Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 203 August 23 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This friday's TF News will once again be a Gardening Q and A issue with Ellen Brown. She will answer some of our readers recent gardening requests. She is also available to answer Green Living questions if you have any so feel free submit them.
In other news, we have created a Repair topic site. If you have a repair question, feel free to send it in. You can see the new repair section here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/Repair_1876.html
We have over 20 new requests today, please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.
You can submit your gardening, green living, repair, etc., requests here:
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Tips:
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Today's Photos
Growing Sunflowers in Pots
If you don't have much time or don't have a green thumb try growing Sunflowers. They area very easy to grow and fast growing. This one is in an old cast iron pot on my porch. They come in a large variety of colors. I purchased my seeds from ebay. I also put in some broken pieces of vintage pottery for drainage and color.
By April
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Jolee (Jack Russell Terrier) and RJ (Persian Cat)
My name is Jolee. I am 2 years old and I am a Jack Russell Terrier. I love to play with my friend RJ. She's a 2 1/2 year old Persian cat. She's goregeous. I also love to hunt frogs, play ball, do tricks, dig holes in my mommy's yard and sleep well. I hope we win. We would love to see our mommy smile!
Thank you
rj and jolee
By raelyn burch
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Tatami Wall Hanging
Natural materials give your rooms a comfortable, casual feel that's in keeping with today's lifestyle. Bamboo and reeds have a long tradition in Oriental and Polynesian design. They're used to make floor mats, wall hangings, and screens. Often, they're decorated with brush painting in richly colored natural scenes or with carefully hand stroked Chinese or Japanese characters.
Tatami mats have a great deal of importance in traditional Japanese households. They are used as floor coverings and sleeping mats, and are purported to have health benefits.
The natural variation in the color of the reeds or bamboo that is used in making the mat can create beautiful patterns that form a subtle background to any painting.
You can easily spend upwards of $50 for a set of six genuine imported tatami placemats, but they can be found far more inexpensively. If you shop my favorite boutique - the All for a Buck store - you can pick up a set of matchstick bamboo tatami placemats for a dollar apiece. At that price, you can make them a fun afternoon project with the kids, teach them a little about Japanese art - and not be the least bit upset if the end result isn't perfectly Oriental.
Materials
- Tatami placemat
- Pencil
- Poster Paints, inks and brushes, watercolors or acrylics
- Picture hangers
- Silk cord or ribbon
 Instructions
1. Plan out your design. Remember that traditional Japanese designs are built around natural themes - flowers, mountains, birds and other living creatures. Chinese screens often use the traditional themes like dragon and phoenix or the symbols for prosperity, longevity and luck.
2. Sketch your design lightly on the mat with pencil. The mat pictured has a nature theme - four reeds for long life, a butterfly for happiness, and water for life.
3. Using poster paints or inks and brushes, carefully fill in the outlines of your design, then the colors. Remember that the bamboo will not absorb the colors as readily as the stitching.
4. Let the painting dry flat.
5. The picture hangers that I use for these are the one piece hangers that push into the back of a frame. Place one on either top edge on the back of the scroll, pressing it firmly into place. Thread silk cord through the eyes of the hangers and hang on the wall or doorway.
6. To preserve the design on the mat, you can spray it lightly with an acrylic overcoat.
Suggestions for Designs
It's very common for traditional wall scrolls to be decorated with ideographs for words. Prosperity, serenity and happiness are popular ideographs. If you're making the wall scroll as a housewarming gift for a newly wedded couple, you can incorporate the Chinese symbol for Double Happiness, a traditional wedding design.
Plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, dahlias, and lotus are traditional flowers that can be used for wall scrolls. Bamboo and pine are both symbols for longevity.
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Beaded Game Night Shirt
By Connie Decker Brown 
Supplies:
- Shirt
- Alphabet beads
- Thread and bead needle
Directions:
1. Arrange beads to spell out your favorite games on the shirt.
2. Sew each game name onto the shirt.
3. You now have an eye-catching shirt to wear to your next family or neighborhood game night.
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Blackie (Toy Poodle?)
Blackie absorbing a little knowledge.
By Leigh Frey
P.S. Thank you for donating to Niger.
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Today's Tips
Getting Rid of Fruit Flies
Least expensive and most effective way to rid your home of fruit flies: take a small glass cup fill it with 1/2 - 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1-2 squirts of dishwashing soap, mix. Now the flies will flock to their death!
By Barbra Mutchler
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Uses for Milk Jugs?
The milk is gone and the jugs are stacking up in the garage! What are some good, frugal uses for these jugs before they go to the recycling bin?
The Bottom of the Jug
We all know that if you cut a plastic detergent bottle or milk jug a certain way, you can make a nifty scoop. But if you cut the jug in 1/2 or less towards the bottom, you can make a bowl or tray, that can also be used for a variety of ways. It can be used to transport berries in case you don't have many of the little berry baskets. Use it to hold small items at your yard sales. After cleaning it, you could decorate the milk jug tray or bowl and use it for upcoming holiday gifts. You can use it to give out cookies and candies to your loved one, the mailman, your newspaper delivery person, your hair dresser, etc.
By Terri
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Tips For Dealing With Stress
Tips for helping people deal with stress and stessful situations. Post your ideas.
Relieving Stress - Daydream
Some might not think of this tip as "thrifty". But if you do this, it might save you a trip to the hospital.
Stress affects people in different ways, here's a few examples: broken blood vessel in one of your eyes, acne, etc. Take time every day, if for no longer than 10-15 minutes, to daydream. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, let your mind wander to some place you'd like to vacation at (ex: a Caribbean island) imagine the island breezes blowing thru your hair, envision the waves of the ocean rolling over your feet). You'll be surprised at how refreshed you'll be afterwards. Remember to take time for yourself.
By Terri
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Printable Shopping List
Links to sites that offer free printable grocery lists. Post your favorite links.
Printable Master Grocery List
To save time when trying to decide what to cook, print out a master grocery list (you can find one here: http://www.womansday.com/article.asp?section_id=21&article_id=6576), have it laminated or put it in a page protector, and check off the foods that you have with an erasable marker. Then you can hang it on the fridge. No more looking through cabinets/refridgerator/freezer to see what you have on hand!
By Jessica
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Attracting Wild Birds
Tips for attracting wild birds. Post your ideas.
If you want to entice thrushes and orioles and keep them around to watch, try feeding them small bites of fruit served in an old grape fruit half. My dad used to do this in the 1930's and claimed it worked for many birds in the Atlanta area, Washington DC area, just about any place he lived. Enjoy the birds while you pick your vegetables.
By kittyhassparkle
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Live the Bartering Life
If you're really good at something and you need the resources of someone else, barter. My Dad and another fellow in our neighborhood, for years did this. My Dad had a tobacco basin that he wasn't using on our acreage. While the our neighbor had a tractor and bush hog that he didn't use all the time. So Dad would let the neighbor plant his tobacco in our basin and use our barn to cure it and Dad got to use the neighbor's tractor and bush hog to keep the grass and weeds off the rest of our land. You'll never know till you ask!
By Terri
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Homemade Christmas Ornaments
Ideas for making your own Christmas ornaments. Post your ideas below. If you have an ornament that you have made in the past, take a picture of it and submit it to the Photo Contest.
Ideas for Christmas Ornaments
I recently sent a photo in for the recycled CD ornaments. They have really gone over well here (View this project here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf504358.tip.html). I have about 35 to make for Christmas now. Doing them for friends and family.
What about beading a snowflake? Making snowmen out of can lids?
By Michele
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A Fix for Loose Dresser Knobs
For loose dresser knobs that will not remain tightened, you might consider bow or ribbon ties. This will work best in children's rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, since the look is rather feminine. I was so frustrated with my bedroom chest of drawers that I took out the hardware and threaded pretty ribbons through the holes. I made bows, and now, whenever I open a drawer, it tightens the bow. No more problem! Just a simple solution to a small frustration.
By Janet
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Christmas Club Accounts
Consider opening a Christmas Club account. Some banks still offer them but they may not advertise them. You can deposit money weekly or as often as you'd like; however, the funds are NOT accessible for withdrawal. Around the first of November or mid-November, you should receive your Christmas Club check.
I've used my Christmas Club account for several years and getting that lump sum check prevents me from charging purchases on credit and thus, overspending at Christmas. You can open one after Christmas as it is a good time to motivate yourself to save while you are paying off those credit card purchases you can avoid next year as you'll have your Christmas money in hand.
You can be proud of yourself, knowing you won't be in the same predicament ever again as long as you make regular deposits to your Christmas Club account. Even if you have to start with small deposits, you will be ahead of the game and eventually, be able to increase the amounts you can deposit.
By Magnolliatn
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New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
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Photo Contest!
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Contest ends August 31, 2005
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New Requests
Zucchini Dying After Producing
Can you tell me why my Zucchini and Cucumber plants produce a few vegetables, then quickly die? The plant starts decaying from the bottom of the stem and rapidly progresses upward.
Thank you,
Mary from Indiana
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Growing a Crepe Myrtle
I'm wanting to purchase a crepe mertal, they seem to grow very well in my area of central Kentucky. I am looking for some guide lines as to planting and caring for it before I buy one.
Thanks ahead of time for any info,
Sandy
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Rattle in Top End Valve
I just changed my head gasket and got everything timed. It starts fine and runs ok but has a rattle in top end valve. Lash is ok. Is there something that I can do? I need to go to work. - Jay
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Sharpie Marker on Book Cover
I was using a book cover and I accidentaly wrote on the book with Sharpie! Can someone please tell me how to get it out?
Kevin
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Flowering Plants Not Flowering
I recently removed all the grass from my front yard and landscaped with flowers, shrubs and trees. Two of the things I planted are a tree size Bougainvillea and a Bleeding Heart. The bleeding heart has been in the ground for a month, and has easily tripled in size, but no flowers yet. The bougie has no flowers either, but has only been in the ground for 2 weeks. Should I just be patient for flowers at this stage, or should I be fertilizing regularly? I live in Tampa, so it's hot and humid, but there's also been lots of rain lately.
Thanks for any help.
Lisa
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Finding a Dentist for a Coward
How do I go about finding a dentist who caters to cowards? A family member has avoided the dentist's chair for five years now because she is pretty sure she suffers from panic attacks in the dentist's chair, She takes medication for high blood pressure, is uncomfortable being fully reclined while being worked on, is over 60 years of age and is now convinced that the only way she can get her teeth worked on is to be totally knocked out.
She was told five years ago that because she refuses to use her partial lower plate, her teeth are shifting and she is grinding down her front teeth, which need to be capped. As if you couldn't guess, the thought of having novacaine needles going through any portion of her hard palate makes her crazy!
The most recent problem is that she is now experiencing TMP (Temporomandibular Pain) discomfort - constant, low grade discomfort. She is not suffering from any cavity problems - yet - that I know of. Help! Where do I start?
Sandie
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Natural Homemade Tooth Powder
I want to make my own tooth powder from natural ingredients. I would like this powder to be safe enough for everyday use. I would also like to use sage or the equivalent to whiten my teeth as well. I have often seen salt listed as an ingredient; I have also seen people in the dental world warn against the use of any salt because they say it causes microscopic abrasions in the tooth enamel. Is there a safe, homemade tooth powder that whitens, too, and can be used on a daily basis? All the best to everyone!
Newbie
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Cleaning Microfiber Furniture
Does anyone know what to use to clean microfiber furniture? My husband allowed our 50 pound husky up on my couch and chair so now there is icky dog slobber and dirt on my furniture!
Haley
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Small Wildlife Getting Into Trash
I recently moved to a new apartment. They are supposed to be putting dumpsters in. Until that time, what should I do to keep animals out of my trash? I am getting tired of cleaning up garbage on my back porch every morning and don't want to invest in a trash barrel that I won't have any use for later.
Kathie
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Natural Indigestion Remedies
I have a relative with indigestion regularly that won't take over the counter or prescriptions if she can possibly help it. Other than milk thistle, which is great for indigestion, can anyone tell me what they have done which eliminated the problem using only foods or natural items? I've heard lemons can somehow be helpful.
Thanks so much
Full Pint
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Halibut Leaked in Our Freezer
Halibut leaked in our freezer. The whole fridge stinks after a week and three washings? Any ideas?
juniperjulie
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Chrochet Football Afghan Pattern
I would like to make my boyfriend a football afghan. But I can't seem to find any pattern but the granny square one. If anyone can help, that would be great.
Thank you,
Miss Woody from Indiana
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Stretched Out Suede Sandals
The other day I got caught out in a heavy downpour while wearing a pair of suede sandals - Birkenstock style. Now they are all stretched out! Is there any way to shrink them back to their original shape?
Thank you for all of your help!
Anna
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Rooting Plant Cuttings
I have tried several times to root a plant from a cutting. I have heard lots of different ways to do it, but so far none, and I mean none have worked. I am good with store bought plants, but would like to learn to root some. Any advice would be helpful as I am told by the girl next door, now is the time of the year.
Thank you in advance,
Jean
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Musty Smelling Linens
I have a small closet where I keep bed linens. The closet smells okay, but the linens smell musty or moldy after just a few days, and I must wash them (again) before use.
Any ideas, please?
Linda, FL
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Biting Insect Indoors
What can you do to kill off indoor biting pests? I can't identify the bugger. I don't want to spray the house with raid. I have a cat and I don't want to make her sick. I have read about diatomaceous earth working well. What brand and how do I use it? Someone said bugs don't like thyme and salt. Please help me.
Miss Kitty
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White Clothes Are Now Pink
I accidentally had a red shirt in washing machine with all my cotton whites. My underwear, my husbands and favorite white night shirts are now pink. I am soaking in oxyclean overnight with bleach for colors. Any other idea if the clothes are still pink tomorrow?
Sue from FL
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Lipstick Causing Chapped Lips
Lipstick seems to be making my lips so chapped! I've tried different brands of lipsticks and lip balms (even Burt's Bees) but nothing seems to make them smooth and soft. They seem to be getting worse.
I love the longevity of the Max Factor Lipfinity but those types really do a number. I work in an office and need to wear make-up. I really can't go without lipstick. Does anyone else have this problem or can recommend a solution?
Thanks!
Ricki
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Peace Lily With Brown Leaves
I have a peace lily in my office at work. The office is air-conditioned. The lily flowers well but most of the leaves are brown at the ends. Can anyone tell me why the leaves are having dry ends? Thanks a million.
phiona
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Roaches Coming In Through Air Conditioner?
Here in Florida we have Palmetto bugs -- giant roaches. Does anyone know if bugs can get in through central air conditioners? Everything else seems to be sealed off, including roof vents.
Thanks,
Linda
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managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget
Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click
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