Daily Thrifty Tips - November 21, 2006

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.

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Muzby is about 4 months old and is a Cotton Ball breed. My 10 year old daughter brought him and his sister home one early September afternoon. She found them in a box. They both were very skinny and dirty, weighing less than a pound together. We had to nurse them with formula for about 3 weeks (every 3 hours).

They took to the litter box quickly (thank goodness!). We found a good home for Muzby's sister, her name is Chinadoll. We kept Muzby because we discovered he is completely deaf.

Muzby is short for "I must be crazy." He makes cat #4! Muzby is a big snuggle bug. He sleeps with my daughter, usually curled up around her head!

Muzby has one blue eye and one brown eye. He is almost completely white except one small gray spot on his head, which is very hard to see.

All of our cats have been rescued in some way. I will post pictures and stories of each later.

By Jennifer from Springboro, OH

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Picture from Watson Mill State Park, Georgia

http://gastateparks.org/info/watson/

By Julie Tassin from Colbert, GA

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Just a little reminder to fill your birdfeeders this winter. Many birds may fly south, but those in the northern states have birds come in the winter, too. Add a birdseed bell and suet blocks on a low branch near the feeder and you can enjoy watching the little birds come to feed on bitter snowy winter days. Here is a photo of a male cardinal that comes to my feeder along with his mate, all year round!

By Evelyn Heinz from McHenry, IL.

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This is an old underwire bra. I got the idea from another site and made my own.

By Julie Tassin from Colbert, Ga

Editor's Note: Here are some instructions for a similar project from Craft Bits

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1165

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This cat tea cozy is a great gift to make for cat lovers who also like tea.

Supplies:

• Quilted flannel fabric
• Buttons
• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Chalk
• Pink flannel
• Pink felt or yarn for mouth
• Heart shape button for nose

The Body:

Make 2. Loosely measure your teapots width and add at least 3 inches. Loosely measure the height of the teapot and add 2 inches. Using chalk draw a semicircle on the inside of the fabric. Place a few pins around the semi circle to hold the fabric in place. About an inch out from the chalk line cut around the semi circle. Make a hem at the bottom end of the semi circle and set aside.

The Ears:

Cut two triangles out of the quilted fabric about a half an inch bigger than you want your cat's ears. Cut triangles out of the pink flannel the size you would like the inside of the ear to be, about a half an inch smaller than the quilted fabric. Place the pink flannel on top of the quilted fabric, pin and sew in place.

Now separate the two of the layers of the quilted fabric from the back piece of the fabric and cut the two layers off. Fold the remaining layer in towards the pink flannel, to create the hem, pin down and sew.

Placing Ears:

Turn your fabric right side out and decide the placement of the ears and pin them in place (pin being placed on the inside). Turn your fabric inside out and sew around the semi circle.

Turn your fabric right side out and your ears should be secured in place.

The Face:

With my buttons I took a permanent marker and drew on the pupils. Place the buttons where you want your eyes and sew in place. Place your heart shaped button in place for the nose and sew down.

Cut the felt thinly into the shape of a mouth. I chose to only glue down the stem coming down from the nose so I could play with the shape of the mouth making the cat sad, happy or disgruntled. You could also choose to to glue the whole piece in place.

Have fun with it!

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Time Required for project:

Drying time of 24 hours for the silicone caulk
Drying time of 4-8 hours for the paint

Materials:

• 5-6 graduated terra cotta pots
• 1 solar garden light
• 1 tube of outdoor clear silicone caulk
• 2 one quart cans of outdoor paint (Black and white)
• 1 can of spray varnish or clear plastic coat
• Dremel tool with sanding drum mandrel for enlarging hole for garden
• light only if needed.

Instructions:

You will need to buy or find 5-6 graduated terra cotta pots depending on how tall you want this. With outdoor silicone, glue each pot to the other while each pot is turned up side down. You now have your tower for your lighthouse. With good outdoor paint, Paint your lighthouse. Pictures can be found online for the stripes as each lighthouse is different.

Coat tower with spray varnish or clear plastic coat. Top with a solar garden light. You may need to enlarge the hole on the top pot to be able to put the garden light on. This can be accomplished with a dremel tool with a sanding drum mandrel.

These would be especially pretty lining a drive way. These would also be pretty on a table using smaller terracotta pots that can be found at most craft stores. For the light on top use a baby food jar with a glow stick that should glow until your party is ove

By Debra from Colorado Springs, Co

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When I fold the sheets from the dryer, I always fold the fitted sheet and then I fold the pillowcases together and put both inside the fold of the top sheet. When I get the sheets from the linen closet, I have everything I need. I do not have to look for the fitted sheet and the pillowcases because everything is all together.

Having both queen and king size beds, it is much easier to do it this way.

By June from Long Beach, MS

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When packing up the leftovers from the Holidays, make a couple of "Turkey Casseroles". Spray the casseroles, put cooked Turkey in the bottom and top with Gravy; next add a layer of carrots; or other leftover veggies (Brussel Sprouts are not a good idea); a layer of dressing, and top with a layer of Mashed Potatoes. Push down slightly and cover with plastic wrap. I put the lid on the casserole and wrap it again to avoid having to look for it when you warm it up. Pop it in the freezer. To reheat - Thaw in the fridge all day and heat for about 1 hour at 325 degrees F. Just make sure it is HOT in the centre before serving. It's like a Mini-Turkey Dinner! ENJOY.

By Faye from The Pas MB Canada

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You don't have to stuff yourself with all that turkey right away. Cut it up into bite sized pieces, and measure the turkey into individual freezer bags. Divide the turkey into the amounts you normally use turkey or chicken in recipes. Next time you want to make a casserole or something, your turkey is all cooked and measured for you, and you just have to toss it in with the other ingredients for a quick dinner. And it isn't as boring as two weeks of turkey sandwiches!

By Lynn

Post your ideas below.

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As your Thankgiving guests arrive give each a paper fall leaf to write a "thankful" thought on. Have them drop them in a clear vase or fishbowl. They needn't sign it unless they want to. Then, if there are only a few, read them before the meal, or after, or hang them up for all to see.

By Linda

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I've found that using round basket type coffee filters to clean my eyeglasses leaves them sparkling, and without any of the smudge or lint residue that comes from paper towels, tissues, or napkins. They can be used repeatedly, carried easily in your purse or pocket, and you can buy a pack of 100 in the dollar store. They'll last you forever, and your lenses will be bright.

By Sharon from New York, NY

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If you bake your stuffing in another dish, you can make the turkey stay moist by placing an apple inside while baking.

By Gladys Hill

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A few years ago, my friend and her hubby started painting their newly acquired house. The only thing was they didn't think of was putting their cats in a room with the door closed.

One kitty came in the room they were working in, she said it was like, "oh, kitty, have you come to see what we're doing? Ok, kitty you can sit there, up and out of our way."

The cat sat there for what seemed like forever, then all of sudden the cat jumped to another part of the room (their eyes following the cat, but much to their dismay!) onto a tray of paint sat upon top of a ladder! The cat was covered in paint as was a lot of other areas, they were quickly trying to clean before the paint dried, kitty ran out of the room!

She said when she finally got all the paint cleaned up in the room, then she went looking for the cat, which wasn't too hard to find as he'd left a trail of paint everywhere he went! She said "Learn from my mistake. Always, always, lock up your animals before starting a painting project!"

By Terri from NV

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To save yourself the cost of a repairman, if your washer is filling slowly. Turn off the water at the valve, and take the hoses off and be sure that the connection is clean. When my washer was filling slowly, I did this and found that the hose was partially blocked by sediment. I just cleaned out the sediment, replaced the washer (rubber ring), and reattached the hoses. Then I turned on the water, and it works great.

It saved me calling a repairman to do the same job that I can do for free. Also be sure to periodically take the dryer vent hose off and clean it out well, so that your clothing will dry quicker with the improved air flow.

By Tonya from Martinsville, OH

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HOORAY! I've finally got the most beautiful green grass where there was almost no grass, thanks to all those used coffee grounds I put out last month! I promised to report on it since I had so little to lose by doing it on almost bare DIRT! I have NO idea how the grass not only greened up but also spread WAY into the barest areas.

My son, who mows the lawn regularly, almost dropped his teeth when he saw it. Wow, I had NO idea we'd get such g-r-e-a-t results. I just can't stop raving and should have a camera, darn it! My son will possibly get my car repaired this month and every time I pass a restaurant or coffee shop, I'll stop by and ask for their used grounds. It took about 20 - 10 lb. bags for 25'x100' on the side, applied like thin top soil, and I wished that I had more to have been able to green up the front lawn as well.

They all just throw the used coffee grounds into the trash/landfill, so please get some, try a weak spot on your own lawn and see if it works for you. That amount I used is not weight, but rather an approximate amount as if it were a large 10 lb. sugar bag size!

So, try to imagine what you need. It worked for us. I pray it works for you, too. God bless the free fertilizer (nitrogen only), which we needed ever so badly! If I ever get too much, I'll just add it like "greens" to the compost, too.

By Lynda from TX

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Don't spend your overtime money. Any and all extra money made should go into a separate account (savings account or investment). Saving your overtime money or extra earned money will add up very fast over the years! You will be amazed.

By Sharon from Lakeland, FL

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Once you've mashed them, keep them on low, covered in a crockpot. Butter melts well on them. Delicious!

By Betty G.

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Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/

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Does anyone have tips or craft ideas for using empty prescription bottles? I have many, and I hate to throw them away if they can be used or made into something.

Thanks!
Cathy from Bristol, TN

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How can I tone down my red complexion with a home remedy?

Dani from Tampa, FL

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Has anyone ever heard of "whipped candles"? When I was 14, my friend's mom used to use a large mixture to make these "textured" candles. She would sell them to make money for the holidays. I remember them like it was last week. Except I don't remember how she got it so "textured". Any info would be great! Thanks

Patti from Plainville, CT

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I need an idea about what to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. I am going to my DIL's family (her aunt's) for the first time. Something special, but easy. I am not much of a cook.

Pam from RI

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How do i get wax off wallpaper?

Ian from London

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How do I get greasy stains (from chocolate) from a cotton blouse?

Judy from South Africa

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How do I remove mold odors from carpeting?

Becky from Danvers, MA

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I have a couple grease stains on a suit coat just. They look like slash marks. Dry clean material. Any advice?

Mema from Summerfield, FL

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My woolen sleeveless cardigan has got stained from leather buttons when washing. How can I remove the stains?

Miki from Bristol, UK

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I'm new to the cleaning field and don't have a lot of money for supplies. What should I use to mop a marble kitchen floor with? I used a baking soda and water soultion and it left a film I'd never thought I'd get rid of.

Anita from Wellington, MO

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I kept milk in the stove for boiling at 11:00 PM. I completely forgot about the milk and went to sleep. At 5:00 AM, the milk was burnt and black in color. But my problem is, the house smells of the burnt milk. I opened the windows, put the fan on, boiled cinnamon, cloves, and apple pie sauce in water. I put vinegar in cotton balls. The smell isn't going. I am scared to keep inhaling it too. can anyone give me some idea of how to get rid of the smell?

AV

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How do I remove a large paper manufacturer's label that is glued on plastic? It is not one of those easily removable labels that use a peel off glue. I can't tear it off.

Dennis from Vernon, NJ

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I took off some things I had appliqued to a shirt using Wonder Under. The appliques were old so they just peeled right off. Now, I am having trouble removing what's left of the Wonder Under that is on the shirt. I have tried Goo Gone, but that did not work. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Pru from Tampa, FL

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I spilled a turpentine based cleaner on the cement basement floor. The stain came out with water (actually the area is cleaner) but the smell still remains. What can I use to get the smell out? Opening a window to ventilate is no option.

Treana from Liberty Boro, PA

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A plastic spoon fell on the heating coil in my dishwasher. Now everything that was inside has a burned smell. How can I get it out?

Dee from Jonesboro, GA

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I have a question about repairing wood tables. I placed a hot pan on a piece of newspaper that was laying on the dining table. When I realized what I'd done I jerked it up and took the paper up, leaving a circular ridge on the table. It's almost as if the paper fibers stuck to the table. I've tried to get it off with baking soda and toothpaste and it's not worked. The mixture has left a very shiny spot on my otherwise soft matte finish table. So now I have this raised burned mark that is highlighted by a glassy shine. What should I do?

Finisnash

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I am looking for a recipe that looks like mashed, creamed or whipped potatoes but tastes like potato salad that has been prepared with vinegar or pickle relish - it is creamy smooth and served warmed.

Summergirl from Richmond, VA

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I am invited to a cookie party and need a really easy cookie recipe. I need my cookies to look really cute. I am not a good baker. So far I have the simple butter recipe. Any other suggestions?

Promise from Chicago, IL

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I got my hair wrapped around a gold necklace. It's really tight and I can't seem to get it loose at all! My hair is a little longer than shoulder length and the necklace is one of those thinner type that looks twisted.

Kimmmer from Gettysgurg, PA

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Please take time to submit your favorite EASY holiday recipes.

Thank you,
Edie from Owensboro, KY

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Where can I go to get help for christmas for kids in Pennsylvania?

Jackie from Lebanon, PA

Please post charities that offer help during the holiday season in Pennsylvania.

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My Homita portable DVD player S2153 for a while until it suddenly
stopped functioning correctly because of am "incorrect region code.
I've tried looking on it's settings but found nothing wrong. Please
help!

mbroussard6

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My son flushed a whole roll of paper towels and now I have a stubborn clog. Water will slowly drain after a flush, leaving a paper pulp mess behind. No solids will go down. I scooped out all the pulp from the bowl. I have tried a plunger and 2 different toilet augers (3 foot and 6 foot). The rest of the drains in the house are OK, so the clog is not in the main sewer line. I even tried septic tank cleaner 2 days ago, with no results.

Kennath from Las Vegas

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Can I make my own using Dawn dishsoap? I love the pump! I tried just adding water to the dishsoap, but it didn't turn out quite right. Any ideas? I would surely appreciate it!

PK from Topeka, KS

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How do you remove wax from candle stick holders?

Janine from SA

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I would love to get some fun ideas for adult party games.

Thanks,
Edie from Owensboro

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Is it alright to cook a turkey and a ham together in the same oven? Different pans of course.

Sue from Buffalo, N.Y.

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I live in Hamilton, Ontario and I have potted an asparagus plant. Now they seem to grow like the ornamental with long leaf fronds but it is supposed to be the vegetable. Now do I bring it in for the winter or just put in the shed where it will freeze but will be out of the worst of the weather? It is too late to put in the ground as we have the garden covered in wood for the wood stove. Love the heat.

Thanks,
Susan from Hamilton, Ontario

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What homemade gift do you make for your boyfriend for christmas if he's an artist? Anything that he can use as a tool while painting, drawing, etc. Or any other ideas at all?

Thanks,
Sophia from Paramount, CA

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Do you know where I can find french beaded flowers projects like in the picture?

Bettie from Sweet Water, AL

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I got this recipe from a newspaper insert and gave it a try. It is a very heavy type bread, but was quick and easy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. cold butter
• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

I didn't have buttermilk on hand and used a substitute:

For 1 1/2 cups, I used 1 tablespoon and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice into the measuring cup then added enough milk to make the 1 1/2 cups required for the recipe. Let stand five minutes before using.

By Paula from Christmas, MI

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