Volume Five, Number 208, October 30, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I attended Coffee Fest in Seattle with my sister, who owns a coffee house, it was a lot of fun. We have a lot of new requests posted over the weekend, please look them over to see if you have any advice to offer.
Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
If you are making homemade Christmas gifts this year and own a digital camera, please consider submitting instructions and a photo of your Craft to our Crafts for Fun and Money. For each craft that we publish we will send $15 by check or paypal. It will also benefit people searching our site for homemade Christmas gift ideas. For more information on the Crafts for Fun and Money program visit the link below.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml
Share Your Favorite Freebies
We have a Freebies topic on our website, but it doesn't contain many Freebies. If you have any links to freebies that you have verified (the freebie actually was delivered), please share them on the contest page.
Here's the link to our Freebies page:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/Freebies_4754.html
Contest Winners
Here are the contest winners for the week before last. Thank you(!) to everyone that took time to submit something.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Tip Contest Winners
Days When You Don't Feel Like Cooking
By Celeste from Florida
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18059736.tip.html
Baby Formula On The Go
By Nancy from Milton, FL
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85959757.tip.html
Photo Contest Winner
Sage and Jessie (Red Ear Slider Turtles)
By Ashley from Warners, NY
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30468168.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
Today's Photos
| Our Little Pumpkin
Here is our little pumpkin! And my husband, Jon (PawPaw)
By Margie from Mount Vernon, Ohio
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| Lady (Rat)
Lady is one year old and she is my Pet Rat. She was born to the pet rats I have at home.
Lady enjoys playing with me and riding on my shoulder. She is the boss of all the other pet rats I have.
By Denise1955 from Lincoln NE
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Ghost Finger Pen
By Stella Rivet
These pens are sure to spook your friends. Great to send with kids to school, use at a party for writing games or as the pen for your guest book.
Supplies:
- 1 package of white Crayola Magic Molding Clay (one package should make at least 5 pens, if not more)
- 1 Toothpick
- Ball point pen(s) (a straight Bic type pen works the best)
- Fake fingernails (I was able to get some in the halloween costume section,)
- Hot Glue or other strong glue.
Instructions:
Take a bit of the magic molding material and flatten it out. Roll the pen up in the clay, encasing the pen entirely except for the tip of the pen. Make bulges where the knuckles will be.
Once you have shaped it as you like, use the toothpick to draw lines where the knuckles are. Glue the fingernail in place pressing it in a little to make it look realistic leaving enough room at the tip so the pen can still write. Then let it dry.
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| Contests!
The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
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Today's Tips
| Using Tips To Remove Stains
I found this site so useful and decided to try some of the tips and use my own variation. I had some white clothes that I loved that had yellow stains, my t-shirts and underwear. I boiled them in Zud for 20 minutes, let them sit and then I boiled them in Oxiclean for 10 minutes and let them sit for 2 hours and rinsed them. They came out pure white. Thank you, hope this helps others take care of their stained whites.
By Mike from NYC
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| Order Direct From Local Florists
I worked at a florist for a year and learned that the 1-800 florists call local establishments to put through the orders they've received. The local florists are the middle man, only adding to the expense, or worse cutting back on the amount of flowers you get in an order. I always search the internet for a florist in the town the flowers will be delivered to. You have to use a credit card anyway and you will get more for your money. I call the recipient and ask for an honest evaluation of the gift so I can decide whether I will use that business again, or not.
By Fran from Hamden, CT
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| Homemade Dog Collar
We adopted 2 puppies in July. They were (and still) are growing so fast that we found ourselves buying collars nearly once a month. I was going though some old clothes to give away, and found a suitcase that I had put some belts in. Idea! I cut one of the belts down and punched a couple new holes in it and put it on my dog, Kayla. If you don't have any belts lying around, check out your local thrift store, garage sales, etc. Decorate according to your taste, gems, old costume jewelry, studs and even fake fruit for that Carmen Miranda look! Let your imagination go WILD!
By Laurie from Nevada
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| Clip Art for Holiday Decorations
There is SO much free clip art on the web - especially good for holiday use! I downloaded a nice smiling pumpkin for my door from Avery.com - (and when it wasn't as orange as I would have liked - I colored it in with an orange marker and it's very nice on my front door, thank you.)
http://www.avery.com/us/clipart/index.jsp
By Pam from Los Angeles
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| Lifting Heavy Items
When you are lifting something heavy, bend your knees, not your waist. Use your legs to support the weight. You'll put less pressure on your back that way.
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| Free Cookbook From Jiffy Mix
I got mine in the mail a few months ago and I love it.
Go to: http://www.jiffymix.com
Table of Contents include:
- Donuts-Sweet Rolls
- Camping Recipes
- Bread Machine Recipes
- Microwave Section
- plus a lot more...
By Laurie from Nevada
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| Southern Chocolate Gravy
Growing up we were poor. My sisters tell me how my mom made Chocolate Gravy. They say we all loved it as we were poor so it was a meal that seemed like a treat. Our mother served it on hot biscuits. I'm not big on chocolate, maybe because we had it so much then. Anyway, I wanted to share just to see if anyone was brave enough to try it. I guess it's still big in the south.
Ingredients
- 2 heaping tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 cup of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 4 cups of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 tablespoon of butter
Directions
Mix the cocoa, flour, and the sugar in a pot with a fork or whisk until well blended. Add all of the other ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, over medium heat. Continue cooking until the gravy is the desired thickness. Serve hot over Cat Head biscuits with lots of butter.
By Ariela from Jax, FL
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| Easier Thank You Notes
When you throw a bridal/baby shower, buy a pack of thank you cards for the guest of honor. During the party, pass out the envelopes and have everyone put their address on one. When the bride/new mom sends the thank you's, they're all addressed!
By LRP from LOWELL, MASS
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| Unusual Way to Store Extra Toilet Paper
I visited a friend's house by the beach and saw the coolest way to store toilet paper rolls in their small bathroom. They had an old wooden oar which they leaned back between the toilet and the wall - and then they put the toilet paper rolls on the shaft of the oar! (I guess you could adapt that idea to other stick things - I started to think about walking sticks and umbrellas!)
By Pam from Los Angeles
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View Active Topics!
New Requests
| How long does puppy house training take?
How long does puppy house training take? I've become frustrated with my 5-month old pups because I was crate training and following all the guidelines (take outside regularly, praise him for going outside, don't scold for accidents, etc), but it seems to have no effect. I know I need patience, but I don't know what timeline to expect. I've had them for about 7 weeks. They also often seem to be regressing, which I read sometimes happens when they're teething (as they are), but again, I don't know how much they're supposed to regress or for how long...?
Tara from Arlington, TX
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| How do I remove work from a circular knifty knitter?
How do I remove work from a circular knifty knitter without having to pucker it like a drawstring? I want to finish it off so it is a tube that I can put a bottom in. I don't want fringe or anything.
Thanks,
OldAl from Bloomington, IN
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| Homemade Febreze
Does anyone have any recipes for Febreeze?
Sharon from Florida
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| Salted Nut Fudge
I am looking for a recipe for salted nut fudge. It is a white fudge with a layer of carmel and salted peanuts in the middle and some on the top. Can anyone help me?
Thanks,
Bonnie from Avoca, NE
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| Removing Pet Urine Smell From Carpet
I have tried everything under the sun to remove pet urine smell from my new berber carpet. I was told equal parts vinegar and water, just smelled like urine and vinegar. I've tried just about all of the carpet shampoos that specify "for pet odor". Any ideas of a home brew I can concoct and keep around?
JM from Ringgold, GA
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| Burnt Plastic in the Bottom of My Oven
I accidentally left a plastic lid in the oven when I turned it on. I thought I had cleaned it all up, however whenever I turn on the stove, the kitchen fills up with smoke and noxious baked plastic smell. How does one remove the baked on plastic from the bottom of the stove.
Diana from High Point, NC
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| How do I know if my baby has colic?
How do I know if my baby has colic? That is one of the suggestions of one of the postings about my 5 month old fighting sleep.
Michelle from Des Moines
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| Teething Kitten
What can I do for my teething Kitten? She bites to the point were she'll draw blood. Is there any thing I can do for her?
Carebear from Bennington, VT
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| Cleaning Your Curling Iron
How do I get hairspray off my curling iron?
Angela from AL
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| Removing Paint From Slate
How can I remove paint from slate?
Sherackattack from Lynbrook, NY
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| Mildew Smell on Towels
How do I remove mildew smell from towels?
Diane from Encino, CA
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| Removing Tape From Windows After Painting
What is the best way to remove tape from windows? The tape is 3M Masking Tape for Production Painting #2020, I placed the tape of the exterior side of the glass prior to painting with a Latex Acrilic Paint. Due to weather and work schedules, I didn't paint for several weeks. When finally removing the tape the sun exposure had resulted in glue residue. I don't want any damage to the paint from industrial solvents.
Doug from Frankfort, KY
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| Christmas Gag Gift Ideas
I need some clean Christmas "gag" gift ideas.
Rags from TN
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| Making Yellowed Plastic White Again
How do I get yellowed appliances white again? For example, the cover of bathroom vent/fans and smoke detectors?
Karen from WI
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| Space Theme Gift Ideas
What can I give for gifts that has a "space" theme?
Denise from Latrobe, PA
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| Smoke Smell on Rubber
I bought a collapsible grocery cart over the i-net. The cart was fine except that it smelled terribly of smoke from having been in or near a fire. The odor is impregnated in the soft rubber handle guard and in the rubber tires. I tried the homemade solutions suggested by your member who had smoke odor in "memory foam", but neither the lemon and soda solution, nor the peroxide and soda solution worked. Can anyone help?
Bob from Columbus, Ohio
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| Sticky Substance on Leaves
I brought my bay plants in for the winter. They have developed a sticky, shiny substance all over the leaves. I don't see any insects but did spray them when I noticed this substance. Today I notice that it has even dropped onto the window sill close to the plant.
What could this be and how do I cure it? I've washed the plant throughly and sprayed it.
Hardiness Zone: 5b
Roberta from China, ME
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| Scratch Marks on Van's Windows
While visiting my friend, her neighbors dog jumped up on the back of our van and his nails raked down the back window leaving 4 long scratches from each paw. Any ideas how how we can get this out? It looks horrible and will decrease the value when we trade it in.
Thanks!
Lorrie from Marmora, Ontario
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| Inexpensive Luncheon Menu Ideas
I am giving a volunteer luncheon at my church for the nursery workers. What is an inexpensive menu to serve the guests and their families?
Sarah from Dayton, Ohio
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| Rosedale or Fashion FFB2433
I am looking for wallpaper border by Rosedale or Fashion FFB2433 that is discontinued. It is a rose pattern. Thanks for any help!
Baertke from RSM CA
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| Replacing the Grill on a George Foreman Propane Grill
I have a portable George Foreman Propane Grill model# GP100SIL. My son wasn't paying attention and used a metal brush to clean it! It is in pretty bad shape now as far as the teflon coating is concerned. How can I buy a replacement grill surface for it? We just can't live without it!
Thanks,
Jackie
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| Blue Heeler Breed With No Tail
What type of blue heeler breed has no tail?
redneckpro
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| Sharpie on Our Vinyl Car Console
We have an Explorer and yesterday my 5 year old decided to write on a piece of tissue and the sharpie bled through onto the middle console. It is vinyl and I tried Goof-off, Mr. Clean erasers, and rubbing alcohol with no luck. They lessened the stain, but did not remove it. He also wrote on his shoes stating that this way he can tell his all white shoes from his sister's pink Barbie ones. PLEASE HELP!
Nicole from Boardman, OH
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| Building a Homemade Jacuzzi
I want to know if anybody out there has a homemade simple way to make a portable jacuzzi. I know there has to be a way. Nothing fancy at all, a simple, gadget way of making one, that I can also take apart later if I need to.
Jamish from Ransom, Kansas
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| GT Xpress101 Reviews
Has anyone tried the Xpress101? My Mom and I saw the infomercial and she seemed to like it. I thought I might get it for her for Christmas. She lives alone. Just wondering if anyone here has one and likes it.
Thanks,
Debbie52 from IL
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| Renting a Horse Trailer
I am moving from central California to northern idaho. I need to rent a horse trailer for a one way trip to get my horse there. Anyone know where I can do this?
Valerie from Atascadero, CA
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| "Dreaming of a Bright Christmas" Float Ideas
I need a idea for a float to go with "Dreaming of a Bright Christmas".
Tori from Eastman
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| Butter Stain on Suede
How can I get a butter stain from my suede jacket?
Shannon from Newport, MI
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| Recipes Using Cocoa Mix
I received some large packets of gourmet hot cocoa mix as a gift, and not being much for drinking it, wonder if anyone has a recipe or two that I can use them in to share?
Jackie
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| English Toffee Recipe
Looking for a recipe for a dessert that was called "English Toffee". It was served in our school cafeteria in Waukegan, IL. and we also made it in our home economics class. It was very rich, had graham cracker crust and a chocolate filling of some sort, but I cant remember what other ingredients and have lost the recipe for it. Does this ring a bell to anyone?
Tammy from Missouri
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| Biro Stain on a Micro Fibre Jacket
I have a biro stain on a light coloured micro fibre jacket.
Joyce from Cheshire
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
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