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Hello,
We have 20 new requests today (same as yesterday), please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
Christmas Book
By Christine Webber
In essence, a handmade book covered in beautiful seasonal paper. This book provides a lovely place to record Christmas memories, lists, and recipes. It can be large or small, depending on your needs.
Materials and Equipment:
Instructions:
1. Before you start, clear the table and cover it with newspaper or a large garbage bag to avoid getting glue on the table.
2. Place all your supplies on the table in front of you. The first step in this project is to decorate the cover of the book. Before cutting your papers, layer them over the cover to get a sense of which papers you want to use in your cover design. I like to place corrugated cardboard on the cover first to provide a backdrop with three-dimensional visual interest. Next, I layer one or two other lighter pieces of patterned paper over the cardboard. Then I add an embellished placard from a craft store or a pretty Christmas card I received last year and couldnt bear to throw away. (Refer to photo.)
3. Once you have decided on your design, cut the paper and cardboard (if you are using it) to the sizes you need.
4. Pour a small puddle of glue onto the plastic container lid.
5. Spread a thin layer of glue on the back of the piece of paper that will be undermost in your design. Press the paper firmly over the cover of the book, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go. Allow this layer to dry completely.
6. Repeat step five for each piece of paper you have incorporated into your design.
7. Glue or stick on the embellishment of your choice. Allow to dry.
8. Repeat your paper design on the back of the book or simply glue on a sheet of paper that matches one that you used on the front. Allow to dry. You can also opt to leave the back uncovered.
9. Tie a festive ribbon around the book and start scribbling that holiday gift list!
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Mitzi is an almost 3 yrs old Chihuahua.
Her favorite things to do are:
1. Be in the computer room when I'm on the 'puter.
2. Play with her stuffed orange bone. She likes to have someone toss it and then she runs to get it and shakes it around. The game is considered OVER when she takes the toy into her bed.
Mitzi was born on January 31, 2003. We went to pick her out from the breeder on April 15th (tax day - - I'll never forget it!!) She was still so tiny, only 9 oz., that the breeder wanted to keep her for a bit longer just to make sure she was eating o.k. We put our deposit down on her and went home to wait.
We were finally able to bring her home on May 5th. She weighed a whopping 11 oz. Her coloring is considered blue and white. Depending on the light, her darker coloring can look anywhere from black to a silvery black.
By Louise
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Pirate Party Invitations and Ideas
This year my son wanted a Pirate themed party. I found an ad in the paper for a mini golf place with a pirate logo. I scanned in the ad and removed their name from the banner. I added my son's name and Happy 7th Birthday. Then I printed it on transfer paper and made a t-shirt out of it for him for all his friends to sign at the party.
I then took the same image to the bakery and had them put it on his cake. I made his invitations on brown paper (a map) and tore the edges and used artists' chalk to darken the edges.
The kids decorated mini treasure chests, had a treasure hunt and hit a treasure chest pinata. I will attach one photo here of the image I used for his shirt and cake as well as his invitation. I will send additional photos via email right away also.
Here are some more pictures of the party.
By Melanie from Shakopee, MN
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Fish Coat Rack
By Susan Sanders-Kinzel
We needed some coat racks for our new office which is by the water. I had some little wooden hanging fish I'd bought at a garage sale, worn blue and gray, that I really loved. I saw some coat racks at JoAnn's that I thought would go well with them. So I bought 2 of these fish shaped coat racks from JoAnn's. They were unfinished wood with cute hook shaped hangers on them. My intention was to give them the same look as these fish.
I took off the hangers. I used a wood burner with a fine tip and temperature regulator but any wood burner would do. Using the burner, I burned markings into the wood to make the fish look like a salmon, lines on the fins and dots to add some shading.
Then I painted the wood with blue and silver acrylic paint. I really used kind of a wash by mixing the paint with water. After it dried and was happy with the results, I sprayed the whole thing with a clear finish. Then I replaced the coat hooks and hung them up.
By Susan from ThriftyFun
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Today's Tips
To try to save yourself from getting cold sores, when eating in a restaurant with reusable glasses, always ask for a straw for each of your drinking glasses.
By Terri from NV
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If you have a wood burning stove and receive the daily newspaper you can make your own newspaper logs. Lay newspapers flat and roll it into 3 inch diameter logs then wrap metal wire around the finished log. The tighter you can roll the paper the longer the "logs" will burn.
By ThriftyFun
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Save old pantyhose to use as stuffing when you make dolls or throw pillows.
By ThriftyFun
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Car Buying Tip 2 - JUST Look Around
Make at least one trip to the dealership JUST to look around and drive the cars. Promise yourself you will not buy that first time, no matter what. Why? So that you can go home and look up information on the internet, including dealer cost, safety ratings, option prices, and any manufacturer to dealer incentives that the dealer has certainly not told you about! It is best to make this trip at the start of the month, planning to buy at the end of the month.
By Robin Segal
http://www.thecarbuyersbible.com
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Saving Money on Little Juice Bottles
After buying a 6 pk. of bottled fruit juices, for my husband's lunches, I keep the bottles. I refill them with juices I buy in big bottles at a much cheaper price, than the 6 pks. These bottles of juice, (allow room at the top for expanding), I can put these in the freezer. So when I'm making his lunch, I can bring them from the freezer to his lunchbox. So when he goes for it, it might still be icy or thawed completely, but still ice cold. He looks forward to these as he never knows what juices I'll be refilling the bottles with.
By Terri from NV
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When making turkey (chicken) soup, simmer the broken up carcass. tiny bits of meat left on the carving board, the wing tips and tail, in enough water to cover. Add a little celery, carrot, onion and a clove of garlic to the pot. Add a little salt and pepper. Remember the stock will reduce and it's easy to over salt at this point. If the carcass has a little bit of stuffing in the nooks and crannies, so much the better. Once the stock has simmered for an hour or two, strain and cool. Discard the vegetables and pick any useable meat from the bones. Put the stock in the refrigerator over night. All the turkey (chicken) fat will rise to the top and congeal. Carefully remove this fat and use sparingly to saute vegetables (celery, carrots, onions, plus whatever you like in your soup) until they are translucent. Heat the stock and add the sautéed vegetables and any leftover turkey (chicken) to the soup. Simmer until everything is tender and then season to taste. By using this method your soup isn't greasy, and by using the turkey (chicken) fat to saute the veggies rather than oil or butter, has even more turkey (chicken) flavor, and you're using something that would have been thrown away.
By ShellyE from Las Vegas, Nevada
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Prevent Eye Glasses and Goggles from Fogging Up
Apply a little foaming shaving cream to your glasses and then wipe it off to help prevent them from fogging up. This also works well for swimming and skiing goggles.
By ThriftyFun
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Keep Candles from Tipping Over
Before putting candles into a candle holder or candle stick, melt some wax and drip it in the bottom of the holder. Then place the candle into the holder. Once the wax dries it will help prevent the candles from falling out of the holder.
By ThriftyFun
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Contest ends November 30, 2005
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New Requests
I am looking for a pattern or instructions to make a polar fleece scarf with puppet heads at each end. I saw them at a craft fair, but can't find a pattern.
Thanks!
Susan from Robbinsville, NJ
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What type of glue do I use for fabric?
Could someone please let me know the best glue for fabric? I believe I have tried it all, but my jewels fall off of everything I make. I would appreciate any help that you have to offer.
Thanks,
Janet Thompson from Humble,Texas
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Cat Not Peeing in the Litter Box
I have a 4 year old male cat. He has decided that his litter box is used for #2 only. He has found it more comfortable to urinate on everything in the basement and under my bed instead of in his litter box. I have a laundry shoot and when the clothes hit the floor, if I don't get down there fast enough, he has already urinated on them. I have more ruined clothes than anything. I need to know what can I use to get the urine smell out of my house? What can I do to keep him for doing this in the future.
Jessica from Roseville, MI
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Here's a question I've "never" heard asked but a lot of us probably want the answer. What do you use to "replace" mushrooms in recipes? No one here likes them, but we are "happy!".
Thank you all and always wear your seat belts.
Trish from Tucson, AZ
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Using a Chimney Balloon (Chimney Pillow)
Has anyone used a Chimney Balloon (Chimney Pillow) to stop a draft from a fireplace? My brick fireplace is not being used - only on special occasions - and I want to prevent the outside (cooler) air from entering home when the flue is closed.
Mrsjean from USA
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At this time of the year I use refillable lighters often to light a fire or burning candles. Does anyone know how long the refillable lighters last? Of course, I think I am saving money purchasing these refillable lighters but it seems that once they empty and I refill them they just don't seem to work as well. I am 'clicking' away at that button to get a flame and it used to work on the first 'click'.
Can they be cleaned? :-)
Mrsjean from USA
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I was just told by my Pediatrician that my 3 year old son is allergic to peanuts, peanut butter and to avoid all tree nuts. I know that starting in January, all food and candy companies have to list all 8 allergy ingredients on their packaging. However, does anyone out there know of any companies that advertise that they don't have peanuts or nuts in their factories?
Thanks!
Ricki from Westfield, MA
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Party Ideas for Kids With Disabilities
We have an autistic grandson who will be 10 in January. His parents are planning a birthday party for him at the school where he resides. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do at a party for children who have learning disabilities? There will be other children there too who don't have disabilities. Thanks! Any help will be much appreciated.
Eva from Shenandoah Valley of VA
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I am wanting to buy a video card for my son for Christmas. There are a ton of different video cards to buy. Does anyone know how to compare video cards and how to tell what is a good buy? Is Ebay a good place to buy one? Any advice would be helpful, there are just too many options with vastly different prices.
Thanks,
Jim from KY
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Storing Cat Food in Plastic Kitty Litter Containers
Is it safe to use the plastic kitty litter containers to store your pets food - loose. I buy 20lbs at a time and its very difficult to keep my two cats DewBugE and Little out of the bag. I've heard that the containers have chemicals that may be absorbed by the food that could make pets sick if used for this purpose.
Anyone know about the safety concerns?
Thanks so much,
Denise from Huntington WV
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I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or recipes to share that use canned venison. I have been canning it all weekend and would like some yummy recipes to use this winter.
Thanks,
Erica from West Virginia
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Is it possible to dye blue jeans black? I am a black fan, completely, but finding acceptable and inexpensive black jeans is difficult. (It is for me, anyway.) I have several blue jeans that I want as black as I can get them. Is there a reasonable way to do it?
Myst-Eerie from Toronto Canada
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I have several wooden spools that belonged to my grandmother. I was wanting to keep them in a jar with some of her old buttons. Do you know if it is better for anitquity to keep the thread on them or off? I know that I am to leave the labels on.
Carol from Fairview, TN
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White Chocolate on a Leather Sofa
Does anyone know how to get melted white chocolate off a leather sofa?
Jencat from Vancouver, BC
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The floor of our fiberglass shower stall is white in color and has some very noticable stains. We were told not to use abrasives to clean this floor, but how can we get the stains out? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
James from Toms River, NJ
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My small dog is on several meds. One of them needs to be divided into quarters. The tab is small and is scored for dividing in half, but when I cut the halves into quarters, sometimes the tabs splinter and/or divide unequally. (I have used a pill splitter, but I find that it's no better than using a razor blade.) Anyone have a suggestion about how to avoid these problems?
Claudia from MD
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Reusing Swiffer CarpetFlick Pads
Can anyone who has a Swiffer CarpetFlick tell me if the disposable pad can be cleaned somehow and reused again? I've looked at this product in the stores, and it's difficult to tell from the box what the pad is made out of and if it would withstand hand or machine washing or if the dirt and debris would be too difficult to remove at all.
Thanks!
Truerblue from PA
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Removing Fuzz Balls from a Sweatshirt
I have a fleece hooded sweatshirt that has grown little white fuzzballs on its beautiful dark blue body. I have tried duct tape to remove them and washing the sweatshirt inside out. The fuzzballs refuse to relocate!
Please help.
FFL from Denver
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Buying Plain Cloth or Stain Purses
I need to know the best place to find plain cloth or satin purses to decorate? I would appreciate any help that you have to offer.
Thanks,
Janet Thompson from Humble, Texas
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Cleaning Brass With Lemon Juice
Can you use lemon juice to clean brass? if so how much water and lemon juice?
Cindy from Anniston, AL
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More Reading:
Roast Turkey, Made Easy
By Charlie Burke
It was with some trepidation that I approached the topic of roasting a turkey.I wondered if our readers needed yet another recipe for turkey in November when the cover of nearly every cooking magazine is adorned with a picture-perfect browned bird, while the editors struggle to convince us that, (at last!), the definitive recipe for the perfect Thanksgiving turkey is contained within.
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