October 17, 2004

Easy Kool-Aid PieYou can use any flavor kool-aid.

 

Witchy HandsPlace one piece of candy corn, pointed side out into clear gloves. Fill the rest with the popcorn or caramel corn (green is best). Tie with yarn or festive Halloween ribbon. Serve to those special ghosts and goblins.

 

Peeling OrangesHere's an easy way to remove the skin of an orange prior to using the orange in sections for a recipe. Bring about 6 cups of water to boil in a small pan. Ever so slowly, with an orange in a large soup ladle, lower it into the pan.

 

Sparkle Shoes for Girl's Halloween Costume (or dress up)Don't waste money buying them at a store. Make your own. I did last year (red ones for a Dorothy costume) and they held up well.

 

Install a Dimmer SwitchTo save money and help save the environment, install a dimmer switch. Installing a dimmer switch can save energy and extend bulb life. Plus, it's as easy as replacing a light switch. By Kathy

 

Thrifty Halloween IdeasWhat are you ideas for thrifty Halloween costumes, treats, parties and decorations?

 

ThriftyFun News October 16, 2004 - Halloween TipsOnline version of the ThriftyFun News. Halloween Tips. Volume Six, Number 40 October 16, 2004

 

Christmas Decoration - Recycle a SledDo you have a small sled that you used to ride your little ones around in but now they have grown it? Well take that sled and paint it red and then using stencils add holly or something Christmasy to the top of the sled. You could also do this with old wooden skis that are not being used.

 

Citrus Zest From PeelsWhenever I use fresh oranges, lemons or limes I use the finest side of my grater & grate the outer skin being careful not to grate the pitch (that's the white part of the fruit next to the skin). Then I let it air dry on a paper towel.

 

Towel Bar for the Guest RoomPlace a towel bar (or maybe 2) on back of guest bedroom door. This will keep your guests' towels, facecloths, etc., nearby for them and free up the bathroom of "too much stuff." By Marian

 

Light-Weight Dish and Laundry Soap for Arthritis SuffererWhen I have a choice I buy or make powdered soaps for laundry and the dishwasher. I have arthritis and don't want to carry the weight of the water which is what makes liquid products liquid. I also put things in containers that are easier for me to handle than the original packaging.

 

Simmering Witches Pot CenterpieceSet a paint can on the table and cover with black cloth. Sprinkle with silver glitter and plastic spiders. Put the cauldron on top of the can and fill with the Mt. Dew black and a small piece of the dry ice. When serving add orange sherbet. This looks sick but doesn't taste that bad. As the new Mt. Dew is grape.

 

Halloween Costume Ideas for CouplesFinding couples Halloween Costumes has always been a challenge! Over the last few years I have seen many different ones at Halloween parties. To give you a few ideas I have about 80 here.

 

Making Pretty Card Tie-OnsI save all greeting cards & when I have an afternoon of "free time" I start cutting parts of the card with scissors that have decorative blades (like half moons or lacy patterns). You could for example cut out a flower or a Santa Claus & then using a hole cutter, pierce a hole in the card & use ribbon, raffia, string or whatever. You now have free pretty Tie-Ons.

 

Vacuum Seal Ziplock BagsI put whatever I want to save in a re-sealable plastic bag, seal all but about 1/2 inch, put in a straw, then suck out the air and quickly close the last half inch. Gives you a completely airless package.

 

Separate Bins for Each Family MemberOverhead, above our washer and dryer, I had my husband install a shelf that runs the entire length of the washer and dryer. On this shelf I placed five mini laundry baskets the ones that are usually 10" x 12". I labeled each basket with a name each person in our family.

 

Make Your Own PizzaYou can either make your own dough or when your supermarket has it on sale buy multiple packages (like 40 cents per lb) and freeze all but one. Place the dough in a slightly oiled bowl & cover with a clean dishtowel and let it rise.

 

Mummies MixMix all ingredients together and serve in a trick or treat bucket. Be creative and add anything that sounds good!

 

Casper Ghost Eye DecorationsMy nephew and I love Casper. So, for Halloween we would decorate with Casper eyes all over the house. The most unexpected places the better.

 

Healthy Treats for Halloween?I'm looking for healthy treats for Halloween. Because of things needing to be wrapped or tamper proof and wanting to give something nutritious, I'm at a loss what to give out.

 

Make Your Own Bumper Stickers?Does anyone have any ideas for making your own bumper stickers? Something that would be not too difficult to remove at a later date. Thanks, Barbara from Illinois

 

Looking for Hot Tub Chemical Alternatives?I have been told there is a way to use vinegar, soda and I don't know what else in place of chemicals in my hot tub. I can't use chlorine base products (rash). We can't seem to get the peroxide products to work right, we have a white grainey residue in tub now. Had water tested, they said it was "low" on calcium? So I used calcium plus, got worse. Help!! Karen from Ohio

 

How to Remove Oil Stains from T-shirts? After I washed my t-shirt, there's always a stain on it. I'm not sure what it is, but it looks like (food) oil stains. I compared it to one of my shirts that got (food) oil stain and it looks exactly like the ones I wash (same stains). Do you know how I can remove this stain? Phu from CA

 

Uses for Baby Bed Bumper Pads?Do you have any suggestions for what I can do with baby bed bumper pads? They have beautiful designs for children and are already padded. They seem too good to throw. Thanks, Mildred from TN

 

Everyday Shower Spray?I need a recipe for an everyday shower spray. Thanks! Beth

 

Computer Parts Bug?While browsing craft sites I saw a picture of a winged insect or bug made of recycled computer bits and parts. I have spent hours looking for that site again. If you know of any such place I would so appreciate your help. Thanks, Karen

 

Tar on Car?Does anyone know what takes tar off of cars? I recently got a little bit on mine & can't remember what I read about it. It was a non-chemical/toxic solution. Thanks! Vicki