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.

Have you started thinking about Halloween decor yet?  Only 7 weeks left until the end of October, and if you are a DIYer you know that it’ll sneak up on you way too fast if you don’t get a head start on your projects!  At See Vanessa Craft, Kiki from Kiki and Company shared how she made this spooky eyeball wreath using a free printable that she designed.  Head over there for the complete instructions, and to download the free eyeball printable to use for this project or elsewhere in your Halloween decorating!  [how to make an eyeball Halloween wreath]

Project estimate:

• Wreath form, on hand or $1 and up
• Paper, on hand
• Eyeball printables, free
• Hot glue, on hand

Total: Free and up!

The post Make an Eyeball Halloween Wreath appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Do you know a little dinosaur lover?  They will love this fun art project from Kate at The Craft Train!  She has a great set of free printables available to turn a pile of paper plates into a herd of dinos.  These are decorated using glitter, but if you don’t have any of that around (or don’t want to deal with the sparkly mess that ensues), you could also paint the plates instead.  Rawr!  [how to make paper plate dinosaurs]

Project estimate:

• Paper plates, on hand or $1
• Paint and/or glue and glitter, on hand or $1 and up
• Stapler, on hand
• Dinosaur parts printables, free

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make Paper Plate Dinosaurs appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Any wine drinkers in the house?  Let’s raise a glass to cork crafts!  If you’re a wine lover, chances are you have a stash of corks you’re holding onto for one project or another.  If you’re not sure yet what your plans are for those corks, here is an idea from Jessica at Two Shades of Pink.  Painted slices of cork become confetti-like dots, creating a colorful way to display your favorite photo or artwork.  Her post even includes a free printable of the graphic that she put in her frame!   [how to make a colorful wine cork picture frame]

Project estimate:

• Picture frame, on hand or $1
• Wine corks, on hand
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Hot glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make a Colorful Wine Cork Picture Frame appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It’s one of those always-in-stock-at-the-dollar-store items that you know must have many crafty possibilities: the weekly pill box.  Those seven little slots are just right for holding all kinds of little odds and ends.  But have you ever thought of using them to give a gift?  Beckie at Infarrantly Creative whipped up a free Mother’s Day printable that turns one of these medication dispensers into a candy dispenser instead, complete with quotes about motherhood to tuck into the bottom underneath the treats.  [how to make a Mother’s Day pill box gift]

Project estimate:

• Pill box, $1
• Printable, free
• Double-stick tape, on hand or $1
• Candy, on hand or $1 and up
• Twine (optional), on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make a Mother’s Day Pill Box Gift appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Is your mom a tea drinker? Here is a Mother’s Day gift idea she will love! Lia Griffith made these wonderful Mother’s Day tea tags that she has provided as a free printable, which she attached to some handmade tea bags. If you’re short on time (or just don’t have any loose tea laying around), you could also attach these tags over top of the existing tags on pre-made tea bags. Aren’t they gorgeous? [how to make Mother’s Day tea bags]

Project estimate:

• Loose tea, about $2 and up
• Cheesecloth, on hand or $1 and up
• Baker’s twine, on hand
• Printable tea tags, free

Total: About $2 and up

The post Make Mother’s Day Tea Bags appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Did you enjoy shark week as much as we did?  Sad it’s over?  Well, we have one more shark-y tutorial for you!  Jeanette from Paper Plate Shark Jaws and Off the Cuff Cooking joins us again today for a fun, Sharknado-inspired mobile.  Whip out your favorite pair of scissors and read on to find out how to make your own!

Project estimate:

• Paper plates, on hand or $1
• Chopsticks or skewers, on hand or $1
• Paper clips or string, on hand or $1
• Shark printables, free (see below)
• Tape, on hand
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

Start by gluing three paper plates on top of each other, covering adequately so they adhere to each other completely.

While they are drying, you can begin cutting out all the sharks from the print-outs.  Leaving a little white space around each shark makes them easier to cut out, and at the very least leave a little white area near the top middle of each shark where you will punch through a small hole for a paper clip or thread to be strung.

When the paper plates have completely dried, make a one-inch cut perpendicular to the edge of the plate toward the center, and from that end-point, start cutting a spiral into the middle of the plate.  Each pass around the plate should be leaving a coiled strip that is about 1/2″ wide.

After you are done with the cutting, tape or glue the initial opening cut back together.  Next, tape or hot glue one bamboo chopstick across the middle top of the plate, and then repeat with the other chopstick, but do it from the underside of the top circle, so they make a cross.  You will use this to hang it from a string or hook later on.

Now, punch a hole in each shark-cut out near the top with a thumbtack, and then bend your paper clips into S-shapes.  Attach one paper clip to each shark.  Also punch 12 evenly spaced holes around the spiral-loop that you cut out from the paper plate.  Lastly, hook a shark onto each hole around the loop, and attach a string at the crossed bamboo sticks to hang it!

Naturally, there must be a disclaimer that this is only for decoration, and has small paper clips which are choking hazards for small children.  Take care not to hang it near youngsters.  (Or use embroidery floss or string instead of paper clips if you intend to hang this in a kids room.)

Click on the shark image below to enlarge, then right-click to save it to your computer for printing.

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

The post Tutorial: Sharknado Paper Plate Mobile appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This year Easter fall early on the calendar – don’t let it sneak up on you!  If you’re looking for a quick, cheap, and easy way to add a bit of charm to your Easter baskets, check out this free printable that Jeromina of Paper, Plate, and Plane shared at Craft.  The post even includes detailed directions for cutting, folding, and assembly.  Imagine how cute these would be for a classroom handout or as a fun holiday surprise for your coworkers!  [how to make print-and-fold carrot favor boxes]

Project estimate:

• Printable, free
• Paper, on hand
• Bone folder, on hand or $1 and up
• Scissors, on hand

Total:  Free and up

The post Make Print-and-Fold Carrot Favor Boxes appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Scratch off cards are fun.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or a grown up, there’s something about revealing a hidden message that feels like a teeny treasure hunt.  I’ve always enjoyed making scratch paper with my kids, and I shared that tutorial here.  It’s been so popular that I thought I’d adapt the idea for Valentine’s Day.  What kid (or grown up) wouldn’t love to receive a handmade scratch off Valentine card?  I’m sharing my free printable with you, but you could easily make your own, too.

Project estimate:

• Valentine joke printable, free (download it here)
• Cardstock, on hand
• Clear Address Labels or tape, on hand
• Washable Paint, on hand
• Dish Soap, on hand

Total: FREE

To make your own scratch off Valentine Cards:

Step one:  Print out the Valentine Joke Printable, found here.  Cut out the cards and (optional) mat with card stock.

Step two:  Place the clear address label over the joke’s punchline.

Step three:  Mix your tempera paint with the dish soap.  I used 1/3 cup of paint and 1 teaspoon of soap.  Paint on the clear label to cover the message.

Once it’s dried you can address and sign the card on the bottom or on the back.

This would be a fun project to make with your kids.  If you don’t have kids, you could always make a more “grown up” version to give that special someone.  Have fun crafting and creating!

The post Tutorial: Scratch-Off Valentines (with free printable) appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I have a “thing” for Valentine crafts.  I don’t usually do much that involves girliness and lacy bits, so February 14th is my annual excuse to add a little bit of extra femininity to every project.  In making these cards, I went for a retro-ish look, adding a touch of trim to make them just a wee bit girly.  (But not too much!)  I liked them so much when I got done with them that I decided to scan them into the computer so you can print them out and give them as well!  The card comes with three different sentiments; love, be mine, and kiss.  Download the designs below!

I also want to share a card making tip with you.  This time of year, Valentine’s Day craft supplies are usually full price, but Christmas supplies are on clearance!  The polka dotted paper I used for these cards is actually a Christmas print- the reverse side of the paper was very obviously Christmas-y, but the side I used was perfect for the Valentine look I wanted!  Can’t find Christmas paper left in the stores?  Baby girl papers in pink patterns are also ideal to repurpose for Valentines!

“Love” Valentine’s Day Card

“Be Mine” Valentine’s Day Card

“Kiss” Valentine’s Day Card

The post Friday Freebie: Printable Valentine’s Day Greeting Cards appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.