Category Archives: Miscellaneous Tips

Soften the blow of a hammer

Some jobs, like assembling delicate furniture, require a gentler touch. If you don't have a rubber mallet, use a tennis ball to soften the blow. Simply cut an X into the ball, then push the flat side of the hammer into it.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates are available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups, along with team building events. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

secure waxed paper on counter

Keep waxed paper from sliding on your counter top. Making biscuits or pie crust? Wet the counter lightly and place waxed paper on top.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates are available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups, along with team building events. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Baby's Photo

If you want to take a picture of an infant not yet able to sit up, have an adult sit in a comfortable chair with a blanket draped over him. Then have him hold the baby while you take the picture.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates are available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups, along with team building events. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

End Soap Scum on Shower Doors

Used fabric softener sheets are great for removing soapy residue from glass shower doors. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the sheet and clean the doors.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates are available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups, along with team building events. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

No more slipping rugs/mats

To keep floor mats in place, apply silicone caulking =to the backs. Start with a line along the edge, then repeat every 2″ until you reach the middle. Spread flat with a putty knife and let dry as directed.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates are available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups, along with team building events. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

bug bite tamer

To relieve the itch from a bug bite, apply the inside of a banana peel directly to the bite for 2 to 3 minutes. The inside white part of a banana peel helps moisturize and calm the irritation.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates are available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups, along with team building events. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Toothpaste for paint-friendly glue

Use toothpaste to hang your child's art work. Apply a dab of toothpaste to each corner of your artwork, then position and stick it to the wall. To remove, carefully peel the piece off the wall and rub away the paste with a damp rag.

Check out recipes, class schedules and other tips in the other sections of this website. You can contact me for additional class information, presentations, team building opportunities and food or other questions, Lydia Critchley, at 608-240-9773.

Dirty-Clean headlights

To keep your headlights on your car clear from road salt and residue this cold winter season you should first start by thoroughly cleaning your headlights. Just use a soft rag and a little water to remove anything that has built up on the headlights.

Once the headlights are clean use another rag and make sure they are completely dry.

Now you will need to use a soft cloth and some car wax, yes just regular car wax. With your rag scoop out a quarter sized amount of car wax and gently rub it on the headlight lenses. Make sure it is completely covered. Allow this to sit on the headlight while you do the same to the other headlight.

After a few minutes of the wax sitting on the headlight lens you will use a clean rag and wipe the car wax off of the headlight lenses. There will be a small file of the wax left on the headlight lenses. The car wax has a special ingredient to help the water run off the surface of the car and it works just the same for your headlights. This helps keep the salt and dirt mixture off of your headlights.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates area available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

CANDLE CARE

Place candles in the freezer prior to using and they will burn longer.

Trim the wick – new or already burned so it is quite short and it will not smoke as much.

Wet your fingers when pinching out the flame and it will save the smell and the smoke of the smoldering wick after being extinguished.

When storing, do not place different colored candles next to each other unless each candle is wrapped individually, as the colors will transfer to the next candle.

Place the candles on a clear plate or plastic wrap product so any dripping wax does not ruin the fabric or material below the candle. A clear plate or wrap material will not distract from your candle holder or display.

If you have candles of various colors, drip the wax down the other candles and when you burn them, they will always look decorative, as the new dripping wax will only lead to more dripping and will look intentional on it – thus enhancing instead of distracting from its appearance.
There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips. The “calendar” area has class listings of many types of classes and locations that I teach cooking, homemade pet foods, homemade soap and personal products and many more items. If you would like a class in “home-making”, sewing without a machine or with a machine or any other subject, please contact me and we can arrange a class in my home or any location of your choice. Please contact me for more details. Classes for all ages are available, including children – hands-on or presentational style.
Gift certificates area available for weddings, holidays or “your are special” gifts or any other reason.
Team building with cooking classes is fun. Join co-workers and create recipes or learn about each other while cooking.
I am available to teach cooking classes or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@sbcglobal.net
Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated as they change.
Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.