Thrifty Crafty Tuesday!!

Do you have a ton of free nail polish to get rid of? Check out this cute Teacher Gift Idea!!

Head here to She's Kinda Crafty for directions and FREE printables!

Thrifty Crafty Tuesday: FREE Subway Father's Day Printables

Here is some great FREE Subway Art for Father's Day.. Just head here

Father's Day Subway Art

Thrifty Tuesday: A DIY Spring Clean Chart

 

 



Thrifty Tuesday: Make Your Own Cough Syrup

Why spend tons of Cough Syrup, when you can make your own and much better for you and  your family.. I found this great recipe from Frugally Sustainable. Hope you enjoy it!


How To Make Herbal Syrups

1. Combine approximately 2 ounces of herbs and 1 quart of water. Begin simmering the mixture over low heat and reduce liquid down to 1 pint.
2. Strain herbs from the liquid by running through a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth or coffee filter. Pour concentrated liquid back into the simmer pot. Note: Be sure to compost the discarded herbs.
3. Add 1 cup of honey (or maple syrup, vegetable glycerin, or other sweetener you have on hand) per pint of liquid.
4. Warm honey and liquid, on very low heat, just enough to blend together. Note: Cooking honey any longer, or on a high heat, will destroy the healing properties of the honey.
5. Bottle, label, and refrigerate syrup.

Herbal Cold and Cough Syrup
Gather the Ingredients:

-1/4 cup dried echinacea root
-1/4 cup dried licorice root
-1/8-1/4 cup freshly grated ginger root (to taste)

Directions:

Grate Ginger.

Add dried herbs, ginger, and 1 quart of water to pot. Simmer on low heat until liquid is reduced to 1 pint.

Strain herbs.

Add 1 cup of honey to liquid. Over low heat, warm just enough to mix well.

Bottle, label, and refrigerate.

Dosage:

The syrup can be used as often as needed, up to every hour, until symptoms are relieved.

For Children: 1 teaspoon

For persons 10 years and older: 1 tablespoon
Expiration:
Syrup will keep in refrigerator for approximately 3 months.
Tips

-I like to add an ounce of brandy to the syrup in order to help preserve the syrup. Adding the brandy also allows the syrup to act as a cough suppressant. Preserving with brandy will increase expiration to approximately 6 months.

-Feel free to experiment with the herbs. For example, consider adding Valerian for restlessness.

-Don’t have licorice root on hand? Make the syrup simply with echinacea and ginger. However, increase amount of dried echinacea root to 1/2 cup.

-Add 1/2 cup chopped onion to the herbs and ginger for a increase in medicinal properties

Locally Check Out Earth Fare or Natural Food Market

 

 

DISCLAIMER: The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Thrifty Tuesday: Free Valentine's Printables!

Awesome Free Printables from Shanty 2 Chic, so go over there and grab them :)

 

 

 

 



Click to print ‘Love Bugs’ printables!
Click to print ‘HUGS & Kisses’ Printable
Click to print ‘Have a Jolly Valentine’s’ printable!
We hope you enjoy your Free Valentine’s printables! Our kids LOVE them and can’t wait to share them with their classes:)

Thrifty Tuesday: DIY Ideas for Valentine's Day

School Valentines from I Heart Naptime

 

 

 

 

Conversation Heart Specimen Art from Remodelaholic

 

 

Printable Valentine Heart Garland from Landee See, Landee Do

Conversation Heart Decor from The Peanut Paintshop

 

 

Thrifty Tuesday: 101 Valentine's Day Printables

I saw this over at Everything Etsy

Go ahead and make sure your printer is loaded with ink and take a peek at a few of these fabulous Valentine’s Day Printables.

1. iPhone Valentine Printable – Living Locurto
2. Keep Calm & Love On Print – Hands on Housewife
3. Printable Arrow Valentine’s Cards – Sweet Muffin Suite
4. Critter Love Valentine Stickers – WorldLabel
5. I Love You Printables – Thirty Handmade Days
6. I Have a Crush On You Cards – Pink and Posh
7. Paper Airplane Valentine Printable – Just Something I Made
8. Made with Love Gift Tags – Eighteen25
9. Valentine’s Day Printable Bingo Game – Simply Fresh
10. Victorian Valentine’s Day Graphic – The Graphics Fairy
11. Valentine’s Day Goodie Bag Printable – Twig and Thistle
12. Valentine’s Day Banner & Party Printables – Catch My Party
13. Valentine Scrabble Gram – Oh Happy Day
14. Hogs & Kisses Valentine Printables – Silly Pear
15. iPad Candy Box Cover Printable – Living Locurto
16. I Love Everything About You – Tried & True
17. Naturally Sweet Fruit Stickers – Twig and Thistle
18. On The Hour Printables – Thirty Handmade Days
19. DIY Scratch Off Lottery Tickets – Skip to My Lou
20. Printable Valentine Party Hats – Mr. Printables
21. Chocolate Box Tic-Tac-Toe – Spoonful.com
22. His and Hers Mini Cards – Eat Drink Chic
23. Love Me Tender Prints – Sweet Rose Studio
24. Heartbreaker Candy Pouch Printables – Dana Made It
25. Blowing Kisses Valentine Card – The Mother Huddle
26. I Love You Printable Cards – Sweet Muffin Suite
27. Pop Up Valentine’s Day Card – Paperkawaii
28. So Sweet Valentine Party Printables – Catch My Party
29. I Heart You Treat Toppers – Thirty Handmade Days
30. Valentine’s Day Coupons – BHG
31. Valentine’s Day Cupcake Wrappers – Food Art Party
32. Valentine Subway Art {Grey & Pink} – Paisley Petal Event
33. Mini Valentine Cards – The Rubber Punkin
34. Valentine’s Day Love Wall Art {5 Designs} – Pizzazzerie
35. True Love Story Print – Eighteen25
36. Be Mine Prints – Sprik Space
37. Love Subway Art Print – Bonjour Blog
38. Love Bug Valentines – Dandee
39. Stitched Heart Valentine Cards – Oopsey Daisy
40. Bee Mine Treat Boxes & Toppers – Pizzazzerie
41. Happy Valentine’s Day Cards – IMOM
42. I Like How You Roll Card – Thirty Handmade Days
43. Mini Owl Valentines & Bookmarks – Living Locurto
44. Cherry Valentine Party Printables – Tricia Rennea
45. Valentine’s Day Scratch Off Card – Oopsey Daisy
46. Love & Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers – The Crafting Chicks
47. Printable Love Coupons – Tatertots & Jello
48. Vintage Valentine’s Day Post Card – The Graphics Fairy
49. Fortune Cookie Printables – Design Wash Rinse Repeat
50. Sweet Heart Tags – Simple as That Blog
51. Valentine’s Bingo Game – The Crafting Chicks
52. Valentine from Cupid – AlphaMom
53. Printable Stamp Valentines – Wild Olive
54. Valentine’s Day Printables – The Toy Maker
55. Cupcake Toppers & Valentine Printables – The TomKat Studio
56. Valentine’s Day Printable Banner – She’s Kinda Crafty
57. Love Bird Valentine Cards – The Long Thread
58. Pretty Printable Valentines – Fellow Creatives
59. Teddy Bear Heart Card – Mr. Printables
60. Fanciful Valentine Cards – A Fanciful Twist
61. Be Mine Party Banner – The Busy Budgeting Mama
62. Cute Valentine Labels – Paper Glitter
63. Valentine’s Day Wrapping Paper – Thirty Handmade Days
64. Smartie Pants Valentine Card – Tip Junkie
65. Valentine Printable Gift Tags – Studio Calico
66. Love Sweet Love Cupcake Toppers – THe Sweetest Occasion
67. Valentine Correspondence Set – World Label
68. Robot Valentine Card – Mr. Printables
69. Sweetheart Valentine Classroom Cards – Bunny Cakes
70. Valentine Bingo – Libbie Grove
71. Bejeweled Heart Valentine – HGTV
72. Vintage Valentine Collage Sheet – Altered Stuff
73. Valentine Candy Bar Wrappers – Anything But Perfect
74. Sweet Mini Valentines – Amy is the Party
75. Valentine Bunny Favor Bag – Mr. Printables
76. You Make My Heart Bounce – The Crafting Chicks
77. Printable Valentine Set – June Lily
78. Cute as a Button Valentine – Thirty Handmade Days
79. Antique Heart Labels – The Graphics Fairy
80. Circle Valentine Printables – The Rubber Punkin
81. Be Mine & More Printables – Sweet Rose Studio
82. Valentine Gift Tags – The Three Sweet Peas
83. Heartthrob Valentine Treat Toppers – Design Editor
84. You Rock Valentines – Living Locurto
85. DIY Valentine Brownie Bag – Twig and Thistle
86. Valentine Popcorn Invitation – Eat Drink Chic
87. All You Need Is Love Labels – World Label
88. Valentine Cupcake Flags – Julie Ann Art
89. Play-Doh Valentine Printables – The Wilson World
90. Nick Jr. Printable Character Cards – Nick Jr.
91. Crab Valentine Card – Cartoules Press
92. Retro Little Girl Image – The Graphics Fairy
93. Printable Heart Scrapbook Paper – Mr. Printables
94. Monogram Heart Thank You Card – Ellinee
95. Kiss Me and Carry On Card – 74 Lime Lane
96. Wood You Be Mine Card – mmmcrafts
97. MWAH Love You – Design Editor
98. Valentine’s Day Post Cards – The Pretty Blog
99. Shut Up & Kiss Me Card – Thank You Card Shop
100. Grade School Valentine Craft Pack – A Field Journal
101. Mini Valentine Cards – Paper Crave

Thrifty Tuesday: DIY Night Light

Homemade nightlight: cut out photo from old book; tape shut; add battery-operated tea light. Cozy! For more directions go here: http://fellowfellow.com/diy-houses-by-night/

Thrifty Tuesday: A creative way to use

use something old to make something new!!

I LOVE THIS!!

Thrifty Tuesday: DIY Bumble Surf Spray

DIY BUMBLE SURF SPRAY

 

 I found this awesome idea here: huzzah vintage

Why pay $20 when you can make it at home for $0.02?

Recipe:

3 teaspoons Epsom Salt

3 squirts Water-Based Hair Gel

4 ounces Tap Water

(Pour all ingredients into your empty B&B bottle or store bought empty bottle)

THRIFTY TUESDAY: DIY new sew red white and blue table runner

Check out how to make this here at :scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com

Thrify Tuesday: DIY Carpet Stain Remover

Have a nasty carpet stain that needs to be worked on in your house? Learn how to make Homemade Carpet Stain Remover at One Good Thing By Jillee.

Thrifty Tuesday: 6/12/12 Ways to use Dawn !

Frugal life isn't just about using coupons and stock piling... I am sure you know that!! But I like to share other ways to not only be frugal but sometimes I also like to reduce, reuse, recycle too.!!!  So here is this week's Thrifty Tuesday idea..

A bunch of ways to use that Blue Dawn that you get free at Kroger's or Ingles all the time :)

SAVING WILDLIFE

Ever wonder why Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is the wildlife cleaner of choice after an oil spill? According to the International Bird Rescue Research Center, Dawn effectively removes grease but does not cause harm to the skin of the birds. It’s also biodegradable and contains no phosphates.

BUBBLES

According to Bubbles.org, Dawn dishwashing liquid makes great homemade bubbles. Here is the Giant Bubble Recipe used in bubble makers at many children’s museums:
1/2 cup Ultra Dawn
1/2 gallon warm water
1 tablespoon glycerin (available at any drug store) OR White Karo syrup works too!
Stir gently. Skim the foam off the top of the solution (too much foam breaks down the bubbles). Dip bubble wand and get ready for some good, clean fun!

GREASY HAIR PROBLEMS

Kids get into the darnedest things! Like Vaseline and baby oil rubbed into their hair! Dawn is mild enough to use on their hair and strong enough to remove the most stubborn grease.

HAIR PRODUCT BUILDUP

Once a month use original Dawn as you would shampoo. It will remove excess oil from your hair and scalp and strip away any build-up of styling products without any damage. Perform this once a month and you won’t have to buy expensive salon products that do the same thing.

MANICURE SECRET

Soak fingers in full-strength blue Dawn. It makes the cuticles soft and easy to work with. And it removes the natural oil from the fingernails, which allows the polish to adhere very well.

REPEL HOUSEPLANT INSECTS

A safe, effective way to repel insects from your houseplants, including aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs. Mix the dish soap with other ingredients to protect your houseplants without discoloring the foliage or harming the plant.

CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS

Try this recipe from Merry Maids: mix 3 drops Dawn in 1 gallon water and fill a spray bottle with the solution. Spritz and wipe as you would with any window cleaner.

PETS AND PESTS

Use it to bathe the dogs. It kills fleas on contact and is much cheaper than expensive dog shampoos.

CLEAN AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS

After you have finished your automotive repair project, soak your dirty tools in Dawn before you put them away to remove all the oil and grime. Dawn also helps prevent rust from forming on the tools.

ICE PACK

Partially fill a strong zip-type sandwich bag with Dawn dishwashing liquid, close and freeze. The liquid soap stays cold much longer and it can be re-frozen many times. It will conform to the place you need an ice pack.

TUB AND SHOWER CLEANER

Take a spray bottle and fill it halfway with white vinegar. Heat in the microwave. Fill the rest of the way with blue Dawn. Put lid on and shake to mix well. Spray on your tub and shower walls. Allow to sit for a few minutes and rinse away. It will totally melt all the gunk, slime, sludge and other stuff that builds up including a bathtub ring.

REPEL ANTS

Spray counter-tops, cupboards and any other area where you see ants with a solution of Dawn and water. Wipe dry. The slight residue of Dawn that remains will not be a problem at all for kids or pets, but ants hate it. Should you see a trail of ants, go ahead and hit them with the Dawn spray.

STRIPPING CLOTH DIAPERS

Add a squirt or two of original Dawn dish soap to your washer and run a hot wash, then rinse until there are no more bubbles. Dawn is a degreasing agent and helps stripping by removing oily residue. Be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse until the water runs clear.

UNCLOGGING TOILETS

A cup of Dawn detergent poured into a clogged toilet allowed to sit for 15 minutes and then followed with a bucket of hot water poured from waist height will clear out the toilet.

POISON IVY

Poison ivy spreads through the spread of the oil within the blisters. Washing the affected area with Dawn, especially on children who keep scratching the blister’s open, helps dry up the fluid, AND keep it from spreading.

DRIVEWAY CLEANER

If you have gasoline or motor oil stains on your driveway, you can use the kitty litter method to clean up the excess oil and then use a scrub broom and a solution of biodegradable Dawn dishwashing detergent and warm water to safely and effectively remove excess motor oil from the pavement.

OILY SKIN

Dawn makes a great facial cleanser for oily skin. A drop or two combined with warm water will do the trick.

PAINT OR GREASE REMOVER FOR HANDS

Dawn combined with corn oil makes for the perfect paint or grease remover. Simply combine a little bit of both in your hands then rub it over affected areas. The corn oil and the dishwashing liquid both help to dissolve the grease and paint – yet leave skin soft, unlike harsher paint removers.

CLEANING THE KIDDIE POOL

Plastic wading pools can get very gunky, very fast. Dump the water, then scrub the pool with Dawn and a sponge. More potent cleaners like bleach will weaken and dry out the plastic in the sun.

MULTIPURPOSE CLEANER

Merry Maids recommends using a drop of Dawn in water to clean ceramic tile and no-wax/linoleum floors. You can also use the spray on:

• Bathroom and kitchen counters and sinks.
• Woodwork, e.g., baseboards, shelves, and wainscoting. (Dry as you go–wood doesn’t like prolonged contact with water.)
• Tubs and toilet seats.

LAUNDRY PRE-TREATER FOR OILY STAINS

For oil-based stains such as lipstick, grease, butter, motor oil, cooking oil, and some pen inks, simply apply some Dawn dishwashing liquid directly to the stain and scrub with a small brush or toothbrush until the oil is removed, and then launder as usual.

NON-TOXIC LUBRICANT

Sliding glass doors, door knobs, hinges etc. It lasts much longer than any aerosol type spray that I have tried. And Its non-toxic! It does a great job of cleaning the parts that its lubricating as well!

SIDEWALK DE-ICER

For icy steps and sidewalks in freezing temperatures, mix 1 teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 gallon hot/warm water and pour over walkways. They won’t refreeze. No more salt eating at the concrete in your sidewalks

POOL CLEANING

Squirt Dawn down the middle of the pool and all of the dirt, suntan lotion, etc. will move to the edges of the pool for easy clean up! AND it makes the pools sparkle.

EYEGLASS DEFOGGER

Simply rub a small drop of Dawn on eyeglass lenses, and wipe clean. It will leave a very thin film that will prevent them from fogging up.

SHOWER FLOORS

Cover greasy footprints on shower floors with a coating of Dawn; let sit overnight. Scrub away the gunk in the morning with a stiff brush.

APHID CONTROL ON FRUIT TREES

Mix two tablespoons Dawn to a gallon of water and put in your sprayer. Try to get spray both sides of the leaves, branches and the tree trunks. Let sit for about 15 minutes and then rinse the trees THOROUGHLY!

Thrifty Tuesday: DIY Mineral Veil

Take 1.5 Tablespoons of Corn Starch and mix with 1/4 teaspoon of powdered foundation – THAT is it!

Mineral Veil is brushed over your finished makeup. It create an amazing finish and helps keep makeup on longer.

Thrifty Tuesday: Pottery Barn-Inspired} Moss Monogram

Taken from First lady of the house

I originally saw the Moss covered monogram in my Pottery Barn catalog. I knew I wanted to try to do it but I didn't know how I would get the close shaved look of the moss. THEN I stumbled upon Two Twenty One and she taught me that there is such a thing as Moss Sheets. Her monograms turned out really cute (she's using her's for her wedding).

So I bought my "S" at Hobby Lobby for less than $2

Moss Sheet from Hobby Lobby

Hot Glue/Gun

traced my "S" with an extra 1/2 inch to glue onto the side and back on the letter.

Hot glued it on and the edges too.

Added a ribbon and hung it on my dining room hutch.

My Monogram "S" (mine, less than $5)



DIY: Lemonade Stand

Vintage Lemonade Stand from Lil'Luna

When life gives you lemons, forget the lomonade! Build a lemonade stand!

Lemonade themed parties and super cute lemonade stands are popping up all over the place. If you have been dreaming of having one of your own, even if just to let your kids pretend like they are running a lemonade stand, Lil' Luna and her hubby have a step by step tutorial to show you how you can build a vintage lemonade stand of your own HERE.

Thrifty Tuesday: DIY Modge Podge pots for teachers or mother's day!

For Directions go here:

a boy.a sister. crafts

Thrifty Tuesday: Tips for cleaning your dishwasher

• Cleaning Your Dishwasher

Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to your dishwasher before starting wash cycle to remove odors.

Doing this also increases cleaning power and makes inside sparkle.

• Use KoolAid Lemonade Mix

• Fresh Smelling Dishwasher

When washing the dishes, you want them to look and smell fresh. For a fresh smelling dishwasher, try placing a lemon half in the utensil container. Run your machine through a normal cycle, and your dishes and dishwasher will come out smelling fresh and lemony. Lemon is great for all kinds of ktichen cleaning as it leaves everything smelling wonderful!

• Dishwasher Soap Film Removal

  The soap you use for washing dishes may clean your cups and plates, but it may also leave a film on the inside of your dishwasher. Try this kitchen cleaning tip for a film free dishwasher: Fill washer with dirty dishes but make sure you have not included any silver or other metals. Place a bowl with 1/2 cup of bleach on the bottom rack and allow the machine to run through the wash cycle only. Fill the same bowl with 1/2 cup of vinegar and this time allow the machine to run through a full cycle.

• Dishwasher Stain Removal

You may think that since your dishwasher uses soap for washing dishes, its inside is spotless. This isn't always the case however, as dishwashers can take on yellow stains. to quickly remove these, first allow your empty machine to fill for a wash. Then add a package of flavored orange crystals (the kind that make instant orange beverages) and allow the wash and rinse cycle to complete. How's that for a kitchen cleaning tip!

Thrifty Tuesday: DIY Dish Soap Cake Stand

You can find this neat idea here:

http://www.natalme.com/dish-soap-cake-stand/

To make this on the cheap use your local dollar store or thrift store for the candlestick and plate!



Thrifty Tuesday DIY: Febreeze

1/8 Cup of Your Favorite Fabric Softener ( Use downy , p & g owns the patent on the special ingredient in Febreze, and uses it fabric softeners too)
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda ( you don't have to use this)

Hot Tap Water - To Fill the Bottle to the Top

Shake it up in your Spray Bottle and go to town!

Heather of Fake It Frugal had said that this is actually better than Febreze, and I have to agree! The freshness is definitely stronger and longer lasting. And definitely more affordable – those bottles of Febreze are really getting pricey.