If you’ve been following along with our 2011 secret stashbuster challenge, you know that the lucky package recipients have gotten their goodies in the mail.  Not surprisingly, they were all super inspired and many have already started working on their projects!  This one comes to us from Debra at Housewife Eclectic:   fold-up organizer!  Using some fabric and a cameo hair elastic from her box of goodies and a couple of things from her own stash, she made a pocketed organizer perfect for holding notebooks, envelopes, pencils, scissors, or anything else you might want to carry in your purse or car glove box.  Debra used some quilted fabric from her personal stash to give the organizer more sturdiness; if you don’t have this on hand, a piece of an old quilted mattress cover, some felt yardage, or any other stiffer fabric would work as well.  [how to make a fold-up organizer]

Project estimate:

• Fabric, on hand
• Quilted fabric, on hand
• Bias tape, on hand
• Cameo hair elastic, $1
• Sewing machine, on hand
• Needle and thread, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Secret Stashbuster Project: Make a Fold-Up Organizer appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Last year, I hosted a super secret stashbusting challenge where I sent ten packages of supplies from my stash to readers who agreed to make stuff with it. The crafters didn’t know who they were until they received the package. Guess what, this month we’re celebrating Stashbusting again, and I’m going to put 10 packages together again this year!

>>TO APPLY: you must fill out this form<<

The stash

I went through my boxes of dollar store crafting goodness, and I was able to separate out TWO LAUNDRY BASKETS full of stuff! Most of the stuff I pulled out was not your typical craft supply stuff: things like dollar store coat hooks and placemats, as well as a lot of other dollar store goodies. I’ll be putting together ten USPS medium flat rate boxes crammed full of dollar store stash items. I also asked some of my craft supply company pals to send me a few craft supply goodies to help round out the boxes, so I will be including goodies from:

The sponsors

These fine companies and individuals have provided complimentary craft supplies for each secret stashbusting package. I’ll post more about their contributions (and what’s in the packages) later this week!

Westcott Brand — Westcott Facebook Page

Designer Marisa Pawelko – Modern Surrealist

Creative Hands – Creative Hands Facebook Page

Plaid – Plaid Facebook Page

I want to invite you to apply to be one of the lucky 10 secret stashbusters! Last year we had over 300 applicants from 11 countries.

Become a Secret Stashbuster:

• Apply to be a secret stashbuster here: Secret Stashbuster Application
• Be willing to create at least one craft with your stash box by April 22nd
• Be able to photograph your project and write about it (tutorials are a bonus!)
• You have until Thursday, April 7th, 2011 to apply. I’ll be sending packages out on the 8th!

Check out last year’s posts:

• About the 10 stash packages
• More stashbusting articles

>>Apply to be a secret stashbuster here!<<

The post Apply Now: Secret Stashbusting Packages! appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Did you see these amazing Paper Towel Flowers? [made by Nicole]

Bust Your Clothing:

• Recycled t-shirt project roundup at Crafting a Green World
• Make a recycled t-shirt apron at sneezerville
• Bleach pen designs on your t-shirts add interest! Tutorial for Tough Guy Tee at I Am Momma – Hear Me Roar [via]

Denim Bibs are so cute! At Shanghai Cowgirl [tutorial]
(check my scrappy Star Wars bib tutorial here, too)

• Angela turned an old skirt into a cute purse at The Artists’ House
• Sew three or four pairs of old socks into an awesome pair of thigh-high socks with Stefanie at Sweater Surgery [Stefanie’s book: Sweater Surgery]
• Tank Top into Owl Softie at D is for Delicate

Recycle a Bridesmaid Dress into a Scarf at Adventures in Dressmaking (well, she used scraps from a bridesmaid dress sewing project, but I like the idea of using an old dress, too!)

Sewing:

• Tissue Cover at Some Art Talk [thanks]
• Bird Mobile by D is for Delicate [based on this tutorial by Spool Sewing]
• Pretty Quilted Coasters at Made by Nicole
• Stash-busted Sewing Machine Cover by Sparkle Power

Papery Goodness:

Security Envelope Bunting (ahhhmazing!) by Crafty Smurfette

• Can’t Stop Making Things posts some beautiful paper flowers [via]
• Upcycled Doodle Pads at Zakka Life
• Condo Blues made a very cool square wreath using a phone book
• Cool rubber band greeting cards by Brass Paperclip

Other Craftyness:

• Recycled eyeglass lens brooches! at The Felt Mouse
• Burlap Focal Point using frames at Frugal Farmhouse
• Al McLeary used light bulbs to create vases for air plants

Some of you are Weaving Your Stash:

• Eco-friendly woven table setting by Kim at Jikits (shown above)
• Woven treasure box by Pam at Gingerbread Snowflakes
• Woven paper coasters by M at Fun As You Make It
• Woven Card Tutorial by elSage on Scoutiegirl
  

Philosophy and Inspiration:

• Community Stash Busting by Craft Leftovers
• Oops, we missed the deadline, but I love this idea from Crafty Smurfette: Craft It Forward
• Quotable: “Well, I can’t get any more local than my own closet.” – very well said, by M at Fun As You Make It
• Mixing & Matching Colors by Craft Leftovers
• Stashbusting Projects Roundup at Beautifully Used

Sanctioned Stash-BUILDING:

• I officially give you permission to download and print these vintage Mother’s Day graphics at Just Something I Made
• Signups for a Dollar Store Swap are happening at Craftster right now (until May15)

The post Weekend roundup: Stashbusting Part 3 appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Super secret stashbuster Mich L. started her blog JUST to show off what she is making from the envelope o’ randomness I sent her. She has challenged herself to make TEN things from the envelope – I love the ambition. So far she’s made three things, all great. The third project is a showstopper! She used some zippers to make pretty necklaces (and the black part of the pendant is also a secret ingredient from the dollar store!). [click here to get the zipper necklace tutorial]

Project Estimate:

• Nylon zipper, $1
• Ribbon ends, $1
• Chain, $1
• Stuff from your stash for the pendant, on hand

Total: $3

The post Make a Zipper Necklace appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

So I’m just gonna come right out and admit it. I have a pretty huge stash. There are certain things I gravitate toward: I have a lot of fabric, a lot of dollar store supplies (ha ha), and I have a really hard time throwing some trash away because I just know it could be made into something great. I am 100% sure I could “shop” from my stash all month and not run out of projects to make (even if I made one every single day). Last week I randomly tweeted that I wasn’t going to buy any new supplies in April, and April Stash Bust was born.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and a few of us crafties decided to pull together and do something to celebrate! Did you know that we spend $4.2 billion per year on art supplies (!) (that’s a pdf) and many of them are toxic and harmful to the environment. Instead of buying new, let’s pledge to make April a Craft Destash Month!  Together, we can have a really big impact on the environment and on our own wallets.

For the entire month of the April, let’s pledge not to buy any new craft materials, tools or supplies for the April Stash Bust!

Many of us have ginormous stashes with many fun and creative projects waiting to be born. So, we also pledge to make at least one project from our stash using only what we have on hand. For motivation and to show how you can use and repurpose what you already have on had, we’ll have a round up of exciting destash tutorials from:

• Scoutiegirl.com
• craftleftovers.com
• dollarstorecrafts.com
• cosaverde.com
• craftingagreenworld.com
• glueandglitter.com
• swap-bot.com

And to encourage you to do the same we will be hosting an April Stash Bust contest!

To enter, take the Stash Bust pledge to not buy any new materials, tools or supplies for the month of April. Place the awesome April Stash Bust badge (created by Liz at cosa verde) on your website or blog (found below). Create a project from your stash using only what you have on hand. Submit your finished project detailing the stash materials you used with a link to your finished project by Earth Day, April 22nd. A team of crack judges from x, x and x (to be revealed) will review the projects and choose a winner.

So what could you win?!

A lucky creative type will receive:

• “Alabama Stitch Book” by Natalie Chanin from Swap-bot.com
• A one year showcase on cosa verde for your repurposed & eco-friendly crafts
• A one year membership from Hello Craft
• A cup glove kit from Glue and Glitter
• A mini box set of volume 2 of Craft Leftovers zine (issues 1-4) from Craft Leftovers
• A Modeling Chocolate kit from Dollarstorecrafts.com

Other April Stash Bust Events:

• Super Secret Stashbusting Challenge: 10 lucky crafters will be chosen to craft with a super secret envelope of goodies from dollarstorecrafts.com [click here to apply by April 5th]
• April Stash Bust craft supply swap at Swap-bot

Participating? There are an array of buttons for you to choose from at the info page.

p.s. feel free to grab a button, bust your stash, and send me links to what you are working on! Let me know if you have a tutorial to contribute, too!

The post Join us in the April Stash Bust appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.