Crepe paper has a look that makes it absolutely perfect for Halloween decorating. Check out this idea from Linda at A Sweet Afternoon, who used crepe paper to make this cute candy corn bunting banner! The project is easy enough that it’s kid-friendly, and at the same time sophisticated enough to hang for a fancy Halloween party or incorporate into your seasonal home decor. [how to make a candy corn bunting banner]

Project estimate:

• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1 and up
• Cardstock, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Tape, on hand
• String, on hand or $1 and up

Total: Free and up!

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One of my favorite things about fall is mums!  I look forward to them every year.  If you love mums too, then check out these gorgeous ones made out of crepe paper by Lia Griffith.  I love all of her paper flower projects, and these are particularly fabulous!  They are made using sheets of crepe paper, which you can find in the gift wrap or party decor sections of many stores; if you can’t find the full sheets, you could use streamers to make a smaller version of these.  [how to make crepe paper mums]

Project estimate:

• Crepe paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Wire, on hand or $1
• Floral tape, $1 and up
• Hot glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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If you’re throwing a Halloween party, chances are you’ve already got balloons and crepe paper streamers on your shopping list.  Make sure you grab some googly eyes too, because then you’ll be able to make these adorable mummy balloons from Haeley at Design Improvised.  Make sure you stop by her blog and check out her entire series of balloon decorating ideas – this mummy is just one character in a whole cast of Halloween balloon monsters, and they’re all just as cute and easy as this one!   [how to make mummy balloons]

Project estimate:

• Balloons, on hand or $1
• Googly eyes, on hand or $1
• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

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We’ve loved Lia Griffith’s beautiful paper flowers – and with this phenomenal paper flower pinata, she’s taking it to a whole new level!  Would you believe that all of those gorgeous blossoms were made from a combination of crepe paper and tissue paper?  It makes a lovely contrast of textures!  This would be a beautiful and fun addition to a wedding reception or bridal shower – or any party, for that matter!  [how to make a paper flower pinata]

Project estimate:

• Paper lantern, $1 and up
• Cardboard, on hand
• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up!

The post Make a Paper Flower Pinata appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Does your family do an advent calendar? I am always on the lookout for really unique advent calendar ideas, like this piñata-style idea by Sara at Handmade Charlotte. Each day you pull the string on one of the hanging mini piñatas and out drops a treat! The tutorial uses a pre-made paper fringe, but you can also cut your own fringe from crepe paper steamers – a great way to use up any you may have left over from party decorating! [how to make a pinata advent calendar]

Project estimate:

• Paper cups, $1
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand
• String or twine, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up

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Crepe paper is an extremely versatile but under utilized dollar store craft supply.  Using her sewing machine, Karin of Creative Chaos helps unlock crepe paper’s potential as the base for these fluttery trees. I love the look of the pink and white sparkly ones – like something out of the Sugarplum Fairy Forest. Crepe paper comes in so many colors you’ll able to make a set of trees that matches your favorite Christmas decor. [how to make crepe paper christmas trees]

Project estimate:

• Cardstock, on hand
• Crepe paper, $1
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks, on hand
• Sewing machine and thread, on hand

Total: $1 and up

The post Make Crepe Paper Christmas Trees appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Christmas lights aren’t just for Christmas.  There are a ton of ways you can dress them up for other occasions as well!  While these particular colors make the project read Halloween-y, the fringed lights that Kelly at Studio DIY made are an easy way to add a little color and personality to the decoration for nearly any event.  If you are concerned about the potential fire hazard of gluing paper to your string of lights, look for LED lights which stay cooler to the touch.  And if you use glue that is repositionable or easy to remove, you can disassemble the fringe quickly when you are done and the lights will be as good as new, ready for your next crafty escapade.  [how to make a fringed light string]

Project estimate:

• Christmas lights, on hand or $1 and up
• Crepe paper streamers, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up

The post Make a Fringed Light String appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Wedding season is almost upon us once again!  Are you or anyone you know preparing for the Big Day?  Wedding crafts are among the most popular category of dollar store crafts; when planning a wedding on a budget (and who isn’t these days?) even those who’ve never crafted a day in their lives pick up their glue guns and DIY as much as possible in the name of saving money.  We’ve rounded up some of our favorite wedding-related dollar store crafts.  Wondering what kinds of things you should look for at the dollar store for your wedding crafts?  All of these crafts involve items you can find at Dollar Tree.

[Tissue Paper]

[Balloons]

[Tissue Paper Balloon Lanterns by Kleas]

If you’re looking for an economical, DIY alternative to store-bought paper lanterns, try this easy idea incorporating balloons and tissue paper.  The resulting papier-mache-like lanterns can be customized easily by using tissue paper in your wedding colors.

[White Wedding Favor Boxes]

[Heart Favor Boxes by Shindig Parties To Go]

This project was originally made for Valentine’s Day, but it translates well to weddings!  Using colorful scrapbook paper, plain white favor boxes are transformed into festive heart favor boxes!  Replace the colors and embellishments however you see fit to make them match your wedding theme; the technique remains the same.

[All-Occasion Gift Wrap]

[Fruit Drop Candies]

[Extra Large Star Party Favors by The Cheese Thief]

These origami star favors are super economical; just a few rolls of wrapping paper is all you need to make enough for all of your guests!  Tuck hard candies or other treats inside as a special surprise for the recipients.

[Clear Cello Wrap]

[Cellophane Origami Star Garland by The Cheese Thief]

Once you’ve mastered folding origami stars, grab a roll of cello wrap and some string to make this crystal-like star garland.  Hang them alongside clear Christmas lights for a little bit of elegant sparkle!

[Silk Roses]

[Round Candle Holders]

[Rose Votive Candle Holders by Two Crafty Mules]

Don’t know what to do with all of those silk flowers in the craft department at Dollar Tree?  If you can find roses in the right colors for your wedding, make rose votive holders!  Look for glass candle holders that are rounded to make a nicely-shaped flower.

[Serving Trays]

[Taper Candle Holders]

[Colorful Tiered Trays by Joy’s Hope]

Tiered trays are one of the most popular varieties of dollar store craft.  This variation, assembled from serving trays and candlesticks, uses spray paint to add a pop of color.  (If you use paint that is not food-safe, make sure you do not place food items directly on the trays; use a barrier such as cocktail napkins or cupcake liners to keep your guests safe!)

[Crepe Paper Streamers]

[Crepe Paper Flower Corsages by Under the Table and Dreaming]

Let’s not forget one of the handmade goodies you will need for members of your wedding party and for distinguished guests: corsages!  While crepe paper streamers are a party decorating staple, fashioning them into frilly flowers is a twist you might not have considered!

What are your favorite wedding crafts using dollar store items?

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by DollarTree.com.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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It’s just not a party without a piñata!  They’re always a hit with kids (when was the last time you saw one pass up anything that has to do with candy?), they’re easy and inexpensive to make, and they offer some great stress relief when it come time to whack ’em.  Tiffany from Simply Modern Mom had an ice cream party for her daughter, who also requested a piñata for the event.  She came up with a simple design that cleverly uses crepe paper streamers and coffee filters to decorate the outside.  (My Dollar Tree sometimes has the Baskin Robbins hard candies, which would be perfect for filling this giant cone!)  [how to make an ice cream cone piñata][via CraftyChica]

Project estimate:

• Papier mache paste, on hand
• Balloon, on hand
• Wax paper, on hand
• Packaging tape, on hand
• Poster board, on hand or $1
• Newspaper, on hand
• Large masking tape, on hand or $1
• Glue sticks, on hand
• Crepe paper, on hand or $1
• Unbleached coffee filters, on hand or $1
• Cord, rope, or string, on hand
• X-acto knife, on hand
• Candy or other fillers, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make an Ice Cream Cone Piñata appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This flowery greeting card was my project for the “spring” themed week of Iron Craft.  I’ve tried similar techniques in the past and have always ended up with a fail, so I decided to dust it off and give it one more try.  Lo and behold, this time it turned out the way I wanted!  The process uses a combination of rubber stamping and decoupage to create a layered effect.  If you don’t need a flower-covered card, you can also use this idea with any combination of words and images to make it suit your occasion.

Project estimate:

• Paper, on hand
• Rubber stamps, on hand
• Stamp ink, on hand
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Crepe paper or tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Colored pencils, on hand

Total: Free and up

Start by cutting a piece of paper to the size you want your card.  I cut a piece of 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper in half for a standard 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card.

Stamp your wording onto the card and, if desired, color in the letters with colored pencil.

Brush a layer of Mod Podge onto the front of the card and carefully apply either a sheet of tissue paper or strips of crepe paper streamer.  I used crepe paper because I wanted the texture.  Press the tissue or crepe paper firmly into the Mod Podge.

Here’s the trick that’s tripped me up and led to failure in the past:  Do not apply a layer of Mod Podge over top of the tissue or crepe paper; this will make it difficult to stamp and color the flowers on the top layer.

When the Mod Podge is dry, stamp several related images over top of the wording.

Color in the images using colored pencils.  Now you’re ready to brighten someone’s day!

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