fogger fluid is kind of expensive. I would like to use it this year but don't want to have to buy that expensive store bought stuff. Does anyone happen to know what it is made of? Thanks in advance! Savings Assistant from GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42294543.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Wendy's Style Chili I would like a recipe for Wendy's style chili. Jackie from Clarion, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68719983.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Smelly Well Water We have smelly well water. We replaced the rod in our hot water tank and now it smells worse. Any suggestions? Carla from Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89874565.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Painting Over Gloss Paint Can you paint over gloss paint? Pat Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74722463.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing A Willow Tree On the right side of our house, 10 feet apart from the house foundation, there is a willow tree, its height is just above the house's roof (two stories). It has been about 7 years old since it was planned by the previous owner. I am told that if a willow tree is too close to the house, it will cause problems. If it is 10 feet away could it be a problem? I have decided to remove it, any ideas for what would be the best way to get rid of this tree? Thank you for any info. Charles from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38901178.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Revamping Kitchen Cabinets I need ideas for a way to revamp my kitchen cabinets! They are old home made kind with thin wood. I would like to put a trim on them and either paint or stain them. Any neat ideas for a color out of the ordinary? We are also putting in new wood floors that we haven't yet picked a color for! Help. Sheena from Greenville, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88733928.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Spray Paint From Clothing How do I get dried spray paint off a brand new Choko Skidoo Jacket? Lesley68 from Hay River, NT, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71547734.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Topics For Cookbook What topics are needed for a cookbook? I need to keep it narrowed to 8 topics including holiday, desserts, and misc. Any ideas? Angel Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42417935.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Halloween Sleepover For Teenage Boys I am looking for some ideas for a Halloween sleepover for teenage boys. They are very hard to scare, they are 13 to 15 years old. I am thinking of having a seance and playing with a Ouiji Board - to contact the spirits (with some help from my husband to make things go bump in the night). Any ideas? Angel from Catlettsburg, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23701129.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For 15 in. Foam Pumpkins I saw the web page on carving foam pumpkins which is something I have been doing, too. I have gotten my craft pumpkins at Michael's too but this year they seem to be selling fewer and are not even selling the 15 inch tall pumpkins at all this year. Have you been able to locate any of the 15 inch pumpkins? habedank Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33198237.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Staining Cabin Walls I would like to stain the outside and inside walls of my cabin which is build with T1-11 vertical siding. The outside will be stained with solid stain, and the inside with semi transparent stain. I have a few questions though. What do I need to patch cracks and holes? I will need a product that can be stained and doesn't show through the solid or semi transparent stain. What do I need to clean the interior walls, which in some areas have dark mildew stains so they don't show thought the semi transparent stain. Thank you. Eleniv from Montgomery, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52723400.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Paint Advice For Kitchen With Maple Cabinets and Oak Floors I was wondering if you could tell me which color goes really well with maple kitchen units? JulieIrvine Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf463757.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Crocheting a Flat Circle I have just started to learn to crochet. I have tried to learn from a book although a friend started me off. I can crochet a circle but it does not lie flat - it's like a bowl made out of crochet instead of being flat like a mat. What am I doing wrong and what can I do to put this right please? Mary from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29692543.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Can a Rat Snake Hurt a Rabbit? I found what looks like a black rat snake in my yard. Does any one know if it is likely to hurt a rabbit that i have caged outside? The cage is about 3 ft. off the ground and up against the back of my house. Thanks. Amanda from Yulee, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47657104.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Family Gift Baskets for Christmas We had a big family and now our children are all grown, married, and we have lots of precious grandchildren. The problem is that we can't afford to give individual gifts to all, but still want to give something to each instead of drawing names as our children do among themselves. We have decided to do family gifts. This year, I'd like to do a gift basket for each family, filled with inexpensive items. I have a list of ideas, but would like more input. Please keep in mind that some of these will have to be shipped. For those who may be looking for other family gift ideas, one year I spent many hours scanning almost all the pictures of our children's growing up years, then burned them onto CD's. Our kids are very sentimental about their youth, so it was the best gift we could have given. The greatest cost was time. One son used some of the pictures to have a hardbound book "Memories of Home" made for us for the following Christmas. It was so precious and moved me to tears. But when I arrived at the page that had the words to the lullaby I'd sung to them every night, I had a real meltdown! Judy from Frederic, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53701893.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Answering a Guy's Invitation to a Dance This guy asked me to homecoming by putting glow in the dark stars all over my room and there was a note saying "will you be my homecoming star?" I have to answer him in a couple days and I have no idea how to do it! Please help! I want to answer him back with something to do with stars or space or something. Maria from Mesa, Arizona Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54919188.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Roman Columns for a Wedding Where can I find cheap wedding columns that are 8ft to 3ft tall? Sharitha from Gastonia, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66488838.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Rustoleum With Specks I am in process of painting my old laminated counters which are in great shape. I am tired of the same color. I have read some feedback on using Rustoleum. I went on their website but cannot find anything that has a spray with specks in it. I really don't want one color. I would like something like a granite look. Any suggestions? Thanks, Karen from Rochester, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26909538.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Coffee Stains on Carpet how to get coffee stains out of beige carpet? Judi from Mechanicsville, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53497210.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Decoupaging a Mug I want to put decoupage onto a plain drinking mug and would like some help and advice. I need to know the mug will be both heatproof and waterproof. I am sure that somewhere on the ThriftyFun site or someone that reads it may be able to help. Many thanks, Lilian Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37979472.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baking Jar Gifts Does anyone have recipes for baking cakes/breads in small jars for gifts? I was given this gift one year and it was so good and meant a lot too! Debra from Hampton, Tenn Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38124211.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Trim Ideas for Old Cabinets I am looking for ideas for trim on old cabinets? Sheena from Greenville, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92232380.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print One Piece Crochet Afghan Project I am looking for a winter time crochet afghan one piece project to do in front of the TV. Karen from Tri Cities Washington Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79681030.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders I need something safe to dogs and humans but that will kill and get rid of brown recluse, brown widow and wolf spiders. Carol from St. Petersburg, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52116451.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using a Computer in My Living Room I would like to set up my computer in my living room because of limited space. However, my living room is decorated in traditional/elegance style. Do you think it will look tacky with all the cords hanging down? How can I make the computer desk/area look nice and blend with my elegant furniture. The computer desk is a small open glass top desk. Onesummer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73423326.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Easy Sorbet Recipe I'm looking for an easy sorbet recipe. Thank you, Karen from Charleston, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59615291.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Milk Tips for saving money on milk. Post your ideas below. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf869658.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: 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 More Reading: Make Your Own God Box When life's decisions get overwhelming, one way to find your way back to order is to create a God box. Where (or if) you go to church doesn't matter; your God can be Christian, Jewish, Mother Nature, the Cosmos or anything in between. The magic of a God box happens when you release your problems and questions to a higher intelligence. 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