Daily Thrifty Tips - May 18, 2006

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Fernado is a 9 year old Mexica cat and Fenway is a 2 year old Boston Terrier.

They like to look out the window at Na Na's house to see if Mommy's coming.

By Marieaa from Langley B C

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A cute purse made from various leaf patterns. Can be made in different colors for different seasons!

Items Needed:

• Felt in Fall Colors (yellow, red, brown, orange, and green)
• scissors
• black thread
• needle
• velcro strips
• decorative multi-color thread

Instructions:

1. Take two pieces of any Fall colored felt. Cut them both in the shape of a leaf. (You can use a pattern, or just cut freely for a unique look.)

2. Sew around the edge of the two felt leaves.

3. Fold the top of the leaf shape down so there is a purse flap with a straight edge on top.

4. Cut through only one piece of the felt on the inside of the purse, directly under the purse flap.

5. Braid the decorative multi-colored thread into a handle.

6. Attach handle under the purse flap.

7. Use the decorative thread for designs on the purse.

Be creative with the decorative thread. I sewed over the black thread stitches and freely sewed a pattern on the purse flap.

8. Cut out mini leaf shapes from the remaining Fall colored felt.

9. Attach the mini leaves to the purse, either with the black thread or the decorative thread.

10. Attach a 1-2 inch piece of Velcro to the purse flap and the purse base, to be used as a clasp.

This purse creation will look different each time you make it. You can add as many extra leaves as you desire, beads, sequins, feathers or any other decorative items you wish.

This craft is rather difficult and time consuming. It would work wonderfully as a project for a crafters workshop.

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Teddy Bear is my 2 year old Pomeranian and was a gift from a friend.

He follows me around the house all day and takes a nap on the king size bed with me at noon.

By Janet from Cave Creek, Az.

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Natural looking yet practical plant identifiers, easy to make and waterproof to boot!

Materials and Equipment:

• a large, relatively flat smooth stone, at least 3 or more inches in diameter
• a Sharpie waterproof marker

Instructions:

1. Before you start, clean and dry your stone completely.

2. In attractive script (you may want to practice first on a piece of paper) write the common name or the scientific name of the plant you want the marker to identify.

3. Allow the ink to dry completely before placing it in the garden. The marker is waterproof, but if it is placed in a sunny location, you may want to redo your marker after a year of two. Fortunately they are quick and cheap to make!

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I graduated from college not that many years ago, and picked up a few tips during my years at my university! One of the things I wished I had started doing right away was borrowing textbooks from the campus library instead of buying them. I was a history and English major, and a lot of the books I needed for my English classes were novels.

In my last couple of years, I got wise and started to just check them out at the campus or local library rather than buy them at $7-18 a pop! Many times I needed at least 4 or 5 books for a class, so buying them could cost me upwards of $75-100. I also did the same thing once for a math textbook that would've cost about $65--what a savings! The only thing I learned was to check them out as soon as possible after getting your list of books required for the class, because other people might check them out before you if you procrastinate!

By Lisa from Kenosha, WI

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Mulch can do so much to make a garden look fine, but it's so expensive! I've found that a request on your local FreeCycle group (www.freecycle.org), will work wonders. There is almost always someone in your area who has had a tree cut down and chipped and wants to get rid of the chippings.

By Louise from Dayton, KY

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Buy ten different types of baby food and peel the labels of the jars. Mark each jar from 1 to 10 with a marker. Allow guests to examine and smell the contents of the jar. Tasting the baby food is cheating. Then each guest writes down what type of baby food they think is in each jar. The guest with the most correct answers wins the game.

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To make glitter stick to a glass project spray with hair spray. I put some glitter in my hand and just blew on it and it looks like I bought it like that. I bought my egg plates at the dollar store after Easter at 1/2 price.

By Christine L. from IN

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This is a way to use up leftover chicken. My mom started making this before cream of mushroom soup became a bit hit for fast meals. She uses left over chicken to make what she calls cheese chicken.

Ingredients and Directions

Just take ANY left over chicken, shred it, dice it or whatever you want (if it has skin remove it.) Add a few cans of cream of mushroom soup, and warm it up. Add a bit of velveeta cheese melted into it and pour over rice. VOILA - a super quick dinner that the kids LOVE and it's so easy! If my mom is craving this, she'll just buy 2 already cooked chicken breasts at the store and go from there.

By Karren from The Dalles - Oregon

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Fruit flies and summer gnats can be a problem for me with the amount of garden produce and orchard harvest I have each year. However, I discovered a solution to these pests several years ago using household ingredients.

Mix 2 tablespoons sugar, one-half cup vinegar and then add 1 teaspoon dish soap. Pour this mixture into custard cups (one recipe per custard cup) and be careful you don't create soap suds as you move it. Leave the cup and its contents unmolested in the areas you are plagued with these pests.

Over the next 24 to 48 hours, you will be surprised at how many of them have been drawn to the mixture and then drowned in it. It doesn't work instantly, but it does work so have patience.

As the tomato season progresses, I may have up to 2 dozen tomatoes "finishing ripening" in my kitchen but the fruit flies are not a problem thanks to this handy concoction.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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I have a 3-ring notebook just for cooking hints and tips that are not recipes, but are a great help in the kitchen. I have sections for equivalents, substitutions, baking and cooking equipment, and a section on helpful hints.

For example, my notebook lets me know that 1 medium apple equals 1 cup sliced apple and that 1 medium banana equals one-third cup mashed banana. Also, two slices of bread equal one cup of bread crumbs and one cup of uncooked rice equals three cups of cooked rice.

I find this kind of information really handy if the recipe I am working with doesn't spell out exactly the information I need (particularly if I am cutting a recipe down). I began this notebook more than 10 years ago and am still finding new information to add to it.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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When making egg salad we all know to boil the water, add your eggs and cover. Turn the heat off and let sit for 20 minutes. No gray ring around the yolk and perfectly done. Cool and peel the eggs. To smash them up I put all the whole peeled eggs into a container and mash with a pastry blender. It takes two minutes, I add the mayonnaise, mustard and celery and smash again. The fastest way to make a nice creamy egg salad. No knives or egg cutters needed.

By Valery from Cranford NJ

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Here's a recipe for Beeswax Deodorant.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. shredded beeswax
• 1 T. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. cocoa butter
• 12 drops rosemary oil

Directions:

Melt beeswax. Stir in cocoa butter until melted. Add oils. Pour into any shape mold. When hardened, pop out of mold. Cover with clear wrap.

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Ask each guest to bring a photograph of herself as a baby. Number these photos and pin them on a bulletin board. The first guest to correctly name which baby picture belongs to which adult wins a baby shower prize.

By Hope

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We live in a litigious society now (That means that everyone turns to lawyers and the law very quickly.) So, in order to protect yourself and your family's rights, knowing a bit of the law yourself is wise. I recommend the Nolo Press and their publications and website as sources of easy-to-understand explanations of common legal problems. (I have their book ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EVERYDAY LAW.) Over the years my bit of legal savvy has stood me in good stead and even saved me money, especially in consumer complaints! When you are in the right, it's good to be able to PROVE it.

By Pam from Los Angeles

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My parents' church is having a Church Homecoming in July. I have been asked to make or find someone to make 30 wrist corsages. I would like to make them and save the church some money. Can anyone give me some easy steps in making wrist corsages?

Thank You,
Velvet from Belleville, MI

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We bought a used travel trailer this spring. When we took the cushion covers off to wash them, one of the foam mattresses was very moldy and mildewy. We want to try to clean it ourselves before we spend money on a new one. Any suggestions?

Kimmie-jo from Puposky, MN

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My child got a red paint pen stain all over my cherry wood desktop. I can't get off? Any ideas without ruining the wood?

Mike from Malvern, PA

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I need some crock pot recipes. I especially need something that I can use zucchini in, but any good crock pot recipes would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Fab4mom from Walker, LA

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Does anyone know how to get oil based primer off of laminate countertops and linoleum floors?

Nikchic from Augusta, GA

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I have a heap of photographs which are over 25 to 30 years old which has recently shown signs of deterioration. How can I stop this process? These photos had been placed in albums. Is there any powder or something else which can be spread on the photos to prevent further deterioration?

Thanks,
Rdezilwa from Colombo, Sri Lanka

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I have been asked to make a champagne toast at my goddaughter's first holy communion party. What is the proper thing to say? I am tongue tied.

PG from LI, NY

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Has anyone any tips regarding moving to another state with 3 dogs? Has anyone used any pet transportation services? It's a NY to Florida move, and I was planning to drive with them, but they aren't used to the car and I'll have cargo to drag with me. I have no idea how to do this.

Elizabeth from Ossining, New York

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Does anyone have a promotion code for spiegel for deferred billing?

Hannahemilly from Cumberland, KY

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I always use bleach with whites and add my cream stretch slacks no problem. This time two pair of slacks and one pair of shorts came out looking like dirt. Something the same color is all over just the pants not any of the other clothes. One color has a hint of blue dirt. I have kept the pants in cool water until I can see what I should try. Please HELP!

Thank you,
mjski

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How can I keep the neighboor's cat out of my garden?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Windella from Pasadena, CA

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I am growing collard greens and have many, many plants. I pick and cook the leaves regularly. Recently, I have noticed that 3 of my collard plants have began to go to seed and have beautifully yellow blooms from the seeds. How do I get these seeds and plant them so they can make more collard green plants? Is it too late after the blooms develop or can I cut of the bloom with stem and plant in the dirt? Please help.

Thanks,
Sheryl

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I am wondering about other folks who might be dealing with black walnut trees. Has anyone found anything that grew well around them? I've researched a lot but was wondering about some additional plants that might work.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Kathy from Buffalo, NY

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Please help me come up with an eye catching, terrific, get the job NOW type of name for my cleaning business.

Shannon from Sarasota, FL

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How can I keep a skunk out of my yard? I see it daily in day light!

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Windella from Pasadena, CA

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I am looking for a recipe my mom used make, it was goulash with a packet of Lipton's onion soup mix.

Thanks,
ED1 from TX

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I have a 11 year old cocker who has very bad breath. I thought it was due to her getting older (never had a dog this old before) then today I lifted up her mouth to look at her teeth and they were very rotten and a lot of them were loose. I'm going to get her a vet appointment, but I was wondering what this could do to her health? It's sad when your close to your pet and you see things like this. My 7 year old daughter and myself started crying together when we thought something could happen.

Thanks for your help,
Christina from San Antonio, TX

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How do I remove PVC Cement from a cotton T-shirt?

Brittany from VA

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Spring and fall are the optimum seasons for planting trees. And although all newly planted trees experience some transplant stress, proper planting techniques can minimize the stress and get your trees off to a healthy, vigorous start.

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Breed Description: From a distance this breed appears large and expressive. They have medium-long fur that is soft like a rabbits and begs to be stroked. This is a large breed with males weighing 15 to 20 pounds or more. They are heavy-boned and muscular with a fat pad present on their abdomen, regardless of their weight. This breed is slow to mature and long-lived and its sweet, trusting personality is one of the breed's most defining characteristics.

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Installing ceramic tile might seem a daunting task but it really is well within the grasp of most people. The only steps involved are layout, setting, and grouting.

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Unless your dog NEVER leaves the house and NEVER ever has a chance to escape, your dog needs a collar. Not only a collar, but one with ID tags and proof of rabies vaccination; it's the best way to ensure that if your dog ever does get lost, he gets found quickly and easily.

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It is important to always be prepared for the unexpected. With camping that could mean anything from bad weather to a severe accident. That is why it is important to always be prepared. Take along a first aid kit and be prepared to use it should anything happen.

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Sometimes homemade rolls make a meal complete and now you can have them on hand anytime with this quick and easy freezable recipe!

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