Smiley Face Door Knob Cover
The elastic or rubberband will keep it on the door knob, but I have always used it on door knobs that are not opened and closed a lot. Such as linen closet door, etc. If you need a tighter fit than the rubberband, just thread a piece of yarn through the last...
Legitimate Online Jobs?
I wasted a lot of time trying to find a legitimate site for making a little extra doing surveys, and ended up deleting all of them. Many of them want to give you Sweepstakes entries, some of them are just a long lists of places to order magazines, get a credit...
Keeping a Foam Bed Topper Flat?
Our Memory Foam topper that our daughter got us for Christmas a couple years ago, came with a knit Zippered cover, and we dont that problem. It zips on 3 sides so is very easy to remove for laundering, and when you replace it in the cover, you just lay it in...
Broomstick Santa
Hi, this is my project, and I just wanted to add another way to make this little guy if you do not crochet. substitute the loop stitched beard with a little white curly doll hair, and for the arms and legs, take half a red chenille stem for each arm and each...
Reusing Dry Dog Food Bags?
I save the dog food bags and also the birdseed bags to store my newspapers in until I take them to the recycler. Harlean from Arkansas
Personalizing Gift Magnets?
I personalize craft items at craft shows using either a Sharpie pen or an acrylic paint pen. I have trouble writing in a straight line and making my letters a uniform size, so I use a whimsical method by tipping the letters and putting one letter up and the...
Knit or Crochet Swiffer Pad?
I have tried everything from old socks to used dryer sheets, but for the past year I have been using a Microfiber cloth. I buy mine at Sams club, and cut them in half. One half is just right for the Swiffer and to tuck it in the slots. They dont fray, so you...
Toilet Ring Cleaning Technique
I have never been able to remove the water level ring with any of the bowl cleaners. and I have tried many. They clean the bowl....even under the rim, but wont touch the ring left by my well water. I new there was a stone for this job, but was afraid it would...
General Cleaner Recipe?
I have good luck in cleaning my stove top and the inside of my oven with a paste made from water and baking soda. If the spots are a little stubborn, repeat the process using a green 3M pad. It is abrasive, but does not scratch the surface. Harlean from Arkansas
Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas?
Check out the Dollar Tree Stores. They have toys, some clothing items, tools, flashlights, books, Barrettes and other Hair related things, and many other items. Each item sells for $1.00. Harlean from Arkansas
Microwaved Dried Green Onions
Thanks for this tip. I always plant lots of green onions and that is a way to have them for recipes in the winter months. Harlean from Arkansas
Crocheted Kewpie and Baby Cradle Purse
Hi Little Suzy, What an adorable addition to my Baby Cradle Purse Pattern. And thanks for letting us know where to find those cute Kewpie Dolls, I know the ones that I used originally are no longer available, and I used to see the little Kewpie dolls at Hobby...
"Snow on the Mountain" Dinner
This was a favorite of my kids when they were little. Sometimes I used green peas instead of beans, and also sometimes used a can of Campbells tomato soup instead of tomatoes. Never had leftovers from this meal! Harlean from Arkansas
Stains on Solid Surface Countertops and Sink?
I am not familiar with that type of counter top, but I use a paste of baking soda and water to clean many surfaces, so you could try it. Just pour on a little baking soda and add a little water to it and scrub with a sponge or dishcloth. This has kept my counters...
Freezing Corn on the Cob?
When I freeze corn, I just trim the bottom off close to the bottom of the ear, leave the husk and silk in tact. Wrap each ear in plastic wrap, and store in a wire basket in the freezer. When you are ready to use them, just remove the amount you need, unwrap...
Heavenly Fresh Fig Cobbler
I only wish that I had planted them years ago. My trees are 5 years old and 3 years old. If they will grow in your climate, they start producing the first year and every year they produce more and larger figs. Dont really know why they call them trees, They...
Keeping Bugs Off My Silking Corn?
Yes, you should use a few drops of cooking oil..vegetable, canola or any other cooking oil will work. Just gently separate the silks at the tip of the ear. Be careful not to break the silks as each silk is necessary for a kernel of corn on the ear. Place a...
Recipes for Ramen Noodles Without Using the Seasoning Packets?
I occasionally use Ramen Noodles for a quick lunch, but never use the seasoning packet, for the same reason stated here. I cook them as directed, then drain off the cooking water, and add a little canola oil and parmesan cheese, or mix in about 1/2 cup of Salsa...
Secrets for a Long and Happy Marriage
A postscript to my original posting. This is the list that I made a few years ago. We celebrated our 54th year on June 2 2014, and I lost this loving soul mate 6 days later. We had a wonderful 54 years, and he is waiting for me to join him in Heaven, and is...
Mounting and Planting Clay Pot Hanging Planters?
Before you do this, you should check with the phone company and see if they will allow it. They sometimes have to access the lines for repair by climbing the pole. Not sure they want to deal with obstructions. Harlean from Arkansas
Free Wire Coat Hangers?
If you know any service people....auto mechanics, pest control employees, delivery drivers or any others who wear uniforms to work, you might ask them. Many of them are furnished with clean uniforms weekly and they are usually delivered on wire hangers. Perhaps...
Cleaning Heat Stains on a Gas Range?
The best thing that I have found for cleaning the brown stains from around the burners on my gas stove is baking soda and a damp sponge. My stove is 12 years old, and still looks good. I have never used oven cleaner in my oven...only baking soda. And I put...
Dog Won't Stop Scratching?
Check carefully for fleas. I had a Jack Russell that would scratch himself raw if he had even a single flea on him. Vet said he was allergic to flea bites. When I saw him scratching, I would ruffle through his coat until I located the flea and use a tweezer...
Making Sugar Coated Easter Eggs?
Hello! I have made them in the past, but have never tried shipping them. I do know that they are not as fragile as they appear. They are not as difficult to make as it would seem. I submitted a step by step instruction sheet with pictures a few years ago. Perhaps...
Microwaving Ramen
To avoid boil overs in my microwave, I usually bring the water to a boil in the bowl, remove from the microwave, Stir the ramen noodles into the water, set a plate on top and let it set on the counter to cook. The noodles will be ready in 3 or 4 minutes, I...
Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide?
I have well water with iron and cannot use chlorine bleach or my clothes turn orange. But Wal-Mart sells a Great Value product in the area where you find Clorox. It is labeled Non-Chlorine Bleach and the label has green writing. This Non-Chlorine Bleach is...
Is a Self Cleaning Oven Worth the Extra Cost?
I, too, vote with the no group. My daughter bought our last stove for us...actually the only new stove I have ever owned. I chose one with sealed burners on the stove top, which I love, instead of the self cleaning oven. I do a lot of baking...pies, cakes, cornbreads...
Recycle Your Christmas Tree For the Garden
We have 3 large lakes in our area, and the city provides a place to drop off your discarded Christmas trees. Then, they are taken to the lakes and put in the water for the fish to use for cover when they are nesting in the spring. Harlean from Arkansas
Drop Sites for Unwanted Coupons?
Some grocery stores have a box that you can drop them into, and pick out any from the box that you can use. Many times if I have coupons that I decide not to use, I just cut them out neatly and lay them on the shelf next to the product they are for. Someone...
Shopping for a Functioning Nutcracker?
Check out this link http://www.texannutsheller.com/index.html They have a number of different kind of nut crackers, but the one that I am familiar with is the nuti-budi that is used for cracking pecans. It is inexpensive, works very well, does not crush the...
Run Iron Over Waxed Paper
I dont iron much anymore if I can help it, but I kept my iron clean with this method in my younger days when I was ironing at home for siblings as well as for my own children and husband. Back in those days we used Bread Wrappers because they were waxed paper...
Keeping Animals from Eating Pumpkin Decorations?
I have read a tip on mixing red hot pepper in the bird feed to discourage the squirrels. Perhaps if you mixed red pepper in water and sprayed your pumpkins with it, that might work. Worth a try. Harlean from Arkansas
Clip Thief in the Bud
Placing your purse in the cart is never a good idea. I used to do that, until I got to the checkout one day only to find that someone had lifted my wallet out of my purse. And I had never taken my hands from the cart, only turned my head away to look at some...
Coat Hanger and Yarn Project Ideas?
One that is not too difficult is to bend the hanger into a circle, leaving the hook intact for hanging. Then make yarn bundles from green or white yarn (like the ones used to make the dog) tie them onto the circle, pushing them together for fullness. When the...
Grease Build Up in the Kitchen?
Murpys Oil Soap does a very good job on greasy kitchen cabinets. If they have been neglected too long, you may have to repeat the scrubbing, but you will be able to see, and even feel, the difference. Harlean from Arkansas
Small Light Brown Oval Shaped Bugs on Mattress?
Since I have been seeing on TV there is an epidemic of bedbugs, you might want to take a look at this picture. This is a bedbug. If your bugs look like this you may want to check out the site, as there is lots of info on what to do if you discover them in your...
Squash Bugs on Gourds?
I check the underside of the leaves on my squash plants often and scrape off and dispose of the eggs. I also hand pick the bugs. If you get started early,when the plants are small, and before they multiply into too many, you can get a liquid pesticide that...
Remedies for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak?
This is not exactly a home remedy, but I have used this product for at least 40 years. It is better than any ointment or remedy that I have ever heard of. It is available in most health food stores. If you cannot find it, it is available on Amazon.com. The...
Rectangle Crochet Sweater
Sorry I didnt check back on feedback sooner. This was my contribution, and for some reason the Materials and the gauge didnt show. I know this is important information, so here is an addition to make to your pattern. Materials : calls for Win-Knit 6 4 Oz Twin...
Preparing Okra for Freezing?
I freeze my okra about the same way as blackbeararts. Wash and dry , then slice it crosswise. But instead of using freezer bags such as Ziplocks, I use paper lunch bags. I take 3 bags, insert one inside the other. Fill them about 3/4 full, fold down the tops...
Restoring the Shine on a Formica Countertop?
It seems that you have many remedies to bring the shine back to your counter tops, so I will tell you a couple things to avoid the damage that caused your problem in the first place. As another reader said.Never Ever cut things on your counter without a cutting...
Canning Jalapeno Peppers?
This is the simplest recipe that I have found for canning Jalapeno Peppers.
Fixing Gritty Freezer Jam?
Did you remove the seeds (all or part of them) before you made your jam? Raspberry seeds are very hard, and would make the jam seem Gritty. I usually run at least part of my berries through a sieve to remove the seeds before I measure my fruit to make Jam. Harlean...
Cleaning Dirty Work Clothing?
My husband works on small engines, lawn mowers, tillers, etc. Some of his tee shirts are badly stained with oil, grease, and dirt. I use a stain remover from the Dollar Tree Store. It comes in a 32 ounce spray bottle and is called Awesome Pre-Wash Laundry Stain...
Congratulations Paul and Harlean (50th Wedding...
I want to thank all who shared our special day by sending beautiful messages. I have printed them off, and my daughter-in-law put them on a special ThriftyFun page in the scrapbook that she made for me. And a very special Thank you to the Thrifty Fun Family...
Washing Clothes in Well Water with Iron?
I also have iron and sulphur in my well water. We have a filter on our well at the tank that filters out the sulphur odor, and improves the iron content, but I still get orange stain on my clothes and on my dishes. I use Iron Out for both, from time to time...
Cleaning an Enamel Stovetop With Cast Iron Grids and Stainless Griddle?
My stove is white enamel rather than black, but I have never used anything but baking soda to clean the top of this stove, and the same for the oven. I have never used oven cleaner. Just sprinkle the baking soda on the surfaces and use a sponge to scrub the...
Selling Crafts?
I was an eBay seller for several years, and I could sell yard sale finds, small collectibles, clothing items,etc. but had no luck whatsoever in selling my crafts. If you sell them on eBay, you have to be willing to sell them at about 1/3 the price that you...
Common Ingredient Substitutions
That should work also. When I make the chocolate fudge recipe that calls for 1 can evaporated milk, chocolate chips and marshmallow creme, I use regular milk. In fact I use 2% milk as that is what I keep on hand. Harlean from Arkansas
Making Whipped Butter?
I have been mixing my butter with an equal amount of canola oil for a few years now. Not only does it spread cold from the fridge, it cuts the sat fat calories of butter in half and replaces them with mono and poly unsaturates which are the good fats. So it...
Is it OK to Put a Refrigerator in the Garage?
I keep an extra fridge in my well house as we have a big garden in the summertime, and I keep fresh produce there. My experience has been that the fridge works and keeps things as well as when I used it in the kitchen, but the freezer doesnt work well. It will...
Jalapeno Jelly
Snack treats to die for; ritz crackers spread with cream cheese, and topped off with a dollop of Jalapeno Jelly! Make a tray full for your next party, and watch them disappear! Harlean from Arkansas
Valentine Chinese Box
As everyone knows, I love recycle crafting, and this is a beautiful example of something useful. I love the idea as well as the great end result. Harlean from Arkansas
Dilled Cucumbers
I have been looking for a recipe for cooked cucumbers and this one sounds good. Just one thing, did you forget the dill in the list of ingredients? Harlean from Arkansas
Freezing Percolator Punch
How do you make Percolator Punch? Sounds like an interesting drink to curl up with on a cold winter nite. Harlean from Arkansas Editors Note: Here is a link to her recipe for Percolator Punch http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55918458.tip.html
Clothes Pin Christmas Card Holders?
You can find a pattern for Mitten Card Holders made from mini clothespins . You can make this as long as you like, and the mittens slide along the line to space as desired. This pattern was submitted by me a few years ago and you can find it by copying the...
Pantry Turkey Collage
Hi Jess, What a unique idea.....something for the whole family. And the variations are endless! Harlean from Arkansas
Pantry Turkey Collage
Jess, I printed out the directions, but was wondering if you could furnish the picture that you used as a base for this turkey. My great grandkids would love to make this. Harlean from Arkansas
Orange and Ginger Chicken
Thanks for this recipe Deeli. I will be trying this soon. It is the simplest recipe I have ever seen. And I like that it doesnt have any sugar added. I am going to try it with chicken thighs and drumsticks in the slow cooker Harlean from Arkansas
Making Mittens Out of Wool Sweaters?
The way I made them many years ago for my kids was to lay their hand on the waistband of an old sweater. In fact, I bought the sweaters in thrift shops to save money. Place their wrist on the waist band, and use that as the cuff of the mitten. With chalk or...
Limit Your Sugar
Just wondering why you say to limit your whole grains to one meal per day? Harlean from Arkansas
Transitioning to a Healthier Diet
No children in our household, but we try to eat healthy. When I shop for cereal, I check the nutrition label, and avoid cereals with more than 5 grams sugar per serving, and check the fiber content...the higher the better. Cheerios is whole grain with low sugar...
Single Crochet Potholder
I have been making these for a lot of years. It is my way of using leftover scraps of yarn. I save any piece of yarn scrap that is 10 inches or longer. I start with a piece of yarn and begin rollilng it into a ball. When I get another piece, I just tie it to...
Ice Cubes Stick to Plastic Tray?
I have the same problem, but have found a work-around remedy. Just turn them upside down over a colander and run a little water over the bottom of the tray. They will fall right out into the colander. Harlean from Arkansas
Recycled Baking Pan Trays
I painted the bottom side of a cookie sheet White and use it as a magnetic bulletin board. Just add some small magnets or cut some of the strip magnet into small squares. Harlean from Arkansas
Freeze Jar Extras in Ice Cube Trays
I freeze mashed potatoes all the time with great results. Just use sandwich size Ziplocks, and put a cup or so in the bag, press the potatoes to flatten the package, and push them into all the corners to eliminate as much air in the bag as possible. Zip it...
Restoring Computer Without a Recovery Disk?
If you use system restore, make sure you clean the virus from your system first, or you will carry the virus to the restored operating system.Another free antivirus that works very well is Avast. You could install Avast, and do a complete scan. It should find...
What is This Tree?
My answer would also be trumpet vine, or as my mother calls it, hummingbird vine. This is a pretty plant, but be careful on choosing a location as it is very invasive. I planted one in a bad spot, and had to dig it up and move it about 4 years ago, and I still...
Buying Bulk Spices?
We have two places in Hot Springs that sell spices in bulk. You do not have to buy large amounts. They charge by the ounce. One is a health food store, and the other is a restaurant supply store. I buy cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, cumin, cream of tartar, and many...
Getting Rid of Earthworms?
I recently spent most of an afternoon, raking leaves away in a wooded area and collecting earthworms to put in my garden. They can break up heavy soil and the castings actually fertilize the soil. Healthy veggies in healthy soil are less attractive to the pests...
Panty Hose to Keep Ceiling Fan Clean
What a great idea for my least favorite job when cleaning house. I will be sure to stock up on pantyhose...usually found for pennies at thrift shops and yard sales. Harlean from Arkansas
Advice for Making Trellises?
WE use a couple light weight metal fence posts and pieces of Concrete rebar about 5 feet high and 8 or 10 feet long wired to the posts for our cucumbers and beans to climb on. We also took pieces of rebar and fashioned them into circles and plant our tomato...
Crepe Myrtles Have Aphids?
Sometimes you can use the hose with a pretty forceful sprayer nozzle, and actually wash them awy. Or another thing to try that has worked for me for aphids on my tomatoes is to fill a sprayer bottle with water, add a couple spoons of dish detergent, and spray...
Plant Light for Growing Herbs Indoors?
I dont think you need the $120 light....just buy a cheap flourescent shop light at Lowes or Home Depot. set your herbs on a table, and hang the light so that it is only a few inches above your plants. As they grow, you can raise the light. This set up will...
Removing Labels from Medicine Bottles?
Try lighter fluid. It works for taking labels off magazines, stamps off envelopes, etc. It evaporates in a few seconds and leaves no residue behind. Or on the plastic pill bottles, vegetable oil might work, also. Harlean from Arkansas
Psoriasis on the Scalp?
I am the friend that Crafter Mary mentioned in her feedback. My problem was so bad that my hair was coming out in the front in big chunks. I tried all the usual, tar shampoo, etc. Nothing helped. My hair was getting very thin from the hair loss. I read about...
Junk Mail from Globe Life Insurance?
I do the same as mrs.story. I was receiving 3 or 4 mailings every week from Capitol One Credit cards. They alway included a postage paid envelope, so I began writing on the application form (Not interested, emove my name from your mailing list. It took a few...
Keep Pencils from Rolling Off Your Desk
My desk is not exactly level, and I am very aggravated that my pen rolls onto the floor quite often when I lay it down. No More! Thanks to your tip. I took several pens and wrapped a rubber band around them immediately upon reading this. Harlean from Arkansas
Saving Money on Board Games
I have bought some nice used board games at Amazon.com. And many times they are like new...purchase, opened, but obviously never played. Harlean from Arkansas
Cell Phone Battery Isn't Charging?
If you are not turning your phone off before you put it on the charger, try that. Sometimes mine wont charge if I leave the phone turned on. Harlean from Arkansas
Favorite Potato Recipes?
I make fresh potato hashbrowns. Instead of using cold boiled potatoes, I use a raw potato, shred it with an old fashioned vegetable grater.(Can you tell that I have been using this for about 50 years?) Sometimes I peel the potato first, sometimes I just scrub...
Pictures of Painted Concrete Floors?
All the floors in our house are concrete. We painted them all different colors. In my husbands den, we masked off shapes with 1 inch masking tape, in flagstone like shapes, painted them random colors, then removed the tape and painted the 1 inch strips with...
Pictures of Painted Concrete Floors?
This is a picture of the living room and kitchen floors where they meet. I forgot to mention in the other post that we rolled the paint on before we added the webspray that gives it a marble appearance, and then we sealed it with clear acrylic, and when I mop...
