Daily Thrifty Tips - May 3, 2007

If you have any Mother's day tips, traditions, gift ideas or crafts, be sure to submit them soon. Mother's Day is next week so we'll need to get tips before the end of this week, to get them in next week's newsletters. If you are looking for Mother's Day ideas, be sure to check out the Mother's Day topic site here:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/Mothers%20Day_658.html

Here's today's featured request:

Making a Banner

I need to make a banner that says "Happy Mother's Day". How can I do this? Any ideas are welcome.

Marjorie from Michigan

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Concho Western Pin

I have made a passel of these concho pins to wear with my western outfits and blue jeans. I have had many compliments. I have even given away a few for presents.

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Wedding Shower Collage

My son is getting married in June and their Wedding Shower is this coming Sunday. I always make a Wedding Shower Collage for each of my children's weddings. It is a wonderful heart warming gift. I use pictures from each of them from birth until now! This one included two very special parts of each of their lives. They both have a child from a previous relationship. So these children are very much a special part in their wedding. My goal was to make a special collage of pictures of their own lives and their life as single parents. This is a very special picture board and I took extra special care in designing!

Their wedding is in June of this year. I used collage frames to add to the display of very special pictures I wanted to stand out! On the collage itself, I used seashells as a border, as they are getting married on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. As a mother, I am so proud of the two of them making it in a very difficult world. Their children will be part of their ceremony, joining two families as one! I am a very proud mother of the groom. And a Nana to now two more.

God bless their marriage! Hugs and special wishes to the soon to be bride and groom and one big happy family!

By Jackie from Norton, Massachusetts

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My Favorite Kitchen Corner

I wanted to share my before and after photos of my favorite kitchen corner. Most of my knick knacks came from around my home or yard sales. The before is what it looked like when we bought the house 3 years ago. The most costly splurge was the border, bought off of ebay. The lettering is a vinyl print out applied on the wall. DH built the cabinet and found out it was cheaper to laminate a counter top himself. The whole kitchen can be done for the cost of one piece pre-made that we needed! Let the creative juices flow:)

By Melanie from IL

Before

After

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Kittens! Lots of Kittens!

These kittens are about five weeks old. Mom Cat brought them into the world with the help of a local Tom Cat! They ride my feet like children on a swing. I would like to share my kittens with anybody who wants one. I have eight kittens and two adult female cats.

By Joseph from Laval West, Laval, Quebec, Canada

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Keeping Food Cold For The Dinner Table

When I have to put out dinner and don't want to refrigerate the bowl of sliced fruit, for example, because there isn't enough room in the fridge, I do this. I will put the fruit in a bowl, cover it with a Corelle plate and put as many small freezer packs (blue ice for lunchboxes) as will fit on the top of the plate. Keeps it cold enough to last while I prepare the rest of dinner. Good for at least an hour. I don't know if this would work with a mayonnaise based product, but based on the theory that heat rises and cold falls, the fruit seems to be remaining tolerably cold until meal time.

We have a special shelf in the freezer just for the little blue ices. Been doing this for a couple of years and am satisfied with the results. I got the idea from the Chillzane platters. However, I was wondering how they could keep the food cold enough since the cold radiates downward, rather than upward to the surface of the plate. I would have purchased one of those platters, but they need to be hand washed and I prefer to use a dishwasher (seems more sanitary).

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Coca-Cola For Shiny Chrome

Instead of spending on expensive chrome polish, try rubbing your chrome with coca-cola!

By dirty2feet from Sedalia, MO

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Crispy Reheated Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove. Set heat to med-low and heat until warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

By Kate from Vermont

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Furniture Polish For Cleaning Silk Plants

I discovered something a few months ago while doing the weekly cleaning. :-( I love silk plants, but hate the dust they collect. As I was polishing the furniture, I decided to spray the silk plants and trees I have with furniture polish. I did not wipe them clean, but rather let the polish dry and my plants were dust free!! They dried in about 10 minutes to look like brand-new! You may want to place newspaper under your plants to protect your flooring. It could be a slip hazard if some of the polish got onto wood flooring.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

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Our Marriage Tips

As my husband and I approach our 40th wedding Anniversary this week-end, I have experienced friends and family asking me to share our tips for a lasting relationship. I enjoy entering your tip contest. This morning as I opened the ThriftyFun email, I thought why not write down the tips I have shared this past week with others.

1. We have learned to have a sense of humor, laughing at our mistakes.
2. We have a date night and make it special. It has been as simple as a picnic in the park or a rented movie and popcorn while sitting together on the sofa.
3. We have both learned not to try to change each other, instead we pray about it.
4. We both pursue our God given talents and gifts.
5. We don't argue, there are a list of things we have decided to disagree on.
6. We both give each other encouragement and sincere complements.
7. We try not to take each other for granted.
8. We sit down at the dinner table together and discuss our day, even though our children are grown.
9. We celebrate time spent with our children and grandchildren.
10. We both work at staying in good shape and looking nice for each other.
11. I guess the bottom line is being committed to each other.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

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Do It Yourself Mechanical Repairs

It's surprising how you can make simple mechanical repairs to even electronic items. Recently, my husband and I fixed a broken plastic strip integral to a chair massager by reinforcing it with a wooden paint stirrer. And I keep a printer going by taping down the ink cartridges (some catch is gone). I look for the sound and then try to figure out what's causing it. The electronic stuff I leave to my husband!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Product Review: Gunk: Liquid Wrench

Product: Gunk: Liquid Wrench

Manufacturer: Radiator Specialty Co.

This is a product you can use to loosen screws or other parts that have rusted or otherwise "frozen" together, so you can move or remove them. I usually use it on squeaky door hinges, but found another use for it this weekend. My house still has 50's windows that were increasingly difficulty to both open and close. I got this idea to spray Gunk on the aluminum slides at the sides of the windows, so gave it a try. I'm so glad I did. It worked like a charm and now I can open and close the windows with ease and without giving myself a hernia. I highly recommend it for household use. It also works great on locks that no longer turn.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

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Signs That Your Pet May Have Eaten Tainted Pet Food

Because of all the pet food recalls and because we know all of you love your pets, we cannot stress strongly enough the importance of seeking immediate medical care for your pet if they show any of the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and/or vomiting
• Anorexia
• Diarrhea
• Changes in water consumption or urination habits

If you suspect these symptoms may be linked to the food you may have fed to your pet, have your veterinarian run a blood test and urinalysis, to check the kidneys.

Also make sure to (if possible):

• Retain food samples for analysis.
• Document product name, type of product and manufacturing information, saving purchase receipts, date codes or production lot numbers.
• Document product consumption - as in when the product was fed, time and relative onset of signs afterwards, and feeding methods (including other foods in the mix).

Also, keep checking back for more information on recall information either here or the FDA site:

• http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/

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Thank Your Mother on Mother's Day

The best Mother's Day Card I ever received came from my son. He wrote to me when he was 14 years old and thanked me for everything he could think of that I'd taught him over the years. That was a little more than 20 years ago.

This year, I'm writing to him to thank him for all the many things he's taught me. He's been a wonderful son in every way, and has never once disappointed me in anything he's done. I want him to know how much I appreciate him for making my adventures in motherhood such a great experience.

If my own Mother were alive, I would be writing her to thank her as well. I think she knows already though.

All the best,
Julia from Orlando, FL

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Keep Paint Information Organized

When painting, write down the brand of paint and color of paint and any numbers on the can that identify the type of paint. Keep this info in a binder or on your computer as a good reminder if you ever have to buy more.

By Unk Wes from San Jose

Editor's Note: Also keep some of the leftover paint in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Put a dab of paint on the top of the jar so you know the color of the paint after it has dried. This is really handy for touch-ups.

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Epson All-In-One Reviews

Product: Printer, Scanner, Copier (All-In-One)

Model: Epson with Individual Cartridges

Manufacturer: Epson

Request: It was suggested that I purchase an Epson printer/scanner/copier with small individual cartridges. Well, I just finished reading the epinion.com reviews of the CX6000 and that sure scared me away. Any suggestions?

I have a perfectly good HP printer and a scanner also by HP that is so old they don't update the drivers, so now I am restricted to grayscale only.

I sure don't want to get rid of the inkjet printer as it was expensive, but I require a scanner/copier when I do my private tutoring.

Absolutely do not suggest anything to do with Lexmark. I had one once and that cured me forever. Have you seen the price of the ink cartridges? That's where they make an outrageous profit.

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Helping Someone With Hygiene Problems

I'm seeking suggestions with a tricky situation. A teenage boy attends our church (alone) and has real hygiene problems. I would like to buy him some relatively inexpensive but nice MALE products to give him, i.e. shampoo, soap, facial skin cleanser. Can anyone recommend good products and even more importantly, can anyone recommend a kind way to give him these things and suggest he use them? His father is gone and he is pretty pitiful.

Thanks!
Lori from Tennessee

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Snowboard Theme Bedroom

My 10 year old wants his room decorated in a snowboarding theme. I have searched everywhere and can't find much of anything for this, not even bedding. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Christine from Glendale, AZ

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Oster Model 4811 Bread Machine Instructions

I need instructions for bread machine Model 4811 Oster. I got it at a Goodwill for $2.99 and I thought I could get a booklet from the company. You guessed it, I can't. Guess they don't make this model anymore. It's in great shape and used little by the looks of it. Any help I would appreciate.

Joyce from Coffeyville, KS

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Cleaning a Pontoon Boat

My husband and I bought a used pontoon boat in pretty good shape except the pontoon tubes or coated with a lot of scale from being left in the water for long periods of time. We want to clean it to be shiny again and want to know what to use to clean the scale and then what to use to polish it to get that shine again. Can anyone please help us?

Thanks and God Bless.
Angelheart from Clyde, TX

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Decorating for a Low Country Boil

I need help decorating for a low country boil!

Cassie from GA

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"Words Worth Eating" by Jacquelyn G. Legg

When I was in America I borrowed a recipe book called "Words Worth Eating" by Jacqueline G. Legge. I found it to be the best cookbook I had ever used! It's not available in Europe and I've looked on the Internet, ebay etc. and all that is available is the one for low cholestral cooking. Anyone know where I can get one? I'm beginning to get desperate!

Sue from Cadiz, Spain

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Cheap Clothing Dye

Is there a cheap way to dye clothes a different color? The shop dyes are pretty expensive in Australia.

Brian from Australia

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Crayon on a Baseball Cap and Back Seat of Car

I don't see my dilemma in any of the postings. My daughters left a box of crayons in the back seat of my car. Of course, they melted all over the back seat, but also onto the visor of a specially made baseball cap. Surely, I cannot throw that in the washing machine. Short of taking it to the dry cleaners, does anyone have any ideas?

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Gluten Free Cornbread

Does anyone have a recipe for gluten free cornbread, cake or any gluten free recipes?

Thanks,
Magicone from Toronto, Canada

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Weed Killer That Won't Kill Ice Plants

What weed killer will not kill ice plants?

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Phyllis from Deerfield, Beach

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Low Fat Chocolate Cake

Does anyone have a recipe for a chocolate cake with icing that is low in fat and sugar free that tastes pretty good?

Thank you for your help,
Vicky from Canadensis, PA

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Beef Stroganoff Recipes

I am looking for a recipe for Beef Stroganoff. I have tried making a few, but still looking for that perfect one. Could you please help?

Thanks,
Sally from Cedar Grove, WI

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Making a Banner

I need to make a banner that says "Happy Mother's Day". How can I do this? Any ideas are welcome.

Marjorie from Michigan

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How Much Should I Charge for Deep Cleaning a Rental?

I just rented and moved into a house. The owner told me he would have a company deepclean the house before we moved it, however, he did not. The person that lived in the house before my family owned cats. There is cat hair everywhere! The owner told me to write him out a bill and he will pay me for cleaning the house. What is a fair amount I should charge him?

Davida from Newark, Ohio

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Bugs Eating My Collards

Several unidentifiable 'somethings' were crawling up the stems of my collards and there were a number of holes in the leaves. I made sure the leaves weren't touching the ground. What to do now? This is an organic garden.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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End of School Year Gift Ideas

I'm trying to think of new teacher, teacher's aide, and bus driver gifts to give at the end of the school year. My child has had some of these same people helping her out for a number of years, so I've used up many of my old standby ideas already. I've done candles, lotion/bath stuff, jewelry, food, and plants. Once I did gift certificates, but that got pricey! Any fresh or clever ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ellie from Marietta

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Painting an Old Refrigerator

How do I go about painting a refrigerator? What type of paint should I use, do i need some type of primer first? Please let me know.

Thank you,
Denise from Oceanside, NY

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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

Melamine Tainted Food Used in Chicken Feed

It's not just pets now, the chickens that you eat may have also been fed tainted food. Apparently ingredients that are not suitable for pets are used as feed for chicken. There have been no reported illnesses in humans as a result of eating these chickens, but it's not encouraging news.

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Using Colored Construction Paper

Colored construction paper! This is affordable almost anywhere you get it and it usually comes in a rainbow of colors.

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