|
|
|
Hello,
We accidentally published the Elmo Cake without the full text of the contest entry so we have included that in today's newsletter.
We will be donating $3 to the American Red Cross for every Halloween or Fall decor photo contest entry that we receive before October 25th. You can submit an entry at the link below:
Photo Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Get "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" Free
When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:
http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html
Today's Photos
This is an Elmo Cake with the Buttercream icing tip. I recently made a cake for a birthay party of 40 people or a friend. The theme was Elmo. Rather than make 2 Elmo cakes, I decided to make a big sheet cake and make Elmo as 3-D on top of the cake. It was a yellow cake with buttercream icing.
A tip when using boxed cake is to put a small package of pudding in with the mix (any flavor you like). Just mix it with all the other ingredients and you will always have a moist and tasteful cake - never fails. I especially love Strawberry. Changes the whole flavor of the cake an is less expensive then purchasing fresh fruit.
By Carolyn
By Carolyn Midnet
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Make two 10" round cakes using one box of cake mix. Cool and remove the cakes from the pans according to the instructions.
Place one layer on a plate, cover the top with frosting and frost the sides lightly.
Place the second layer on top.
Put the remainder of the frosting in the pastry bag and use the star tip to make the cake look "furry". You should cover the top of the cake and down the sides of the top layer with frosting.
Decorate the cake using the round candies and the decorative icing with the thin tip. Place two round candies side by side and affix smaller candies to the front using icing. The pupil of the eyes can be made using white icing.
Black icing can be used for eyebrows either above the eyes, around the eyes, or in a line slanted across each eye. Black icing can also be used for eye lashes. You can also add light glints and other effects.
Variations and Hints:
We got the idea for this cake from Nick Jr. magazine.
By Fletcher from Washington
Post Feedback: Click Here
Nelson is 6 years old and is a mixed breed, possibly pit bull/bird dog I picked him up on side of road 4 years ago, someone had dumped him. He likes to go for rides in the truck.
By Joyce Orsak
Post Feedback: Click Here
Fluffy and Poco (Cat and Cockatoo)
This is Fluffy our nineteen old cat. He is just an ordinary cat from Oklahoma. My daughter got him and when the baby came along, he became ours. He has lived in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and now in New Mexico. He just likes to lay in the sun and sleep.
Poco is a goffin cocktoo about sixteen years old. We got him about six years ago when his owner died. He likes to play with his toys. He can do some tricks. He likes to try to grap the cat's tail and try to bite it sometimes.
They both rule the house and they know what "no" means.
By Pat Turnage
Post Feedback: Click Here
Uses for an Unneeded Bed Skirt
Ever buy a bed-in-a-bag and not need the skirt? Well, I came up with some perfect uses for it.
Simple Valance topper
I took the skirt length wise and made a slip 1 1/4 inch to fit the rod. Check your rod for measurements. The hem is already done for you. Simple Valance topper.
Outlet and Switch Covers
Then I took the switch and five outlets and cut about an inch in material longer both length/width wise of each plate. I hot glued the material to the plate. What's nice about hot glue is it can be taken off quite easily for changing decor look. Take some small scissors to cut out material for switches and plug-ins. Hot glue or tape to the back side.
Picture Frames or Small Pillows
You can also cover picture frames or make small pillows for the bed. Most Bed-in-bags come with shams. I still have a lot of extra material to do something else if I desire. A fun coordinating way to use the skirt.
By Jennifer CA
Post Feedback: Click Here
Today's Tips
When packing to move, use plastic food wrap to enclose your utensil trays, and any tray that you might have in your office desk that holds paper clips, stamps, staples, etc. Same with your cans or jars of pencils from your desktop or by your phone. Wrap them till complete enveloped with the plastic wrap. So if something should happen to it, all the items or utensils are contained to the tray and do not go all over the place.
By Terri from Pahrump, NV
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep Your Children's Clothing Organized
Organizing Baby Clothes
Quite often when you buy or are given baby or toddler clothes they come in outfits. A matching top and bottom, maybe even with a matching hat. One way to keep these items together is to fold them and put them in large zip-lock bags before putting them away. You will be able to easily see the outfit and the bags and be used over and over again.
Organizing Bigger Kids Outfits If you have young children who are just learning how to dress themselves try organizing clothing by outfit. For example, hang a pair of slacks and a matching shirt in the closet together. Put the slacks on the hanger first and then put the shirt on over it. That way your child can just choose an outfit and get dressed.
Getting Kids To Put Their Clothes Away
The easier you can make putting clothes away for a child, the more likely they will be successful at it. One good thing to do is store clothing that won't be worn for a while. Make sure the child doesn't have more clothing that there is space to store it and establish drawers and locations where things should go. For example: T-shirts to in the t-shirt drawer, socks go in the sock drawer, shoes line up on the closet floor, and so on. You can even label where things should go with words, drawings or photos. Give each child their own colored laundry basket and have them take it into their room to put clothing away.
Lay Outfits Out the Night Before
One of these leading causes of disorganized dressers and drawers is a child trying to get ready in the morning in a rush. If they get into the habit of laying out their outfit the night before it will make the mornings less stressful and help keep their room organized. For younger children, lay their outfit out for them.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
Keep in mind that most dressers are not ideal for children. A smaller dresser makes it much easier for children to deal with their clothing. Also, while the top drawer is the easier to reach for adults, some top drawers may require a stool for a child to see into. Keep a small stool nearby so the child doesn't have to hang on the drawer to look into it. Also, consider installing a short closet rod that your child can reach easier. It's easy to add an additional rod or just move the existing one lower.
Label the Labels
If you have more than one child, it can become difficult to remember which article of clothing goes with which child. One easy solution is to mark the initials of owners on the clothing tag with permanent ink. One of our readers also suggested using a different color for each child.
Keeping Socks Together
This won't completely solve the problem of unmatched socks, but certainly will help. Train your children to fold their socks together before they put them in the laundry basket. Also, it helps to always buy them the same brand, color, and style socks.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Footstool from Large Juice Cans
For the familes that recive WIC, here is a use for all those large juice cans.
7 empty cans make a foot stool.
Cover one with fabric wrapped around it, then sewed to a circle, the same size as top and bottom. Now cover other 6 cans with a contrasting fabic. Place a single can in center with others around so it is a flower shape. Sew them all together. A little fabic glue may be used also. If you want, you can stuff the top with a little padding.
By Randa from Martindale, TX
Post Feedback: Click Here
The hostess poured a cup of tea for a middle-aged man at her party and asked him if he took sugar. "No," he said. "Yes," said his wife brightly at the same moment. Then she turned accusingly to him. "But I always put sugar in your tea!" "I know," the man said rudefully. "I used to remind you not to. Now I just don't stir."
By Edie from Detroit, MI
Post Feedback: Click Here
When I make Chili, I start with 5 pounds of ground chuck, 2 gallon cans of red beans or kidney beans, and 2 gallon cans of tomatoes. Add onions and bell peppers according to your taste. Also add chili powder to your liking. Or, if you are like me and don't care for chili powder, use crushed red peppers for a little bite. This makes a huge soup kettle full.
Enjoy a meal from it, then cool the rest. Pour into gallon ziplocks enough for a meal. Lay the bag down and let the chili fill the bag nearly to the ziplock edge to eliminate as much air as possible. Seal the bags and lay on cookie sheets until they are frozen. Once frozen, set them on edge in your freezer inside a plastic shopping bag. This keeps them handy and also protects them from getting holes rubbed in the bags.
A great way to feed unexpected guests on a cold winter's night in the minimum of time. You can thaw quickly in warm water in the sink, then heat in a pot or the microwave.
By Harlean from Arkansas
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
Post Feedback: Click Here
When an American visiting a small English town lost a valuable dog, he asked to have a notice printed in the local evening paper offering $1000 for its return. Evening came, but no paper appeared. The American waited for some time. Then he went to the newspaper office. There he found no one but the night watchman. "Isn't the newspaper coming out?" he asked. "I doubt it, sir," the watchman said. "The whole staff's out hunting for a lost dog."
By Edie from Detroit, MI
Post Feedback: Click Here
Making your own brown sugar is easy and cheaper than buying it at the supermarket; it tastes great on cooked oatmeal in the morning or used in any recipe calling for brown sugar.
To 1 cup granulated sugar, add 2 Tablespoons molasses. Stir together until evenly mixed with a fork. After trying it once, vary it by using 1 Tablespoon molasses, using the dark molasses or the light molasses. We prefer 1 cup sugar to 1 Tablespoon light molasses, but I have made all the other variations. I make a double batch every time.
By Betty
Post Feedback: Click Here
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 17 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Contest ends October 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests
I have heard that you can put fireplace ashes on certain plants. Can someone tell me what plants this works for and what plants I shouldn't put them on? Are there any other uses for ashes?
Diane
Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Iron On Decals From Clothing
Is there any way to remove iron on decals from clothing? A way that doesn't ruin the clothes, that is.
Kathleen from Jacksonville, FL
Post Feedback: Click Here
I am looking for potholder towel toppers ideas. I know I could fold the towel in half, sew the potholder on top but how would I hook it on the oven handle or fridge door in a way that would look nice?
Thanks,
Shar from Wheeling, WV
Post Feedback: Click Here
I've a 7 month old sweet pup that we've had since he was 10 weeks old. Here's the problem: He has a bad case of diarrhea. We have tried just about everything. We've had him back to the vets office 4 times in the last 2 months. He gets better for a while after being on plain rice, lamb meat and a little yogurt. Then when I try to incorporate a little kibble in his diet (which he's been on since he was a little pup) the diarrhea comes with no warning. He doesn't act sick or anything. But he has just about ruined our carpet.
Has anyone any ideas or suggestions? I'm beginning to this may be an allergey to something in his kibble. We're at our wits end. I'm sure he's not getting all the nutrition he needs by being on the rice diet alone, but I'm afraid to give him anything else.
Meg from Washington DC
Post Feedback: Click Here
I used to be able to buy acacia spice but cannot find it anywhere. Any ideas as to where it can be purchased?
Siris from Dawson Creek, BC Canada
Post Feedback: Click Here
I recently visited a cemetery and on some of the headstones there had been attached oval shaped plaques with photos of the occupants. The pictures seemed to be embedded in the plaque (all were black and white) and it felt like a hard plastic substance. If anyone knows what I am talking about and where to have them made up (they were not part of the stone), would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Betty from Slate Hill, NY
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Get "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" Free
When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:
http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html
More Reading:
Tips for Photographing Flowers
By Ellen Brown
Photography can be as fun and rewarding of a hobby as gardening. Your flowers may fade, but photographs of them will last forever. Even though today's point and shoot cameras make it easy to take brilliant pictures, it's still the photographer, and not the camera, who makes the shot. Here are some tips for capturing this season blooms.
Read More: Click Here
From Farm to Frying Pan
By Marcia Passos Duffy
Local food. Grown or raised locally, served locally. It's a way of thinking about food that's as old as humans have been on this planet - back to when tribes picked berries and hunted bison within walking (and dragging) distance of their tents or caves.
Read More: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
More Stuff
Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.
Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.
Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
