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Hello,
Just a quick reminder, if you have any Christmas tips or photos to share, try to submit them by Sunday. That way we can make sure they are published in one of next week's newsletters in advance of the holiday. Thank you everyone for all the great submissions so far.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
Tapered Beeswax Candles
By Christine Weber
Tall, simple and elegant - these beeswax candles are lovely as a centerpiece for a Christmas tea or as a gift that is sure to be treasured.
Materials and Equipment:
Instructions:
1. These instructions make two candles. I chose complementary colors of cream and beige for the candles in the photo, but you can use whichever colors you like.
2. Before starting, clear the table and cover it with a thick piece of cardboard or plywood to protect it from cuts.
3. Cut each sheet of wax lengthwise on the diagonal. You should now have four triangles.
4. Take one triangle of each color and set the other two aside for later. Orient the wax so that the long edge is closest to you and the diagonal edge is away from you. Place the two triangles directly on top of each other. Then, stagger the top triangle by pushing it an inch forward, so that an inch of the bottom sheet is now visible.
5. Trim the top of each triangle by about an inch, so that you will have a flat even surface at the top of the candle. Trim the bottom of the triangles if you want shorter candles. The ones in the photo are about a foot long, and a few inches have been trimmed off the bottom to shorten them.
6. Cut a piece of wick that is just a touch longer than the length of the wax triangles. Press the wick onto the long edge of the wax triangle and roll the wax over the wick. Continue rolling the candle. You will be rolling the two triangles together, but they will be slightly out of sync because they are staggered. Press the wax tightly as you go.
7. Once the candle is as think as a standard tapered candle (about an inch across the bottom), cut the unrolled part of the wax off with the exactoknife and ruler. Press the ends of the wax flush against the candle. Keep the left over wax to melt down for other candles.
8. Repeat steps four through seven for the other two triangles. You will now have two tapered candles.
9. Wrap the candles together with ribbon or raffia and give as a gift.
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These squiggly little sandwiches are almost too cute to eat, but budding entomologists gobble them up with enthusiasm! They look great on small rectangular plates and kids just love them. This is a great recipe for kids of all ages to help prepare. They take about 20 minutes to assemble and minutes to devour.
Use a vegetable peeler to peel carrots, Use a sharp knife to cut carrot crosswise into fourths. Cut 1-inch matchstick pieces of carrot or pepper (you should have 48 sticks).
Use a table knife to spread each tortilla with 2 tablespoons of the peanut butter or cream cheese and about 1 tablespoon of the jelly. Roll up tortillas to form spirals; press lightly to seal. Put the rolled tortillas on a cutting board. Cut each tortilla crosswise into five pieces.
On each of the six plates, arrange five tortillas pieces side to side, in a wavy line, with cut side down to resemble a caterpillar. To make a caterpillar head put a tomato at the end and insert pieces of cheddar cheese in tomato for antennae. To make legs, arrange four carrot sticks on each side of caterpillar.
By Cheryl Lore from Asheville, NC
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Frankie is our 8 month old glamour kitty. Frankie has a very unusual corkscrew tail. Here is Frankie's favorite place to hang out, on the woodpile by the fireplace. And Frankie loves to pose for pictures!
By Rebecca Calvo from Snohomish, WA
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Chakita is 10 weeks old and is an Akita/Chow mix. I got her for my birthday. She likes to play ball and do tricks for cookies. She is very smart.
By PJ from Oklahoma
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Toilet Paper Roll Santa Claus
By Kelli Mahoney
Toilet paper rolls usually make their way into the garbage, but they can be useful in making great craft items. One item is the annual favorite - Santa Claus. This simple craft has the ability to be a Christmas tree topper (for a very small tree), an ornament, or a stand alone decoration.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Cut square piece of red felt to fit toilet paper roll. A simple way to do this is to measure the length of the toilet paper roll and cut along the length. Then tape one end of the felt to the toilet paper roll and roll until it is covered and cut along that line.
2. Glue red felt to toilet paper roll. Remember to not put too much glue on the felt, as it may bleed through.
3. Cut a 2 inch piece of peach/flesh felt and glue around top of toilet paper roll. This will be Santa's face. Make sure when you are gluing on pieces that all seams are in the back.
4. Cut 1/4 inch strip of black felt to glue around center of Santa's body. This is his belt.
5. Cut out one cone for Santa's hat. You can even cut out a large triangle the size of one half of the felt used for Santa's body. Glue the long part of the triangle to the top of the toilet paper roll, and then glue the sides of the triangle together. When dry you can pull the tip down and glue to the side of Santa's head.
6. Cut out one small circle from the white felt. Glue to tip of Santa's hat.
7. Use fiber fill or cotton ball to make Santa's beard and mustache. Put a little hole in the middle to simulate his mouth.
8. Use blue marker to put two dots on the face for eyes.
9. Use silver marker to draw on belt buckle.
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Poinsettia Magnets
By Christine Weber
Seasonal magnets made from paper and reminiscent of that favorite Christmas houseplant!
Materials and Equipment:
Instructions:
1. Before starting, clear the table and cover it with newspaper or a large garbage bag to avoid getting glue on the table.
2. Using the photos as a guide, trace out a five-point star on a plain sheet of paper with a pencil. The star should be about four inches in diameter. Each point on the star should be curved in the shape of a leaf. Once you are happy with your design, cut it out. It will be used as a template to create your poinsettia.
3. Place your template on the green construction or cardstock paper and trace its outline in pencil. Cut along the outline. Erase any pencils lines that are still visible and set this form aside.
4. Repeat step three. You should now have two identical green stars.
5. Repeat step three again with the red construction paper, only this time, once you have cut out the shape, cut around the perimeter again, making the star shape slightly smaller than the previous one. If your green stars are about four inches in diameter, this red one should be three inches in diameter.
6. Repeat step three again with the red construction paper. Again, once you have cut out the shape, cut around the perimeter, making the star shape slightly smaller than the previous red one, about two inches in diameter.
7. Take each one of your star forms and bend each point or leaf in half, then open each leaf again. They should now all have a slight bend and no longer look completely flat.
8. Pour a small puddle of craft glue onto the plastic container lid. Spread a thin layer of glue onto the center of the back of one of the green stars. Place this green star on top of the other green star so that the leaves or points are staggered and not overlapping (see photo). The creased side of the stars should be facing upwards (see photo). Press the star with the glue on the back on top of the other green star. Hold until stuck.
9. Spread glue on the back of the larger red star and press onto the front of the uppermost green star. The red star should be oriented so that its points fall between those of the green star and dont overlap.
10. Spread glue on the back of the smaller red star and press it onto the front of the larger red star. The red star should be oriented so that its points fall between those of the other red star and dont overlap.
11. You should now have four staggered stars (two green and two red) glued on top of each other. Next, glue your three yellow beads onto the center of the uppermost star to act as stamens for your poinsettia.
12. Spread glue on the back of the magnet and press it onto the back of your poinsettia. Allow to dry completely.
13. Make a few more magnets and decorate you fridge with these cheerful Christmas flowers.
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Snowman Soup (Sugar and Fat Free)
By Harlean Greathouse
This is my Christmas tip. I have a friend who is diabetic, and cannot have anything with sugar, but also cannot use Nutrasweet as it gives him headaches. So I devised a sugar free (also fat free) hot chocolate mix using Splenda. I put the mix in a clear jar, and labeled it with a paint pen. I wrote "Snowman Soup" on it and randomly made "Snowflakes" around the jar.
The recipe:
Mix thoroughly and place in covered container.
To use, measure 1/3 cup into mug and fill with hot water. If you can have sugar, but just want some low calorie hot chocolate, this would also be good, and you could even slip in a few mini-marshmallows .
By Harlean from Arkansas from Hot Springs, Arkansas
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Today's Tips
Gift Bags Instead of Gift Jars
If you're going to be sending gift mixes, put them in a quart-size freezer bag instead of a glass jar. It will weigh less and cost less to ship.
By Camilla
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I received this e-mail from a friend and felt I should share it:
"I had a wonderful morning, the heating unit went out of my dryer! Why does everything seem to fall apart this time of year!? The guy that fixes things went in to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.
He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. Now, this thing is like a mesh - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like - WELL... the hot water just laid on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all!
He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that? Learn something new every day!"
I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, thought I'd share! Note: I went to dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water collected a little but ran though the screen. I dried it off and was ready to put it back in the dryer since the water ran through it but, I thought what the heck it won't hurt to wash it while I had it out.
Warm soap water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. I then ran the water over the screen and what a difference! The water just gushed through it with no puddling at all and this time I was running the water at a faster rate. That repairman knew what he was talking about!
By Becki in Indiana
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Every year at Christmas we have a wrapped shoe box with a slot in the top that we display on the dining room table. This is to remind us that it is Jesus' birthday. Whenever someone does something for Jesus, they write it down and put it in the box. Some entries in the years past have been, "I was nice to my brother", "I helped Mom with the dishes". It creates a more loving and caring environment in our home at such a hectic time of year. Then on Christmas morning, before everyone else opens their presents, we open Jesus' gifts and read all of them! It just keeps everyones mind on the real reason for Christmas.
By Jill from Waterloo, IN
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Removing Sour Milk Smell from Baby Bottles
Baking soda will take the nasty, sour milk smell out of baby bottles. Just fill them with some warm water and a spoonful of baking soda. Shake it up well and then rinse it out. Then you can wash them as usual. No more nasty smell!
By Robin from Washington, IA
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Stock up on toothpicks! Purchase the round ones, not the flat ones, you can buy them really inexpensively at the dollar store. No longer will they just be used to clean your teeth or for h'ordeurves.
Use them to clean all the tiny grooves and crevices around your house, i.e. in the kitchen and bathroom, etc. They are more effective than using an old toothbrush in a lot of instances because they can get in between and underneath surfaces.
Trust me, try using them, but I warn you, using them will become addictive, you will be searching for other places to use them, they are such an effective cleaning tool! If you like, you can spray liquid cleaner in the area to be cleaned and the toothpicks will help deliver the cleaning solution into the jewelry grooves and crevices. The more you use them, the more ideas for their use you will come up with.
For instance, if you have to glue something tiny, i.e. something onto some type of jewelry, (not a typo - we spell jewelry differently in Canada), it works really well, not to mention cleaning tiny groves around rings etc. in your jewelry. Trust me you will come up with countless uses for this little tool. When you do please let the rest of us know what you have come up with.
Enjoy this tip, I know you will if you try it! All the best guys!
By Flame from Toronto, Ontario
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Buying Items They Normally Would Need to Buy
I wanted to purchase my husband some smaller gifts for his stocking on our first Christmas together, but quickly didn't see the point of useless little gadgets/knick knacks that would ultimately end up sitting in storage somewhere. So I bought him groceries! I hit the local store and picked up his brands of saline solution, hair gel, shave gel, chap stick, shampoo, deodorant, candy, etc. I wrapped each item pretty and he was set for another month on toiletries. My grocery budget never took a hit as it was from the "gift" fund.
By Angela from Deep River, CT
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Contest ends December 31, 2005
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New Requests
I've known my fiance for four years, he has a 8 year old large Collie (he's had since he was a young pup). Before "Champ", all I ever knew about collies was Lassie. I've looked up sites and information, Champ is hardly anything like them, his personality is horrific, he is a glutton no matter how much you feed him. Collies are normally friendly with children (even babies), he will bare his fangs at Ariana (nine months old). We have to shave him because he can not keep himself properly groomed, he chews on himself all the time. His ears stand all the way up and make him look like an ugly rat, I've completely lost my attraction to collies since I've known this one. For more information, my fiance bought him for $75, I figure that the parents were not bred for conformation and the breed standard, but just for money and because they were so 'adorable'. I'm just hoping somebody has information that can help me.
Spirit79 from Evansville, IN
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Mildew Smell in Ice and Water from Refrigerator
The water and ice coming from my side by side refrigerator is mildewy. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike from Surfside Beach, SC
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Does anyone have a recipe for Eggnog pie? It has knox gelatin, fruit cocktail and eggnog in it. Thanks in advance, Stormey from Otter Lake, MI
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I spilled golf cart gasoline in the trunk of my car. I removed the mat and used baking soda but it still smells. I am now becoming sick from the fumes. Please help, what can I do to removes the gas from the back of my car?
Mandy from Orange County, CA
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Machine to Extract Juice from Aloe Vera
What type of machine can be used to extract juice of Aloe Vera plants and where can we purchase it?
Vipin Lawania from Chhatarpur, India
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Plastic Wrap Melted on a Smooth Cooktop Range
Some plastic wrap touched a hot burner on my smooth cooktop/stovetop. It burned and made an awful, stinky mess. What can I do?
Keruin from Washington DC
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I have an ink mark on my brand new shearling lamb coat. It almost looks like it is from a felt tip pen. Any help on how to remove the mark would be greatly appreciated.
Gabriel Levin from Kenosha WI
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I am looking for a recipe for sugared English Walnuts or Pecans. I do believe you boil the ingredients together and pour over the nut meats and it hardens and makes them crunchy. This is a sweet coating.
Lin from Delton, MI
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Making Homemade Laundry Soap Viscous and Foamy
May I ask what should I add to my homemade liquid detergent to make it viscous? And what should I add to make it form bubbles? I have used the borax/washing soda homemade recipe and it doesn't make any foam when I do my laundry
Lilabytes from Philippines
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Costume Jewelry Christmas Tree
I've heard of a Christmas craft called a Jewel Tree, where you take a styrofoam cone, glue pieces of costume jewelry to it till the foam is completely covered with jewelry. Then you spray paint an ice cream sundae glass gold and glue it to the bottom of the "tree" for a base. It is supposed to be really pretty with the pieces of jewelry catching the light and all.
What I'm wondering is: What kind of glue do I use to glue the metal backs of the jewelry (or in some cases, just the stones themselves) and the glass for the base to the styrofoam? My hot glue gun would probably melt the styrofoam, wouldn't it? If anyone out there has done this, if you could e-mail a picture of it to me or to ThriftyFun, that'd be great.
Thanks!
Lynn from Calif. from Chico, CA
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A bottle of liquid white out was in my daughters pocket when i washed clothes. I need to know how do you remove white out from colored clothes?
LIZ from STAMFORD, CT
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What color should I paint the room with this couch?
Acayu from Texas
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I have a black leather couch and recliner, they are about 4 years old. They both look very dry and need to be cleaned. The cleaner that came with them from the store didn't do much for cleaning. I have heard that using "saddle soap" is best. Can anyone tell me if that is true or offer another alternative?
TIA
5ofus from NC
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Wedding Vendors in San Antonio, Texas
I'm a wedding planner just moved to San Antonio. I need to hear from BRIDES in this area. Who have you used? Photographers, locations, hair, makeup, catering, music? Please let me know about your good experiences with suppliers in this area. BLESS THEIR BUSINESS, because I'll be sending my brides their way!
Thanks :)
Maria from San Antonio, Texas
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Giving Homemade Mixes in a Jar
By Monica Resinger
Mixes in a jar are thoughtful and inexpensive gifts to give to anyone for any occasion. The idea is to layer dry ingredients of a cookie, cake, biscuit, muffin, beverage or other recipe decoratively in a jar and add directions of how to complete the recipe. The jar can be a mason jar or a recycled, clean mayonnaise or other large jar that has a lid and can then be decorated with fabric, ribbons, paint, etc.
I have seen these jars of mixes sell in retail stores for around $8.00! Imagine the savings if you were to make your own! A few inexpensive ingredients like flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips and a jar don't cost very much! Gift recipients will love receiving a homemade mix from you so they can easily prepare a treat to enjoy and when they prepare the treat, they'll be thinking of how thoughtful you are.
Mixes in a jar are excellent for gifts that need to be shipped because you don't have to worry about baked goods getting smashed or getting stale. A mix will allow the gift recipient to freshly prepare the treat when it is craved or needed. They are also great to give to children's teachers, neighbors and acquaintances because of the ease and money savings involved.
Here is a delicious mix recipe for you to try:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar. Clean the inside of the jar with a dry paper towel after adding the confectioners' sugar and after adding the cocoa powder. Be sure to pack everything down firmly before adding the flour mixture, it will be a tight fit. Store in a cool dry place away from a heat source so condensation and clumping does not occur. Instructions to attach to Jar:
Peanut Butter Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend mix. Add:
Mix until completely blended. Shape into walnut sized balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheets. Press balls down with a fork. Bake at 350F degrees for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
By Monica Resinger
http://homemakersjournal.com/mixes.htm
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