Because I Crochet

Do you want to know why I have been spending all my free time in the past 3 months crocheting?

I got a new job!

I’m working at a yarn company developing a new secret crochet project! I can’t tell you everything yet, but if you are a crocheter too, it would help me a lot if you would pop over to take this 5 minute survey about crochet.

After you do that (and you can enter to win a $100 Visa card when you complete the survey), come back and I’ll show and tell some of the crochet projects I’ve been working on lately!

My Crochet Show & Tell

I’ve been posting most of my projects on my Instagram and Ravelry profile, but here’s a peek at some of my crochet projects:

Crocheted Easter Baskets

I crocheted some quick Easter baskets for my four sons — each of these took about an hour.

Puff Stitch Beanies

I started crocheting hats to practice with different yarns and techniques, and discovered that puff stitch beanies are a lot of fun to make!

(I called my hat crocheting the Heather Hat Project and ended up making 20+ hats of various styles and yarns).

Granny Square Welcome Mat

I made a giant granny square welcome mat for my cubicle at work (it also kind of looks like a flag for Granny Square Nation).

Rainbow Ripples

My sons started making requests, and the 11yo asked me to make a “black and rainbow” neck warmer (aka cowl), and I loved how it turned out so much that I made the exact same design a second time but stitched the top up into a hat.

Epic Afghans

I started crocheting afghans a few years ago. I didn’t know if I would make it through ONE because it was such a big project, but I had so much fun changing colors and yarns that it kept me going.

And then I made TEN MORE. I call them my “Epic Afghans.”

So that’s where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to. Do you crochet too? Let me know in the comments, and please go take my survey!

The post Do You Crochet? appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you are a yarn-lover, you know how much fun it can be to buy new yarn… but not as fun as using it up! But what happens when you finish a project but still have a bit of yarn leftover? Over at eBay, I have brainstormed some ideas for how to use up extra yarn: [6 Ways to Use Extra Yarn]

*I am posting this as a part of a paid collaboration with eBay.

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Today is National No. 2 Pencil Day!  In honor of the occasion, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite pencil-related crafts.  With back-to-school sales in full swing, now is the perfect time to stock up on a bunch of pencils and tackle some of the projects on this list!

Crafts made out of pencils

Washi Flower Pencil Bouquet by Morena’s Corner

Anthropologie-Inspired Pencils by Homework

Sleek Pencil Wreath by Crafts ‘n Coffee

Back to School Pencil Frame by Stir the Wonder

DIY Custom Photo Pencils by Morena’s Corner

Pencil Cube Photo/Memo Holder by Crafts ‘n Coffee

Crafts that look like pencils

Candy Covered Pretzel Pencils by The Country Chic Cottage

Craft Stick Pencil Bookmarks by Crafts by Amanda

Accessories for your pencils

Write Start Teacher Gift Tags for Pencils by Sweet Rose Studio

Pencil Gift Bag by The Country Chic Cottage

DIY Pencil Toppers by 100 Directions

Easy DIY Pencil Case by How Does Your Garden Grow?

Felt Heart Pencil Toppers by Kids Activities Blog

School Bus Pencil Holder by Playtivities

The post 14 Crafts for No. 2 Pencil Day appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Well summer is certainly in full swing, isn’t it? It’s been a scorcher here in Atlanta, and I’m grateful for summery hand-me-downs, so my kid can be weather-appropriate without breaking our budget. If you can’t get free clothes, though, you can save a lot of money by making some of your kid’s summer wardrobe yourself, right? Here are some free summer clothing patterns for kids to help you save some cash this summer.

Some of these patterns are gender-specific, but many of those would really work for boys or girls. A tank top is a tank top, and shorts are shorts, in my estimation!

1. Mori Sundress (12 months to 7 years) – The sweet, puffy sleeves on this pattern from Sew Chibi are rocking my socks!
2. Kid Knit Shorts (2 to 5 years) – This unisex pattern from The Crafty Kitty looks great in Birch Fabrics, but you could also bust your stash to save a buck.
3. Knit Dress (3 years) – This more basic sundress by Sew Like My Mom is part of Melly Sews’s 30 Days of Sundresses.
4. Crochet Summer Hat (newborn to 6 months, 18 months to 3 years) – If you can get your kid to wear a hat, I would love to hear how you do it. For you lucky parents of hat-wearing kids, check out My Merry Messy Life’s crochet summer hat for kids!
5. Kids Summer Shirt (18 months to 6 years) – I love a short-sleeved button down paired with shorts on a kid, and this unisex pattern that Pox Couture shared on Craftsy is perfect.
6. Cargo Shorts (3 years, 6 to 8 years) – Craft Passion calls these boy shorts, but I could totally see a girl in them. Who doesn’t love a cargo pocket?
7. Patchwork Shorts (any size!) – I know, lots of shorts on this list. But I couldn’t leave out these patchwork shorts made with old grownup shirts from Made by Rae! They’d work well for boys or for girls.
8. Knit Tank Top (size 3 to 8) – Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom calls this a girls tank, but I could absolutely see my son in one. It looks so comfy!
9. Swimming Briefs (3 years and under) – These super simple swim shorts from Pretty Prudent are pool perfect. I wonder if you could use the Knit Tank Top to make this a two-piece for a little girl, even?
10. Basic One Piece Swimsuit (5T) – I love the ruffle at the top of Zaaberry’s one piece suit! She’s got instructions for turning it into a two piece, so if you have a boy, you could just make the bottoms!

The post 10 Free Summer Clothing Patterns for Kids appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you grew up with the Mario Brothers, these Super Mario Bros crafts will warm up your heart.

I’m a child of the 80s and 90s. When I was a kid, Nintendo was brand new. My sister and I saved our allowance up for a Super NES, and we fought constantly over who got to play it. Super Mario Brothers was part of my formative years, so these characters are super nostalgic for me.

1. Mario Brothers Rug – It took six years to crochet this epic Super Mario-themed rug. Worth it!

2. Super Mario Bros. Quilt – Kick back and admire the precision in each square of this amazing quilt.

3. A Real Mario Party – I don’t think any single craft here is epic, but all of these awesome Mario-themed touches add up to one epic birthday party!

4. Mobius Strip – A Mobius Strip is a continuous loop, and this 3D printed one takes you through all of Super Mario Bros. level 1-1!

5. Mystery Block Ottoman – Is it a coin? A mushroom? A one up? You’ll have to sew one to find out!

6. Tanooki Suit Rug – The Tanooki Suit was my favorite power up in later Mario games. I mean, you could fly! This rug was by the same person who made the ottoman above.

7. Mario Mural – I am in awe of this mural, especially the 3D coin and brick blocks. How fun!

8. Mario Subwoofer – I would like this, the ottoman, and that Tanooki rug for my living room, please!

9. Pushpin Mario Scene – Hundreds of pushpins and over two months of work yielded this epic mural.

10. Another Quilt – This one has a matching coin throw pillow to arrange behind the Coin Block at the top. What a great detail!

The post 10 Epic Super Mario Bros. Crafts appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Summer is officially here. Has the hot weather done a number on your garden? I don’t have any tips on helping your plants survive a heat wave, but I can show you how to make your garden look cute with things that don’t need watering and can’t die. Because they’re not plants. Hello, homemade yard accessories!

1. Bottle Waterer that’s Actually Cute – Using an old glass bottle for drip watering is nothing new, but this tutorial takes that old idea and makes it look good.

2. Hose Rug – Do you have a hose in the shed that’s got a hole in it? Turn it into an outdoor rug!

3. Garden Toadstools – Old wooden bowls make the cutest tops for a garden toadstool.

4. Plastic Bottle Hedgehog – An old two-liter and some twine are the main ingredients for making this cute hedgehog planter.

5. Glass Plate Flowers – Get some boring glass plates from the thrift store and turn them into eye-catching, sun-catching DIY garden art.

6. Solar Chandelier – Light up your next garden party with an old chandelier turned new and useful again.

7. Painted Stones– Collect rocks from the garden and paint them to make cute garden art or plant row markers.

8. Patterned Stones – Use a paint pen to draw repeating patterns on your stones. They’re so cool-looking!

9. Broken Dish Pavers – Did you chip your favorite bowl or plate? Use the pieces to make a pretty piece of DIY garden art.

10. Water Bottle Dragonflies – Wouldn’t these look cute all over a fence or the side of a shed?

The post 10 Cute Recycled Garden Art Ideas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Tote bags are a great beginner sewing project, but sometimes you need a little bit more of a specialized bag. These DIY bag tutorials don’t have a tote in the bunch! You can raid your fabric stash or hit the thrift store for linens to make any of these bags on the cheap.

1. Travel Duffel – This is a weekend bag tutorial from Sew Can Do, and I love the vibrant colors that she chose!

2. Yoga Mat Bag – Sewaholic’s drawstring yoga mat bag makes toting your mat to yoga class a lot less clumsy.

3. Mason Jar Bag – Keep your cold things cold with this free tutorial from Sew Mama Sew.

4. Camera Carrier – You can use this camera carrier from How Joyful as-is or as an insert to turn your favorite bag into an instant camera bag.

5. Foxy Purse – Mark Montano has a cute tute for a zippered fox clutch.

6. Carrie Purse – Turn a thrifted purse into a paint-splattered statement piece with this video tutorial from Pretty in Pigment!

7. No-Sew Clutch – Liquid Stitch is the secret to Kanelstrand’s super cute DIY clutch tutorial.

8. Free Messenger Bag Pattern – No Time to Sew shares her template for making this Tumbuk2-inspired messenger bag.

9. Rectangular Backpacks – Petit a Petit made this bag for her kids, but I think it would be great for grownups, too. And I love that it has handles, in case your shoulders are tired of toting your backpack.

10. Diaper Bag – Pretty much any bag with pockets works as a diaper bag, but what I love about this one from Melissa Mortenson is the divider. What a great way to keep things organized!

The post 10 DIY Bag Tutorials Beyond Totes appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

There’s one crafting weekend left before Father’s Day, so if you’re planning a DIY Father’s Day gift, now’s the time to get cracking! If you need a little DIY Father’s Day gift inspiration, here are 10 fun gifts that you can make on a budget.

1. Free Watercolor Printable – Where the Smiles Have Been shares a free printable just for dad. Put this in a decked out frame from the thrift store for double DIY goodness.

2. Father’s Day Book – This is another free printable. Lia Griffith created this Father’s Day book to help kids get into the Father’s Day gratitude.

3. Burned Wooden Pencils – If your dad is a writer or a journaler, he will love a set of customized pencils just for him! Get the tute from Journey Into Creativity

4. Recycled Coupon Book – Give dad the gift of a break. This recycled coupon book from Crafting a Green World is the promise that you’ll mow the lawn for once!

5. Dr. Who Quilt Blocks – There may not be time to piece together a whole Dr. Who quilt, but you can still use these free printable quilt square templates from Fandom in Stitches. Stitch up one block and frame it for your Whovian dad!

6. Desk Organizer – Make your dad a tin can (or coffee can) desk organizer, so he can think of you every time he reaches for a pencil.

7. Father’s Day Photo – Fact: dads love pictures of their kids. Crafty Texas Girls shows you how to get a little bit artsy with your Father’s Day photo.

8. IPad Cover – Turn an old Composition book into an awesome iPad cover for dad with this tutorial from Lil Blue Boo.

9. Painted Mug – Creature Comforts created this notepad mug as a teacher gift, but I think it would be a great DIY Father’s Day gift, too.

10. Photo Coasters – Juggling with Kids shows you how to turn your favorite pictures of your kids into coasters that their dad will adore.

The post 10 Father’s Day Gifts to Make appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

When emojis were brand new, I was staunchly against them. They seemed so cheesy to me! Well, I have come over to the dark side, my friends. I have embraced the cheesiness and now use emojis like a tween with her first phone. Let’s take our emoji love to the next level with some DIY emoji crafts!

1. Emoji Marquee – Get bold with your emoji obsession with a light-up marquee from A Beautiful Mess.

2. Ornaments – These printable emoji ornaments from Lines Across would also make a cute keychain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz3yDIjsv58

3. Nail Art – We Heart Crafts has a great video tutorial for painting your nails with emojis.

4. Emoji Easter Eggs – Man, I just missed the boat on this one. If you don’t do the egg thing, this tute from Studio DIYwould work well with ceramic eggs, too!

5. Masks – Alice & Lois’s emoji masks are delightfully creepy.

6. Emoji Cards – These felt emoji cards by Unbelievably Human are total keepsakes.

7. DIY Emoji Pillows – Jill Cimorelli’s video shows you how to make no-sew emoji pillows.

8. Emoji Pinata – Brite & Bubbly bills this as a Valentine’s Day craft, but I think this would be cute for a birthday party too.

9. Coasters – Pysselbolaget uses perler beads to make emoji coasters. What a great collision between an old-school craft and something totally modern.

10. Coin Purse – Cut out and Keep has a cute tute for making a little zippered emoji coin purse.

The post 10 DIY Emoji Crafts, Because Why Should Your Phone Have all the Fun? appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Lately I’ve been super intrigued with polymer clay. It’s not a craft supply I’ve used much, but I keep running into adorable ideas for making tiny versions of things out of polymer clay! Who doesn’t love a cute miniature? Plus, these miniature polymer clay projects make great stashbusters. Use up every bit of the clay you bought!

1. Tiny Houses and Mushrooms – Craft Gossip rounded up an awesome three-part miniature tutorial from Pixie Hill. She shows you how to make tiny houses and mushrooms and then how to put them together to create tiny little scenes. I die.

2. Strawberries – Ice Pandora spills how to make little clay strawberries. She used them to make earrings, and you could also use them as decoy strawberries in your garden to trick the birds away from your real strawberry plants.

3. Tiny Succulent Planter – If you’re new to gardening, this teeny, tiny planter from Transient Expression might be just your speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFfA5TNseaI

4. Fruits – These mini fruits by Toni Ellison would be cute charms or cute play food for a child’s dollhouse kitchen. 

5. Instagram Cake – I guess you could use Toni Ellison’s tutorial to make a mini cake that wasn’t Instagram-themed, but why would you?

6. Daleks – How cool is this stop motion tutorial from PuddingFishCakes?

7. Pine Trees – These would be a lot of fun combined with those tiny houses listed above! Ice Pandora shows you how to make these simple little trees.

8. Popcorn Box Charm – Another video from Toni Ellison, this charm would be such a sweet accessory to wear on a date to the movies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3HFdNrVSMA

9. Minion Charms – Mint Dahlia has a great video tute for making your own miniature Minion charm from polymer clay.

10. Headphones – Tiny headphones for your favorite audiophile! This is yet another video tute from Pudding Fish Cakes. What can I say? Helga is prolific.

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