92 replies to this topic

[ol'momma]

I actually have a tip for using old drier sheets... If you quilt they work well for machine applique. iron them flat, trace your pattern piece onto them and then layer you fabric on them (wrong side out) and stitch with a small stitch length all the way around it. When you're done,trim close to the stitching line and very carefully cut a slit in the drier sheet so you can turn it right-side out. You can use a tooth pick or bamboo skewer to turn the pointy bits. You'll have neatly turned under edges. Press it and Pin it in place then stitch it down with either a narrow zig-zag or a blanket stitch.

[Kevin B 123]

I live in a town, and have no yard at all, but I like plants, especially plants I can eat: I make my own composts, one way is to shred newspapers into tiny strips and small lengths, I add a small amount of soil, then add earth worms.... Makes good soil.

Most people already know you can compost almost any non-greasy food scraps, which I do in another container. I like the second use I get out of thus recycling!

I "sprout" seeds & beans in glass jars of store purchased foods.

OLD (unusable) clothes, cloth, gets cut up, (buttons removed) and become "stuffing" for pillows, stout enough to sit-or-lay on, at floor level, firm enough to support my back in a chair or on the sofa, and way cheaper than store purchased.

The plastic I place over windows for the winter, become a "trash bag" for that week's pick up!

Slivers of hand soap go in a container with water until it suspends in the water and become a "pumpable" liquid soap!


Most of these Ideas I got from my step mom! Thanks Mom!

[onepoormomma]

Originally Posted By: Val

I save paper egg cartons to use for plant starters in the spring - you can just put them right into the ground - just cut them into the individual cups - they are also good for making fire starters - melt old candle bits - put wood chips, dryer lint into each cup and pour the wax over them - pull off as needed - a couple cups in a ziploc in your BOB is handy too!

I use these firestarters all winter long for starting the cornstove. They work fantastically. I was going to post it till I saw this one;?)

[Stephanie]

I can't remember if it was on this thread or another, but ever since reading about the uses for dryer lint we've been making little fire starters by stuffing the dryer lint into empty toilet rolls.

Since I started doing that, I feel like I became an "upgraded prepper" !

[Staceyy]

Originally Posted By: midwest prepper

for the one who buys Hefty plates & then puts them in the dishwasher,Why? Just go ahead & use your glass plates,they go in the dishwasher too,or am I just not getting what you meant?

We use the Hefty plates for barbecues outside. To get to our patio we have to go from the kitchen, down the stairs to the basement and then outside. Glass plates are heavy and breakable.

[arby]

Thanks for the ideas ladies. I like the idea of refacing a comforter with new material. I can do that!
Loved the tin lid wall idea too.

[Kevin B 123]

Something I plan on doing this winter, that in the spring will become “recycling”;

For some reason, my apartment walls are not well insulated, nor are the windows installed properly, they “leak” cold into the building. The last 2 winters I simply but up 2 layers of plastic, with bubble wrap in between the layers of clear plastic. ( which I can recycle to hold trash in the following spring). This coming winter I will used BLACK plastic trash bags, smaller than the windows opening, hanging like curtains do, from a rod that extends farther out than do the existing curtains, and will be also attached to a lower rod at the windows’ bottom I read about doing this on-line someplace, and liked the idea. I have also seen some homes doing this, ans I wondered why, now I know!

The black plastic will absorb the suns heat, then reflect it into the room. This is only a small solar gain, but supplements the building’s heat. By having some sun on either side of the black plastic, I get natural solar gain & light. When the sun sets, I close the curtains to retain any heat. So far, each year, I have lined the backs of my curtains with bubble wrap for added insulation. ( it works, provided the curtain hug the walls beyond the windows and sag a bit on the floor).

It will be great if the black plastic works as planned, but greater still the I will recoup all costs, except the tape I will use!


I hope this might be helpful to someone!

[Robert Z]

use paper egg cartons and cut the individual cups apart, then use old cooking oil in the paper cup to start the wood stove. a tablespoon of oil burns a long time, if you let it soak into the egg carton a bit first the oil wicks up the sides and burns even longer. Handy when you have some stubborn slightly damp wood.

[Kevin B 123]

Old clothes, minus buttons, snaps, hooks, etc. can be cut up in strips, woven, sewn on corners, stacked, covered in fabric... You have a heavy pillow that will support MUCH weight and not distort!

[Momo]

If you are anything like me you have a ton of extra shiny silver cd's around.

For a Christmas decorating idea set several cd's on your dining room table. Use small or tealight candles and set them in the center of the cd. Make sure the cd is shiny side up. The lights from the candles will reflect off the cd's and it looks really cool.

You can also use a cd or an old lp album and buy a clockworks set at a hobby store or Wal-mart. Install the works in the center of the lp/cd.

[midwest prepper]

Saw a great idea for old towels on tv this morning. Cut the towel in 6" wide or so strips,use 2 colors,weave them in and out in a basket weave pattern(over and under) use heavy thread and make an X stitch in each corner. Sew around the outside edge. When I make these I will do a double one and sew them around the outside edge so it will be plenty thick.

[Crazy4Canning]

Are you making new towels or a pillow of sorts? I get the weave but I'm not sure what you're making....

[midwest prepper]

This is for a washable bath-mat,sorry for not making this clear.

[CoM]

Two pinching penny tips:

#1 Walgreens Photo Dept refils most computer ink cartridges for 10.00. Sometimes you can even get it free as they have a very strict test on the refills. If it fails the test you get your cartridge back and it is still full of ink :-)(and worked fine)

#2 Use extra left over slats from vinyl mini blinds to make garden stakes. Just cut to desired length and cut a point on one end. Use marker to write on them.

[Crazy4Canning]

Oh wow...vinyl mini blinds as stakes....we've taken out two in the kitchen and next week are pitching the 2 in the front room. I'm afraid I've got enough for a FARM here, not my little garden spaces.

[Purdy Bear]

I reuse my junk mail and envelopes, infact anything that has a blank page. I just tare the relevant bit off, and put it in a pile clipped together with a bull dog clip. This is then put by the phone, or in my case by the bed for all those awesome ideas I wake up with.

I make my own handbags for material oddments from the charity shop.
I also do tote bags to match the handbags.

I use the bags your papers come in on a Saturday as project bags, or the smaller ones to keep sowing in.

[GirlNextDoor]

I posted this someplace but, can't find it. I saw a link on instructables about folding plastic grocery store bags in the same way you would fold a flag at the end of the day. I have a gallon ziploc storage bag to store them in and am fast approaching quadruple capacity with more room to go as opposed to just cramming bags in.

[Momo]

This one bugs my Dh but I do it anyway.

Whenever we go fishing we buy worms.

If we use them all up, I bring the peat moss home and add it to my compost pile or an indoor plant.

If we still have some worms left, and will be fishing again in the next few days, just put the covered container in your fridge until needed. They little darlins will take a nap until you use them up.

If you still have worms left and won't be using them in a few days, just add worms and the peat to your garden or compost.

[KatMom]

This might be helpful to those who bake a lot of cakes and don't want that "hump" in the middle of the layer that you have to trim to get a level layer cake. My old cake instructor told us to take an old towel. Cut it in strips that are long enough to fit aroud the sides of your cake pan with a small amount of overlap. Then you need to fold it lengthwise into 3 or 4 layers. Stitch up all the edges and end on your sewing machine.

THEN you soak the strip in cold water, wring it out and put it around your cake pan, securing it in place with a safety pin. It really does work. You can wash them and use them over and over. Wilton sells these strips made of that metallic looking stuff they used to make potholders out of, but these work just as well. I've never had one burn either. The cost, one old towel and a little effort. Katmom

[PureCajunSunshine]

I use newspaper to clean my windows and wrap presents with.

I save the comics for that. Wrap the presents with the Garfield side up!