Spring will be here before you know it, which means we’re also on the verge of wedding season! To celebrate, Angie at The Country Chic Cottage is hosting a whole week of DIY wedding ideas, and we couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. After being inspired by some silly, oversized “diamond” rings in the Valentine’s Day offerings at Dollar Tree, I came up with a cute favor idea. I think they would look adorable worked into luncheon place settings or scattered on a buffet table or down a table runner!

Project estimate:

• Oversized “diamond” rings, $1 each
• Ribbon, $1 and up
• Hang tags, on hand or $1
• Letter stickers, on hand or $1

Total: $2 and up

It all started when I came across these big rings. They are too big to wear on a finger, so I figured they had to have a decorative use. And of course, I immediately thought of weddings!

Then I found some thin, wire-edged ribbon that says “with love” on it and I knew it was just what I needed to turn the rings into something more.

Cut the ribbon into segments; I cut mine so that the “with love” sentiment would show on both sides when the ribbon is folded in half. Fold the ribbon around the ring, then twist to secure it in place.

Adding the tag is where you can really go crazy personalizing this project! I used letter stickers to make a simple monogram, but you could also add a love sentiment or an image. Try writing each guest’s name on a tag and use them as place cards!

Finish the favors by attaching a tag to each ring and you’re done! Now on to the next wedding project…. Make sure you stop by The Country Chic Cottage this week for lots more great wedding craft ideas!

The post Tutorial: Engagement Ring Bridal Shower Favors appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

These little wooden planters are charming, and so simple to make, even small children can successfully make them, using tuna cans and clothespins. Camilla at Family Chic is quite a talented designer. Her projects are always fresh, stylish, and simple to make using items you already have at home. She said, “Children love crafts that are simple, turn out well and can serve as a suitable gift for Mom – this craft is all of that.” I would add that adults like crafts like that too! [how to make wooden clothespin planters]

Make these for teachers in your life, or as a nice party favor (birthday, bridal or baby shower). Also keep these in mind for Mother’s Day gifts. Or hostess gifts. Pretty much, I think these would be great for any occasion!

Project Estimate:

• Recycled tuna can, on hand
• Clothespins, $1
• Construction paper, on hand
• Small plant, on hand or $1

Total: $1 and up

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I was super-busy last week so I didn’t get a chance to post about these summer paper lanterns I made for my guest post at Salty Pineapple. Did you make these in school when you were a kid? I updated the traditional paper lantern craft just a bit, and I think they’re charming and would make a fabulous decoration for any summer soiree (including a wedding). Also, here’s a great way to use up some of your excess scrapbooking paper (have you noticed how it starts looking dated after awhile?). [make paper lanterns tutorial]

Project Estimate:

• 2 pieces of scrapbooking paper, $1 or on hand
• Scrap of ribbon, on hand
• Scissors and clear tape, on hand

Total: FREE and up

The post Make Paper Lanterns appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Stamped Favor Bags: $3

Make custom favor bags for your wedding by stamping an image on the front and adding flowers and ribbon. The dollar store usually has mini organza gift bags (not like the muslin shown here) that would work for this, and you can always find flowers (or other embellishments: beads, buttons, trinkets, etc.) and ribbon easily. Find instructions at My DIY Wedding Day.

Wallpaper Scrap-Covered Chocolates: $1 and up

Take scraps of wallpaper (you could even use samples from old wallpaper sample books), cut to size and cover mini chocolate bars. Add a little glitter for a pretty and sparkly favor. For a wedding favor, print a tiny label with your event details and stick it to the bottom of the bar. This adorable idea would work for a variety of events, from weddings, bridal showers, flowery birthday parties or even tea parties. Project by Kellie at Ada and Darcy.

Wedding Coloring Book: $1 and up

I love this idea: a wedding coloring book for your pint-sized guests. Actually, I think coloring books would be great favors for guests of all ages. I found this idea (along with a lot of other good ideas and great money-saving wedding tips) at Gingerbread Snowflakes. Great Ideas for Budget Weddings

Rhinestone Monogrammed Bouquet Wrap: $2

I found this fun DIY bouquet wrap idea and I just knew you could do it on a dollar store budget. Dollar Store Craft-ize this project with those rhinestone monograms they have in the crafts section at Dollar Tree – just cut the dollar store monogram into individual stones to set in the shape you want. Check out this project for more info on this rhinestone technique. Make a Rhinestone Monogrammed Bouquet Wrap at Crafts Unleashed.

The post Roundup: Dollar Store Wedding Ideas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Remember those ceramic doves we spotted at the dollar store? Well, reader Molly at the Creative Maven altered them with fabric to make a pair of sweet love birds. They turned out so cute! This seems like it would be a fun project to do with the girls on a Saturday crafternoon, or maybe a fun wedding shower activity (you know, instead of those cheesy games?). You could have your shower guests help you make them for wedding table decorations! [get the dish on how to make these love birds]

Project Estimate:

• Ceramic dove, $1
• Fabric, on hand
• Hot glue, on hand
• White glue or Mod Podge, on hand

Total: $1 and up

The post Make Scrappy Love Birds appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Thanks again to Amy, who has done a whole series of guest posts for us! She truly does rock! I think these would be great for shower decorations too (you could then use them as prizes for games)! – Heather

This is Amy from Mod Podge Rocks, and lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the holidays.  They are coming quickly this year, don’t you think?  In preparation for the many fall gatherings, cookie exchanges and holiday parties I may be attending, I wanted to develop a hostess gift that I could whip up quickly, in assembly-line type fashion.  The votives above are what resulted.

In addition to working as a hostess gift, these would make great holiday party favors if YOU are the hostess!  Give everyone a little treat to remember the day.  I’m also considering these for office gifts.  Every year there are many goodies exchanged around my workplace, and there’s a certain amount of stress related to affording something for everyone.  These votives cost me $.50 a piece, given that I used everything else from my stash.

Project Estimate:

• Votive with candle included, $.50 per piece
• Scrapbook paper – 1 sheet, on hand
• Silver Glitter Mod Podge, on hand
• Paper punches, on hand
• Buttons – seven coordinating, on hand
• Craft glue, on hand
• Paint brush, on hand
• Ruler, on hand

Total cost: $.50 and up

Time Needed: less than 1 hour

To Make:

• Here are the votives I used for this project.  Before you work with glass for decoupage, you should always wash it thoroughly to remove hand smudges and oil.  I removed the candle and then removed the stickers with Goo Gone.  Wash and dry completely.

• Grab your paper punch and sheet of scrapbook paper.  I suggest using a piece of scrapbook paper that has a design on BOTH sides.  I punched about 14 flowers – seven I used as the bottom layer on the blue side shown above, and the other seven I flipped over and layered.  Set these punched shapes aside.
• NOTE: If you don’t have a punch, never fear.  You can draw shapes freehand, use a stencil, or even print something off of the internet and use it.  Punches are easy, but not required.

• Apply your Mod Podge directly to the glass using your brush.  I used a medium layer.

• Grab your punched shapes and place them on the votive.  Smooth down carefully so you don’t rip them.  Keep working your way around the glass, applying Mod Podge and laying down shapes.  Once you’ve gone all the way around, allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

• Go back and apply another layer of Mod Podge over the punched out shapes.  Then apply the second layer of shapes, turning them over to show the other design.  Now doesn’t that look nice?  Allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

• Go back to your votive and apply embellishments with craft glue.  Allow the votive to dry for a few hours while you get ready for your party.

Note that I also did a second votive using a different punch, papers and Gloss Mod Podge – I even accented the bottom with some ribbon.  These were so easy and fun, I feel like I could make 1,000 of them!  If you are a hostess, you know what you’ll be getting from me at your next party.

The post Hostess Gift Votives In Less Than an Hour appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Sarah from Makin’ Projiks created these adorable medallions from Halloween coasters, crepe paper, and stickers, and strung them into a great banner. I love the use of simple materials to make such a festive garland. (Plus, if you’re a longtime DSC fan, you’ll know I love me some garlands). The concept of these medallions is not limited to Halloween or even to banners. You can use these simple materials to make medallions for any occasion or holiday (including birthdays, showers, etc.), and you can use the medallions by themselves (award ribbons?), as decorations on other items, or as shown, in banner form. Thanks to my friend Susan for the tip! [click here for original project] [bonus: and here are instructions for crepe paper ruffles]

Project Estimate:

• Pack of chipboard coasters, $1 and up
• Crepe paper, $1
• Stickers, $1 and up
• Glue, on hand

Total: $3 and up

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Libby at Libby Dibby Stuff made these cute collaged candles with Mod Podge and fabric scraps. I love this use of scraps! So bright and fun. This would be a fun centerpiece for a shower (I love this colorful bridal shower at Happy Together). You can easily customize according to the shower theme and colors. Of course, you can pretty much do anything with these candles – use them with holiday papers or fabric for any holiday. My sister has used this kind of candle to make custom candles for her friends and family, too (with photos, quotes, inspirational words, etc.). You can go wild with ideas for customizing these candles. [project instructions here]

The candles are the ones that typically have images of saints or religious icons on them. You can find them at the dollar store, or in the grocery store.

Project Estimate:

• Candle, $1
• Scrap fabric or paper, on hand
• Mod Podge, on hand

Total: $1 each

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