Remedies for Stretch Marks?
Belly Butter from Great Mothers Goods. Why not just wear pantyhose or stockings?
Removing Blood from a Pillow Top Mattress?
It may sound odd, but your fingernails and ivory soap (or similar plain white soap with no added oil) Lightly wet spot and soap and work in with your fingernails (or plastic knife).Wipe off with clean rag or paper towel after rinsed. I usually leave a clean...
Frugal Feet
Dont forget thrift stores and garage sales. I have found brand new $75.00 leather shoes for $5.00 several times. Also dress shoes worn once for a wedding for about 50 cents. I hardly ever shop retail anymore for shoes and dress clothes. They are usually worn...
Floor Covering Ideas for a Barn Wedding Reception?
Large grass (bamboo?) mats. Oriental Trading has them, also dollar stores as they are sometimes used as sunning mats in the summer. Very inexpensive and the floor under them does not have to be level.
Mother-of-the-Groom Dress Ideas?
Dont go frumpy. Try an a-line dress with a seam slightly below the bust (not directly under). Dress can be sleeveless or short sleeves. Add a very simple jacket or bolero. Long for formal wedding. Knee length for afternoon. Use a really stunning piece of jewelry...
Making Powdered Coffee Flavors?
I have many recipes and they only call for cocoa and cocoa mix and various spices. Also, flavored coffee creamers and even flavored coffee crystals can be added to make drink mixes. With tea mixes, you can even add flavored jello. There should be many recipes...
Song Ideas for a Photo Slide Show?
You Make Me Feel so Young and also think about a place name song. If he grew up or was born in Chicago then use Chicago I Left My Heart in San Francisco etc.
Reusing Matchstick Roll Up Blinds?
Tear apart and make a dollhouse or use for other kids or craft projects.
Spreading Sour Cream on Tortillas?
Heat it and pour it on or use a wide and short rounded spatula made for frosting cakes.
UGG Style Child's Boot Pattern?
www.sewbaby.com has some similar patterns. They are not free, but might help.
Making Accessories from Clothing?
Remove collars and cuffs and add ties, snaps or hooks and use as a removeble accessory for sweaters and plain dresses. Make scarves from hems and ruffles. Make jewelry from old zippers. Make aprons from old dresses. Use long sleeves as decorative sleeve protectors...
Disinfecting a Hamster Cage?
Use a household steamer. You can rent, borrow, or buy. I use mine for everthing-- especially cleaning out the fridge.
Las Vegas Themed Winter Formal?
www.stumpsprom.com has many ideas. Also www.orientaltrading.com Buy from them, or use their ideas to create cardboard designs of your own.
Finding Free Household Goods?
Social services, the Goodwill, Salvation Army, area churches. Or go to a garage sale and tell the people you will haul away items that dont sell. Put an ad in the paper. Go to www.freecycle.org Dumpster dive, go to a dump. Our country is so rich you should...
Decorating an Ambulance for a Christmas Parade?
Window clings, wind socks, Plastic crepe paper. Paint a scene on a plastic drop cloth and attach with magnets.Garlands of fake flowers.
Painting Ceramic Without Baking It?
It can only be painted if it has been fired and is bisque that means it is hard and white. You can paint with craft paints and acrylics. If it is soft and clay-like it is greenware and can only be painted with glazes that will then be fired.
Craft Ideas for Juveniles at a Detention Center?
Torn paper mosaics with flour and water paste or glue sticks. Those little boxes folded with no fasteners. They have a top and a bottom. You can make them from xmas cards or wrapping paper. Also greeting cards from torn paper collected from colorful paper scraps...
Curtain Color Advice?
Im thinking burgundy or Paprika. Use some black and white and medium green for accents. Mary Engelbreit has some color combinations like this. Why not look in some of her books for inspiration.
Homemade Children's Birthday Present Ideas?
Make her an apron (designer or trendy if needed), include some favorite family recipes, and include a couple of batches of cookies you have made. make coordinating hot pads and tote bag. Dont sew? record an original story or traditional fairy tale using her...
Cleaning the Outside of a Thermal Coffee Pot?
Try vinegar a baking soda and a bottle brush. Also dry rice might work as an abrasive to clean the inside.
Uses for Cassette Tape Covers?
They could hold sets of necklaces and earrings. business cards, or small stickers, or gift tags.
Making a Pencil Holder from a Can?
Fill with water and a few spoonfuls of vinegar. Let soak a few hours.
Making Clothing For Miniature Toy Soldiers?
Crepe paper or scraps of silk or nylon would work better. Get a book on costumes or fashions thru the ages--one with patterns included. Adapt the patterns to the size you need. Since the book is small, what is printed might be about the right size as is.
Scenting Your Home Naturally?
Tracy said real vanilla, not the extract. Do you mean real vanilla essential oil or real vanilla extract or what? Where can I get this?. After I peel apples for a recipe, I boil the peels with a little water and cinn, cloves and nutmeg. I use the spices that...
Dealing With A Picky Eater?
Have him tested for an autism spectrum disorder. He could have Aspergers Syndrome which is high functioning and usually overlooked. My nephew has it and has the same problem with food textures. He only eats chicken nuggets, cheese pizza, and macaroni. It is...
Dealing With A Picky Eater?
Sorry I stirred up such a hornets nest. Asp. and other autistic behaviors CAN just SEEM to appear. He had a limited choice of food before (and those foods are the ones usually preferred by asp. children). Dont make it a battle of wills--THEY WONT EAT when hungry...
Fixing Pin Hole In Cake Pan?
Use it as a short planter or to start seedlings and get a different one at a garage sale or thrift store for 50 cents.
Frugal Wedding Gift Ideas?
Gift cards to a movie theatre--good for the whole family. You could use the gift card idea for a museum or zoo or botanical gardens also.
Best Pancake Recipe?
Use any standard recipe but add club soda or lemon lime soda instead of part of the liquid.
Selecting An Eyeliner That Doesn't Run?
Plain old Maybelline eyebrow/liner pencils. You can hold over a flame to soften it to apply or just apply as is. I personally cant line the inner eye--only under the lashes. My eyes are too sensitive. I am also an entertainer and the liner at the lash line...
Looking For Discount Effusion Lamp Supplies?
www.sciplus.com has all kinds of things. You might actually have to talk to someone at the site and tell them what you need. The have surplus stock that changes daily.
Making Party Favors Using Candles?
Wrap gold or silver wire around votive. Use a few charms with beads interspersed on the wire. Tie with raffia.
Ideas For 95th Birthday Party?
Have everyone bring (or send ahead of time) memories and photos about your mother. Assemble a scrapbook at the party. Other than that, have elegant yet simple, vintage tablecloths and vases with fresh flowers (preferably from someones garden). Maybe also use...
Paper Towel Alternatives for Cleaning?
You can use used dryer sheets and these can be rinsed out and used again.I use dryer sheets for all kinds of scrubbing.
Ideas For Sponge Bob Themed Party?
Have a SB cake, a throw the yellow sponge into a wading pool game (use a laundry basket if inside the house), sing the SB song and or have a recording of it, do a cake walk with the SB song, decorate SB and Patrick shaped cookies, watch an episode of SB, pin...
Looking For Discount Craft Supplies Websites?
Garage sales, Salvation Army, Goodwill all have dirt cheap supplies. Also American Science and Surplus www.sciplus.com has great stuff and the website and catalogue sound like they were written by someone from Comedy Central. VERY FUNNY, but not dirty.
Inexpensive Ideas For Wrapping Large Present?
You can get a huge brown paper drop cloth from the hardware store for about 4 dollars. You can stencil a design on it or splatter paint it or use it plain and tie with raffia and dried flowers and attach a few packs of seed to the bow because that would make...
Looking For Ham, Cheese and Potato Casserole Recipe?
The new issue of Taste of Home has such a recipe. The May issue.
Looking For "Baked Tomatoes" Recipe?
Try this- thick slice tomatoes or quarter them, arrange in a glass or ceramic baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, cover with slices of mozzarella and provolone. Crumble ricotta and FRESH parmesan on that. Add salt and pepper to taste and bake until cheese...
Camouflaging A Scar When Wearing A Skirt?
Maybe an interesting skirt with chiffon underlay (looks like an elegant slip sticking out), or one with a cute ruffle fringe or trim.
Looking To Buy An Iced Tea Maker?
I love my ice tea maker--Mr. Coffee. It was about 20 dollars and well worth the price because it saves time . My coffee maker always has coffee in it so I cant use that.
Shortening A Knit Shirt?
Is it a SKIRT or SHIRT? There seems to be a discrepancy, but I would do both the same unless you have alot to cut off. Just turn under desired amount and handstitch with small stitches. If you need to cut some. hand or machine stitch close to wear you need...
Saving Money on Vegetables
I am lucky to live close (2hrs away) to a produce auction. Last year I got 20 large eggplants for 1.50! Nobody knew what to do with them, so I got them cheap. I have 6 sons and many cookbooks, so I can find a recipe or preserve anything that they will eat. Also...
Spring Theme For Church Tea Party Table?
The Offray ribbon site has instructions for ribbon flowers and a complete tea set and cake covered with tiny puchased or made roses.
Shortening An Evening Dress?
Top of the shoe is fine, especially if you are going to dance or move much. You can take it to the floor, but you might get your heel caught, unless you wear flats.
Planning A Frugal Wedding Quickly?
First of all, its not Your day. Unless you have a very loose connection to your family and his, you should try to please and appease them without ruining too many of your plans. Youre going to be attached to both families for a long time.If you alienate them...
Fixing Squeaky Flip-Flops?
Where do they squeak? On the thong part? Maybe you could put a drop of mineral oil in that spot or Skin So Soft from Avon or some other bath oil. Maybe WD40 would work too. Also consider wiping the shoe with a dryer sheet.
Applying Bias Tape to a Sewing Project?
Sew the tape to the item right sides together-like a seam Then turn bias tape to enclose the edge of item. Then you have to stitch close to the edge, but this will probably show. You could stitch in the ditch, but this will show a little. Only no-show way is...
Removing Smoke Stains On Stuffed Animals?
Try wiping with a baby wipe or putting in a sack of cornmeal and shaking.
Baby Shower for Mother with Nightmare Before Christmas Themed Nursery?
I am a huge fan also, but isnt this a bit like the evil clown bed in the Simpsons? You could give her all kinds of decorations from the website. Stark jewel tones and black and white, but I think she needs to rethink this idea. I didnt subject my children to...
Storing Stamping Supplies and Stamps?
It depends on how much you have. My sister uses plastic totes and stores them in a storage room. The ones she uses most are in a beautiful wooden corner cupboard that she bought and stenciled on. You can even use some supplies like cool stamps as decorations...
Easy Clothing Sewing Project?
If you are young and have a very slim figure, clothing made of rectangles is fine, but it doesnt do much for most figures. I would suggest a very easy pattern--most pattern companies have them. A few seams are not hard and reading the directions are a learning...
Champagne Flute Wedding Favors?
www.vermontcountrystore.com has some tiny jewel colored wrapped candies that will fit nicely into flutes. You could mix them with less expensive candies and mints also. I think the small roses and pearls ideas are great for a large centerpiece, but not an individual...
Shirts With Frayed Collars and Cuffs?
It will cost 20 to 30 dollars or more to have this done.It is also NOT that easy unless you have some experience. It is not difficult to do but it is time consuming to rip out all collar seams and topstitching--and then put them all back. And then getting it...
Painting Outdoor Swing Fabric?
A quick fix would be to make or buy a cushion or pillows to cover the worn area, but the best idea is to remove the old fabric--even if it means cutting it off-- and make or have made new ones.
Recipes Using Chicken Gravy?
Use over biscuits, on potatoes, instead of mushroom soup in green bean casserole, mix with taco meat and cheese-use in rice with cassarole or with chips or tortilla shells, Mix with hamburger or chicken and use inside a baked green or red pepper.
Keeping Bugs Out of My Face?
Mix a small bit of lemon juice in a spray bottle of water and apply lightly to your face.
Side Dishes for Baked Chicken at Wedding?
Rice pilaf and steamed local vegetables. Wedding favors-single beautiful floor tiles with a smaller square mirror over it. Scatter polished pebbles or clear or coloredglass pebbles. Small glass bowls with a scented candle or a real or silk flower.
Birthday Goody Bags for 35-40 Kids?
Are you sure you want that many kids of differing ages at one time? Maybe you should have at least two different parties? I cant imagine that they will all have a good time with that many people. That being said, a piece of fruit, a small book, some penny candy...
'Chocolate Covered' Themed Birthday Party?
Dont forget choc flavored cereals. Too much candy could get a little sickening, but cereal might be lighter. You could also make crafts with choc. Candy sculptures and painting with choc. You could use fingerpaint paper.
Maternity Brides Maid Dress?
You probably should have someone make them. I sew, and depending upon the fabric kind and amount, you should be able to do it for 100 each. You might also consider doing different shades of a similar style.
Cleaning a 1930's Handmade Silk Wedding Dress?
DO NOT TRY A HOME DRYCLEANING KIT. This could destroy it. Contact a museum or a dealer in vintage clothing. I totally destoyed a silk chiffon heavily beaded flapper dress by hand washing it. It disintegrated, but I kept the beaded parts.
Fabric That is Under $2.00 Per Yard?
If you live close to Emma, IN Northern IN, you could shop at Emma Warehouse. they have huge rolls of fabric and upholstery materials for 4-30 dollars--less than 1$ a yard. I am sure other states have similar salvage and warehouse liquidation places. Also Amish...
Oval Baking Dish with Lid?
Pyrex company has been sold and reformulated. Most new Pyrex is not safe for oven or stovetop. They break and explode. Only use old pyrex (30+ years).
Smokey Eyed Look?
You can use very dark brown or black eyeshadow applied with a small brush or q-tip above and below eyes. Also, black Maybelline eye pencil that has been slightly heated will work.
Using Loreal's Mineral Powder Makeup?
Avon has some great yet moderately priced mineral makeup in many shades. I combine two shades.
Making Something with a Bumper Pad?
Diaper bag or other tote. Pillows for adults and older children that coordinate with the baby room. Wall hangings. Buy or make wooden or cardboard cubes and cover with the bumper pad.
Wedding Gift Bags to Hold Bottled Water?
They would not be hard to make. Use inexpensive fabric or chiffon to make a small tote or dwrastring bag. Could be made for about 50cents each and they would have another keepsake.
Curtains Made from Taffeta?
The taffeta may not hold up too well, but if you like it do it and make sure you use a cotton or cotton blend lining. They should last a few years at least.
After Washing and Drying Jacket, Lining is Lumpy?
Try putting into a dryer at a laundromat with a few tennis balls. Or you might take it to a cleaners and have them press it or professionally steam it
Materials to Make a Magazine Purse?
Did you check out www.henriettashandbags.com ? You should be able to use regular vinyl and just sew around the magazine edges.
Pricing Baby Clothes for Yard Sale?
I have had luck packaging same sizes. Like 3 pants, 3 tops, socks and a couple of toys for 3-5 dollars depending upon condition. They can always remove an item from the bag and make an offer.
Homemade Cover For Baby Wipe Case?
I always preferred a ziploc bag. Not pretty, but very functional and it would fit into all tiny and odd spaces and the wipes did not dry out. I still use it.
Substitution For Non-Dairy Creamer?
Put powdered milk with a vanilla bean in a glass jar. Stir occasionally.
Easter Ideas For Teens?
They dont need presents for every holiday. Have a nice meal and a bible reading and the pleasure of the familys presence. Kids get treats and toys for everything. After so many years they tend to expect it, yet it isnt appreciated. I have 6 boys and 22 years...
How Can We Stretch Our Food Budget?
Most good ideas already given--teach the boys to cook and be responsible, OAMC cooking and get another freezer, BUY IN BULK, cook from scratch, one or more people in the family should work for a rest. or food warehouse so you can get freebies or reduced cost...
Using It All - Liquid Laundry Detergent Containers?
Fill with cheap kitty litter, and use to conveniently fill a litter box. The litter will have a fresh sent now.
