Daily Thrifty Tips - May 15, 2008

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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.

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Scenery: Pelican

Pelican basting in the sun. This was taken on a Sunday when me and my husband rode down to the ocean.

By Peggy from Elizabethtown, NC

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Ahchee (Chihuahua)

Ahchee is 8 years old and a Chihuahua. I got her from a lady the year my oldest son graduated from high school. She was my birthday present to myself, born 4 days after my birthday.

Ahchee loves to play fetch with her squirrel, and to chase the real ones outside - they have even learned to tease her! They'll just go a little ways up the tree - they know she's so short she can't reach them, despite the many times she jumps up and down. Then they'll turn nose down, tail up, and just tease her unmercifully, twittering and flicking their tails! It is so funny to watch! I can only imagine what they chatter to each other! And if she ever caught one, she wouldn't know what to do with it!!

My husband says if there was a fire, I would get Ahchee out before I got him. He's just teasing, of course, because he loves her as much as I do.

By Tripleb from Alabama

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Craft Project: Cell Phone/Purse Pocket

This idea came from a previous post.

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Pack Kids Clothing By Outfit For Camp

Kids going to camp? --- Here's a great way to organize their clothes. I have a son with autism who has some difficulty picking out his own clothes, so I came up with this and the camp loves it!

I put one day's set of clothes: shorts, shirt, socks, and underwear folded very neatly into a large zip-lock bag. I make one for each day (and include one extra if needed).

Then I also label them with a permanent marker, one for each day he is there. He likes finding the right one for the day, the camp counselors LOVE it, and I am also able to write little "care notes" on each one, or funny things, and how many more days he will have at camp.

They have even suggested this to other parents and caregivers in the preparation notes that go to the homes prior to camp!

By Lee from Wisconsin

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Dilute Fabric Softener For Twice As Much

I love using fabric softener for my laundry, and one bottle of fabric softener makes two for me, and I'll share how:

I saved one of my empty fabric softener containers and when I bought a new one the same size, I poured 1/2 the contents into the empty, saved, bottle and filled both bottles to the top with water. I use a 1/2 capful in each load and it lasts me for more than a month. Try it.

Note: Most fabric softeners these days are ultra brands or very thick and loaded with perfumes and work just the same when diluted.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

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Use a Reflective Collar for Pets

If your pet goes out at night, be sure to outfit it with a reflective collar. My cat is jet black, so he's invisible at night, but even light colored pets can be hard to see. It only cost a dollar or two more for a reflective collar that may save your pets life!

By Cyinda

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Multipurpose Bath Products

Did you know that you can multipurpose many bath and body products? For instance, I like to purchase scented bubble bath at the dollar store and use that for my hand soap. It's not only cheaper than hand soap but, and here is what I like, it comes in so many more scent choices. Landers makes huge bottles that come in fruity scents, and my local Dollar Tree is now selling aromatherapy scented shower gels which can also be used. Hey, it's not bath n body works, but way cheaper. And a great savings (and a little bit goes a looong way!)

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

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Toilet Paper Roll Favor Boxes

Favor boxes were made from toilet paper rolls. We cut them in half and folded in the bottom, creating a cup. Then we painted them all white inside and out so the card board would harden. Then I glued fake rose petals on the outside two on each side. Then I glued a fake one inside the roll in the bottom. They turned out pretty nice. We are placing pre-wrapped mints in them at each place setting.

By Kim from Chatham, Ontario

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Hair Bows for little Princesses!

Expensive to buy - Easy to make! Hair Bows for little Princesses!

My granddaughter, now three years old, is getting hair long enough to wear up and, I must admit, I dearly love to fix it when I babysit while Mommy works. I priced the nice big bows in stores and they are really expensive to buy. How much better it would be to make my own and get more for the money spent.

I purchased 1 1/2 yards each of two kinds of Grosgrain ribbon. It has a nice stiffness and makes prettier bows than satin ribbon.

To begin, I cut two 8 inch strips for the bottom loops on a double bow. Bring the ends of the strip to the center to make two loops. If it is printed, make sure you fold it printed side up. With a needle and thread, begin sewing the ribbon in the center of the loops, from the underneath part of the ribbon (STRAIGHT UP!). Once your thread is through the ribbon, secure the loops by catching the side of the loop and taking your needle back up through the middle pulling tightly so that it gathers the loop to make it thin in the center. Then go to the opposite side of the loop and wrap your thread around BOTH SIDES tightly and take the needle DOWN through the MIDDLE. I suggest doing this at least 3-4 times to make your loops for the bow. Remember, the tighter the thread is wrapped and sewn the prettier bow they will make. Make TWO of these. Once they are made, hold the sewn loop strips side by side in your hand, to make what looks like an "X" shape. Now JOIN the two together by wrapping the thread around them both and sewing through the middle to secure them.

For the SECOND row of loops, repeat the same process BUT cut your loop strips you are going to make 6 inches long so that they will make smaller sized loops. Once these are made, lay them on top of the BOTTOM part of the bow. REPEAT the thread wrapping, securing all 4 together. Once this is assembled, sew down through the layers to secure your bow. To finish, cut a strip long enough to wrap around the completed bow. It looks better if you fold it in half so it will be thinner before sewing to the back of the bow.

These hair bows can be hotglued on a FLAT hair clip or sewn on a clip if glue is not available. Most department stores sell the two-pronged hair clips you squeeze.

I hope my directions are clear enough. This is a little difficult to explain. I was so excited about my new accomplishment that I couldn't wait to share the news!

By Sharon from Ravenna, KY

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Soy Protein Wiener: Vegetarian Anthem

This is a little jingle I thought of when I decided to turn vegetarian. It's written to the tune of the Oscar Meier wiener song and I think it has a shot at becoming our anthem.

Oh, I want to be a soy protein wiener,
That's just what I really want to be.
Because if I were a soy protein wiener,
Nobody would die from eating me!

Source: This is a sample from my humor writing. This particular collection is called 'Sardonic Verses' for obvious reasons. My other collections are 'Pernicious Puns' and 'One Hand Clapping: Musings from a Warped Mind'. Read at your own risk!

By Angela Lantain from Sault Ste Marie, ON

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Make Your Own Wine Coolers

For a refreshing treat this summer, why not make your own wine coolers or non-alcohol spritzers. All you do is replace the water with club soda when you make any frozen concentrated juice. For a weekend treat you can add a shot of vodka or a bit of white wine, but these simple spritzers taste just as good without the alcohol and what better way to refresh yourself, than with a wholesome glass of natural juice, with only a bit of carbonation added. My favorite is orange-mango spritzers. What a tasty treat!

By CDR

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Molding Candy Melt Suckers and Favors

For Easter, I molded candy melt suckers for my grandchildren. It was very simple and I painted the details on them by mixing food colors to the melted candy and painted them on with a fine tipped art brush.

Candy Melt is made by Wilton and the molds are sold by them as well. Melt in a saucepan over boiling water. Fill molds using a spoon. Put the mold in your freezer for 5 minutes or so until firm. Invert on waxed paper and paint on details. These are VERY simple to do and so cute. I put them in a sandwich bag and tied them with pink and green curling ribbon.I 'd love to know what a candy shop would sell them for. Cost me about $3.00 for 5.

By Sharon from Ravenna, KY

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Use Heavy Whipping Cream To Make Butter

Making your own butter from heavy whipping cream is very easy, saves you money, is better for you than margarine, and you also get buttermilk (an expensive item in the market to buy). Buttermilk is good to drink, and is great for baking and making salad dressings.

Note: The internet is loaded with how to's for making butter.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

Editor's Note: Here is a recipe for butter that has been posted on ThriftyFun:

• Making Your Own Butter

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Ideas for Tin Can Birdhouses

I am looking for ideas on how to make tin can birdhouses.

Kay

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Wallpapering Over Wallpaper

My new place has the old horsehair walls so we can't remove the wallpaper. I need step-by-step instructions for wallpapering over wallpaper. Has anyone done it? How did it look?

Diesel Jayne from Plymouth, MA

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Making Newspaper Fire Logs

Does anyone have directions for making homemade newspaper logs without a commercial log roller? Also suggestions for making them burn well? Thanks.

Jean from Galva, IL

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Using a Baking Stone

Do I need to preheat my baking stone before I bake pizza? Thanks!

Daphne P from Jacksonville, FL

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Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

How do I get rid of gardener snakes in my basement?

Christina M. from Sioux Falls, SD

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Getting Rid of Digger Wasps

While repairing a lawn with patch seed, we noticed small yellow jackets coming out of the ground. How can we get rid of the underground nests now, without interfering with the new growth of our lawn. Help!

ST Kate

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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

Saving Money on Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a wonderful staple and great to have on handle for breakfast or baking. Here are some tips for saving money on oatmeal. Feel free to share you own.

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Planting Lilacs In Sandy Soil

Question:

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