Crafts

Felt Rainbow Shamrock Garland by Make and Takes
This adorable felt garland won’t take long to make, and you can keep it up all March long!

Simple St. Patrick’s Day Banner by Simple As That
The photos of this banner are absolutely gorgeous and the banner really is simple to make!

3-D St. Patrick’s Day Banner by Lilluna
A 3-D version of the Simple St. Patrick’s Day Banner using maps.

Faux Tie-Dye Shamrocks by Mom to 2 Posh Little Divas
Another great use for coffee filters.

Felt Shamrock Barrette by Paper & Ink
This could also be used as a pin or an addition to a package!

Recipes

Lucky Lunch by Meet the Dubiens
Turn your child’s lunch into a St. Patrick’s Day scene complete with a sandwich leprechaun.

Thin Mint Truffles by Cooking Cowgirl
Although this post was from Christmas, they’re perfect for St. Patrick’s Day since the cookies are for sale now.

Green Velvet Cupcakes by Love From the Oven
If red velvet cupcakes are tasty, these must be too!

Mini Mint Cheesecakes {Shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day} by Created by Diane
Cute idea using four heart cheesecakes for a clover!

Printables

St. Patrick’s Day Free Party Printables by Living Locurto
Rebekah at A Blissful Nest shares a complete set of party printables including cupcake wrappers, bottle labels and cupcake toppers.

Irish Friendship Blessing Printable by DECOR8Rgirl
A framed version of this would make a great gift for a friend this St. Patrick’s Day.

Irish Luck Printable by Words by Lauren Barge
Traditional Irish quote subway art printable.

10 free St. Patrick’s Day Printables by The New Home Ec on Babble
A roundup of 10 great free St. Patrick’s Day printables.

St. Patrick’s Day Paper Doll by Tricia-Rennea on Tip Junkie
A paper doll your daughter will love to play with!

Lucky You Cupcake Topper by TomKat Studio
A cute cupcake topper for St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes.

St. Patrick’s Day Gift Tags by Teachers Pay Teachers
These would be great to add to little gift bags for your child’s classmates.

Keep Calm and Pinch On Sign by The Hands-On Housewife
You’ll want to make sure you’re wearing green around this sign to keep from getting pinched!

Irish Quote Printable by Carolyn’s Homework
Traditional Irish quote subway art printable.

Roundups

St. Patrick’s Day Category by Martha Stewart
This category has recipes, decorations, crafts and templates in one spot, making this a great go-to for everything St. Patrick’s Day!

TipJunkie’s St. Patrick’s Day Site by TipJunkie
Find pages of St. Patrick’s Day crafts, recipes and printables here.

St. Patrick’s Day Ideas by NoBiggie
A round-up of all the projects shared on the site.

Past DSC Posts and Roundups

Make Leprechaun Elixir Bottles

Make a Four Leaf Clover Headband

50+ More St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

Make Leprechaun Hat Favor Boxes

Make a Lucky Shamrock Wreath

Make a 3D Paper Shamrock

20+ Free St. Patrick’s Day Printables

40 Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day

View these and more on Melinda’s St. Patrick’s Day Pinterest board!

The post 18+ Lucky Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Advent calendars can be as unique as a fingerprint. They can be made out of just about anything and are a fun thing to craft and customize. But what exactly is an Advent calendar you ask? Well, according to Wikipedia, “An Advent calendar is a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. […] Despite the name, most commercially available Advent calendars begin on December 1, regardless of when Advent begins, which can be as early as November 27 and as late as December 3.”

So if you’re starting late, and need some ideas for this year’s Advent calendar, hopefully this roundup will inspire you to create your own for this year, or use this season to create one for next year!

Advent Garlands and Buntings

Peppermint Advent Calendar Pouches by Allsorts [Pictured]
This is so adorable! Plus, you can customize them to use whatever colors you want, and put in any kind of treat or card!

Fabric Gift Tag Advent Calendar Tutorial by Skip to My Lou
The pattern is available so you can make this cute advent calendar too.

{Christmas Advents} Snowflake Christmas Countdown by eighteen25
Rebecca Cooper from simple as that shares a great snowflake activity advent calendar.

Box and Tin Advent Calendars

Christmas Advent Jar by Just a Girl [Pictured]
A great way to upcycle matchboxes or other small boxes into an Advent calendar.

Advent Calendar by Lil Pink Pocket
Instead of putting treats or prizes inside they do a special activity together as a family each day.

Christmas Present Advent Calendars by Creation Corner
You get to open a little tiny present each day – how fun!

ALTERED PROJECT: Advent Calendar by A Matter of Memories
Another great use for those little tins.

Metal Tin Advent Calendar by Narrating Life
Jessie from Friendly Badger creates a calendar you can put on your fridge!

Printable Advent Calendars

Countdown to Christmas with this Printable Advent Calendar by Make and Takes [Pictured]
Juliann Law of PB J&J shares a fun printable puzzle for kids to create.

Advent Dry Erase Calendar by The 36th Avenue
I love that despite a few craft glitches, this turns out to be a great project that can be reused every year!

Small Advent Box Tutorial and Printouts by There She Goes
The boxes start with the numbers showing, then when the treat is taken out, you turn them around to show a cute picture.

Personalized Christmas Advent Calendar {Free Printable} by Living Locurto
Includes three different printables you can use to start your own Advent Calendar.

Simple Spool Advent Calendars by Just Something I Made
Labels and stickers are provided for you to make your own version of this cool spool calendar.

Other Advent Calendars

Do you do this? {Book Advent Calendar} by Tatertots & Jello
This is a great way for kids (and adults) to rediscover their favorite Christmas books each year.

Beribboned Trees Advent Dry Erase Frame by Pressed Down, Shaken Together
These dry erase countdowns can be used for many occasions.

Little Crafts: Healthy Advent Calendar by Carolyn’s Homework
It’s always fun to add little notes into your kids’ lunch bag and this incorporates the little note and the advent calendar.

Recycled Christmas Card Advent Calendar by Crafty Nest
The beauty of this design is that it rolls up and stores easily to be used year after year.

{Christmas Advents} Shoe Organizer by eighteen25
Another great use for that shoe organizer hanging on your door!

Reader Roundup 

Leftover Box Advent Calendar by Marie M [Pictured]
Marie used leftover boxes from work to create this cute advent calendar for her little girls.

Advent Calendar and Story Book by Little Blue’s Room
Angela K didn’t just make an Advent Calendar, she had each day’s card correspond to part of a story book!

Clothespin Wreath and Advent Calendar by A Childhood List
Katie G. made a few of these to use throughout the season – one to hold holiday cards, and one to use as an advent calendar with little foam Christmas trees.

Other Roundups

9 Advent Calendar Ideas by CraftGossip [Pictured]
In addition to the 9 featured ideas, they include links to two more!

10 Advent Calendar Tutorials by Decorchick
This includes a dollar store advent calendar.

Great Ideas — Advent Calendars! by Tatertots & Jello
Jen shares 24 great religious and secular advent calendar ideas.

Great Ideas — 20 AMAZING Holiday Advent Calendars!! by Tatertots & Jello
Jen shares 20 more advent calendar ideas.

Advent Calendars by The Crafty Crow
I love the toilet paper tube calendar idea – way to upcycle!

{Christmas Advents} From Around the Web by eighteen25
I *love* the simplicity of the gum advent calendar!

Not enough inspiration for you? Check out the “Creative Advent Calendars” Flickr Group and my Advent Calendar Pinterest board for more ideas!

The post 35+ Advent Calendar Ideas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This gorgeous leaf pillow by MJ at 517 Creations is a knockoff of a similar design sold by Wisteria for $89.  Hers is actually a pillow cover to dress up a drab old pillow, but with just a couple of extra steps you could stuff it to create an entirely new pillow.  [how to make an oak leaf pillow]

Have you seen the pretty fall leaf and pumpkin doilies at Dollar Tree?  Carolyn from Carolyn’s Homework used some to dress up plain envelopes for fall.  They would make a lovely way to present Thanksgiving event invitations!  [how to make fall leaf doily envelopes]

Meanwhile at Bugs and Fishes, UK-based crafter Lupin used yarn and gold paper to make a stunning fall wreath.  Her tutorial includes templates for several different shapes and sizes of leaves, so if oak leaves aren’t your favorite you can use a different type, or you can mix-and-match!  [how to make an oak leaf yarn wreath]

If you have a leaf paper punch, some fall-colored paper, and a sewing machine, you have everything you need to make this cute leaf garland by our good friend Care at Obsessively Stitching.  Adapt this idea to any season, holiday, or even by using different shaped punches and colored paper.  [how to make a punched paper leaf garland]

Linda from Burlap & Blue is the crafty mind behind this stylized felt leaf lace trimmed with a length of wide lace.  The golden color she chose is lovely, but I would also like to see this idea done in ombre!  [how to make a felt leaves and lace wreath]

The post Five Leafy Projects for Fall appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our sharktastic week of crafts!  I know crochet is a topic we don’t often talk about here, but in my webby wanderings searching for things to share, I found a few free sharky crochet patterns that I just love!  I have a soft spot for crochet; I’ve tried a lot of different craft mediums starting with decoupage in elementary school and working all the way through the spectrum to my most recently learned craft, making lampwork glass beads, but crochet is the one thing I’ve consistently come back to over and over.  If I could only do one craft for the rest of eternity, that’s the one I would choose!  But, I digress.  As promised, here are three shark projects to hook into.

When Karen from Karen’s Knittin’ Crap went looking for a stuffed shark toy crochet pattern, she couldn’t find one that she liked.  So, after some trial and error, she came up with this little guy!  He’s just the right combination of cute and scary!  [shark amigurumi crochet pattern]

This shark hat pattern by Andrea of Drea’s Crochet reminds me of the dead fish hat that I made for my brother last Christmas.  That pattern was very easy and suitable for even a beginning crocheter, so this one ought to be pretty simple as well.  Not to mention hilarious!  [shark hat crochet pattern]

Can you ever really be too old for a cute pair of mittens?  I vote no!  These shark mittens by Annette Hynes are freakin’ adorable, though more advanced because they are worked in Tunisian crochet to give them a knit-like look.  To download the pattern, scroll down the page and click the link to the .pdf  file underneath the thumbnail picture of the mittens.  [shark mittens crochet pattern]

More shark crafts:
Follow Mrs. Greene’s board Shark Week! on Pinterest.

The post Shark Week Crochet: 3 Free Shark Crochet Patterns appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a frantic crafting frenzy in the wee hours of Christmas Eve, you know that it’s never to early to start working on holiday projects.  Have you thought ahead to December yet?  Avoid last-minute-panic mode by getting a jump start on your Christmas crafting.  (Or at least starting to put together a to-do list!)  Here are a dozen crafts, recipes, and printables to get you into the holiday spirit!

Christmas Decorations

Half the fun of Christmas (for me at least) is decorating!  You could easily spend a small fortune on store-bought decorations, but that would take the other half of the fun out of Christmas…   The crafty part!  DIY-ify your holiday decor with inexpensive projects like these:

• Crazy Candy Cane Wreath by Bugaboo, Mini Mr. and Me
• Fancy Linen Stockings by Scrumdillydilly
• Vellum Christmas Carol Candle Holders by Curbly
• Christmas Pillows by Creative Little Daisy

Christmas Treats

Can Christmas be enough fun to squeeze in three halves?  Because we haven’t even talked about sweets and treats yet!  While some people might think you crazy if you’re stitching stockings at the height of summer, no one will complain if you whip up a batch of one of these yummy holiday treats:

• Christmas Bark by Feasts and Fotos
• Peppermint Mocha Whoopie Pies by BitterSweet
• Christmas Crunch Cookies by Pennies on a Platter
• Christmas Domo Cookies by Diamonds for Dessert (pictured at top of post)
  

Christmas Printables

Okay, alright, three halves of fun does sound like a busy time.  Even if you start now, you may still find yourself scrambling at the 11th hour.   (Oh yes,  that’s the voice of experience speaking!)  Luckily, free Christmas printables are plentiful!  They’re also great for incorporating into other craft projects, or for when you’ve just plain crafted yourself out.  Here are just a few that we enjoy:

• Printable Vintage-style Christmas Tickets by Miss Cutiepie
• Half-eaten Gingerbread Man Template by Elsie Marley
• Printable Tear-off Advent Calendar by Can’t Stop Making Things
• Christmas Subway Art Printable by Craftily Ever After

The post Christmas in July: 12 Links That Can’t Wait Until December appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Are you counting down the days yet?  As much as I hate to admit it, we’ll soon be rolling down the back side of the hill that is summer.  That means it’s time to start gathering all of the odds and ends your kids will need to help them be successful in the months to come.  And, as with just about everything, there are plenty of ways to add a handmade twist to back-to-school!  Need some ideas?  Here are your homework assignments!

School Supplies

Pens and pencils and paper, oh my!  I’ll admit it, I’m a school supply junkie.  (They fall under the same umbrella as my office supply weakness!)  Make your kids’ school supplies (or your own) stand out from the rest of the pack with some handmade touches.  Here are a few projects to help create and dress up the basic essentials.

• DIY  Notebooks by fiks*d
  
• Block Print Burlap Pencil Bag by Factory Direct Craft (pictured at top of post)
  
• Felt Pencil Toppers by Whimsy Love

Teacher Appreciation

Teachers are traditionally celebrated during a week toward the end of the school year, but there’s no reason you have to wait until then to say, “Thank you!”  Start off the year by letting your children’s teachers know that you’re grateful for all that they do with these teacher appreciation crafts.

• Teacher Survival Kit by Modern Parents Messy Kids
• Pencil-filled Etched Teacher Quote Cup by From Glitter to Gumdrops
• Beary Nice Teacher Gift Figurine by Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

Printables

For non-artistic people who want to add an artistic flare to a craft or handmade gift, free printables are a great option.  They’re also handy at the last minute when you find your to-do list is so long it feels like you need more hours in the day.  Get ready for a great year with these back-to-school printables.

• Vintage Lunch Bag Printables by Fun.kyti.me
• Teacher Appreciation Subway Art by eighteen25
• Printable Teacher Appreciation Tag by it is what it is

The post 9 Crafts and Printables for Back to School appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Subway and Word Art

Pledge of Allegiance Subway Art by eighteen25 (pictured above)

Of Thee I Sing Printable by Taidye Original

4th of July Subway Art by The Crafting Chicks

4th of July Word Art by Therapeutic Crafting

4th of July Word Art by C.R.A.F.T. (Creating Really Awesome Free Things)

Party Favors and Decorations

4th of July Centerpiece Printables by Shindig Parties to Go for Under the Table and Dreaming (pictured above)

4th of July Party Invitations by Celebrate It

Firecracker Favor Printable by It Is What It Is

4th of July Treat Bag Topper by It Is What It Is

4th of July Printables Set by Simply Creative Insanity

4th of July BBQ Printables Set by Embellish

4th of July Party Printables Set by Seaside Creative

4th of July BBQ Printables Set by Sweet Craft Cakes for Catch My Party

4th of July Tags and Cupcake Toppers by The Crafting Chicks

Patriotic Cupcake Wrappers by Food Art Party

Customizable 4th of July Napkin Rings by Dill Pickle Picnic

Stars and Stripes Printable Favor Box by Don’t Eat the Paste

“America” Banner Printable by At Second Street

Other Fun Stuff

4th of July Bi-Plane Printable by Sandy’s Space (pictured above)

4th of July Pinwheel Printable by Sissyprint

4th of July Pinwheel Printable by Love the Day

Stars and Stripes Mandala Coloring Page by Don’t Eat the Paste

Fireworks Coloring Page by Made by Joel

4th of July Popcorn Box Printable by Custom Printables

4th of July Conversation Starter Cards by Happy Home Fairy

The post 25+ Printables for the 4th of July appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

[how to make an American flag cake] at Glorious Treats

[how to make a 10 minute 4th of July shirt] at Tatertots & Jello

[how to make sparkler stir sticks] at Hostess with the Mostess

[how to make a star-spangled paint chip garland] at Sweeter Than Sweets

[how to make a yarn-and-buttons flag wreath] at The Cellar Door Stories

[how to make 4th of July napkin rings] at Between Naps on the Porch

[how to make a no-sew 4th of July banner] at Everyday Mom Ideas

[how to make paper  sparklers] at Momtastic

The post 8 Star-Spangled Craft Ideas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Leah from Zombies Wearing Helmets found this idea for “painting” with yarn in a vintage 1970s magazine.  It’s a great project for using up odds and ends of scrap yarn!  You can use coloring book pages as templates for your designs, or come up with your own original ideas.  [how to paint with yarn]

Kids love papier mache.  (How can you not love something that’s so delightfully messy?)  Since campfire songs and musical instruments are staples of the summer camp experience, these papier mache maracas by Rebecca from Beauty All Around are perfect for the occasion!  If your kids really enjoy this project, try making drums and other musical instruments, then have a parade around the block!  [how to make papier mache maracas]

Using items from nature as craft supplies is a surefire way to capture the summer camp spirit.  Head out for a little stroll through the woods or around the neighborhood to find the makings of these adorable pine cone owls by Amanda of Crafts by Amanda.  (She is currently running a fabulous series of camp-themed crafts on her blog, so be sure to take a look around for more ideas!)  [how to make pine cone owls]

One specific craft I remember doing at camp is weaving on a cardboard loom.  (My mother still proudly displays a tiny rug I made for her with this method many, many years ago!)  Dig a sturdy piece of cardboard out of your recycling bin and head over to CraftStylish, where contributor Diane shows how to construct and use your loom.  [how to make a cardboard weaving loom]

It just wouldn’t be summer camp without making a lanyard, bracelet, or other macrame project, right?  (Napoleon Dynamite:  “I already made like infinity of those at scout camp.”) Monica from Smitten by a Knot has a great, easy-to-follow tutorial showing how to make a simple square knot bracelet that’s adjustable in length.  [how to make an easy macrame bracelet]

The post Camp Crafts Roundup: 5 Fun Kids Projects appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Printables

Father in Many Languages Wordle Art by Hileman Design and Dollar Store Crafts [Pictured]

Father’s Day Subway Art by Homespun With Love

Father’s Day Free Printable by A Mama’s Two Cents Worth

Father’s Day Candy Bar Wrapper Printables by The Idea Room

Father’s Day Clip Art and Templates by Martha Stewart

You’re an Awesome Dad! Printable by Nothing But Country

Father’s Day Free Printable by A Proffittable Life

Father’s Day Tee-rriffic Gift Idea by Tatertots and Jello

Father’s Day Soda Bottle Covers by The Idea Room

Cards

Last-Minute Father’s Day Cards by mmmcrafts [Pictured]

Father’s Day Quotes and Cards by Martha Stewart

Crafts and Gifts

Stamped Initial Cuff Links for Father’s Day at Tatertots and Jello [Pictured]

A “Daddy” Gift by Our Seven Dwarfs

Father’s Day Gift Ideas by The Idea Room

Father’s Day: Tool Tub & Tote by Sew 4 Home

Father’s Day: iPad Sleeve with Removable Cross-Body Shoulder Strap by Sew 4 Home

Father’s Day Shirt & Tie Gift Boxes by Papercrave

Father’s Day Coasters by Mod Podge Rocks

Dad’s Token Tin by eighteen25

Angry Birds Magnet Tutorial by Punk Projects

Food

Fishing Father’s Day Cupcakes by Nothing But Country at TidyMom [pictured]

Coca-Cola Bottle Ties by The Idea Room

Kid-Friendly

Footprints Fathers Day Key Chain by Everyday Mom Ideas [Pictured]

5 Crafts for Father’s Day! (For kids to make with their dads) by Made by Joel

Father’s Day Crafts for Kids by Martha Stewart

Mix Up Some Tunes for Dad This Father’s Day (with printables) by Alpha Mom

Father’s Day Crafts that Dads Can Do with Their Kids by Crafting a Green World

Other Roundups

Crafty Father’s Day Ideas by Talk Crafty To Me [Pictured]

Father’s Day Crafts, Cards, Gifts and Recipes by Better Homes and Gardens

Have a TIE-riffic Father’s Day! by Me and My Insanity

Previous DSC Posts

Recycled Tie Bunting

Make Dad a Tie Bunting [Pictured]

Roundup: Dad is Rad, Father’s Day Crafts

Make a Father’s Day Paper Weight

Make a Father’s Day Framed Print

Make a Portable Gourmet Salt Kit

Make a Recycled Tie Banner

Make a Faux Leather Picture Frame

9 Gifts to Make for Guys (Under $20)

Make a Recycled Coffee Bag Wallet

Want to share your Father’s Day plans or let us know if we missed any great craft or gift ideas? Let us know in the comments!

The post 30+ Father’s Day Celebration Gifts and Ideas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.