Use Vinegar Instead of Dryer Sheets
I have this book also! And I use Vinegar instead of fabric sheets. Fabric sheets do stop up the screen on your lint trap of the dryer. I have also used diluted fabric softener on a wash rag. I use very little of the FS and mostly water. I have a downy ball...
Ask For Christmas Gift Ideas In October
But Casey, you can buy them a Corvette, just buy a model car, lol. As for a Hawaiian vacation, how about some sand and small tiny shells in a box (say a shoe box), add a small umbrella (like they use in drinks), and a small thing of sunscreen. You have a Mini...
Substitute for Candied Fruit Peel in Recipe?
I made a unbaked fruit cake one year and used the colored jell candies. Like the Orange slices. I found the different colors and flavors at the dollar store. It was wonderful and the best fruitcake I had ever eaten. Did I mention that I dont care for fruit...
Removing Hot Pepper Juice From Skin?
I have found that the best way is to prevent the peppers from coming in contact with your skin. I always use rubber gloves when working with hot peppers. No burning hands and no blisters, either. I use the gloves that you would wash dishes with. They are a...
Making Water Based Concrete Stain?
Buy a small bottle of acrylic paint. Water it down so it is pretty runny. Use as desired. You might want to test this first as you may need to add more paint or more water as desired.
Exfoliate with Sugar and Lotion
I use olive oil and sea salt. And I have used sugar, too. I dont make a lot of it up at a time as I dont want it to go rancid. I also use a few drops of EO. (essential oil.) Last time I made some (for my feet), I used peppermint oil. It really cools my feet...
Using Grey Water From Your Washer for The Garden
We have our washing machine hose (the outlet hose) ran to the garden area. We cant move it, but I want to hook onto it with another piece of PVC that has holes drilled in it so it will water the garden. (Our bath water goes out there, too.) Im also in Texas...
Etching a Mirror?
I am planning on etching my glass canisters. Hubby will help me when I do it. I have gallon glass jars that I use for my canisters. I also would like to buy some smooth jars and etch them with names of family memebers and fill them with bath salts. Or most...
Preventing Navy Blue Pants From Fading?
I use both salt and vinegar on all my clothes before wearing. This not only sets the color in, it helps whites to stay white. I learned this about 40 years ago from a lingerie dealer. She had parties in homes. (More tasteful than todays lingerie!)
Home Remedies for Stomach Aches?
First, I feel that you need to see a doctor to see if there is a medical cause for this. And then take it from there. If you have already seen a doctor, and nothing is wrong (medically), then that is a good thing. What I do when I get a stomach ache, (I also...
Reusing Old Sheets
I have sheet curtains in my house. Also pillow cases. I have made throw pillow covers out of them. I made a shower curtain out of one. You can even make a cover for your comforter out of sheets. You are only as limited as your imagination. If it can be made...
Keep a Greeting Card File
I try to make my own. I have a card program and can personalize the cards for each person. I do habve a box that I keep them in. You can keep the cards in there by month or by type or both.
Crafts Ideas for Kids?
I agree with all the ideas. She can also be taught to knit. If England can teach 5 year olds to knit, the we should be able to show 12 year olds. The key is patiences!
Corn Bread Casserole
I have made this before, but without the beans. And I used Mexican cornbread mix. It is good hot or cold!
My Frugal Life: Consider Crafting for Christmas
Even though we can afford gifts and all, the only ones we buy for are the smaller grandchildren. I make gifts for everyone else. I usually give knitted dish cloths to the women and some baked goods for the men (or beef jerkey). They all seem to appreciate the...
Organize With 5 Gallon Plastic Buckets
The 5 gallon buckets from the restaurant can be used to store flour, sugar and such as that in. They are food grade! I have one for each of these, plus one for dried beans (in the packages), and one for rice. There are so many things that you can store in these...
Carry Wipes in Your Pocketbook
I always carry tissues in my pocketbook. And they now have the seat covers that you can stick in your purse. This is an excellent idea!
Grocery Bags As Garbage Bags
I am saving up my plastic grocery bags to make a green Grocery bag. I will cut the bags in strips, join them together and either knit or crochet a bag to take to the grocery store. They can also be knit or crocheted into rugs or whatever you want.
Substituting Sour Cream for Oil in Cake Mix?
I, too, use applesauce in my cakes. I also use either milk or buttermilk in place of water. Both of these make for moist cakes. I learned the milk part from my mother. She was the best cook ever! And made the BEST Banana Bread ever. No one cam mke is like she...
Making Your Adult Children Feel Loved?
I try to show my children that they are loved and needed and appreciated, by asking for their help. We also will give them a little money, for no reason. We hire the grandchildren to help out with yard work and things like that. We are taking 4 out of the 5...
Gifts for Teachers?
What about a neat coffee/tea mug? You can make the cakes in a mug and put one in each mug. I have made these for Sunday School teachers and they are much appreciated. They can leave the mug at school and not worry about not having something to drink our of...
Using Centerpieces as Prizes?
When we had our Ladies Spring Awakening at church, we made flower pens. Just buy Bic ink pens, take a silk flower and wrap it to the top of the pen with floral tape. (Leave about an inch of the tip untaped.) They you can get some of the votive candle holders...
What Causes a Bloody Nose?
I used to have bloody noses a lot when I was younger. I do have weak veins, not just in my nose though. My grandmother had to have her nose cauterized when it started bleeding and it couldnt be stopped. One thing, if you tilt yout head back, the blood will...
Save With a Vacuum Sealer
I have the Reynolds HandiVac and love it! We buy ground beef in bulk (the extra lean) and, since I got a hamburger press (got a gift certificate for it) I make our own hamburger patties. I put about 4 per bag and that is a meal. If company comes, no big deal...
Use Wide Mouth Food Saver Sealer With Canister
I havent used a sealer for jars, but I do use gallon jars for my canisters. I can see how much of what I have and if I need to purchase more soon. My daughter uses old rinsed out metal coffee cans for her canisters. She covered them with wall paper and put...
Freezing Homemade Cream of Potato Soup?
If you have chunks of potato, they tend to get a little mushy and mealy when frozen. I personally would can the potato soup in a water bath canner. Its not hard to do. Debbie-Jenn
Paint Colors That Go With Brazilian Cherry?
I like yellow with red. But that is just me. You could go with a light yellowish beige/tan as the neutral color. Or even white. I do have a close friend that did her kitchen in Red, White and Blue. My kitchen/Family Room/ Breakfast Room are all open and kind...
50th Anniversary Centerpiece Ideas?
Jenn, my SIL made a centerpiece for their mom and dads 50th anniversary. She bought a pretty basket and painted it gold. Then since roses are Moms favorite flower, she put yellow roses in it and some greenery. She got some white filler flowers and sprayed them...
Favorite Potato Recipes?
I like to wash my potatoes, cut them up like for a roast and toss with a little vegetable oil. Add a package of onion soup mix and shake well. Pour into a pan and bake for 350-degrees for about 30 minutes. Also, slice kind of like to make potato chips. Boil...
Coffee Can Angels?
Angela, I made snowman heads out of metal coffee cans one year. I just painted them white and used black buttons for the eyes and mouth. I used orange felt and made a slinder shor cone for the nose. The hat was kind of difficult, but I just made a knitted (or...
Saving Money on Electricity?
We save money on electricity by turning our thermostat on 78-80 degrees in Summer. We use propane fireplaces to keep the house warm in winter. Summer time, we keep the curtains and mini-blinds shut. Winter time, we open the blinds. We do have double pane, insulated...
Christmas Club Accounts
We dont have a Christmas Club account, but we do make or buy presents throughout the year. Starting in January. I prefer handmade gifts and I give mostly handmade gifts. I usually make everyone at least one or two knitted dishcloths. They are really good for...
Easy Grow Potatoes In Boxes
My mother used to do this in the ground. She had a small place on the south side of a building and that is where she kept her potaotes. Covered with a little dirt and leaves. She had new potatoes almost year round. Debbie J
Collecting and Using Product Samples
I use my Free Samples when we go on vacation. I also keep some in my guest bathroom for guests. They seem to love them.
Water Bottle Crafts?
I dont use the disposable bottles anymore. I bought me 3 green water bottles. They are dishwasher safe so I always have a clean one. I fill it up with ice and then water and take it with me. When I did buy bottled water, I would reuse them. They wash well in...
Frugal and Tightwad Living
We try to save on food by growing and canning as much of our own food (veggies) as possible. And I now have a dehydrater so I can also dehydrate the veggies. I just learned how to dehydrate slice potatoes like you find in the boxed scalloped potatoes. Just...
Organizing Packets in the Kitchen
I bought a 2 drawer small plastic thingy at the Dollar store. I have my packets in there. One drawer holds the cooking bag with seasonings packets. It sits on my counter top. I have lots of counter top space, just no pantry or over-head cabinets. Debbie-Jenn
Old T-Shirts As Garment Covers
Janice M, we made dresses using 2 T-shirts when I was much younger. You can also use fabric and make a gathered skirt for the bottom.
Air Drying Laundry
I use an extra shower curtain rod in my bathtub. I hang wearing clothes on hangers and then hang them in the main bathroom. I usualy dry the clothes in the dryer for about 5 minutes or so first. I never thought of putting them in there later. I have also used...
Vacuum Seal Ziplock Bags
We like to get the 2 gallon bags for travel. They are great for so many things. I also use the gallon and 2 gallon zipper bags for my crafts. When I have a knitting project going (you can use it for crocheting, too) I put the work in progress and the yarn, plus...
Watch the Scanner when Shopping
Or stores policy is that if something rings up wrong or is priced wrong, the first one is free! How cool is that? Debbie-Jenn
