Year: 2011

Clever Usage for New Pennies

Penny
 

1. Curtain Straightener

Make an opening in the bottom hem, slide in a penny or two, and sew the hem back up to keep curtains hanging level and stick-straight.

2. Tread Checker

Insert a penny into a groove of a tire with Lincoln’s head pointing into the tire. If the groove covers part of his head, you’re safe to drive; if the head is in full view, it’s time for new wheels. (The distance between the rim of a penny and Lincoln’s head is 1/16 of an inch―the minimum suggested tread depth.)

3. Table Anchor

If you dine out and the table is unsteady, put a coin under the leg to restore balance.

4. Game Token

Misplaced the thimble? No problem. Sub in a cent.

5. Reader Tip: Makeshift Screwdriver

Use a penny to screw open a toy’s battery pack.
Caroline Brant, Collegeville, Pennsylvania

6. Reader Tip: Icebreaker

Hand out pennies at your next gathering and ask each guest to share a story that happened during the year his or her penny was minted. If the coin predates a friend, let the person improvise.
Rachel Harrison Massa, Stamford, Connecticut

7. Reader Tip: Birdbath Cleaner

To ward off algae, toss in a few pre-1982 coins; the high copper content retards growth.
Suzanne Wesley, Terre Haute, Indiana

Rubberband Belt or Bracelet

Kids can create their own rubber band finery by simply repeating the loop knot shown below and adding beads. Wear it with a dress, jeans — or even quadruple-wrapped around a wrist or ankle as a bracelet or anklet.

 
Materials
  • Colorful rubber bands (we used 15 2 1/2- by 1/16-inch bands for a 30-inch-long belt)
  • Clear beads (we used 50) with a 3/16-inch or larger hole (available in multipacks at craft or bead stores)
  • 1 large bead with a 3/16-inch hole (for clasp)
  • Scissors
Instructions
  1. Rubber Band Belt - Step 1 Use a loop knot to attach 2 rubber bands.
  2. Rubber Band Belt - Step 2 Add a bead, or several, to the second band. If you like, tie spacer knots between the beads. Leave enough space at the end to attach the next band. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the belt is the length you want.
  3. Rubber Band Belt - Step 3 To create a clasp, thread the large bead onto the last band on one end and knot it to secure. Leave the loop for decoration or cut it off. On the other end, thread a small bead onto the last band and knot it so that you have a loop that fits securely over the big bead.

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  1.  

Homemade Insect Repellant

1 cup vodka
2 T. aloe vera juice
2 tsp. favorite conditioning liquid oil (soybean, olive, castor, etc.)
1 1/2 tsp. essential oil blend (I use this preblended one)

Combine in a spray bottle and shake before each use. These oils have less staying power than chemicals such as DEET so they need to be reapplied about every 30 minutes or as needed.

You can buy a blend or create your own blend from these oils found to have insect repellent properties.

  • Catnip Oil–mosquitoes
  • Cedarwood Oil–lice, moths
  • Cinnamon Oil–ants
  • Citronella Oil–mosquitoes
  • Clove Oil–mosquitoes
  • Eucalyptus Oil–mosquitoes
  • Geranium Oil–flies, mosquitoes
  • Lavender Oil–mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas, flies
  • Lemongrass Oil–mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas, flies
  • Litsea Cubeba–mosquitoes
  • Patchouli–gnats
  • Peppermint Oil–lice, spiders, ants
  • Rosemary Oil–fleas, ticks
  • Tea Tree Oil–mosquitoes, lice, ants

Although found in many lists of repellents, I avoid pennyroyal because of its potential toxicity.
All essential oils are best used in dilution. Don’t apply them directly to the skin in full strength.

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