Got yarn scraps? Turn them into Easter decorations! Over at Blitsy, Meghan shows how to turn your odds and ends of yarn into these adorable pom pom bunnies. You can also use the same basic method with different features to make a variety of other animals or creatures. They will look so cute decorating your Easter baskets or tucked into your spring decor!  [how to make pom pom Easter bunnies]

Project estimate:

• Yarn, on hand or $1 and up
• Felt, on hand or $1
• Beads, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total: Free and up!

The post Make Pom Pom Easter Bunnies appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Having a Halloween party?  It’s not really a party without a pinata!  And on such a candy-centric holiday, it’s even more appropriate.  Using a basic pinata-making technique, Jamie at Eighteen25 whipped up this adorable and super easy pumpkinheaded guy.  She even provides a free printable of Jack-o-lantern facial features, so all you have to do is glue!  [how to make a Jack-o-lantern pinata]

Project estimate:

• Balloon, on hand or $1
• Newspaper, on hand
• Papier mache paste, on hand or $1
• Crepe paper streamers, $1 and up
• Cupcake liner, on hand or $1
• Printable Jack-o-lantern faces, free
• Glue, on hand
• Candy for filling pinata, $1 and up

Total: $2 and up

The post Make a Jack-O-Lantern Pinata appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Give spooky a sophisticated twist with this skeleton hand wreath!  Vanessa from Tried & True gave the plastic hands a visual upgrade with the help of some metallic sliver spray paint.  It’s amazing what a big difference you can make with a little paint!  We also love that the center of her wreath is a chalkboard, allowing you to customize and change the sentiment on a whim.  [how to make a skeleton hand Halloween wreath]

Project estimate:

• Plastic skeleton hands, $9
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Chalkboard circle (or wood circle + chalkboard paint), $1 and up
• Glue, on hand
• Chalk marker, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $10 and up

The post Make a Skeleton Hand Halloween Wreath appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Can you believe that the 4th of July is just a little over two weeks away?  (Is anyone else’s summer flying by waaaaay to fast?)  If you’re planning a get-together over the upcoming holiday weekend, remember that no party is complete without party favors!  These cute firecracker favors from Vanessa at Tried & True are quick and easy, and you can churn out a whole bunch of them assembly-line style in no time.  Kapow!  [how to make firecracker party favors]

Project estimate:

• Cardboard tubes, on hand
• Washi tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Scrapbook paper, on hand or $1
• Double-sided tape, on hand or $1
• Star paper punch, on hand or $1 and up
• Hot glue, on hand
• Wooden dowels or skewers, on hand or $1 and up
• Candy or other treats, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up!

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

Make those plain ol’ plastic Easter eggs look fancy with a cheap and easy makeover!  By covering the eggs in Epsom salt, you can give them a whole different look.  You can even add some glitter for an even bigger statement!

Project estimate:

• Plastic Easter eggs, on hand or $1
• School glue, on hand
• Epsom salt, on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up

Pour the glue on a plate.  With the paint brush, paint 1/2 of the Easter egg with the glue.  Roll the egg in the Epsom salt and move it to another plate to dry.

Continue until you have painted half of all the eggs and dipped in the Epsom salt.

When the eggs have dried, paint the other half with glue and roll in Epsom salt.  Let dry over night and enjoy.

The post Tutorial: Cheep + Easy Frosted Easter Eggs appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Whether you have a little one around your house who would like playing dress up with a mini bunny top hat, or you want one for yourself to dress up for Easter (you’re never too old!), this bunny headband is a super fun project.  You can even substitute some of the store-bought materials for things out of the recycling bin, making this not only adorable but affordable too!

Project estimate:

• Headband, $1
• Felt, on hand or $1
• Poster board, on hand or $1
• Foam board, on hand or $1
• Wire, on hand
• Ribbon and lace, on hand
• Rose button or other embellishments, on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

Decide how big you want your hat to be. The one in the picture is approximately 1.5″ tall. Cut a length of poster board the width you want your hat to be tall. I used a tube of caulk to help me keep the poster board even. Tape the end.

Cut two round pieces of foam board. Because I had used it to establish the size of my hat, I used the tube of caulk to mark the round pieces. Cut just inside the line that you drew so it will fit properly. I used an X-acto knife.

Glue a few dots of glue around the edges of one of the circles of piece foam board. Put a piece of tape on the top of it and secure it to the top of the hat. Tape across the top of the hat as shown.

Glue a circle of glue inside the hat approximately 1/4″ and push the other circle into the hat. YOU DO NOT WANT THIS PIECE EVEN WITH THE BOTTOM. It needs to be in this position so that the finished hat will properly fit on the headband.

The brim of the hat should be about 1/2″ bigger than the hat on all sides. I used a bolt of ribbon to draw a circle on poster board. I placed my hat in the center of the circle and drew another circle. So that the two pieces fit, I drew one more circle about 1/8″ smaller than the hat. After I finished marking, I cut on the outer circle then carefully cut out the smallest circle in the middle. Using that as a template, I cut another one and glued the two pieces together.

For the bunny ears, I cut four pieces of felt 2″ tall and approximately 1/4″ wide at the bottom. I shaped the wire as shown and left some longer than the felt. Using the wire helps the ears stand up and bendable. You will want to make each piece of wire 1″ longer than the ears. USING CLEAR HOT GLUE, adhere each ear with the wire sandwiched on the inside. Paint the inside of the ears pink.

Cover the two pieces of the hat with the white felt, the side and top, and adhere USING CLEAR HOT GLUE. Cover the brim of the hat as shown in the picture. Glue the two pieces together.

Decorate your hat any way you like, as much as you like.

To add the ears, make two small holes on each side of the hat, four in total. Push the two wires through the holes and secure them around the headband, bending them flat when you’re finished. If you are using a wide headband, just twist the wires and bend them flat against the brim. Attach the other ear on the other side and to the headband.

If you used the thin headband, cut two small pieces of white felt to cover the wires. Hot glue them on top of the wires so they don’t show or poke the person wearing the headband. If you are using a wide headband, glue the hat on to it where the wires are. Make sure that the wires aren’t exposed.

Notes:

• I put the hat at an angle on the headband intentionally. Place it where you want to.
• The hat will also attach to a knit headband.
• If you are using a knit headband, don’t poke the wires through the brim. Glue the bottom and side of the ears to the brim.
• You can use craft glue but it takes a lot longer because of drying time.
• If you prefer more of a Derby style hat, cut a styrofoam call in half and cover it with felt. Hollow out the middle a tiny bit so it fits the headband properly.

The post Tutorial: Make a Bunny Headband for Easter or Your Dress Up Bin! appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This is the perfect gift for someone who wants the fragrance of a candle but can’t use a candle.  Some of these places include nurseries, children’s rooms, Senior Care facilities, the office, and I’m sure you can think of a few other places.

Project estimate:

• Plush Easter animal, $1
• White candles, $1 and up
• Scented oil, on hand or $1 and up
• Small plate, on hand
• Wax paper, on hand
• Coffee can or metal bowl, on hand or $1 and up
• Wooden skewer, on hand
• Easter decorations & ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $2 and up

Fill a skillet about half full of water. Break the candles so that they fit in the coffee can or metal bowl.  (You can also use a hard plastic bowl, but keep a very close eye on it so it does not melt!) YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THIS CONTAINER AGAIN EXCEPT FOR WAX. Turn the burner on to Medium-Low and watch the candles and skillet. You can use the wooden skewer to stir after the candles start to melt and to remove the wicks.  Do not leave the melting wax unattended!

While the candles are melting, remove all tags off the plush animal. Tie a bow around the neck. To do this so that the tails are under the bow, turn the animal to where it is lying on its back with its head closest to you. Cut the tails and wait for the wax to melt.

Cut a square of wax paper and place it on top of the plate you intend to use. This will keep the plate clean and if it isn’t completely flat the plush animal will fit the top of the plate and sit correctly.

Once the wax has melted, turn the burner off add your scented oil. If you are using a scented white candle, you won’t need to add scented oil.

Put on gloves and immerse the plush animal into the wax. If you have kept the burner on low to medium, the gloves will protect your hands from the heat. Turn the animal over and over until it is fully covered with the wax. Gently squeeze out any excess wax and place the plush animal on the plate. You may have to hold him up for a few minutes until the wax starts to harden.

While still on the wax paper, use the hair dryer on High to remove any excess wax from the eyes and bow. Let dry and harden, about 30 minutes.

Remove the plush animal from the wax paper. Decorate with grass, eggs or as you like.

The post Tutorial: Scented Plush Easter Animal appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I’m a big fan of whimsical, colorful decor.  Easter is such a fun holiday to craft for because there are so many creative ways to make chicks, bunnies, and other spring critters.  For this project I used cute craft wood spools to make itty bitty bunnies.

Project estimate:

• Wood Spools – $1.50 for pack
• Craft paint – on hand
• Twine – on hand
• Googly Eyes – on hand
• Mini pompoms – on hand
• Washi tape – on hand
• Ribbon – on hand

Total:  $1 and up

Step one: Paint the wood spools.

Step two:  Wrap the spool with baker’s twine.

Step three:  Use twine to make whiskers.  Set three pieces of twine side by side, and tie with a fourth piece.  Trim the ends.

Step four:  Use washi tape to make ears.  Fold a piece of washi tape in half, then trim into a bunny ear shape.

Glue all the pieces onto the face as pictured to bring your itty bitty bunny to life.  You could add a chain or cord to make a cute Easter necklace.  These bunnies would make fun photo or place card holders if you add a clip or some wire to the top.  If you’re lucky enough to have larger wooden spools you can use yarn to make big bunnies.  Have fun crafting and creating!

The post Tutorial: Bunny Decor from Wood Spools appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Shamrocks, shamrocks everywhere – it’s that time of year again!  I dug out all of my green craft supplies recently in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and came up with this easy shamrock bow made out of ribbon.  I used burlap ribbon, which is a strip of burlap that is finished on the sides so it won’t unravel, but you can use any green ribbon (wired or not wired) for this project.

Project estimate:

• Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up
• String, on hand
• Button, on hand
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free or $1 and up

Cut a length of ribbon about 20 to 24 inches long.  Fold over about 4 inches on one end of the ribbon.

Fold over the end again, this time folding about 7 inches.

Gather the ribbon together at the mid-point of the folded section and tie with string to secure.

On the back side of the bow, maneuver the long tail so that it is perpendicular to the bow you just tied.

Fold the tail down over the front of the bow, leaving about a 4″ loop at the top.

Pull the tails of the string around to the front of the bow, working from two opposite corners.

Tie half of a square knot, then wrap the strings back around the other two corners.  This will make an X with the string across the middle of the bow.  Pull the string tight and tie a knot at the back of the bow to secure.

Glue a button to the center of the bow to cover the string.

Trim the tail of the ribbon to finish the bow.

The post Tutorial: Easy Shamrock Bow appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

The dollar store frequently has decorative plaques for various holidays, seasons, and even for general decor, but for the most part they look like they were cheap.  However, it’s easy to give these cheap plaques a makeover to make them look more high-end.  For this example, I used a St. Patrick’s Day plaque, but now it’s ready to display year-round!

Project estimate:

• Picture frame, $1
• Decorative plaque, $1
• White glue, on hand
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Tissue paper, on hand
• Used dryer sheets, on hand
• Trim (optional), on hand or $1 and up

Total: $2 and up

If your plaque has…

• a hanger on the back, remove it.
• glitter, remove as much as you can with steel wool or sand paper.
• holes for a hanger, fill the holes with hot glue.

Place the plaque on the top of the picture frame back. Measure it so that it is centered. Circle the plaque with a pencil and generously hot glue it in place. Add any trim you want around the plaque, I used a braided rope left over from another project. A dollar strand of beads would have also looked good.

Wad the tissue into tight balls and straighten them out. Tear them into 3″x 3″ pieces. Add 1 part water to 5 parts white glue and mix it together. Sparingly dab the glue mixture onto the plaque in a small area and put on a piece of tissue paper. Using the sponge brush, press the tissue into any wording or indentations so it can be seen. Continue doing this until the entire plaque and trim is covered.

Tear the dryer sheets into irregular shapes. Using the white glue mixture from Step 3, cover an area of the background and apply the dryer sheet like you did the tissue paper. Cover the entire background and let dry overnight.

Paint the plaque and trim one colour and the background a lighter colour. Let completely dry. With a paint brush or a soft cloth, gently antique the plaque and trim.

Place the back into the frame.

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