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Craft: No Sew Tutu

Take 2 feet of ribbon and 6 yards of tulle cut into 3 by 12 inch strips. Fold in half to 6 inches and loop around ribbon.

These sell for $30, I made for $5.85.

By Amy from Wheaton, IL

No Sew Tutu

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Craft Project: CD Spindle Toilet Paper Holder

Many people have taken to keeping files on CDs so that they are portable or so that they have a permanent record of pictures or word files. But you always end up with a lot of spindles that came from the CDs. In my house unless I keep track of it myself the lid to the spindle always gets lost. So I have a lot of these spindles left. It is a real pain to keep my burned CDs on them because them I have to pick them up and thumb through them to find what I want, It is just easier to put my CDs in a book so I can organize them.

CD Spindle Toilet Paper Holder

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Harley Avery Gardner (English Bulldog)

Harley Avery Gardner is a 5.5 year old brindel colored Old English Bulldog. A family friend gave up from breeding when he was 10 weeks old. He likes to play with his rubber chew toy. His partner in crime (Lyndsey) helps him to run the neighborhood, if they get the chance. He'd rather stay in the warm comfort of his bed and crate!

By Sharon from Hickory Hills, IL

Harley Avery Gardner (English Bulldog)

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Gardening: Summer Lilies

This is some of the gardens I have through out my yard, summer 08.

By Melissa from Annapolis, MD

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Gardening: Red Poppies

One of my favorite garden photos from last season. These are the reddest poppies I have ever seen.

By Helen from West Greenwich, RI

Red Poppies

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Melted Crayon Dried on Clothing

While visiting my daughter last week, I discovered a trick for getting crayon from clothes and I'd like to pass it on to Moms who find out the hard way that crayons in a dryer can ruin a whole load of clothes! The toddler had left one in a pants pocket. Immediately she soaked the clothes in Clorox 2 and left them overnight. However this still didn't get it ALL out.

My sister told me to use WD 40 on the crayon spots by dabbing it on with a sponge and using a paper towel on top of the stain to absorb the color. Let this sit for several minutes. I left it for 15-20 minutes. Then wash the spot using dish washing liquid. I then washed them in the machine (actually, twice) to get the rest of the stain out.

The bright red crayon stains came out of a pale pink sweatshirt that I thought was ruined! Mineral Spirits can also be used in place of the WD 40. The only problem I see with this method is that the smell of the WD40 tends to linger in the clothes but I feel that, with a few washings, it will lose its scent. I bet many a Mom wished she'd heard about this method before now. Clothes are too expensive to lose.

By Sharon from Ravenna, KY

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Use Masking Tape and Crayon to Label Items

I use masking tape to label items, writing on it with crayon instead of permanent marker. I have two small children who leave stray crayons everywhere, and a permanent marker is a potential disaster if they get a hold of one. Masking tape is inexpensive compared to purchased labels or label makers. Crayons write smoothly on masking tape, do not smudge or need to dry, and the available color palette is huge.

Each member of the family can have their own color (green for Dad, pink for sister, purple for brother), or similar items can be marked with the same color (all craft supplies labeled with blue writing, kitchen items labeled in orange). This is especially key when packing or organizing for children sharing a room. All of one child's drawers can be labeled with her favorite color and the name of the item that goes there. The tape can be easily peeled when something changes without damaging most surfaces and because these are common household items, making a new label is easy.

When packing or organizing I have a few colors of crayons in my pocket and a roll of masking tape around my wrist like a bangle.

Source: I got this idea when every marker I picked up was either dry or terrible smelling but the crayon I found at hand worked well.

By Antoinette from Okinawa, Japan

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Clean Tiles Quickly With Wipes

I have light tile floors and they can show the dirt in a hurry. To keep them looking good between deep cleanings, I just grab a diaper wipe and do a quick swipe. The Walmart brand are much cheaper than the Clorox ones, and they work just as well. Quick, easy, and cheap!

By Laura from Auburndale, FL

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Store Manuals and Warranty Information in a Binder

One of my biggest problems has always been how to keep up with manuals, receipts and model numbers of big appliances and other expensive items in my house. My solution was to buy 3 ring binders and separate by either category or room and use clear plastic sleeve protectors to slide all of the necessary things in. This also helps if you have repairs done, then you have a place to store those receipts as well. I try to store the notebook in whatever room the item is in located too.

By Vernontigger from North Texas

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Use a Toothpick to Unclog Soap Dispensers

It's easy to remedy this problem, when foam soap or sanitizer soap containers become clogged and squirts all over when you pump. I use a toothpick to run through the rim, taking care to remove all the clogged soap. Works like a charm.

By Mary from Madison, WI

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Check Craigslist First Before You Buy

A great place to get furniture, appliances, baby needs, and more! When I am interested in buying a new item($$$), I write it on a post-it note by my computer. I check during my daily internet surf for any items I am looking for. I have purchased a handful of times with success. A LOT cheaper and no bulky packaging to throw away.

And of course check the FREE section! You must be quick on the free stuff! It's good stuff and goes fast! As with any purchase, you must use your head (is it a good deal? does it work?). But don't take my word for, it check out your local www.craigslist.org (select your state and bookmark the page). Also, it's free to post your own classified with photos! Happy searching!

By Starchild in VT (Heather)

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My Natural Products Spa Day

I do an oil pull with olive oil for 5 minutes and spit out (swish the oil in between the teeth). DO NOT swallow, ever. This is good for teeth and gingivitis. I do it twice a week. Now I rinse and rinse and brush my teeth with baking soda/salt/water combo or just baking soda and water. Spit and rinse.

My hair needs to be treated for dryness so I heat up some mayo in the microwave and put it on my hair for about 7 minutes and cover it with plastic wrap. While I am doing this I put on an oatmeal mask made out of oatmeal and water and leave it on while I am conditioning my hair.

It is time to take it all off after 7 minutes. I rinse out and shampoo my hair with an avocado/baking soda paste with a little water added. Rinse, rinse, rinse. If not clean, you can use a small amount of diluted shampoo. Rinse.

It is time to take a bath with a little bit of Olive oil to soften the water. I put my hair up since it has already been taken care of. While in the bath I do a forehead massage/wash by moving the palm of my hand on my forehead with a little bit of warm water and a small amount of soap. It gets rid of the bumps very quickly. It has a suction type movement when done right.

After my bath, I soak my feet in a nice warm bath of Epsom salts and water for about 5 minutes, or baking soda and water if my feet need a deodorizer.

It is time to get facial moisturizer out of the refrigerator so I can put it on my skin. It feels so nice and cool on my skin.

Then I take my apple cider tea tonic with baking soda: 2 Tbsp. apple cider (organic) 2 tbsp honey and 1/8 tsp baking soda, 9 oz water. This usually wards off allergy attacks for me. I take it two days and then off three days and then again for about a month and then if I need it for headaches. Sometimes my symptoms get worse for a day or two before being eradicated.

I am going to take a nap with a bar of soap (WRAPPED OR UNWRAPPED) under the blanket. I have restless leg syndrome and this is a good treatment. The medicine I took for it made my heartbeat too fast. I forgot what the med was, Requip, I believe. The bar of soap is a new treatment I found at earthclinic.org. I then put cucumber slices over my eyes and rest.

When I wake up from my 30 minute rest time, it is time to soak my nails in baking soda and water: two parts water to 1 part baking soda. This gets rid of discoloration and cleans them.

I put a drop of olive oil on a folded paper towel and buff them and rub it in then I buff them to a high shine. Wash with a mild soap after this treatment.

It is about time to put on my lip gloss before I go out the door. I make it out of Crisco shortening and honey and mix it to the consistency that I want, equal amounts. If koolaid is used to color the lip gloss, it needs a little water, about 1/4 tsp. I, myself, don't like food coloring so I leave it natural.

It is time to spray my hair with lemon and water. I boiled down a lemon chopped up in 2 cups of water until it was reduced by about half. Add more water if it gets too thick. Strain and pour into a spray bottle. I keep mine in the refrigerator. It should keep my style in check on this windy day. Ahhhhh. Natural is good.

Source: Most of the health information has come from personal experience and also from earthclinic.org.

By Racer from Bristol, TN

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Product Review: Makemoneytakingsurveys.org

Product: Makemoneytakingsurveys.org

Manufacturer: NSA Technologies LLC

Cost: $69.00

This product is a complete let down. I purchased it about 3 weeks ago and have not made a cent. All that comes with this product is a database of survey companies which you can access your self in a very short search of the net and the tip of opening a separate e-mail for your on-line survey business. The survey companies that are provided for you just fill your e-mail with a whole bunch of garbage and wild goose chases for prizes and cash you never see. There, I have just given you the amazing product details of Makemoneytakingsyrveys.org. OOPS!

By Chris C from FL

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Use Free Address Labels to Mark Belongings

Placing a sticky address label (they come in the mail all the time) on your inside lid of the DVD, books, under plates or whatever you loan out makes it easier for the borrower to return.

By Frances E. from Bath, PA

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Add Veggies to Tomato Sauce

Make your spaghetti healthier, tastier, and stretch farther using fresh, thin sliced carrot, and/or thin sliced zucchini. It adds color, and flavor to any tomato/pasta combo, and kids love it because the tomato disguises the taste of veges just enough to please their pallet. You will know they are getting their vitamins, and they will know it's still fun to eat!

When cooking up the spaghetti sauce, just add a cup of veges to it and cook till veges are softened. Fresh is best for flavor, but canned can certainly be used too.

By Dede from Macon, MO

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

While waiting for my first appointment in the reception room of a new dentist, I noticed his certificate, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered that a guy with his name had been in my high school class almost 50 years ago. Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was too old to have been my classmate. After he had examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended the local high school. "Yes," he replied. "Graduated in 1955."

"You were in my class!" I exclaimed.

He looked at me closely and then asked, "What did you teach?"

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

Puppy Pooping Inside at Night

My 14 week old puppy seems to have clicked well with house training during the day, but at night she poops all over the kitchen floor. The pad is kept in the same place during the day and night. Please help.

Helen from UK

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Inexpensive Silicone Oven Mitts

Has anyone found a site online or a store where you can buy silicone oven mitts for under $10 (including any s/h that might be involved)? Wal-Mart's on-line price is around $15 which seems too high for just one. Thanks!

Nica from Big Bend, WV

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Waxing Shower Tiles

Should I wax shower tiles to help prevent hard water build up?

Cathy from Spokane, WA

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Making Children's Dress-Up Costumes

Does anyone have any ideas for making a Fairy and Princess dress-up costumes for children? I don't want anything too complicated.

Lorimay from Perth, Western Australia

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Cleaning a Range Hood Filter

I have an over the hotplate range hood. I clean the grill regularly, but happened to read something about a filter that needs cleaning, as well. I can't see it. Could someone please advise me on this? I love this site and hope you can help.

Fieke from Queensland, Australia

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Growing Primroses in Indirect Light

Will primroses grow well in pots in indirect light? We live in Louisiana.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Sandra from Alto, LA

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Cutting a "Fire Log" in Half

Can I cut a "fire log" in half?

Karen from Charleston, SC

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Can Your Water Make You Itch?

Could my water be what is making us itch? Even my pets are itching non-stop. I have scatched my legs until they bleed. I have used lotions, oils, etc. but nothing seems to be working. I have rusty well water and we all drink it, bathe in it, etc.. Can you please help us scratch our itch. Thank you.

Aloma from Michigan

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Inexpensive Church Mother's Day Project Ideas

Does anyone have a new or different idea for a Sunday School class mother's day project? Inexpensive and either Christian based or could be made so. Thank you.

Jane from Ontario, Canada

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Asking Wedding Guests to Bring Finger Foods

I am looking for ideas for our wedding reception in June. It will be indoors. This is our second marriage and we want to keep things simple and inexpensive. Would it be tacky to tell guests to bring finger foods to the reception? My aunt is making the cake and we are serving pink lemonade punch.

I thought I would maybe get some mini quiches and such from Sam's. The wedding is at 11am and then the reception will follow at another church about 30 mins away. Any advice you could send would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Melissa from Charlotte, NC

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Crafts Using Plastic Bottle Caps

I have a ton of plastic Mountain Dew soda bottle caps I forgot to send in for their latest promotion. I've looked online, but I can't locate something I can do or make with these plastic caps. I see plenty of projects with metal caps, but not plastic. Any ideas?

Jessica from Waukesha, WI

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Decorating an Apartment Refrigerator

I have a refrigerator in my kitchen that still works and I am looking for ways to make the front door look nicer by decorating it. I rent and it comes with the apartment. Thanks for any help.

Catherine

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Cookware with Water Vapor Seal

Does anyone remember cookware that required something like 1 tsp. water added to the rim of the lid after it has been set on the pot? This was to make a water vapor seal. I was thinking about it the other day and wondered what happened to this line and if it ever truly functioned. It was sold in the 1970's.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Buying Borax Powder

Where do I buy Borax powder?

Luz

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Paint Colors Advice for Bathroom With Green and White Tiles

I am still trying to decide on paint colors for my bathroom. We are remodeling on a very tight budget. I have dark green floor tiles and white tiles on the lower half of the walls. The bathroom is very small but it does have a tub/shower. I need to paint the old vanity because someone started painting it and never finished.

I was thinking of using an antique white and doing some sort of distressed look on the vanity. Can this be done easily and can someone give me tips on how to do this? I also need a color for the walls. Please help! This is the only guest bath so I need it to look nice. Thanks!

Jenna from Cincinnati, OH

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Decorating a White and Pink Apartment

My new apartment has light pink tiled floors and walls that are cream on the bottom half and white on the top half. What color scheme can I use to decorate with furniture, drapes, etc. Any ideas? Please help.

Esther from Mombasa, Kenya

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Pit Bull Puppy Keeps Biting Us

We have a beautiful pit bull puppy, her name is Latika. We are not sure how old she is, we believe she is about 10 weeks old. Our problem with her is that she can't stop biting. She even bites us while we sleep sometimes. She can also be very sweet and loving. We actually have a cat and they get along well.

Is her biting on us and practically everything else normal? I would also like to potty train her. She is destroying our carpet! Please help. Thank you.

Xena from San Diego, CA

Pit Bull Puppy Keeps Biting Us

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Fish Grease Stain on Tennis Shoes

How do you get a fish grease stain out of a pair of Nike Air Max Skyline shoes? They are metallic silver/black and grey. My husband just bought these shoes. I asked him to pour out some old fish grease and he got it on the front of the shoes. Hope you can help me.

Chimere from Oklahoma City, OK

Fish Grease Stain on Tennis Shoes

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Fresh Fruit Ideas for a Baby Shower

Does anybody have any ideas for fresh fruit salads or a fresh fruit bouquet for a baby shower?

Rebecca from Harriman, TN

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Reviews of Waterless Cookware

This post is in regards to West Bend (Kitchencraft) waterless cookware. I saw the demo at the Boise state fair and was very impressed since I'm a P/T chef. The price was way out of my league so I bought a set of Chef Secret on eBay. I guess the saying "you get what you pay for" was truly evident here. I do not care for the Chef Secret cookware at all.

It's cheaply made in China and doesn't work at all like the Westbend. Anyone out there tried Maxam or other waterless cookware for around $250-400? Please let me know if you find something out there that works well.

LA Gordon from Yellow Pine, ID

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ASPCA Pet Vaccination Truck

I have a puppy. She is 5 months old and she hasn't received her shots yet. Is there a free ASPCA truck in the Bronx where I live? I heard you could use your medicaid for the shots. If not can you recommend an inexpensive vet? I know she needs a lot of shots. Her name is Snowball, she a red nose pit bull mixed with a jack russell. Thank you.

Felicita

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Dog is Scratching at the Carpet

A new Daschund has joined the family. He scratches the carpet and made a hole in it yesterday. Any suggestions other than finding him a new home? He does not stop when we spray him with water.

Faye from Marysville, WA

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Ideas for a Beginning Sewer

I am looking for sewing ideas. I need help making purses, pillows, and things for the home. I would also like to make recycled bags for grocery shopping. I am a beginning sewer. I have made rice bags and a few pillows. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Crystal from Zebulon, NC

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What is This Plant?

Does anyone recognize this "fruit"? I saw it at the local zoo but the only sign nearby claimed it was an American Pineapple. The tree looked like it was from the palm family. I am pretty good at identifying flora but this one has me stumped.

Irene from Naples, FL

What is This Plant?

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Tea Tree Oil for Canine Yeast Infections

How do you use tea tree oil for canine yeast infection in ears?

Debe from Jamestown, RI

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Wax on a Rug

How do you get wax off a rug?

Dollie from Tucson, AZ

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Discontinued Wallpaper: Blonder Border #GM1847B

I am looking for 1 roll, or a remnant roll (at least 4-5 ft) of a Blonder border that has been discontinued. The pattern number is GM1847B. It is about 10 inches wide, green background and peach to red roses. It also has a scalloped edge. I would greatly appreciate any help in this matter.

Page from Grenada, MS

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Using Vinegar in an HE Washing Machine

How would vinegar affect the new washing machines that states you should only use products with the (HE) symbol on it?

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Alfred Hitchcock's "Where the Woodbine Twineth"

I have been looking for an Alfred Hitchcock movie called "Where the Woodbine Twineth". It's about a white girl that gets a black life size doll which takes over her life and the nanny spanks her legs at the end with a switch telling her to go away. I have also been looking for the original "Cinderella" movie with Leslie. Does anyone know where I can find either of these movies?

Melanie

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Cat Urine on a Suede Sofa

How do I get cat urine off of a suede sofa?

Tammy from Chicago, IL

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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

Growing and Harvesting Indian Corn
By Ellen Brown

Many gardeners are surprised to learn that there's no special secret to growing Indian corn. If you can successfully grow sweet corn in your garden, then you can grow Indian corn, too. If you normally use Indian corn as part of your fall decorating scheme, instead of boxing it up and putting it into storage until next year, why not use some of it as seed corn for next year's garden?

Growing and Harvesting Indian Corn

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Daily Thrifty Tips - March 6, 2009

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