Are you looking for an inexpensive way to light up your outdoor spaces on the Fourth of July? These lanterns give enough glow to help mark edges of walkways without being so bright that they distract from any outdoor fireworks or light shows you might be enjoying. See how I did it over at Creative GreenLiving. [how to make fourth of july glow stick lanterns]

Project estimate:

• Empty glass jar, on hand
• Red and blue mini glow sticks, $1 for 6
• Water, on hand
• Glitter, on hand
• Dish soap, on hand

Total: $1 and up!

The post Make Fourth of July Glow Stick Lanterns appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I love the classic looks of American patriotic crafts – red, white and blue streamers, sparkles and stars make my heart happy. So of course this craft is full of these! Reading the supply list might make one think you’re getting ready for a picnic but with a little help from scissors and glue you can turn your picnic supplies into a fun patriotic porch decoration!

Project estimate:

• Rectangular plastic table cloth in red, $1 and up
• Rectangular plastic table cloth in white, $1 and up
• Rectangular plastic table cloth in blue, $1 and up
• Plastic juice pitcher lid, on hand or $1 and up
• Three star shaped noise maker necklaces, $3 and up
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat, on hand
• Hot glue gun and glue, on hand
• Pipe cleaner, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $6 and up

 Step 1: Cut tablecloths into strips

Use scissors or a rotary cutter (not your fabric one!) and mat to cut tablecloths into 1.5 inch strips. I cut the white tablecloth lengthwise and the colored tablecloths widthwise. Craft tip: Don’t unfold the table cloth all the way. Leave it partially folded while cutting and unfold the strips as you go.

 Step 2: Glue the white strips onto the juice lid

Fold the long strips from the white tablecloth in half. Stagger the “legs” of the fold a bit and then attach to the juice lid with hot glue. Be sure to use a low temp glue gun or use a chopstick to help you press the tablecloth into the glue to avoid burns. Attach folded strips all the way around the lid.

 Step 3: Attach red and blue strips to lid

Unfold the full length of the red and blue strips and glue them in an alternating pattern on top of the white folded strips all the way around the lid.

 Step 4: Add stars

Cut the sparkly stars from the noise makers. Save one of the beaded strings they are on to use as a hanger and set aside.

 Put hot glue on the back of the extension that was used to hold the stars onto the noise maker and glue the stars around the top edge.

Step 5: Make a hanger

Cut one of the beaded necklaces into thirds. Use hot glue to attach the beaded strips to the top of the juice lid.

 Hold the three beaded strands together so that the windsock hangs level. Secure strands with a pipe cleaner. Don’t forget to make a loop in the top of the pipe cleaner for hanging. Trim excess beads if needed.

Step 6: Hang it outside!

The post Tutorial: Festive Fourth of July Windsock appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Summer sneaked up on me this year! I’m not going to let the 4th of July do the same without a little planning. How about these adorable chalk favors by Sarah at the Bowdabra Blog? Such a simple, cute, and unique idea, and who doesn’t love chalk? Kids can use it to draw on the sidewalk, or maybe you can provide them with another chalkboard surface to write on. Sarah says you can make 14 favors for just $2! [how to make a chalk firecracker favor]

Project Estimate:

• Chalk, $1
• Metallic star garland, $1
• Red, white, and blue ribbons, on hand or $1 each and up
• Hot glue

Total: $2

The post Make Chalk Firecracker Favors appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

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Summer is unofficially here, and so is picnic season! Keep your kids occupied painting rocks while you take care of the picnic details, then turn the painted rocks into tablecloth weights you can use all summer. Your children are sure to paint enough rocks for several sets of table weights, so don’t forget to wrap a set or two up for gifts when you go to your next family picnic. [get the details on this simple summer craft in the tutorial I wrote over at AmazingMoms]

Project Materials:

• River rocks, $1 (I got a bag of ’em at the dollar store)
• 1 pack of ironing board cover fasteners (will make 2 sets of weights), $1
• Acrylic craft paint, on hand
• Clear acrylic spray, on hand
• Strong glue that can bond to non-porous material, such as E6000

Total: $2 for 2 sets

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