Daily Thrifty Tip February 11, 2005

Hello,

There will be no newsletters on Saturday and Sunday so we can do some maintenance on the website (and around the house). Our next issue will be Monday. New requests and feedback on the website will still be activated so feel free to drop by. We have quite a few "Lonely Request" which are requests that do not yet have answers. If you have any answers for them, please submit them in the feedback. http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_lonely.html

Have a great weekend.

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Photo Contest Entries:

• Postcard Quilt
• Ellie Mae (Yorkie Poo)

Today's Tips:

• Shred Those Credit Card Offers
• Removing Soot From Jar Candles
• Suede Cleaner for Oil
• Gadgets from Home Shopping Shows
• Asking for Extras
• Scented Envelopes
• Emergency Gift Idea
• Removing Unerasable Markers from a Dry Erase Board
• Balancing the Checkbook
• Calluses on Feet
• Saving Buttons
• FREE for Charity, School, Church, etc. Events
• Cherry Delight
• Dieter's Pumpkin Pie
• Parfait Pie

New Requests:

• Organize Cords
• Wrapping a Box Social Meal in a Creative Way
• Getting the Lumps out of Lumpy Cushions
• Scuff Marks On Patent Leather Shoes
• King Size Bed Ruffles
• Blue Stains Showing Up On Washed Clothing
• Musty Antique Dresser
• Printable Hershey's Kisses Tags
• Knitted Drink Cozy Pattern
• Chicken Nuggets Recipe
• Marine Corps Barbie Wedding Cake Topper
• Looking for Cauliflower Recipe

More Reading:

• Centerpieces for Events

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Today's Photo Contest Entries

Postcard Quilt

This quilt, called "Postcards" was done entirely by machine. For the backing I used a seersucker fabric to add to the puffy feel of the quilt.

By Beth

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Ellie Mae (Yorkie Poo)

This is Ellie Mae. She is a 5 year old Yorki/Poo. We got her when she was 7 weeks old. She fit into my son's ball cap. She plays with our other dog Maggie, a white toy poodle. Ellie thinks it's great fun to ride inside my jacket while we go on snowmachine rides. She peeks her tiny face out to keep watch where we're going unless it's really cold and then she tucks down inside to keep warm. This picture is Ellie giving my husband a good morning kiss.

Thanks for a great site!

Ann

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Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml

Today's Tips

Shred Those Credit Card Offers

Identity theft is on the rise. Purchase an inexpensive paper shredder and you could save yourself a lifetime of headaches and a lot of money in the long run.

By imaqt1962

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Removing Soot From Jar Candles

Rubbing Alcohol on a paper towel will remove the black soot from a jar candle.

By wiseinhimmer

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Suede Cleaner for Oil

I use (very inexpensive!) granules for grease/oil on shop floor. I use coffee bean grinder to make fine powder (comes in 1/4 inch granules) and rub into oil stain on suede shoes. Voila! It works! Let it sit for a few hours to let powder absorb oil.

By dunamis77

Editor's Note: This sounds like it would work. Make sure to invest in a good suede brush and brush out the granules. Also, buy a grinder at a garage sale for this use.

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Gadgets from Home Shopping Shows

We know a couple who are into all those home shopping shows. The husband is as bad as the wife is! They've got a whole kitchen full of gadgets and appliances. One that they got was the "Eggstractor". She said that it's so hard to do, by the time you get thru messing with it, trying to shell the hard boiled eggs, you could have already had them all shelled by hand. She ended up giving it as a gag gift at a white elephant party we were all invited to during Christmas.

By Terri H.

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Asking for Extras

Recently we had to take our truck into the dealership for something. I noticed while he was talking to the service man that the dealership had installed a mini gourmet coffee shop. We inquired about the coffee shop's location and received free tokens towards 2 cups of coffee. So don't forget to ask at your dealership or garage, to see if you can get something extra for no cost to you, especially if you have to wait for a while for your vehicle.

By Terri H.

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Scented Envelopes

I have a drawer where I keep all my extra candles, scented & non-scented alike. I, also keep envelopes in that. So when I'm writing a pal or just sending a bill, I have scented envelopes.

By Terri H.

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Emergency Gift Idea

Here is an idea that helps when you accidently have forgotten a special occasion and need a gift. These can be kept in a pantry or closet area or where ever you can find some space.

Keep several canning jars with things like cocoa, cookies in a jar, fancy coffees, cake in a jar or whatever you can imagine. Several sizes and type of baskets or fancy bags. And lots of different items that can go with those jar items. With the Hot chocolate jar, have two fancy coffee mugs and some microwave popcorn, a jar with several types of teas, add coffee mugs, and a one of your favorite paperbacks, for capucchino, mugs, and fancy cookies, for the cake, brownie, cookie jars, you could make it a basket full of cooking items, measuring spoons, mixing spoons, bowl, maybe a fancy pan. For someone who likes sewing or maybe a college student, pickup several items, such as a package with small spools of thread, needles, threader, small scissors, thimble, seam ripper.

The idea is to pick up a few items every time you go to the store, the dollar stores are great for these type of things. You can even make items for the guys. Get an inexpensive tool pouch, sometimes they might like the cappuccino idea too.

This has come in handy when I've been so busy I have forgotten an occasion and I can just put it together fast. Have a box of all occasion cards and ribbons and you are good to go.

By RoseMary

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Removing Unerasable Markers from a Dry Erase Board

If you have a white board that has been ruined by someone using regular markers, just go back over the writing with erasable markers, let this sit a short while and then erase. The regular marker writing will be gone!

By Elaine

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Balancing the Checkbook

If you have a problem balancing your checkbook and cannot find the error. Divide the amount your figures are off by 9. If the answer comes out even, then the error is probably a transposition. For instance, if 91 should be 19, the difference is 72. If your figures were off by 72, it is divisible by 9. The answer is 8 but the main idea is to know to look for a transposition. Try this. It really works!

By Elaine

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Calluses on Feet

I've noticed several people asking about dry skin or calluses and my podiatrist recommended for me corn huskers lotion available at most retailers usually runs about $2 a bottle and a little bit will do ya. I have used vaseline and while it does work is very messy to use. I also use a corn/callus shaver to trim up the calluses on my feet. This is very safe and inexpensive to use. It is also available at most retailers for around $2-$3 or at Sallies beauty shops.

By imaqt1962

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Saving Buttons

I have a pal who cuts off all the buttons of old pieces of clothing that she's not able to donate or re-sell (stained). She keeps the buttons she thinks she'll use when making her own family's clothing. But the extra buttons, she accumulates in a see thru box stashed away. When she gets plenty, she bags them up in ziplocs and sells them at her yard sales for crafts.

By Terri H.

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FREE for Charity, School, Church, etc. Events

I don't know where you live ... but if you have a HomeTown Buffet, Old County Buffet or County Buffet in your area contact their Community Rep. We offer cookies and passes for your event, usually we need a week advance notice. Some, like me even bag and tag the cookies with your logo and/or message. Quite a few restaurants are now doing this. So, if your little league, or Church or any event is coming up give us a call and we'll see what we can do.

Robyn in Milford, CT

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Cherry Delight

Ingredients

• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 1 can fruit cocktail (drained)
• Bananas
• Marshmallows (opt.)

Directions

Mix and serve. Good for reunions and picnics in the summer as it stands hot weather better than Jello.

By Robin

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Dieter's Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1 pkg. sugar-free vanilla instant pudding
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 3 1/2 cups light whipped topping
• 1 graham cracker crust

Directions

Combine pumpkin, milk, pudding, and spice in a small mixing bowl. With electric mixer beat at lowest speed until well blended. Fold in 2 1/2 cups whipped topping. Mix slowly. Spoon into crust and freeze until firm. Top with remaining whipped topping. Remove from freezer 30 minutes before serving.

By Robin

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Peach Parfait Pie

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. strawberry Jello
• 1 1/4 cups hot water
• 1 cup sweetened sliced peaches
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream

Directions

Dissolve 1 pkg. strawberry Jello with the hot water in a 2 qt. saucepan. Add ice cream by spoonfuls, stirring until melted. Chill for 20-30 minutes. Fold in a cup of sweetened sliced peaches. Put in a baked pie shell. Chill for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream and sliced peaches.

By Robin

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Other Active Topics

Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.

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In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on February 15th.

Enter the contest!

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New Requests:

Organize Cords

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to keep cords organized so you can use them, then roll them up and store them for quick reuse?

Ward from Ontario, Canada

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Wrapping a Box Social Meal in a Creative Way

Do you have an idea of how to wrap a presents that is filled with food? We have a box social this weekend and I want to wrap it in some creative way. animalinhouse

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Getting the Lumps out of Lumpy Cushions

I wanted to find out if there is a way to replace the fill in my couch cushions so they are not lumpy. I have two children and two dogs that really take a toll on our sectional sofa. The pillows and the cushions for the back of the couch have zippers, which is great when you need to periodically need to replace the fill and clean the cushions, but I can seem to get the lumps out. Any ideas? Thanks a bunch
Teresa

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Scuff Marks On Patent Leather Shoes

I have some Patent leather shoes that I get scuff marks on and I would like to know if any one know of a way I can get these marks out of my shoes.

Lip314

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King Size Bed Ruffles

How would one go about making a bed ruffle for a king sized bed? I know to make a king size duvet, you would use 2 king sized sheets. What exactly are the measurements for a bed ruffle and duvet?

Marine WM from NY

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Blue Stains Showing Up On Washed Clothing

I have a mystery that perhaps someone else has discovered the answer to.

Periodically when I wash a load of clothes, some of the clothing will come out with blue dye stains scattered around. No pen in the load. No blue item that could have bled.

I changed from the blue fragranced Downy to a green frangace and nothing changed. The only other thing I could find in common was that I was using Era detergent, which is blue. So I changed to a Tide detergent that is clear. I assumed I was free and clear of this period hassle.

But nope. I just found a fairly new light blue blouse with the same blue stains randomly scattered all over it.

I'd appreciate the answer if anyone has one.

Thanks,
Jubi from Nebraska

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Musty Antique Dresser

I have an antique dresser with the old, old smell. I just can't live with it. Any ideas on how to remove the smell?

Sandy in Mpls.

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Printable Hershey's Kisses Tags

A few years ago I had a link to printable Hershey Kisses flags. They were used to replace the ones that come from the store and are love notes! If anyone has a link to this, please post it, they are wonderful!

melody_yesterday

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Knitted Drink Cozy Pattern

Some years ago my grandmother used to knit and crochet a cozy to go on a drinking glass. When she was finished the form was basically like the foam cozies you buy in the store. I am looking for the knitting pattern for these cozies if anyone has anything like this.

Thanks,
Pamela

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Chicken Nuggets Recipe

My son loves the chicken nuggets at McDonalds, which aren't breaded, but are more like a batter. I am looking for a recipe so that I can make a cheaper home version of the McDonald's chicken nuggets.

Thanks!
Ann Washburn

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Marine Corps Barbie Wedding Cake Topper

Does anyone know where I can find a Marine CORPS Barbie and Ken? My friend is in the service and is getting married in june and she loves Barbie but she doesn't have a USMC barbie. I've gone to the Barbie site - to no avail. Toys-R-Us was a bust too. Can anyone please help? And to add to my desperation, I need either African American, or Latin American dolls.

Thanks!
MARINE WM

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Looking for Cauliflower Recipe

I am looking for a recipe for a salad that has cauliflower, cream cheese, black olives and I don't know what else but it is delicious , if anyone can share this recipe I would be so grateful.

jade2011

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More Reading:

Centerpieces for Events

Have your centerpieces double as favors. My centerpieces were little votive holders with pebbles and a piece of lucky bamboo. Just lined them up down the middle and made little tags for them that said thanks for coming and how to take care of the plant. Casie

See a picture of this that was added as a photo contest entry at:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf977886.tip.html

Casie also posted a .pdf file with instructions for her Cootie Catcher at:

http://www.casiegd.com/cootiecatcher.pdf

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