Make Your Own "Corn Syrup"

If you want to make something but you're out of corn syrup, or if you're like me and want to avoid as many GMO corn products as possible, you can make a good substitute by adding a quarter cup of water to a cup of sugar. Mix it well and cook until it's syrupy when you put a drop into cold water. Don't overcook it because it will become like hard candy. Store and use just like corn syrup.

Free guitar picks

Lost your guitar pick? Any old credit card will work. Cut it to shape and file the edge with a nail file until it's smooth and uniform.

Make a free calendar

Got your 2013 calendar? No? They can be expensive! Print your own for free from web sources. Some come in HTML, but some are plain graphic files. A simple graphic program will be able to add images you have on your computer to make it very personally your own.

Here's a place to start, but look up "printable calendars" through a search engine for lots more:

Printable 2013 Calendar

Make your own picture frames

It's easy to make custom sized picture frames. Measure the picture and add 1 1/2 inches all the way around. Cut two pieces of this size from a cereal or detergent box. Cut the center from one piece 1/4 to 1/2 inches smaller than the picture, then glue three sides together, patterned side in. Slip the picture in through the fourth side, position and use a dab of glue to hold it in place. Decorate the frame by painting, gluing on buttons or other small objects or even decoupaging it. Let your imagination be your guide.

Free (Almost) Holiday Chain

You know all those brightly colored Christmas catalogs that you look through and then never order from? Put them to use. Cut strips 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide from the brightest colors. Fold a third of each edge in on each strip. This will help make the chain sturdier, but if you have lots of heavier paper you can just cut the strips a half inch wide instead. Make a chain from these strips by making circles of each one and inserting... you know how to do that. Fasten with tacky glue or staples.

Tip: Cut the strips from pages that have the best colors, but don't worry so much what the pictures are of. You won't notice that once the chain is made.

You can adjust the size to suit yourself and your tree, windows or other decorations.

Bread crumbs and cubes

Need bread crumbs? First off, don't buy them! They're just what they say: bread crumbs. If you ever have bread in the house, you have bread crumbs. If you need more than what is in the bottom of the bread sack, put a slice or two on a plate and set it on the refrigerator or other out of the way place for a few days, or put them in the oven on very low. Spread them thinly and they'll dry faster. Do you need bread cubes (croutons)? Cut into cubes, season and bake at a low temperature until they're crisp.

Leftover salad

Got just a few leftover, cut up vegetables? Put them in your blender, add some liquid if needed (tomato sauce, grapefruit juice, etc., whatever is appropriate) and make a cold soup or vegetable drink.

Or cook them (even lettuce!) and puree for soup stock. If you don't want to use it at that moment, you can freeze it for for later.

Macaroni and cheese

If you make macaroni and cheese from a box that has powdered cheese, don't use all the cheese. There's usually more than enough, anyway, so save the last teaspoon or so and put it away. When you have enough, you can make cheese sauce for your own macaroni, or for vegetables or casseroles. Mix 1/4 cup of powdered cheese with 1/4 cup of butter or margarine (or half butter and half oil) and 1/4 cup hot milk. Stir until smooth.

Placemats

Got an old flannel backed tablecloth? It makes great placemats. Just cut it to size and machine or hand stitch around it to keep the layers together. Or make them from any material you have around. Use an old towel for padding, cut two pieces of material and sandwich the toweling between. A zigzag stitch will secure the edges without having to turn it inside out or do blind stitching.

Make your own watch band

If you have or had a watch band with a buckle, it's very simple to make a replacement for it. Use sturdy material such as denim, canvas or fake leather and use the old watchband as a pattern for length and width. Be especially careful to cut the width exactly the same as the original, or it won't fit your watch. Measure an inch longer and turn a half inch under for the buckle pin to fit and put a slit in it, following the pattern of the old one. The other half inch will be used to fit the watch itself. Turn the fabric back on itself and sew it so you can slip the watch pins through it. Use a blanket or zigzag stitch on the edges. Use an icepick or very sharply pointed knife or scissors to make holes.

Sweetened condensed milk

Don't pay that awful price for sweetened condensed milk! Make your own this way: Mix one cup of powdered milk (dry) with 2/3 cup of sugar, then add 1/3 cup of boiling water and 3 TBS of margarine or butter. Mix it until it's smooth. (This makes the equivalent of one can.)

Make candle wicking

If you like to make candles, but hate to buy wicking or it's hard to find in your area, you can make your own. Save fine string from a feed or seed bag, or use pure cotton thread and braid it into a firm braid. Make a solution of 3/4 cup of hot water, 1 TBS of borax and 1 tsp salt and soak the braid in this overnight, then allow to dry thoroughly. That's all there is to it. Just remember that it needs to be cotton only. Manmade fibers may melt or sputter or refuse to burn at all.

Powdered sugar

Make your own powdered sugar: Process a cup of granulated sugar and a generous tablespoon of cornstarch in your blender until it's powder. That's one less product to buy and store.

Free bread crumbs

Save cracker crumbs and bread crumbs from their packages as they're emptied. It won't be long until you have enough for a meat loaf or casserole - no added expense.