Daily Thrifty Tips - December 23, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 249, December 23, 2008 (Read It Online) Here's another back issue. This one was meant to be sent on December 23rd. While the tips may not be timely, please look over the requests and see if you have any advice to offer. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team 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: Tootise Pop Tree Ornament Craft: Making Christmas Wreaths Craft Project: Winter Wonderland Craft Project: Angel Lapel Pin C.C Boy (Candy Cane) The Cat Craft Project: Industrial Strength Gift Can Craft: Create Your Personal Food Tags Rosa The Dog Today's Tips: Have A Christmas Card Swap Party Thaw Frozen Veggies When Draining Pasta Baklava Instant Potatoes for Souper Soups Joke of the Day New Requests: Removing Wood Stain from Clothing Homemade Moisturizing Lotion Recipe Theme Ideas for a Co-Ed Birthday Party Sheets Smell After Washing Alternatives to Dryer Sheets Identifying Phishing Emails Homemade Bisquick Ideas for Running and Promoting a Bar Safe Powder That Dries Up Fleas Removing Skunk Smell from House Repairing Grout in a Tiled Shower Where To Find Oxydol Laundry Detergent Homemade Steam Cleaner Solution Color Stains out of Other Colored Clothes Permanent Marker Stains on Clothing Getting Rid of Dog Urine Odor From Microfiber Couch Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors Cat Scratching His Neck Curtain Rods That Swing Open and Closed Water Backing Up in Dishwasher and Disposal Round Plastic Kitting Looms Fussy Shih Tzu When Can Puppies Go in the Snow? Cleaning Porcelain Dolls Winterizing Windows How to Make Draft Stoppers Lemon Tree Not Blooming Or Producing Lemons 25th Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas Product Review: Pedi Paws Activities for the Elderly and Disabled 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: Tootise Pop Tree Ornament Very easy and cute ornaments :-) Have made dozens of these over the past quarter of a century and love seeing them on the trees of friends and family's homes who have kept them and still hang them :-) View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99124172.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Making Christmas Wreaths I love to hang wreaths all around my home for the holidays. I decorate with any and everything! Tip one - hot glue! Glob it on your items and stick them to the live greens! Tip two - spray paint! I spray the entire wreath with clear. It helps it to last longer (mine stay up and green all year long inside the house) and it adds a great glossy shine to the cut holly, greens, cones and other decorations! I use other color paints as well, such as gold, burgundy etc. to add color to the items I pick from my yard, seed pods, dried flowers, sticks, that I glue to my wreaths to add interest. The best tip of all three, use any and everything on your wreath. A little gold spray transforms most anything! Happy decorating! By Hali from EB, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69642758.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Winter Wonderland Christmas decoration made from wood and clay pots View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76519492.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Angel Lapel Pin This pin is a recycle pattern with a Christmas theme. It is a tiny Angel Lapel Pin using gold safety pins, pearls and beads. It is appropriate for casual wear or for dressy occasions to Christmas parties. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36167511.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print C.C Boy (Candy Cane) The Cat C.C. Boy, C.C. is short for candy cane. He is approximately 8 months old. With those blue eyes, there has to be some Siamese in there, the only color he had at 1st was a red-and-white striped tail, and a little bit of color on the ends of his ears. He was in front of my neighbor screaming his little head off on June 28, 2008. He was dirty and very scared His favorite activity is giving me all night massages or he thinks the bed is a trampoline, either one. On June 17th, my 19 year-old mommy Tweedy disappeared, this little brat showed up on the 28 and my 19 year old Mac cat died on the 24th of August. I was not going to have any more cats, yap right. By Babbie from Lemon Grove Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45974692.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Industrial Strength Gift Can By Debra Frick As most of you know, I work in the cafeteria of my local school. Well, the other day the lunch lady was throwing a bunch of the big industrial cans from ketchup and fruit away. I took one look at the nice big cans and thought "I bet I could make something with those" So I promptly pulled them out of the trash. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15419912.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Create Your Personal Food Tags My husband's a life-time member of VVA-Vietnam Veterans of America. So this year I offered to donate items for their basket auction in January which will be held after the spaghetti dinner. The son-in-law of one of our members lost his life in Afghanistan and the chapter has named a scholarship in his memory. There have been many area high school students who applied and have won the scholarship to help pay part of their college tuition. So I've been very busy trying to get every thing done before their annual dinner. I've made 6 large and 3 small jars of Hot Cocoa, Hot Chocolate Mocha and Hot Cappucchino Mixes. And also several sugar-free mixes. I just baked 2 lbs. of Classic Sugar Cookies, made a product tag and will attach it to the cookie tin. I took a picture of the cookies and created a tag using a Microsoft Document. I printed the tag on an adhesive mailing label attached it to a piece of thin cardboard, and cut it out using pinking shears. By MCW from Lewiston, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84289118.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Rosa The Dog Rosa is 1 1/2 years, approximately. Heaven knows what breed she is, but she's so ugly she's cute! She was adopted from the City Animal Shelter in Nashville, TN. She likes to fetch small items (she's small), chew on flip chips, and be rubbed on her belly. She can demolish a can of dog food faster than any animal I've ever seen. By cindydintn from Gordonsville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15434216.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 Christmas Card Swap Party Most of us end up with Christmas cards left in the box because we don't send them all out and we don't usually like to send the same cards out the next year, so each year a friend of mine tapes a letter on the front door of all the apartments in her complex. She invites everyone to the clubhouse for a Card Swapping Party. She doesn't spend much and will only have coffee, tea and cookies as refreshments, but it's fun to meet your neighbors! And everyone will go home with different cards than they came with so they can use them next year. It's recycling at it's most fun! By JLS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20822663.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Thaw Frozen Veggies When Draining Pasta When I'm making pasta salad or a hot dish with pasta and frozen veggies, I cut out a step this way. I pour the frozen veggies (or even fresh broccoli cut small, fresh peas or shredded carrots) into the strainer first, and then drain the pasta right on top of them. A few minutes under the hot pasta will thaw them right out and when I rinse the pasta with cold water, it stops both the pasta and the veggies from turning to mush. Then I just have to mix it all together and I'm done! By Celia from North Jersey Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96784136.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baklava My partner and I don't really celebrate Christmas, so we're usually quite bored on the 25th of December as we have no friends or family around. A few years ago we started making this on Christmas Day and has become a tradition for us. We would serve it to friends for New Years or colleagues when going back to work. So good! Ingredients 1 (16 oz.) package phyllo dough 1 lb. chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) 1 cup butter or margarine 1 tsp, ground cinnamon 1 cup water 1 cup white sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup honey Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan. Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep. Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp. Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up. Source: This is a recipe from allrecipes.com By Lisa from Halifax, NS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34426875.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Instant Potatoes for Souper Soups My mother shared her secret with me. She adds instant potatoes to her soups instead of corn starch or flour. Works great with Cream of Broccoli and Potato. I never knew why hers tasted better than mine! She also cooks up a batch of regular instant potatoes and then adds one or two potatoes with the skin for a nice "smashed" dish. Microwave makes the potatoes in a hurry. By Wendy S from Coopersburg, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48735967.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Joe's wife likes to sing so she decided to join the church choir. From time to time she would practice while she was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Whenever she would start in on a song, Joe would head outside to the porch. His wife, with hurt feelings, said, "What's the matter, Joe? Don't you like my singing?" Joe replied, "Honey, I love your singing, but I just want to make sure the neighbors know I'm not beating you." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Removing Wood Stain from Clothing I need to find a way if possible to remove brown wood stain from my son's brand new high school hoodie. Sue in Maine Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95017100.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Moisturizing Lotion Recipe Does anyone have a recipe for a good moisturizing lotion made from everyday items in the kitchen? Mari from Anaheim, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89605662.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Theme Ideas for a Co-Ed Birthday Party I am having a co-ed birthday party in February. I need help picking a theme that won't destroy my social status (thanks to the harsh and hypocritical words my immature friends will most likely spread on the school campus). I was wondering if I should do a 40's theme, a Pretty In Pink theme or some other one. Please comment and suggest! Cristi from Miami, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65554178.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sheets Smell After Washing Why do my sheets smell like dirty hair after washing? Kitty Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51788092.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Alternatives to Dryer Sheets What can I use in place of dryer sheets? Deb from NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50905192.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Identifying Phishing Emails I have received an email thanking me for my donation to punch servers? Is that a phishing email? Joyce Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25847489.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Bisquick I need a homemade Bisquick recipe. Marlene from Beaver City, Nebraska Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf747410.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ideas for Running and Promoting a Bar I need advice on how to manage a new bar for guys. There is a turn out. I really love my town and need to make the people here happy. Samwell Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30931758.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Safe Powder That Dries Up Fleas Does anyone know of a completely safe powder that can be used directly on a pet to remove water from the fleas' bodies in all parts of their life cycle? And is there a completely safe shampoo that would do the same thing? I want to put it on, leave it a few minutes, and thoroughly wash it off. Thank you. Louise Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77966652.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Skunk Smell from House My dog got sprayed by a skunk and brought the odor in the house. How do you get rid of the smell? Chris Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf576594.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Repairing Grout in a Tiled Shower How do you clean grout in a shower? Mary from Toronto, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77513625.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where To Find Oxydol Laundry Detergent I have been looking for Oxydol laundry detergent. I used to purchase it at Shop-Rite but cannot find it now. I have checked all the local stores in Ocean county but no luck. Barbara from South Jersey Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90718806.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Steam Cleaner Solution I have a fairly large home with a lot of carpet to steam clean. In between 7 members of the household, 4 cats, and 4 dogs, I find myself steam cleaning constantly. We received a very nice machine as a housewarming gift, but I am looking for a cheaper cleaning liquid that works as well as the stuff that sells for $8 a bottle. A homemade solution would be great too! Any advice? Stacey from Dorr, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000627.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Color Stains out of Other Colored Clothes How do you remove color stains from a shirt? Rohini Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf224646.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Permanent Marker Stains on Clothing How do you get a permanent marker stain out of clothes? Lorraine Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf151533.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid of Dog Urine Odor From Microfiber Couch I have a micro suede couch and my dog peed on it. We took the cushions out of the zipper case and I'm waiting to find out how to clean it up? Any answers? Tonya from Bloomfield, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71196354.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors How can I help get rid of smoke and damp odors in my home? I am still a smoker. Charity from Harrodsburg, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54239796.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cat Scratching His Neck My cat Kirby is about 3 yrs old. About 4 months ago he started scratching his neck until it is raw. He has been to the vet, but I didn't get any answers other than he does not have fleas or ear mites. He is scratching so bad that he cries. I'm just to my wit ends on what to do. I have read all the blogs but no one is giving me an answer. Is there anyone out there that can help Kirby and I? Thank you. Barnsz from Saint Joseph, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf748169.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Curtain Rods That Swing Open and Closed I am looking for a unique curtain rod which allows two curtains to hang on two rods, one on each side of the window frame. They can swing open and swing close. I am looking for the these types of rods made of hardwood. Could you help me find these rods? Thank you. pavilla2 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83063076.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Water Backing Up in Dishwasher and Disposal We bought an older home with a new dishwasher and disposal. We are constantly having problems with the system. Using the disposal for anything causes debris to come up in the other side of the sink and we also have water that backs up into the bottom of the dishwasher, I assume from the disposal. A plummer adjusted the clear drainage hose that goes from the disposal to the dishwasher, but I can see dirty water and black stuff in the hose. I have checked under the sink and all parts seem to be in place and installed properly. Any suggestions for fixing the issue so I can use both appliances without the hassle? Gwen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63203127.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Round Plastic Kitting Looms I want to know the name of the round plastic knitting looms that are sold at Hobby Lobby. I was just there 2 days ago, but can't think of the name. Thanks. Jean from NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71878753.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Fussy Shih Tzu I have a very fussy Shih Tzu. I am desperate for any tips. Lorrae from Wodonga, Vic. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60188746.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print When Can Puppies Go in the Snow? I have a litter of 10 puppies that are 5 weeks old. When can they go out in the snow? Colleen from Buffalo, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70187928.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Porcelain Dolls My porcelain dolls are from 1985 and there is graying on the cheeks of their faces. How do I clean it off without destroying them? cjmm from Jacksonville, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf898703.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Winterizing Windows Can someone give me a very easy way of winterizing my windows? I just have to save some money this winter! Someone told me you can do it with thick painter drop cloths. Anyone have some really good ideas? Kip from Llano, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87832974.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How to Make Draft Stoppers I would like to know if anyone knows how to make a draft stopper that you can lay at the bottom of a drafty door. I have seen them out in some little craft shops, but I'm not sure what they are filled with. Thanks in advance. Barb from Mountaindale, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97556243.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Lemon Tree Not Blooming Or Producing Lemons My lemon tree does not produce any fruit. It is about 8 feet high, full of leaves and very healthy. Peter Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf457596.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 25th Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas My friend has requested that I help with the arrangements for her 25th wedding anniversary. She is expecting 300 guests and wants a sophisticated party. I want to make this a memorable event for her. Even though I have done this type of event before I am at a loss with regards to decorations, etc. Please help me asap. Jumi Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000914.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Product Review: Pedi Paws I was wondering, has anyone tried the Pedi Paws? I'm wanting to try it on my dogs nails, but don't want to waste my money if it doesn't work. Thanks in advance. Maria from Menifee, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31700133.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Activities for the Elderly and Disabled My mother is legally blind and handicapped with a left arm she is unable to use and a right arm and hand that will work but on a limited basis. She has been active all of her life and now sits in a nursing home where she is bored and wants something to do so that she feels like she is accomplishing something. I have gotten her books on tape which have helped but I would appreciate any ideas you can suggest. Thank you. Christine Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22610866.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 Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.