Hello,
I'm back from my "vacation". I spent time babysitting my grandkids so my daughter and son-in-law could have a little break. You probably noticed that no issue was published yesterday, we just didn't have time to publish one. Everything should be back to normal now.
A quick update about photo contest entries. We are just now starting to publish the entries from early September so if you haven't seen your photo published, that's why. We try to publish mix of tip photos and pets but right now, the vast majority of photo entries are pets. Feel free to continue submitting pet photos, we promise to get them all published as quickly as possible but also please consider sending in other types of entries.
Some categories that we would love to receive more photo entries for are: Halloween Party Tips and Costume Ideas, Home Improvement Tips (Especially Weatherization Tips), Wedding Tips, Party Tips and Ideas, and Gardening tips.
Submit a Photo...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
We also are a bit low on recipe entries this week. If there is a recipe that you and your family loves, feel free to submit here.
Submit a Recipe...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/add.ldml
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Lots of great art supplies at DickBlick.com
http://www.thriftyfun.com/thriftylinks/tf241337_tfl.html
Today's Photos
Angel was 2 months in photo (Now he is 2 years old) Was found on the side of a stretch of Highway 138, with no houses around. My husband pulled over and opened the door, and in jumped the sickly cat. He is doing just great now.
By Teresa Gomez-Bouthillier
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This is Wrigley and he is OUT COLD! You can't tell by looking at the picture, but he is snoring REALLY REALLY LOUD.
Wrigley is a Chocolate Lab and was about 2 months old in the photo, but he's now 8 months old and a LOT bigger! As you can tell, his favorite thing to do is SLEEP . . . and eat socks.
By Jojo in TN
Here's a previous entry with the adorable Wrigley:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf504644.tip.html
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This is Felix, my 7-yr old Green Cheek Conure. This was taken in 2002 in Houston, TX at the Conure Chat Convention. He's a sweetie!
By Melissa W. Charlotte, NC
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Today's Tips
Here's a tip for washing your hands at a campsite when there is no faucet. Hang a one gallon milk jug to a low sturdy limb and make a hole in the bottom and plug the hole with a golf tee or a cork. Then fill the jug with water. Wash hands by removing the plug. Hang a nylon with a bar of soap in it right next to the jug.
By Linda Jonson
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My husband and I have been asked to take other people's dogs as our own. It is an honor and for some reason we never have more than three at a time. Age doesn't matter and we are just about up to our three again. Some are in good shape and some need TLC. We have 1/2 acre fenced in the back and they can play to their heart's content when they are not in playing with us.
By Bev Sobkowich
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Tips for peeling garlic. Post your ideas.
When peeling garlic, I found you can roll the clove between your hands the skins come off very easy and saves time using a knife.
By Annette
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What are you're favorite Halloween Party Ideas? Please post them below.
My sister has thrown several Halloween parties (not Halloween night, but in the same week) for her kids down through the years. She said that none were as frightening and spooky for the kids, as the one where she served a red punch with frozen dark grapes (told the kids they were "eyeballs") and also, a black kool-aid* served from a plastic black cauldron with dry ice (it put off an eerie steam), along with other Halloween goodies and treats.
It was an outside party, complete with decorations. She ran an extension cord out to keep the crockpot of chili warm. Served everything in paper cups, bowls (for easy cleanup).
They had several outside games as well as a maze, they'd pre-made through the nearby forest, it was guided by some of the parents (so no one could get lost). Fun had by all, both children and attending parents as well. She had many compliments.
*recipe for the black Kool-Aid, I've seen in some Autumn magazines.
By Terri
Editor's Note: I couldn't find one for Black Kool-Aid but here's one for "Ghoul-Ade":
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94959531.tip.html
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A Flag or Marker For Your Tent
When you are camping all the tents look alike to a kid. So that they always know where their tent is, attach a flag type identifier on the tent as high as you can.
By Linda Jonson
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My family landscaped for many years and I want to give you some hints.
Never plant a tree in front of your house as it makes the front yard look short.
Plant bright flowers close to the house and soft colored flowers at a distance from the house as it gives the yard depth.
When planting shrubs, make sure the bushes have different textures and shades to enhance the look of the yard.
By Bev Sobkowich
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Ingredients:
Preparation:
Mix Kool Aid's together with sugar, in large pitcher. Add water and mix. Just before serving, add ginger ale.
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When January arrives make a "be good to myself calendar." For every month I write in something to attend to for my health. Example: schedule mammogram, visit eye doctor, buy a juicer and make healthy beverages, exercise, etc. Whatever item you wrote in for that month attend to it. By the time 12 months is up some of these will have become habit!
By Linda Jonson
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 17 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Contest ends October 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests
I'm throwing a Halloween party and I have everything but need ideas for games. I know you can play a game like hide and go seek but I want something different, exciting and something I've never done before!
Thank you,
Jenna Catcott
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I am doing a project for Spanish class and I need a recipe from Peru. Please Help!
beachbabe
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I am moving in to a new house and it has a major animal urine odor. It has new floor and new carpet. The smell is most likely coming from walls or vents. Is their a way I can get rid of it if I can't find it? Or get to it?
Sheila
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I was recently at a craft show in our area, one booth had what they called sunglass visors made out of fun foam and fabric. I was wondering if anyone had the instrcutions or pattern on how to make these?
TIA,
Dee
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Use for Cotton Poly Neckpieces
I have a lot of new neck pieces that were used with Multiples, Multitudes and Units clothing. Any suggestions what to do with them?
I thought of ebay, but there doesn't appear to be much demand.
They are cotton/poly interlock, approx 15" by 14" and are sewn in a tube shape. These are the dimensions when the tube is laid out flat. Some patterned and some solid.
Thanks,
Holly
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Making a Coffee In a Percolator
I recently bought an old 10-12 cup aluminum stove top coffee pot (percolator) in very good condition. I would like to make some coffee but don't know the correct way to brew it. I would appreciate any help. Also, is the coffee measured out the same as an automatic coffee maker? Thanks for any ideas.
Mike
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My hubby and I are thinking of dressing up as Chinese Take out for Halloween. We bought the round hats that point at the top but now are trying to be creative on the rest of the outfit to create. We have seen some websites that show a fortune cookie made from a pillow wrapped around the body, and cardboard box turned into a take out box. Any other good suggestions for this one? We are going to a party and really want it to be a hit.
TexasTeacher
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Making Pot Roast in a Turbo Cooker
Looking for a pot roast recipes for turbo cooker.
Tracy
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I have recently developed a floater in my left eye (black spidery lines) which is very annoying. I have been to the opticians and doctors and they said there is not much I can do about it. Anyone else get these and is there anything that will help them go away.
Thanks,
Angela from UK
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Homemade Wood Stove Draft Inducer
Does anyone know how to make up a draft inducer for a wood burning stove to help keep smoke from coming into room when you feed the stove?
mickey2
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Bakeless bake sales are the new big thing at my daughter's high school. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Annie
Wilkes Barre, PA
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Raising Money for a Field Trip
We need to raise money for a school field trip to a Shakespeare play. What are some good ways to make money in school?
Candy
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I am in charge of decorating for a banquet who's theme is "Love One Another" I need inexpensive heart type decorations for 80 tables! Please help.
Karen from LA
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I have formica counter tops and I was wondering if there is any way to "buff" the counter to make it shine again? It only has faint scratches so I thought that maybe if I was it and then buff it without a buffer.
TIA
Cookiepom
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Camouflage Craft Ideas for Little Boys
I am a grandmother to 4 little boys. I don't have money to buy Christmas presents, so I have made each boy camouflage pants. My grandsons are ages 2-7 and another one on the way in December. Please pass on any projects, etc. you can think of using a camouflage theme. I made my new grandson, due in December, camouflage bibs.
Thanks for any help.
Jan
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Sunless Tanning Product Stains on Clothing
I laundered a pale yellow cotton dress (washer and drier) and didn't notice the now dried stain from sunless tanning product - any suggestions on how to possibly get this stain out? I know that it was from sunless tanning product but has turned a purple blue color having been through the drying process.
Thanx
Apie
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I need to know if you can make your own carpet deodorizer you know the powder kind that comes in a can. Anyone know if you can make some?
Soulegal
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Does anyone know how to remove a light pink dye from shoes?
I have had 3 pairs shoes dyed, trying to make a taupe color and they turn out pink. I would like to remove the pink (which is light) and try and get a taupe color. Also, if you know how to dye satin shoes yourself and get a taupe color.
Kathy
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I'm really sick of having hard scratchy towels. I have never used softener on them as that's supposed to stop them from absorbing water and I don't have a dryer so they are either dried inside on a rack or outside on the line. They weren't super cheap, just average.
Does anyone know how I can soften them up? Does anyone here use fabric softener on towels?
Thanks so much!
-X-
Clairebear
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Lots of great art supplies at DickBlick.com
http://www.thriftyfun.com/thriftylinks/tf241337_tfl.html
More Reading:
Fragrant Rocks
By Craftbits
Place these natural looking fragrance rocks around your house, in ash trays, in the car as a great alternative to potpourri or incense.
Materials:
Instructions:
Mix all the dry ingredients together then add the oil and last the hot water, add the color drop by drop. Once they are cool enough to handle, roll them into small balls around 2-3 inch in size or be creative and make assorted shapes.
This mixture dries hard after several days in a warm and dry area and has a large potential to be used for other great craft ideas.
Read More: Click Here
Bee Soap
By CraftBits
Materials:
Instructions:
Melt beeswax and keep warm/liquid. Melt soap base and then mix in beeswax. Add honey and keep stirring until melted. Pour into a soap mold.
Read More: Click Here
Food Safety Information for Hurricane Aftermath
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is providing important tips to help people affected by these storms to protect their health and food supply. As Hurricane Katrina has been predicted to hit the Gulf Coast, the FDA wants area residents to be prepared for the storm and its aftermath.
If flooding occurs, an immediate evaluation of the stored food and water supply should be done. Perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk and eggs that are not properly refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when it is thoroughly cooked.
Here's what FDA suggests consumers can do at home to keep their food safe:
Food safety when the power goes out
Once the power is restored
Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes and Floods
For more information on safe food handling, go to www.foodsafety.gov or call FDA's toll-free information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).
Read More: Click Here
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