Daily Thrifty Tips - January 31, 2008

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Craft: Hurricane Candle Holder Lamp

Here is a homemade hurricane candle lamp.

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Rubber Duck Themed First Birthday

I decided on a rubber ducky theme for my son's first birthday party; he really likes them! I had a bunch of rubber duckies, but wasn't quite sure what to do with them. Just setting them out around the party area didn't look right, and the only way I could think to hang them was if I tied something from their necks! I used the duckies that had holes on the bottom, and just hung them up on nails around the banner. I then reused some really colorful ribbon bows from gifts as accents.

I had made the cakes for our older son's last two birthday parties, but I felt that for a first birthday, maybe we should order a cake from the bakery. I checked into it, and it would have cost me upwards of $30 for a cake with the rubber duck theme I planned on, and that just wasn't in our budget.

I had bought some party supplies on eBay, including a used Wilton 3D rubber duck cake pan. I was a bit intimidated about making the cake, so I did a practice one, and it turned out better than I had hoped. I decided to bake the cake and mini cupcakes for the party, and was so glad that I did! We saved some money, and I was so happy with the finished cake, and thrilled with the compliments. Ultimately, though, I felt so very proud to make something special for my son.

By Cynthia from Pittsburgh PA

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Hunk (Chinese Shar Pei)

Hunk is 11 years old and a Chinese Shar Pei. I bought her in 1997 in West Virginia.

When we go for walks, she runs ahead of me, then turns around, puts her front feet down and tries to get me to chase her. At night, she sneaks on the couch, when she thinks no one is looking. She is getting hard of hearing and seeing, but she still tries to act like a puppy.

By Erika from Tallahassee, FL

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Pull String Bag

An all round pull string bag can be used to accommodate a variety of things from shoes to bathroom bubble bottles. Made simply with two matching sized pieces for back and front, and an extra piece on the front for a pocket that is stitched down the centre for extra bits 'n' pieces.

By Ann from Carlisle, England UK

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Homemade Swiffer Wet Pads And Solution

Using a wet Swiffer mop can get expensive with the wet replacement towels that cost about $4.00 for a dozen. It adds up really fast! To combat that, I decided to try using some old thin bath towels cut to size. I dampen them them with a cleaning solution of about 2 Tbsp. Murphy's oil soap to 2 quarts water, place them on the mop as I would the Swiffer cloths, and clean my laminate and tile floors. Cloths can be washed and reused over and over. I save the cleaning solution in a container and it lasts a really long time. Cost is pennies compared to what I was spending! (Flannel cloth can work great as well! )

By Debbie from Fisher, IL

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Ask for Family Members to Pitch In on a Gift

There have been a lot of negative things going on in my life in the past couple of years (husband's job loss, two deaths in the family, a car accident that totaled our car, etc.!).

So as Christmas approached last month, my mom was asking me for a list of what gifts I might like. There's a great hotel in Door County, WI that we like (it has condo-like rooms with a full kitchen, so that helps really cut the cost of food while we're there, since we don't have to eat out a lot!). After all the stress of the past couple years, what I REALLY wanted was a break, and some quality family time! But money has been tight, so a vacation has seemed out of the question. Since my parents, aunt and sister usually all buy Christmas gifts for me, I asked if they'd all consider chipping in towards a gift certificate for the hotel in Door County, rather than buying me separate gifts.

To my delight, I opened an envelope on Christmas with a gift certificate good for one night's stay! We'll have to save up for gas money to travel there, etc., but now a mini vacation seems a lot more within our reach! The point of all this is--if you have a special occasion coming up (birthday, holiday, etc.), you know that a group of people will be buying gifts for you and they ask you what you want, consider asking them to go in together on a gift card/certificate. Maybe there's a class you've been wanting to take, a restaurant that you've wanted to eat at, a museum or other attraction whose admission price is a little too much for you...It doesn't hurt to ask! I'm sure your relatives or friends would be delighted to know that their gift was for something you really wanted and will enjoy!

By Lisa from Kenosha, WI

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Brush Teeth After Meals To Avoid Snacking

I find that if I brush my teeth and use mouthwash after meals (supper especially), I am less likely to snack after meals.

Source: personal experience

By 'Joyous' Gaile from Knoxville, TN

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Homemade Cheap and Easy Hand Cream

This homemade hand cream (or body cream, whichever you prefer) is so much better than any other hand cream you can buy. It is so easy and so inexpensive to make too! I go to Dollar General and buy everything I need to make it. Recipe follows:

• 2-8oz. jars Vitamin E cream
• 1-8oz. jar vaseline
• 1-16 oz. bottle baby lotion

Note: If you think the smell of the baby lotion is too strong, you might be able to find unscented lotion.

Source: My source is from a friend.

By Elaine from Belle Plaine, Iowa

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Have Microfiber Cloths Handy In The Bathroom

I put several microfiber cloths in a basket in each bathroom. We use them for drying our hands and for cleaning. I have a small basket that holds the dirty cloths, then I wash them all at one time. It's easy to return them to the bathrooms and when washed separately they don't have anything else clinging to the microfiber cloths.

By Bonnie from Lascassas, TN

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Do You Have Wet Rot/Dry Rot?

Here's a tip for deciding what kind of mold you have: wet rot/dry rot.

Ordinary mold leaves white furry deposits or black spots, but wet and dry rot, caused by dampness looks different and is much more serious.

Wet Rotted wood is spongy when damp, brown and crumbly when dry. To get rid of the rot, first get rid of the cause of the dampness. Then cut out the rotted piece and replace. Dry rot thrives in closed in spots. The infested wood is brown and brittle and the area smells musty. Call in a specialist and make sure he checks thoroughly, this problem spreads fast and widely.

Source: Mary Ellen's Clean House

By Randa from San Marcos TX

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Use Tin Foil To Make Your Own Sewing Patterns

A friend of mine knows someone who sews "Knock offs" - Dresses that look just like those worn at the Oscars made by designers. The trick is Aluminum Foil! Yes! .. Plain old tin-foil!

I tried it and it works great! On a flat surface (like your kitchen table), lay out the garment you wish to copy, then simply take a piece of the foil and lay it over the part of the dress you want to copy, then take a soft cloth and rub it gently against the foil until you see where the seams are. Then cut out the piece of foil, then trace the foil on to a piece of paper, adding your seam allowances. Do this to each section of the dress and in no time you'll have all the pattern pieces to make any garment!

As far as the sewing directions? Well, you'll just have to figure THAT out for yourselves! Patterns cost WAY to much these days! So I've taken some of my favorite pieces of clothing and made my OWN patterns from them! I only make simple things like jackets without darts or collars or simple vests, but if you're an advanced seamstress, you could sew practically anything by using tin-foil to make your patterns! I'm sure you could make patterns for lampshades and many other crafts, even wood working, by using foil to copy your patterns

But, use care when rubbing foil over light colored fabrics, as you don't want to transfer the foil on to your fabric!

Source: A friend told me!

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Recycling Magnets for Photos

All those business card and advertising magnets you get from realtors, pizza restaurants, etc, don't throw them away, just glue your precious photos or artwork on them and make cute fridge magnets. Great way to recycle, I just received an American Express credit card magnet today and a pizza restaurant last week. Saves me $ and helps the earth!

By Tracey from Thomasville, GA

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Make Decorative Pillows Out of Old Bridesmaids Dresses

An old friend wanted some material so I gave her my old bridesmaid dresses. In return, she made me pillows, one from each dress and each pillow was different. Now when I look at the pillows, I can remember the wedding I was in. One of the brides came over one day and saw the pillows and thought it was sweet that I still had her dress from her wedding made into a pillow. Room in the closet now.

Source: hint that I remember came from the lady who made shirt pillows for her 2 sons.

By Barbara from Shoemakersville PA

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Is .925 Silver Worth Anything?

Is .925 silver worth anything?

Beth from Mt. Sidney, Va

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Removing Cracked Applique Transfers from T-shirts

Does anyone know an easy way to remove those vinyl/rubber/plastic decals or applique transfers once they start to crack on t-shirts? Thanks so much!

Nance from Statesboro, GA

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Hoover Vacuum Stinks When Used

My Hoover upright vacuum cleaner stinks when I use it. I have put in a new bag and I have also used baking soda in the bag thinking that might help, but it hasn't. What's going on with it? Got any ideas on what I can do?

Teresa from Richlands, Va.

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Where Can I Sell Handcrafted Items?

Where do you sell handcrafted items? I need some ideas.

Chrissy from Dresden, ME

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Removing a Spot from a Suede Jacket

I have a brown suede jacket that I recently got a spot on it. How do I get it out, without taking it to the cleaners and spending a lot of money? I read to use mild sand paper. Is that true?

Deb from North Haven, Connecticut

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Painting Plaster Walls

I own an old 4000 sq ft house, that is mostly plaster covered by wallpaper. The wallpaper is starting to come off in places and I want to take it all down and paint the walls. I (thankfully) started in 1 of the smaller hallways to find lots of cracks in the plaster. I bought some mud and tape and after quite a bit of practice, I fixed the walls in that small area.

I have a lot more wallpaper to strip. Does anyone have any advice on faster ways to prep the plaster or bypass it all together with painting techniques. I do not have much experience in this type of work, but want to learn. Plus it would be way to expensive to hire someone to do the work..

Steve from Blair, Nebraska

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Giving a Sweatshirt a Makeover

I was given a very nice sweatshirt recently that was very large and roomy (which I like) but I need to do some makeover on it before I can wear it. I have cut off several inches of the sleeves and also cut off the elastic waist band at the bottom as I like my sweatshirts hanging straight down. Now what? Any creative people out there who can give me some ideas? I would certainly appreciate it. I have a sewing machine so that is no prob. Thanks you.

Lisa from Greece

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Homemade Oil Control Face Lotion

Does anyone know how to make your own homemade matte/or control lotion. I'm not interested in makeup but a skin lotion that will keep my face from being shiny all day. Does anyone know how these creams and lotions work?

euky700 from VA

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Removing Nicotine Stains From Wallpaper

Can nicotine be safely removed from wallpaper? Also, how do you remove it safely from paint, etc.

Maggie1960 from Indiana

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Cat Peeing on Bed

I have recently added a 6 month old kitty to my household of pets. The dog and older cat get along well with the new addition. They all sleep, play and eat together without any qualms. The problem is with TaLouse. He pees in the middle of the beds and sometimes on laundry - mostly beds. He has his own litter box separate from Tucker, the older cat. I have come to the realization that he does not like a dirty litter box and keep his scooped regularly. Anyone have any ideas? Are there odors that can be sprayed to keep him off the bed? I dare not tell my husband.

Talouse is a gorgeous cat and I just can't part with him but need some advice on what to do. Is lemon or vinegar a good deterrent?

Thanks to anyone with ideas.

Nelwyn from Bunkie

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Ideas for Mother's 80th Birthday

I'd like some ideas for my Mother's 80th birthday. She was in an orphanage in Waverly, Iowa

Deb from Spicer, Minnesota

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Smooth Bumps on Daughter's Back and Chest

My daughter has smooth bumps all over her back and chest. Tons! They don't seem to be acne as they never erupt, just sit on her skin and look like she is coming down with chicken pox!

It is very uncomfortable for her to wear anything that exposes them. She wears cotton, is using an oil free soap. We have tried everything. Does anyone know what this may be? Also, they are not itchy.

Pattie from Bridgton, Maine

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Cleaning Upholstery

I need a solution to clean all of my upholstery.

Carol from Sun City, AZ

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Removing Burnt Smell From Microwave

One of my daughters burnt popcorn in our brand new microwave. I have tried everything to get rid of the burnt smell, but it is still there. Items we cook or defrost in the microwave now seem to have a burnt popcorn taste. It is clean but I think the smell has gotten into the 'guts' of it and in the fan area where I can't clean.

I have already tried:

cleaning with mild detergent
placing a bowl of fabric softener in it
using baking soda in it over night
using vinegar and water, and running it for a few minutes

April from NW Missouri

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Removing Grime from Wood Doors without Refinishing Them

I have 100 year old Florida pine wood doors. They must have 100 years of dirt from hands on them and would like to know if any one knows how to get the grime out. I really don't want to refinish them if I don't have to.

Nelly from Kissimmee St.Cloud, FL

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Looking for 3in Round, 10x Magnifying Mirror

Any idea where I can find a 3 inch round, 10X magnification mirror? Bought one at Walgreen's in the Dollar Bin.

Cynthia from Dallas, TX

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Removing Cat Urine from Dry Clean Only Slacks

How do you remove cat urine from 100% Wool, dry clean only slacks?

AptGuy from Oregon

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Cleaning CDs

What is the best way to clean old CDs that have minor scratches and a general build up of grime?

Trish from Northern NJ

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Helping an Injury Mole

I was sledding with my dad and sister, and my sister found a baby mole. My dad was sledding right where we found the mole. He ran over the mole going down the hill. Now the mole is hurt, and it can't crawl. It needs food, but I don't know what to feed it. What should I do?

Abby from Indiana

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Another Houseplant to Identify

What is this houseplant?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Mary from Long Valley, NJ

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Help Identifying This Plant

I have a large plant that I wanted to identify. I thought it might be some kind of Dracaena? What is it?

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Mary from Long Valley, NJ

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Recipe for Subway Style Bread

I am looking for a recipe similar to the Subway Bread?

Linda from Pensacola, FL

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Removing Crayon from Inside Oven

How can I remove melted crayon from inside the oven?

Meri from Orlando

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Looking to download the Song 'Like Whoa'

Where can I find a PC-downloadable of the song 'Like Whoa'?

Hattie

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Chocolate Pudding Powder Stains on Carpet

My puppy opened a box of chocolate pudding powder on my cream carpet! I've tried getting the stains out but now they are reddish and still quite visible. Any suggestions?

Wendy from Yuma, AZ

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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