When you get done wrapping up your Christmas presents this year, save the big cardboard tube – you can use it to make this cute reindeer hobby horse! Kate at The Craft Train designed it using a variety of things you probably have around the house. You could also use this basic idea to make unicorns or any other manner of recycled hobby horses. [make a recycled reindeer hobby horse]

Project estimate:

• Wrapping paper tube, on hand
• Paper plates, on hand or $1
• Brown paper bags or brown kraft paper, on hand or $1
• Recycled cardboard, free
• Craft foam, on hand or$1
• Bells, $1 and up
• Markers, on hand
• Duct tape or electrical tape, on hand
• Bakers twine or string, on hand
• Ribbon, on hand

Total: $1 and up!

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Need to make lots of cute Valentine treat bags? Then you are probably also looking for an idea that is quick and easy – and this project fits the bill! This basic idea is easy to adapt to use whatever stickers, embellishments, and treats you happen to have on hand. You can even use different size bags, so you can wrap up all kinds of fun gifts in this manner! This is especially quick and easy if you create them assembly-line-style.

Project estimate:

• Brown paper bags, on hand or $1
• Chalkboard stickers, $1
• Stencil and paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Raffia ribbon, $1
• Candy or other treats, $1 and up

Total:  $3 and up

Start by stenciling a Valentine’s Day related sentiment onto the chalkboard heart stickers.  I chose an “XO” stencil, but you can use anything that suits your fancy!  Use white chalky finish paint that dries ultra matte for a chalk-like effect.

When the paint is dry, apply the sticker to a paper bag.  Place the sticker low on the bag to allow plenty of space to fold over the top of the bag.

Fill the bag with treats.  I used lip-shaped chocolate candies to go with the “XO” theme.

Fold over the top of the bag to close, and punch two holes at the top, punching through both layers of the folded bag.

Cut a piece of raffia ribbon and thread it through the holes and tie with a square knot.  Trim the ends of the raffia if needed, then unfold the ends to give the raffia more volume.

The post Tutorial: Easy Faux Chalk Valentine Treat Bags appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Many schools require paper book covers to protect and extend the life of textbooks.  Make your books stand out from the rest with these fun and funky book covers from Suzy at Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom!  Made using a paper folding technique called Iris Folding, the spiraling rainbow effect is really cool, and easier to achieve than you might think thanks to a handy, free printable template.  [how to make colorful folded paper book covers]

Project estimate:

• Colored paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Kraft paper or paper grocery bag, on hand
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up

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We’re a bit fanatical about recycled crafts around here – is there any feeling more satisfying that taking a pile of trash and turning it into a treasure?  Priyam at Simple Joys is constantly amazing us with recycled craft ideas, like these adorable baskets made from recycled paper grocery bags.  With Easter on the way, now would be a good time to start saving bags so you can whip them up for everyone that the Easter Bunny will be paying a visit!  [how to make a recycled paper bag basket]

Project estimate:

• Grocery bag or kraft paper, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free or $1

The post Make a Recycled Paper Bag Basket appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you’re planning a birthday party, here’s an idea for you to take a whack at.  (Yuk, yuk, yuk!)  Our friend Beckie at Infarrantly Creative has been perfecting the art of the paper bag piñata, an alternative to the papier mache variety that cuts out the mess and the drying time.  It’s quick enough that you can make it last-minute, and it’s easy to customize for any party theme.  Now you have no excuse not to have a piñata ever again!  [how to make a paper bag piñata]

Project estimate:

• Paper bag, on hand
• Crepe paper streamers, $1
• Plastic hanger, on hand
• Artwork, on hand
• Sewing machine (optional), on hand
• Packing tape, on hand
• Hot glue, on hand
• Candy, $1 and up

Total:  $2 and up

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I swear you can make just about anything out of paper.  It’s an amazing medium because it’s inexpensive, easy to manipulate, and can yield a wide variety of surprising results.  These adorable, twisty trees by Katie at matsutake are a great example!  She used brown paper lunch sacks and Mod Podge to create the trunks, roots, and branches, then topped them with yarn pom poms in various fall colors.  With a $1 package of bags, you can make yourself an entire autumn forest!  [how to make paper bag fall trees][via Mod Podge Rocks!]

Project estimate:

• Paper lunch sacks, on hand or $1
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Yarn, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

The post Make Paper Bag Fall Trees appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Wreaths are a favorite project of dollar store crafters, and no wonder; they’re cheap, relatively simple to make, and very gratifying! Check out this pretty ruffly wreath made from the humblest of material: the brown paper lunch sack! Taylor from MaryJanes and Galoshes made it for less than five bucks–isn’t it pretty? She thinks it would be great for a wedding, and I agree, but I think a lot of us could find room in our regular decor for such a wreath. [how to make a ruffly paper sack wreath]

Project Estimate:

• Wreath form, $1
• 6-8 brown paper lunch sacks, $1
• 2.5″ Scallop circle punch, on hand (or buy with 40% off coupon)
• Glue gun, on hand
• Scrap paper for butterflies, on hand

Total: $2 and up

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