Looking for a lovely last-minute gift to make, or a way to perk up your kitchen for the new year? This free printable folk-inspired 2018 tea towel calendar is the perfect project for you! You just need a few simple supplies to create a gorgeous Scandinavian folk art-inspired tea towel calendar, and you get to choose from THREE different colorways so you can get just the look you want for your kitchen. And don’t forget to download the coordinating printable card to give along with the calendar.

• This is a long post, so if desired, jump to the Calendar Download here.

Download the coordinating printable card!

About the Collaboration:

In 2010, I teamed up with talented designer Cathe Holden of Inspired Barn to create a printable tea towel calendar. She designed the printables, and I made the calendar and wrote the instructions, and then we provided the free printables to you! This year, we have a new design available — our all-new 2018 printable tea towel calendar, as well a sweet card, that you can download (click the image above), print, and make for a special handmade touch.

Now, on to the project!

Supplies for the 2018 Printable Tea Towel Calendar:

This project is simple, but you definitely need a few supplies that will make it WAY easier. Don’t skimp on these supplies, as it will save you some headaches.

Supplies Needed:

• Free Printable: 2018 Tea Towel Calendar
• A flour sack towel
• 2 Iron-on transfer sheets (buy them in a pack)
• Freezer paper
• Parchment paper
• Inkjet printer
• Iron and Ironing board
• Large wooden cutting board
• Sewing machine & thread
• Scissors, pins

Notes about the Materials:

Dollar store materials: I got the flour sack towel and parchment paper at the dollar store. I have seen iron on transfers there before, but I have never used the ones they sell, and I don’t see them there consistently. If you are using the dark fabric iron-on transfers, DO NOT SKIP THE PARCHMENT PAPER!

Tea towels: I got flour sack towels from the dollar store, but I also wanted to try something less plain, so I picked up a pack of four colored and patterned flour sack towels from Target for about $5 total. (The grey polka-dot towel used in the photo above is from the pack from Target).

Iron-On transfer sheets: I just bought a pack at my local craft store that had both transparent sheets and the type you use for dark fabric, because I wanted to experiment with both kinds. Honestly, I would not recommend the kind I used (you can see the brand in the photo), as I had many craftfails while making this project! If you are using a patterned tea towel, use the dark fabric type of iron-ons, but if you are using a white tea towel, use the transparent kind.

Freezer paper: This paper is waxed on one side, and paper on the other side, which means you can iron it onto your fabric and then easily remove it later. The freezer paper is a DO NOT SKIP supply because it stabilizes the flour sack towels while you apply the iron-ons, which is essential because of the loose weave of the towels. You can find freezer paper in the food wrap section of your local grocery store, or online (affiliate link to Amazon for your convenience): buy freezer paper.

Freezer paper is cheaper if you buy it in a store, but one roll will last you forever, and you can use it for many cool craft techniques like making iron-ons for perfect fabric stencils, or for paper piecing in quilting.

Download the 2018 Printable Tea Towel Calendar:

Phew, that was long. Let’s dive into the project!

Step 1: Download the Calendar Top & Bottom

Choose your favorite color combination, and download the files you will need for your calendar. Click on the image to be taken to Google Drive to download the printable tea towel calendar files you want.

Note: If you are using transparent (light fabric) iron-ons, you will need the REVERSED bottom calendar image. If you are using opaque (dark fabric) iron-ons, you will need the normal, readable one!

Red & Blue 2018 Tea Towel Calendar Downloads:

Click on the image to be taken to Google Drive to download the files you want.

• Download Red & Blue Calendar Top
• Download Red & Blue Calendar Bottom (Regular)
• Download Red & Blue Calendar Bottom (Reversed)

Blue 2018 Tea Towel Calendar Downloads:

Click on the image to be taken to Google Drive to download the files you want.

• Download Blue Calendar Top
• Download Blue Calendar Bottom (Regular)
• Download Blue Calendar Bottom (Reversed)

Green 2018 Tea Towel Calendar Downloads:

Click on the image to be taken to Google Drive to download the files you want.

• Download Green Calendar Top
• Download Green Calendar Bottom (Regular)
• Download Green Calendar Bottom (Reversed)

Step 2: Print the Calendar Printables on Iron-on Transfer Paper

I don’t have a recommendation for a specific variety of iron on paper at this time (because I didn’t like the type I used). Do be aware: if you are using a dark or patterned tea towel, you will need to use the dark fabric type of iron-ons.

If you are using the transparent kind of iron-ons, you will need the REVERSE image file for the calendar.

How to Make the 2018 Printable Tea Towel Calendar

Step 3: Cut & Sew the Tea Towel

1. Iron your tea towel before you start.
2. Flour sack towels are usually large and square, so cut it in half.
3. Fold the cut end over and iron it flat. This is where you will hem it to make it match the other side! Pin the hem (don’t skip this step, because this floppy fabric is hard to sew if you don’t pin it).
   

Sew the side hem.

Step 4: Freezer Paper — The Secret Weapon

Iron a piece of of freezer paper to the back of the tea towel. Place the waxed side DOWN onto the fabric, and iron over the paper side. It will stick to the tea towel and stabilize it, making it WAY easier to successfully apply the iron on transfer to the other side. When you’re all done with the process, you can easily remove the freezer paper by peeling it away. (Do that at the end of the project!)

Step 5: On to the Calendar!

Your iron-on transfer paper will come with instructions for printing and application, so follow them. I will give some general guidelines for success here:

1. Use a hard, heat-proof surface to iron on, if you can. I pulled the built-in wooden cutting board from my kitchen counters.
2. If you are using opaque (dark fabric) iron-ons, use a piece of parchment paper to iron over the top of your iron-on. My iron-ons included a piece of parchment paper that was the same size as the iron-on sheet, and since it was impossible to keep the same-size parchment paper covering the transfer while I moved the iron, it ruined my transfer.
3. Iron the top and the bottom pieces very close together. Once you’ve ironed the first one, protect it with a piece of parchment paper while you iron the second one.

Remove the freezer paper from the back by simply peeling it off!

Pin this Project!

If you enjoyed this project, I would appreciate any shares you can spare! Thank you for reading, and please let me know if you have any feedback on this project, or tips you discovered while making it!

Don’t forget to download the matching free printable card!

The post Free Printable: 2018 Tea Towel Calendar appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

We have declared this week to be Back to School Week here at DSC, and we’re devoting a whole week to school supplies, teacher gifts, and more!  We’re kicking it off with these great free printables from Mr. Printables – a set of pencil and eraser shaped favor boxes to fill with your favorite treats or other small goodies!  Use them for classroom gifts, teacher gifts, or for any party where school/office supplies are an appropriate theme.  Or just print them out because they are cute – that’s a good enough reason for us!  [download the free printable pencil and eraser favor boxes]

The post Free Printable Pencil and Eraser Favor Boxes appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Confession: I own a plastic magic wand very similar to these ones. I bought it at Dollar Tree with the excuse that it might come in handy as a prop for making a video on YouTube or Instagram or Vine. But truthfully? The little girl in me just wanted a magic wand. Totally normal, right? Anyway, Kari at U-Create Crafts has come up with a cute and clever printable that turns the wands into quick and easy Valentine gifts! Head over to her site to download it for free. [how to turn a wand into a Valentine]

Project estimate:

• Magic wands, $1 and up
• Printable, free

Total: $1 and up

The post Turn a Wand into a Valentine appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Don’t you love a printable? These free print and fold crafts are the perfect way to keep you or your kids entertained on a rainy or snowy afternoon.

1. Paper Toy Camper – How sweet is this vintage camper print and fold from Family Outdoor Adventures?
2. 3D Alphabet – You can use these 3D print and fold letters to create your own custom type face art!
3. DIY Alphabet Block Boxes – Your kids will love playing with these print and fold blocks, especially if you let them help you make them.
4. Mini Paper Cupcake Stand – Sweetly Sweet’s print and fold cupcake stand is the perfect centerpiece for your next party’s dessert table.
5. Paper Tulip Printables – The first tulips of spring may be a ways off, but you can brighten up your house with these print and fold tulips from The Elli Blog!
6. Birdhouse Box – Wouldn’t this birdhouse box look sweet hanging on a wall?
7. Paper Robots – These are technically for making an advent calendar, but what kid wouldn’t love playing with these miniature robots?
8. Little Paper House – You could make a few of these for a miniature paper town! Maybe you can park that toy camper (see #1) in the driveway of one of your little houses.
9. Paper Storm Trooper – Treat your inner Star Wars nerd to some 3D print and fold goodness!
10. DIY Geoball – This cheery little print and fold is a sweet miniature bowl!

Have you run across any cool free print and fold crafts? Tell us your faves in the comments!

The post 10 Free Print and Fold Crafts appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Give thanks for Thanksgiving! Here’s something to give thanks for: free printables from Smilebox, a cool service that provides new cool graphics weekly that you can print, share, and more. This week, they are offering Free Thanksgiving printable party decor, including some really cute Thanksgiving paper chain (write what you are thankful for on each link!).

There are also Thanksgiving fill-in cards, place cards, and a printable Thanksgiving quote.

You can always get some printables for free, but if you want full access to 2000+ images plus new fresh images weekly, and a bunch of other perks, you can get a monthly membership for just a few cents a day. You can even try it for free! Print invitations, photo cards and collages right at home with Club Smilebox. Sign up for your free trial today!

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A while back i spotted some mini dry erase boards in the school supply section at Dollar Tree and I knew that there had to be some clever uses for them.  All the way across the country, Breanna at Dollar Store Mom saw the same set of dry erase boards and was inspired to make a Newlywed Game activity out of them!  It’s a perfect setup for two couples since the boards come in packages of four, and with Breanna’s free printable you’ll have everything you need for a night of fun and laughter.  [how to host a “Newlywed Game” night]

Project estimate:

• Dry erase boards, $1
• Dry erase markers, on hand or $1
• Printable, free

Total:  $1 and up

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Father’s Day is – gulp! – tomorrow!  Did it sneak up on you?  Are you totally freaking out because you are not feeling the least bit prepared?  Still need to figure out what the heck to get for dad?  We’re here to help!  We rounded up a few last-minute crafts and free printables for all of the procrastinators out there.  (I’ll admit, I am guilty too!)  The clock is ticking away, so…  On your marks, get set, CRAFT!

Crafts

[Father’s Day Car Frame by Margot Pottor for iLoveToCreate]

[Father’s Day Bulletin Board by Made By Marzipan]

[Personalized Father’s Day Framed Photo by Dollar Store Mom]

Printables

[Pocket Square Card and Tie Gift Tags by Love vs. Design]

[Tools Card and Gift Tags by Mr. Printable]

[Mustache Father’s Day Card by One Charming Party]

The post Last-Minute Father’s Day: Six Craft Ideas and Printables appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

[crafty mom card by iLoveToCreate]

[5 assorted Mother’s Day cards by We Love to Illustrate]

[funny Mother’s Day card by How About Orange]

[pretty card and matching wine bottle label by Hello!Lucky]

[best mom ever card by Ciera Design]

[best mom in the world cards and tags by Love vs. Design]

[world’s best mom card by I Love It All]

The post 11 Free Printable Mother’s Day Cards (and more!) appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This is one of those projects that makes me want to slap myself on the forehead and say, “why did I never think of that?!” Did you know that you can use your computer to print images directly onto paper bags? The ladies at Club ChicaCircle posted the idea along with some free, adorable Valentine-y images to put on your bags. This is perfect if you’re in a last-minute panic about Valentine’s Day being tomorrow – just print ’em, fill ’em, and they’re ready to go! [how to make printed paper bags]

Project estimate:

• Paper bags, $1
• Printer, on hand
• Ribbon or string, on hand

Total: $1

The post Make Printed Paper Bags appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

[Soda Tag Valentines by Darling Doodles]

Sweet treats aren’t just limited to candy and baked goods. These tags by Brie at Darling Doodles turn a soda into a token of affection. After all, you ‘ll need something to wash down all that candy, right?

[“You Spin Me” Lollipop Valentine by Uncommon Designs]

When Trish at Uncommon Designs came across some spinning lollipops at Dollar Tree, she knew she had to find a use for them! Children of the 80s, lick your heart out.

[Fishbowl Valentines by I Heart Naptime]

Do you like Swedish Fish candies? I love them (even though I hate picking them out of my teeth for hours afterward). Jamielyn at I Heart Naptime made this free printable that turns the fishy little candies into a cute classroom handout; check the dollar store for the candies and bags you’ll need for this one!

[Arrow Pencil Valentines by Positively Splendid]

For a non-candy treat, a pencil is always a good, inexpensive option. Use these printables by Amy at Positively Splendid to turn those simple pencils into something more! (And the addition of the eraser as an arrowhead is genius!)

[Freakin’ Awesome Valentine Cards by Maiko Nagao]

This one came to us as a reader submission via our Facebook page from reader Maiko Nagao, and we’ve gotta say, we agree that it’s freakin’ awesome!

[Miniature Valentine Cards by Ambrosia Creative]

Need some itty-bitty cards? No problem! These Moulin Rouge-inspired cards by Jenn at Ambrosia Creative are just the right size to tuck into a jewelry box or a bouquet of flowers.

[Carry On Valentines by 74 Lime Lane]

A parody of the classic British WWII poster, this card by Kellie at 74 Lime Lane has a classic charm and sense of humor that make it timeless.

[Bee Valentines by Mom Endeavors]

Sara from Mom Endeavors wanted bee-themed cards for her son’s class, but didn’t want the usual “bee mine” sentiment. So she made her own!

[Printable Valentines by Swell Designer]

These spiffy cards by Alexa, aka Swell Designer, are simple yet interesting and come in great colors. The turquoise is such a fun pop!

[Printable Valentine Notes with Envelopes by Whisker Graphics]

I love that these little cards by Whitney at Whisker Graphics come with their own little envelopes! Even with the envelope they print with two on the page, so you can print quite a few of them without much cost.

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