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Craft Project: Simple Beaded Pendant

The pendant shown here was made from "recycled" jewelry: I will often buy used necklaces, charms, etc. at thrift stores and yard sales, take them apart, and make new creations with the beads and other parts.

Simple Beaded Pendant

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Craft Project: Kitchen Angel

Mom will make a point of glancing at the fridge to remember that her child/children aren't always angels, but sometimes they come pretty close.

Kitchen Angel

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Craft: Wire Candle Wraps

Candle wraps! Very easy to make and adds a touch of sophistication to your plain pillar candles. Take a very light gauge wire and wrap it around your candle so you can approximate the length you need then unwrap it and add two inches before cutting. Make a small hook out of the wire at one end and on the other end slide a bead down the wire, twist and then make a space, place a bead and twist all the way down the length of the wire until you finish it off with another small hook. Wrap it around your candle for a personalized look!

By Jill from Albert Lea, MN

Wire Candle Wrap

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Ginger (Cocker Spaniel Mix)

Ginger is 3 months old and is a Cocker Spaniel mix. We adopted Ginger a week ago today!

Ginger likes going for walks, chasing leaves, playing with all the neighborhood kids and dogs and playing with balls. She is very mild mannered and enjoys being petted by everyone she meets.

By SkyeBlue from Mena, AR

Ginger (Cocker Spaniel Mix)

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Craft: Butterfly Pinata

This pinata was the hit of our 5th Birthday Butterfly Bash. To make it, we taped an oval balloon to a broomstick handle wedged between two chairs, and covered it with a mixture of 1 inch wide newspaper strips and paper mache paste (1 part flour to 2 parts water, with a few tablespoons of salt). We did not cover the bottom of the balloon, which created the open hole shown here.

When the body was completely dry (a few days), we popped and removed the balloon. Then we mixed more paste and glued on strips of colored tissue paper from the dollar store. For the wings, we cut two large cardboard hearts and covered them with tissue paper. We drilled holes in the body and attached the wings (when dry) with pipe cleaners. We also drilled holes at the top of the head to add pipe cleaner antennae and string for hanging.

After filling the pinata with lollipops, we tied a string firmly to a round piece of cardboard cut slightly larger than the hole. Then we wedged it in as a stopper, and covered the cardboard with more tissue paper. We glued on additional strings (as decoys) so each child could pull one in an attempt to open the pinata. They had a blast. The pinata cost less than $2.00, but the fun we had making it as a family and then sharing it with our guests was priceless.

By Natalie from Exeter, NH

Butterfly Pinata

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Reusing Scented Candle Leftovers

Don't throw away that burnt out scented candle. If you don't have a candle warmer, buy one. Place your spent candles on the warmer and as they melt, combine them to create a whole candle. You save money and you get an array of scents as you burn/melt it over and over again!

Do you have a lot of left-over scented candles? Buy some small mason (jam) jars and recreate them using the same method.

By Steve from Culpepper, VA

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Cleaning Grill Racks With Ammonia

To clean oven racks or grill racks, place in plastic garbage bag and add 1 bottle of ammonia. Tie up bag and leave overnight. The next day, wipe clean. Sometimes a second night works better if it is real heavy with grease but the ammonia will cut through the grease!

By Debra from Hampton

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Crayons Fix Nicks in Colored Leather Shoes and Boots

When I was a small child, I remember my mother raiding my crayon box to color in nicks and scuff marks on her brightly colored high heels. Well, these days it may be colored leather tennis shoes, a leather vest or fancy cowboy boots, but the idea still works. (Especially if you have a box of 64 colors!)

First heat the area with a blow dryer, that way the color of the crayon actually melts into the leather. Finish by buffing with a soft cloth or soft paper towel.

By Cyinda from Seattle

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Keep Track Of Website Information

I got tired of losing scraps of notes I made on popular websites. I bought a very small spiral tablet, labeled it Websites to Visit, and put it near my TV and radio. Now I note all the interesting stuff in one place. I can browse the sites when I have time.

By Barbara from Park Ridge, IL

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Reusing Resealable Plastic Bags

I reuse plastic food storage bags. I just wash them out when I do my dishes and hang them on the line to dry. The better grade bags really last the longest.

By Treva from Chico, Ca

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Craft: Knit Therapy Bags
By Claire Bush

Several of my friends have recently quit smoking and wondered what to do with their hands when the urge to light up comes, so I began making "Knit Therapy Bags" to give to them.

I knit an 18 inch square of yarn, then folded the square up, envelope-style. Then I sewed the sides of the bag shut with ordinary needle and thread and added a trim of ribbon and an antique button, using a glue gun. (The bag in the picture has a handle made from twine with a lime-green drinking straw, snipped into pieces, tied along the top).

Inside the bags, I put a skein of yarn and knitting needles.

The bags are a tongue-in-cheek reminder that you don't have to follow a pattern or have a set of rules to enjoy crafting, and that even a "knitwit" can make a unique statement with their hands.

Knit Therapy Bag

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Use Packaging Twist Ties For Bows

I have two tips that go together. The first one is when making bows, save those plastic covered wires that are on the back of all kids toys that holds the toys in the box. The color is neutral and matches all color of ribbon much better than green floral wire and is so much better on your fingers especially when you read on to my next tip. After making your bow and attaching the plastic covered wire I mentioned above, when ready to twist,twist the bow and not the wire. You will get a lot tighter bow by doing it this way.

By Janette from Parkersburg, WV

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Bouncing Cat Toy from Sewing Scraps

When I sew with stretch-knits, I save the fabric scraps and longer selvage strips for making cat toys. I bundle the smaller pieces together, then tie the end of the longest piece around the bundle of scraps. You end up with stretchy scraps on a stretchy string. Because it's stretches, it makes a bouncing cat toy.

I hung a long one (you could use elastic) to a hook in my ceiling. I swing this back and forth at the right height for my cat to jump up and grab it. He LOVES this toy, and he gets lots of exercise from jumping! I like this cat toy because I get to see his fluffy little tummy when he jumps! You don't have to hang it from the ceiling, you can just bounce it up and down in front of them at any height. If you don't sew with knits, you can take 3 to 4 feet of elastic and tie this around any type of fabric scraps.

By Cyinda from Seattle

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Storing Fresh Garlic in the Fridge

I love to cook with fresh garlic, but I never used it often enough so my garlic would spoil before I could use it up. The cloves would sprout and/or dry up in the cupboard, even when I used those pottery pieces designed to store garlic. Or they would go moldy and/or sprout in the fridge in a plastic bag or a container.

One day I wrapped my garlic (unpeeled bulbs and/or cloves) in a DRY dishcloth (tight weave, not a crocheted one) and stuck it in the fridge. I was hoping that the cloth would absorb any excess moisture while still keeping the garlic from being exposed to the light and the air. It worked great! This makes my garlic last forever without sprouting, drying out, or going moldy. I just keep it in the dry cloth, in the door of my fridge and use a clove when I need to. I was surprised how long the garlic lasts. I haven't had to throw away any garlic since I started doing this.

By Oberhund from Regina, SK

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

What Kind Of Cake Icing Is Best In Warm Weather?

What is the best icing for an outside wedding in warm weather?

Carrie from Perry, GA

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Wisteria Vines Don't Flower

We have had huge, healthy wisteria vines for nearly 10 years but have never seen a flower on any of them. What can we do to get them to flower?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Nancy from Hyannis, MA

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Liquid Paper Pen Stopped Working

New liquid paper comes in a pen form. I still have liquid inside but it is not working. I think the tip needs cleaning, maybe something has hardened in the tip. What can I do?

Patricia

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Ideas For A High School Track Banquet

I need ideas for decorations for a high school track team banquet (centerpieces, favors, etc.)

Track Mom from Houston, TX

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Ideas For Celebrating Earth Day

Anyone have suggestions for celebrating earth day? I found some ideas here:

http://ww2.earthday.net

Willem from SF, CA

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Getting A Boxer Puppy To Stop Biting

I have a 7 month old boxer puppy that will not quit attacking everyone's feet and at the same time he barks and jumps up at you. It hurts very badly when he bites at your feet or legs and when he jumps on you he scratches you all up. I already tried hiring a trainer and it didn't work.

I read that a lot of boxers do this behavior and I was wondering if anyone has ever figured out what to do to stop them from doing this? Any advice at all will help! I am willing to try anything! It is getting out of control.

Savannah from Lake Charles, LA

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Dishwasher Not Draining Water

My dishwasher won't drain. I don't see anything caught in the drain. It cleaned the dishes just fine but won't pump out the water. It is a Whirlpool.

Rae Ann from Templeton, CA

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Repainted A Refrigerator

Does anyone have some ideas on how to repaint a fridge safely. I have a fridge that has rust on it due to having it cleaned with cleaners. It is not a flat surface but sort of patterned.

Doc from Alberta, Canada

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Inexpensive Ideas For Wrapping Large Present

My friend is getting married and we are giving them a new TV. I am in charge of wrapping and bows. How can I do this inexpensively. I know that wrapping paper is really a waste but it is also part of the culture.

I know the groom would really like the paper that you can plant because it has seeds in it. I can't afford that. The TV is in a box, but I don't know how big it is really. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Sandy from Baltimore

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Temporary Surface For Under Picnic Table

I'm looking for advice for an inexpensive, temporary covering for underneath our picnic table. We do not have a deck or patio and our picnic table has been on grass over the past few years. Eventually we would like some kind of porch/deck but cannot afford to do that right now.

I'd like to put the table and chairs on some surface instead of grass since it becomes difficult to mow (it's a large heavy table to move). Any experience with using outdoor patio rugs on the ground? Some kind of paver perhaps? Thanks!

Michelle from Eastern CT

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Pattern For Knitting A Sea Shell

Does anyone have a knitting pattern for a small sea shell, shaped a bit like a fan. I can't find any on the web!

nevjacq from Adelaide, Australia

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Birthday Party Game Ideas

I am having a birthday party for my almost 8 year old daughter. Both girls and boys are invited. We are holding it at a park and I need ideas for games. I need them to be cheap and I need them fast as I have till Friday to do this. I am making pinatas. The party is going to be 2 hours long.

Dee from Nixa, Mo

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Styling A "Bob" Haircut

I have my hair cut into a chin length bob and have the worst time trying to style it. Anyone have ideas that don't involve cutting my hair? Also, my hair is all one length. I don't have my hair cut in bangs.

Belle from NC

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Removing Haze From Wood Flooring

Removing dull haze on poly wood floor from Orange Glo.

Jessica from Westminster, MD

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Camouflaging A Scar When Wearing A Skirt

I want to wear a knee length skirt for the first time in 17 years. I was in a car accident which left my leg badly scarred. I had to have a skin graph so what I need is a suggestion on how to kind of camouflage it but still be able to wear my leg out. If anyone can help me out I will gladly appreciate it.

Marcia from Chicago, IL

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Where Can I Find Inexpensive Terra Cotta Pots?

Does anyone know where I can find inexpensive, small Terra Cotta pots?

Gretchen from Saxton, PA

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Problems With Mexican Elder Tree

I live in Albuquerque NM and planted a Mexican Elder. We had a particularly cold winter and it appears that the tree suffered. It is now mid-April and there is no sign of new growth or leaves on the tree. There is vigorous growth at the base of the tree. How long should I wait to give up on it and replant?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Roger from Albuquerque, NM

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Lens CPR Ruined Glasses

Lens CPR ruined my glasses. Help.

Chad from Columbus, WI

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Looking For "Baked Tomatoes" Recipe

My ex daughter-in-law used to fix a dish she just called baked tomatoes. I asked her for the recipe, but she said it was her secret. She did tell me it was fresh tomatoes and four kinds of cheese. That's all I know.

I think either ricotta or cottage cheese was in there, but I don't know what else. It was very moist, almost juicy and tasted wonderful. I've searched lots of websites but can't find anything like it. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

Di from Wilsonville, OR

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Looking For Ham, Cheese and Potato Casserole Recipe

About a million years ago, actually the early 70's, the cafeteria at Motorola SPD fixed a really good ham, potato and cheese casserole. If I use Betty Crocker au gratin potatoes, add a little extra cheese and some ham, it comes kinda close but just isn't quite right. I've searched several cooking websites but still don't quite have it. Any suggestions?

Di from Wilsonville, OR

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Saving Money on Bacon

Tips and advice for saving money on bacon. Post your ideas below.

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Saving Money on Soda Pop

Tips for saving money on soda pop. Post your ideas below.

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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

How to Grow Bearded Irises
By Ellen Brown

There is no shortage of reasons to fall in love with Bearded Irises. They come in hundreds of stunning colors and color combinations, they grow happily in all but the hottest and coldest zones, they have a tendency to fill out their corner of the flower garden rapidly, and some of them ("rebloomers") even bloom more than once in a season. It is not surprising then, that Bearded Irises are grown, collected, and admired by millions of gardeners around the world.

How to Grow Bearded Irises

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Daily Thrifty Tips - April 24, 2008

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