I’ve always loved the look of packages wrapped in brown paper, and it makes a great jumping-off point for lots of creative DIY gift wrap ideas. It’s the perfect time of year for this particular idea from Germany-based blogger Motte, who used a basic printmaking technique to make paper with a nature-inspire motif! The delicate fern leaves make a beautiful, intricate pattern when repeated. You can also experiment with other kinds of leaves. (Just watch out for poison ivy!) [how to make fern stamped wrapping paper]

Project estimate:

• Kraft paper, $1
• Ferns, free
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up!

The post Make Fern Stamped Wrapping Paper appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Tissue boxes come in a lot of fun prints these days, but it’s still sometimes difficult to find a box that matches your decor.  Don’t want that box of tissues on the end table to stick out like a sore thumb?  Make yourself a custom tissue box cover, and then no matter which tissues you buy, they’ll always look good with your decor!

Project estimate:

• Foam core board, on hand or $1
• Box of tissues, on hand or $1
• Double stick tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Scotch tape, on hand or $1
• Scrapbook paper or heavy wrapping paper, on hand or $1
• Embellishments, on hand

Total:  Free and up

Measure tissue box and add one inch to end and 1/2 inch to the top. Cut 4 pieces of foam core using these measurements. Measurements have to be exact and cuts need to be clean, so make sure you use a very sharp blade for precise results.

To cut the foam core, place a metal ruler on the line you want to cut. Cut from one edge to the other and gently break the two pieces at the cut. From the back side, cut a straight line between the two pieces.

Carefully tape the pieces together making a square. Place it over the tissue box to make sure it fits.

Place the foam core box on another piece of foam core and trace it. This will be the top of your tissue box cover. Carefully and evenly cut it out.

Using a plain sheet of paper, draw an opening for the top of the tissue box. I suggest a round opening for the smaller tissue boxes and a rectangular opening for the long tissue boxes. Cut it out and position it in the center of the top piece of foam core. Carefully and evenly cut it out of the top piece of foam core.

Tape the top onto the sides. It must fit perfectly.

Covering your new Tissue Box Cover

Measure and cut apiece of paper that overlaps the top of the box 1″ all the way around. Place the tissue box on top of the paper and trace the edges. Fold those edges so that you have 4 sharp edges.

Holding your paper with the wrong side up, cut out the folded corners. Place 2 pieces of double sided tape on the top of your box and put the paper on the top. With regular tape, tape the edges to the sides of the box and below the corners so that they don’t gap open.

Turn the top of the box over and using your cutting tool, cut inside the opening as shown in the picture. Using regular tape, tape the pieces to the inside of the opening.

I used scrapbook paper so I needed 2 pieces to cover the sides. I over lapped them about an inch and secured them together with double back tape. Measure the sides and add 1″ to the height. Also, I started the paper on the sides about 1/4 inch from the top. This way, when I embellished it you couldn’t see where the two papers met. Use the double sided tape at the top of the paper you’re using. Starting at a corner, go around the box, folding each corner you pass until you get to the corner where you started. Use double back tape to finish the seam.

Then it’s time to EMBELLISH! Use ribbon, gems, flowers, beads, fancy cut paper, make it your own! The possibilities are unlimited so have fun!

Tips:

• I didn’t use hot glue in making and covering the box for two reasons: One, it sets too quickly and your corners take time to fit perfectly and two, no matter how little I used it left a bump. I did, however, use it while embellishing.
• Make your corners very sharp and even. It is very noticeable if you don’t.
• You can reinforce the corners on the inside with a bead of hot glue if you feel your tissue box isn’t strong enough. I used lots of tape so I didn’t think I had to, it was pretty strong.

The post Tutorial: Custom Tissue Box Cover appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

A stack of pretty books is a great addition to a mantel of vignette.  But what if you don’t have any pretty books?  Rather than spending money on fancily-bound editions that are just for show, why not beautify your existing books instead?  Tracie at Cleverly Inspired used some pretty gift wrap to dress up a few books, making them blend seamlessly with the rest of her decor.  And if you tire of the look or want to change it, just rip off the paper and start again!  [how to make gift wrap book covers]

Project estimate:

• Books, on hand
• Wrapping paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Tape, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make Gift Wrap Book Covers appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It seems like every year I end up buying more wrapping paper than I actually use.  And every year, even though I always have some left from last year, I still find myself buying more.  What can I say?  I am unable to resist pretty patterned papers of any kind, especially when they are cheap!  So what can you do with all of that extra wrapping paper?  Centsational Girl used some to make a cute wreath!  This project is delicate by nature so you will want to hang it out of reach of small children and pets, or you could try reinforcing it a bit by spraying it with a few coats of clear spray paint.  Either way, it’s as easy as it is adorable!  [how to make a wrapping paper wreath]

Project estimate:

• Wrapping paper, on hand or $1
• Wreath form, $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make a Wrapping Paper Wreath appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

We have the messiest dog  in the world; he drags his food all over the house to eat it and always has a puddle of water around his dish.  I found place mats to put under his dish, but they just didn’t have that pet look.  Wanting to give him something that was especially for him, I transformed a dollar store place mat into a cute pet food place mat within a matter of minutes.

Project estimate:

• Place mat, $1
• Wrapping paper, $1
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Clear spray paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $2.00 and up

Start out by cutting a piece of wrapping paper to roughly fit the place mat.  Leave some extra around the edges just to give you room to work.

With the top of place mat facing up, cover the entire surface with Mod Podge.

Next position place mat over wrapping paper and smooth down.  Flip over with top face upwards and smooth out all air bubbles.  I sometimes use an old club card or credit card to help smooth out bumps and wrinkles.

Once dry, use an Xacto knife to trim off the excess paper around the edges. Applye a coat of Mod Podge across the entire top surface.  You may choose to do more than one coat.

Since most Mod Podge formulas are not completely waterproof, you may also want to seal the surface with a coat of clear spray paint.  This will stop the Mod Podge from getting tacky when your pet makes a mess with their water dish!  You now have a fun pet friendly mat which is easy to wipe clean and super cute in your home.

The post Tutorial: Pet Food Place Mat appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

When Ama from Ohoh Blog had difficulty finding a lampshade she liked for a hanging fixture, she solved the problem by coming up with this fun DIY shade.  I’ve seen a lot of lampshade makeover projects, but this one is made entirely from scratch!  She covered it with some fun, quirky wrapping paper; since you are making a custom shade, you can cover yours with any kind of paper or fabric that you want!  My favorite part is the use of a recycled plastic bottle to hold the shade onto the fixture.  Brilliant!  [how to make a hanging lamp shade from scratch]

Project estimate:

• Cardboard, on hand
• Wrapping paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Spray adhesive, on hand or about $2 and up
• Chopsticks or dowels, on hand or $1 and up
• Plastic bottle, on hand
• String, on hand

Total:  Free and up

The post Make a Hanging Lamp Shade from Scratch 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.

The post Shopping at DollarTree.com: Wedding Edition appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Do you have extra wrapping paper laying around?  I always end up with partial rolls left over after buying them to wrap one gift; a friend’s wedding, a coworker’s baby shower, or some other occasion comes and goes and my wrapping paper collection grows and grows.  Short of wrapping everything in sight, how do you use up some of that stash that’s lurking at the back of your closet?  Rena from The Cheese Thief used long, skinny strips of wrapping paper to fold origami stars that she filled with treats, making fun and super-duper cheap party favors.  Even if you have to go out and buy paper, you can make dozens of these in any theme for just a few bucks!  [how to make extra large star party favors]

Project estimate:

• Wrapping paper, on hand or $1
• Treats, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Extra Large Star Party Favors appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Project estimate:

• Kraft paper, $1
• Date rubber stamp, on hand or $1 and up
• Ink pad (if date stamp is not self-inking), on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up

The post Make Date Stamp Custom Wrapping Paper appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Hairspray, deodorant, face cream and other assorted toiletries can all look ugly if left out on display in your bathroom. Why not use pretty paper to cover up the labels and make the bottles themselves worth displaying? Simone at Beach Vintage is talented at making mundane things pretty, and her blog is full of great ideas for making your world beautiful. [how to make dressed up toiletries]

Project Estimate:

• Pretty paper, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, etc., on hand or $1
• Spray adhesive, on hand

Total: FREE and up

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