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Volume Six, Number 232, December 3, 2007 (Read It Online) In past years we have asked people to send in their Christmas traditions. You can find an archive of all the traditions that people have sent in here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/Christmas_Traditions_246_294.html Do you have a Christmas tradition to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit it here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Here are the contest winners for the week before last. It was a short week but we still had a bunch of good entries. Photo Contest Winner Wall Pocket Decorations
Tip Contest Winners Keep Track of Rainy Days To Save Garden Water
Starching Your Curtains
Thank you to everyone that took time to submit a tip for photo! Thanks for reading, Susan
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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:
This is a jar gift that I made for the employees at my local post office because I'm always there mailing out my eBay packages. We purchase clover honey in 5# glass jars, so I try and save as many glass jars as possible during the year and reuse them for jar gifts. I used a self-adhesive shipping label for the jar and put clear contact paper over the labels so they wouldn't smear. I printed the USPS logo from the postal website. For the lid I copied an oversized postage stamp and lastly made the bow out of blue and white curling ribbon. The jar is filled with hot cocoa mix.
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Rate It: My sister's cat Boo Boo. The other photo is supposed "wild cats" that visit my sister's house every day. By Mary Lou from Abingdon, MD
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Rate It: These baby trees are adorable and made to fit anywhere, no matter how much space you have. It's a very easy project, all materials are pre-made. I was able to pick up all of my materials very cheaply at yard sales. You can use your creativity to create theme trees for yourself, to sell at a craft fair, or to give as gifts. Have fun!
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Rate It: I painted a pump spray bottle with black acrylics (2 coats) and decorated it with gold 'Accent' paint (.99 on sale at Michael's) to match my bathroom decor. (Wallpaper in the background.)
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Twelve Days of Christmas Savings
On the twelve days of Christmas, my true love gave to me - savings. Try these holiday activities that bring people together and cost nothing but time. On the first day of Christmas... Make a holiday treat for the animals with Cheerios, berries, or popcorn. String them onto yarn and hang the garlands outside. On the second day of Christmas... Cut out paper snowflakes. On the third day of Christmas... Visit someone who can't go out for the holidays. On the fourth day of Christmas... See who can be the first to recite the names of Santa's reindeerin alphabetical order. On the fifth day of Christmas... After supper walk the neighborhood as a family and "judge" the Christmas lights. On the sixth day of Christmas... Choose a toy to give to charity. If there are no toys in your house, choose a new piece of clothing or a warm blanket. On the seventh day of Christmas... Do a secret favor to someone and don't tell them. It'll be your secret. On the eighth day of Christmas... Watch a Christmas video. On the ninth day of Christmas... Make a phone call to someone you won't see for the holiday. On the tenth day of Christmas... Sit the family in a circle, turn off all the electronics, and read a Christmas story together. On the eleventh day of Christmas... Choose a common word of the day (like "kitchen" or "water"), and every time a family member says it he/she must stop and sing a chorus of Jingle Bells. On the twelfth day of Christmas... Sit in the dark and enjoy the Christmas lights.
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Rate It: Remove Tree Sap from Your Hands While cutting pine tree branches for Christmas decorations last year, my hands became covered in sap. We tried everything to get if off. My husband told me I would need gasoline. I decided to try a home remedy as I did not want to put gas on my hands. I mixed a hand full of baking soda with a small amout of baby oil to make a paste and rubbed it all over my hands. My hands were clean, soft and smelled good too! A few weeks later my husband used the same solution to clean window caulk off his hands. Try it, it really works!!! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf704195.tip.html
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Rate It: Organize Paperwork In Shoe Boxes I save shoe boxes so that when I have something to store papers, such as hand written recipes, letters, etc. I use them for small items that I don't use on a daily basis, but don't want to get rid of. I decorate the boxes with plain gift wrapping paper or a brown paper bag. This makes it easy to write on the outside the contents of what's in the box. They stack nicely on any shelf. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28292660.tip.html
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Rate It: My sister got this at a church circle meeting during the 70's. It's called Grammaw's Lye Soap. I call it the best complexion bar ever.
Mix ingredients in a glass or plastic bowl. Stir with wooden or plastic spoon. (Lye will react to metal of any kind) Stir constantly until it's the consistency of cake batter. Pour into a box lined with waxed paper. The box in which soap is placed to set up should be on several layers of folded newspaper sections and should be about the size that will fit 2 six packs of cola drinks. Cover with a heavy towel. Allow to set for 24 hours or untill solid. Use rubber gloves to cut into bars. Let it age for about 2 weeks before using. Lye will be very caustic during the mixing and setting process so this should be kept out of the reach of pets and small children. After it ages, it is wonderful for complexion problems and for dry skin. All bar soaps have lye in them so there is nothing to fear. I used it for years until I got too trifling to make it. It costs just pennies a bar. By MartyD from Houston,TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17673601.tip.html
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Rate It: A man's car stopped dead along the old Wisconsin country road. He got out of his car, lifted the hood, and looked at the motor. Just then, a big black and white cow came along and stopped beside him. The cow also peered under the hood. "Your trouble is probably the carburetor", said the cow. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62921851.tip.html
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Rate It: Set Up Nativity Right After Thanksgiving The first decoration I always put out right after Thanksgiving is the nativity set. Mine is Precious Moments and made of porcelain so it goes on the server, not under the tree. Kind of keeps me focused! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47112001.tip.html
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Rate It: Plastic Tray to Hold Gear in Mini Van One reason that my family bought a mini-van, was to haul our camping gear. Unfortunately, that also means sometimes wet and muddy gear. The back of our old van got pretty grungy. When we purchased our new van, we drove straight to a home-improvement store. We bought one of those big square plastic trays, that you put underneath your washing machine. We put our dirty gear there. When I buy potted plants and soil in the spring and summer, I set them in the tray to contain any dirt or spillage. It can be taken out and hosed off from time to time. It has sure kept this van a lot cleaner! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48256600.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Christmas Towel to Display Cards Don't have a holiday card holder? I have an idea to get those Christmas cards up for friends and family to see. Take a Christmas towel (mine has a Christmas ball on it), and hang it on the wall with 2 thumb tacks. Then you can just staple or tape your cards to it. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71572015.tip.html
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Rate It: Attach Magnet to Bathroom Cabinet to Hold Tweezers I was getting tired of digging through the bathroom drawer to find my tweezers. So I attached a magnet to the inside of my bathroom cabinet door, to hold the tweezers. No more searching! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98074471.tip.html
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Ideas For Marketing Farmhouse Style Aprons I make farmhouse style aprons, the kind that the farm wives wore around the 1930's. I would like to market them, and wonder if anyone has some ideas on how. I have already put them in a store for consignment, and have a booth in the local antique/flea market, but would like a broader market, as this is what I do to help with our finances. A job outside of the home is not feasible at this time. I do them in a variety of different fabrics, and I charge $20 each (plus shipping if I have to mail them). Thanks for your help!
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Rate It: Removing Stuck On Flannel from Dining Table I need help regarding my formal/wood dining room table. I had a vinyl flannel lined table cloth on it, under my fancy table cloth. A hot dish caused the flannel to get stuck to the table. How can I remove it? It is a white, fuzzy, dried glue mess. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58358395.tip.html
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Rate It: 14th Birthday Party Theme Ideas What should I do for my 14th birthday party? It's in 16 days! Help me! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62791128.tip.html
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Rate It: Gift for Boyfriend Who likes Sports I am a 15 year old dating a 17 year old. I have been dating my boyfriend for about 1 month and a half. Christmas is coming up and I have no idea what to get for him. I know he likes sports and he said he was going give me one of his hats that he likes, so I was thinking of buying him that same hat. Help Me! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52515906.tip.html
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Rate It: Simple Crochet Pattern For Granny Squares I would like to know about a simple pattern for granny squares. I would like to start making for charity. I haven't crochet in over 20 years. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60868541.tip.html
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Rate It: Funny Caption For Santa Photo Card I am needing a caption/phrase for my daughter's Christmas card picture. She is 18 months old. I made a "fake" Santa with just his legs and boots sticking out from under the Christmas tree. I have 1 picture of her making a face in front of Santa and a 2nd picture where she has on a Santa hat with a grin and Santa in the background. My plan is to put it on the card as a before and after type shot. I need a caption that would go with these photos. Does anyone have any ideas? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55403989.tip.html
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Rate It: Recipes Using Flavored Powder Coffee Creamers I was wondering if there are recipes which use the flavored powdered coffee creamers? I had a coupon for a free bottle but I don't drink coffee. I thought since there are so many different flavors maybe someone has creative ideas for including them in something other than coffee. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73796162.tip.html
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Rate It: Stripping Off Hopes Floor Revive I recently bought a condo with laminate flooring in the entry hall and kitchen. It was dull and a mess. I was advised to to use Hope's Floor revive, not a good idea. The floor now has a build up and shows scratches from my dog walking across it. Does anyone have a suggestion for stripping off the Hopes Floor Revive? The floor never scratched prior to using Hope's. Please help. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33109783.tip.html
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Rate It: Owning a Husky/Shepherd Mix in One Bedroom Apartment I live in a one-bedroom apartment in New Jersey. However, there are a lot of great parks in the neighborhood, not necessarily dog parks, though. My question is: is it possible for me to own a husky/shepherd mix (love them!) even though I live in an apartment since you need to have lots of room to own this breed? Thanks! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43712129.tip.html
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Rate It: Anyone Know the Starter For Amish Friendship Bread Recipe? A month ago my daughter gave my husband Hank and I a ziplock bag filled with a starter called "Friendship Bread". With it came a recipe on how to make it. It was delicious! Anyway, I let my starter die and I was wondering if anyone out there knows how to make this? I would assume I would need to know how to make the starter. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf400677.tip.html
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Rate It: Advice For Round Crochet That Buckles Need some help from crocheters please! I've just started to crochet so I don't do complicated stuff. Just finished making a round rag rug which wasn't difficult BUT the whole thing has buckled and looks frilly round the edges. I've undone it and tried working looser but that didn't work so I undid it again and tried working tighter but still no joy! please could anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? It's so disheartening when you are new to a craft and you try so hard to get it right and nothing works! I love my new craft but if I'm incapable of doing a simple round, then I may as well give up, which would be a shame! Any suggestions, please? I got the pattern from Yarn Lovers Room on the internet. It said it was easy, so if I cant do an easy pattern, then I cant do crochet! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41221053.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking For Information About Salt Crystal Lamps Does anyone have information on salt crystal lamps? I have read that they are beneficial but that's on the web sites that sell them. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73689134.tip.html
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Rate It: Walls With Multiple Layers of Wallpaper I've just bought a house built in the 40's. I need help on removing multi-layers of wallpaper. Also if I can paint over that really thick vinyl wallpaper or do I have to remove it also? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16684118.tip.html
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Rate It: I need fake snow that will stick to people for about 10 minutes for a church play. Any ideas? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31787711.tip.html
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Rate It: Can You Put a Metal Coffee Can In The Oven? Can you put a metal coffee can in the oven? I want to bake a circular gingerbread form around the coffee can, would this work? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65712148.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Old Dried Blood From an Armchair Removing old dried blood that has been on an armchair for a long time. Others have tried to clean it off without success. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29545979.tip.html
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Rate It: Help Getting Cat With Urinary Infection To Eat I have a cat that had a urinary infection, I took him to the vet they done the catheter on him,ran some tests and said his kidneys were damaged a little bit. Then they put him on cdl a perscripiton food, he wont touch it. So, he is wasting away, it has been almost two weeks with out food. He will lick the gravy off of the can food, and that is about it. Any suggestions on what to feed him? Do I go back to the food he was eating, and let him live happy as long as I can? Because right know he is starving to death. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95014203.tip.html
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Rate It: Smelly Black Tar Stuff in Dogs Ear My dog has black tar stuff in his ear and it smells, what is it? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86800369.tip.html
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Rate It: Need Help With Creating Clever Flyer For Church Invitation I'm looking for some clever words to use on a flyer, inviting parents at our grade school to a coffee/donut get together after mass on first Fridays. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70607645.tip.html
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Rate It: Soup Kitchen Needs Help Utilizing Excess Food Commodities I am involved with a soup-kitchen type of ministry in Mexico. They receive donations of food from the states and currently they have an over abundance of the following foods: Canned spinach, matzo meal (Jewish type), and catchup. None of these foods are foods that the average Mexican would eat and so we are trying to disguise them or make them into something palatable. They have tried adding the spinach to soup and even making a quiche type breakfast with it. Does anyone have any suggestions or can anyone recommend any websites that might deal with commodities such as these? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67448427.tip.html
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Rate It: Homemade Exfoliating Body Scrub Does anyone have a recipe for a facial scrub, and I can also use it all over my body. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34169817.tip.html
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Rate It: Easy Pattern For Knitting Ladies and Kids Slippers I'm looking for a easy pattern for knitting slippers. Ladies and kids. Thank You. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87962854.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Wreath From Old Christmas Tree Some time ago there was a post on how to make a wreath from your old Christmas tree. Can any one remember how it was done? We bought a new tree and I would like to recycle the old one. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31335013.tip.html
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Rate It: What Medicine To Use On Dachshund With Burst Mole My dog dachshund is 7 years of age, having skin rashes throughout. Recently he developed a big mole which burst and gave rise to lot of blood with white juicy fluid. I am very much worried since in that region a big hole is found. What medicine shall I give him? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58923989.tip.html
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Rate It: Are Old-fashioned Fragrances Sold By Mail Order the Original Scents? Does anyone know if the old-fashioned fragrances(like Tweed, Oh!deLondon, Tigress, etc...) sold by mail order places like Vermont Country Store and Beauty Boutique are originals or those terrible reformulations? I bought a little bottle of Ambush from Dollar General and it was awful! Not only wasn't it the original scent, it didn't even smell good. I was only out a dollar there but these others cost considerably more. All of these companies promise you can return your purchases but with the price of postage nowadays! Can anyone give me a head's up on this? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81316738.tip.html
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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:
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