If none of these materials is available to you you can always elect trustworthy plumber to soak rags or towels in hot water and wrap them around the frozen pipe. This will probably take longer than any of the methods previously mentioned.
When you get to the house stand if front of the toilet and locate the water shut off valve. Should be down below the toilet on the wall. Just turn it off (righty-tighty) completely and flush the toilet. All the water should have left the tank, well at least most of it. If there is remaining water line repair get it out with paper towels or a rag. The important thing is that no more water came in. If it did then your valve is not shut all the way or not working and you need additional help.
If you need to add copper pipe make sure that you clean the old and new pipe by using sandpaper, inside and out. If it's not clean the solder will not flow into the joint. Another tip is to not over wrap the mail threaded pipe with tape, this can cause a leak. Twice around should be enough. Also, don't over tighten it.
Working on the gas lines is also a complex job that only a licensed plumber can handle because it is very dangerous. Small leaks can't always be detected by odor alone, but a licensed professional has the proper equipment that's needed to ensure that you don't have any leaks in the line.
Plumbers, like all other companies, are required to be on time and act professional. If they have called before hand to notify you then, this can be overlooked. However, if they turn up without apologising for being late, then they may not be the right plumber for you. Remember first water line repair impressions are everything. If they lack a good first impression then this may indicate that it is going to have an impression on their work. In most cases, you would have taken the time off work for the plumber, and what can be worse than waiting all day waiting for them to arrive?
If you plan to replace fixtures, you may be able to do this on your own. Buy the same style or functional fit and then turn off the water to make the switch. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer to get the job done.
Bottom line is that it is now very easy for even a desk jockey to fix his own pipes. Go by the closet home improvement store on your way home. Pick up some of these fittings and impress the wife with talents that she did not know you had. You may even get brave and do that small plumbing project that she has been begging for. Now you can use these fittings to cut into that water line to run that new outside faucet or hookup that water filter yourself. With the push type fitting plumbing has been made easy enough for anyone to be able to do it.