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 got the inspiration for this craft watching Shark Tank. The creators were looking for investors. They now sell for $14.95 and work about the same way as the ones I created.

Project estimate:

• Stuffed aquatic animal, $1
• 1 kids sock, on hand or $1
• Needle & thread, on hand
• 1/4 inch Velcro, on hand or $1 and up
• Soap, on hand or $1
• Buttons, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

Remove all tags from animal and one of the kids socks.

Cut the sock just below the heel, as shown in the picture. Turn over the edge into the sock and sew it, using the stitch below, on half of the top.

Pin the sock to the tummy of the animal. Start sewing from where you left off and sew around the sock to the other side. Cut your thread and tie a square knot.

The Velcro I bought had adhesive backs. I removed the paper and hot glued them on the top and inside of the sock. This keeps the soap inside the sock. I also sewed and glued a button on top of it so that it was easier to open to remove the soap.

To give the animals a little personality, I sewed and hot glued buttons on them. After I sewed them I added hot glue under and around the button and on the thread. If either fails, the other should hold. I feel that this extra precaution is necessary since this is a child’s toy.

After using, remove the soap and hang with a plastic clothes pin to dry. I chose not to add a loop to hang it on for safety reasons. The animal can be machine washed.

The post Tutorial: Bath Time Soap Animals appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Love the idea of a DIY stuffed animal but aren’t so sure about your sewing skills?  Here is one that anybody can handle making!  Jen at Kids’ CBC created this cute little slithery fella out of a sock, and it doesn’t require a single stitch. It’s a great way to use an odd sock whose mate has gone missing; or if you go out and buy a pair of socks for this project, you’ll be able to make a pair of matching snakes!  [how to make a no-sew sock snake]

Project estimate:

• Knee sock, on hand or $1
• Polyfill, on hand or about $3 and up
• Googly eyes, on hand or $1
• Felt, on hand
• Hot glue gun, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make a No-Sew Sock Snake appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Sock monkeys make perfect presents for little ones. With so many fun sock patterns to choose from at the dollar store, you’ll be sure to find a sock that will match the tastes of the kiddo or parents! Just keep in mind that button eyes should only be used on monkeys given to older children who no longer put things in their mouths. For a baby-appropriate sock monkey, simply draw or stitch the eyes on with embroidery floss instead. [how to sew a sock monkey]

Project estimate:

• 1 pair of socks, $1 and up
• Felt scraps, on hand
• Buttons, on hand or $1
• Embroidery floss, on hand or $1
• Polyfill stuffing material, $3 for a large bag
• Batting scraps, on hand or $1 and up
• Sewing machine, on hand

Total: $4 and up

The post Make Your Own Sock Monkey appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It’s the premise of so many horror films and nightmares:  a toy coming to life as an evil creature.  There’s something about the dark that makes beloved toys suddenly seem ominous and creepy.  To play off that fear, I thought it would be entertaining to make Halloween decor that was creepy but not gory.  It’s really simple to transform an innocent plush toy into a creepy Halloween demon.

Project estimate:

• Stuffed animal, on hand or $1
• Vampire teeth, $1
• Felt, on hand
• Glue gun, on hand
• Large rhinestones, on hand or $1

Total: $1 and up

Step one:  Open the vampire teeth and trace the outline on a piece of red felt.  Cut the shape out.

Step two:  Cut a slit on the plush toy’s face where the teeth will go.  Make the cut slightly wider than the vampire teeth.  Remove some of the stuffing.

Step three:  Fold the felt in half and insert in the cut area.  Stitch around the cut area to hold the felt in place.

Step four:  Insert the vampire teeth in the mouth, and use hot glue to hold them in place.

My cute sock monkey has suddenly transformed into a monster!  To “up” the creepy factor, I glued rhinestones over his eyes.  I think I’ll make a few more like this to make a scary Halloween display.  This would also make a fun prop for a Halloween costume!  Would you want to snuggle with this creepy monkey?  :)

The post Tutorial: Spooky Halloween Plush Monster appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

What kid doesn’t love stuffed animals? Here is a great handmade gift idea for the littles in your life – a cute little kitty made out of a terrycloth towel! We found the pattern for this adorable feline at Nunodoll, a great resource by dollmaker Runo where you can find all kinds of wonderful doll and stuffed animal patterns and tutorials.  Using terrycloth as a material for making dolls is such a great idea – not only is it inexpensive, but it is easy to wash!  [how to make a terrycloth stuffed cat]

Project estimate:

• Towel, on hand or $1
• Polyfill, on hand or about $2 and up
• Buttons, on hand
• Embroidery floss, on hand
• Sewing machine or needle as thread, on hand
• Pattern, free

Total: Free and up!

The post Make a Terrycloth Stuffed Cat appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

While Megan from Brassy Apple was on vacation with her family, her sister came up with a fun project! Her son was watching Toy Story and really wanted a slinky dog, so she took a dog and a slinky and combined them! For extra durability you might want to try this with a plastic slinky, which will stand up to more adventures that its easily-bent metal counterpart. [how to make a slinky dog toy]

Project estimate:

• Stuffed dog toy, $1
• Slinky, $1 and up
• Needle and thread, on hand

Total: $2 and up

The post Make a Slinky Dog Toy appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I have a pretty odd and twisted sense of humor.   I think that’s why I love Halloween so much; it’s one time of year when my eccentricities are perfectly acceptable!  It is comforting, however, to see that others out there  have the same weird sense of humor, like Instructables founder ewilhelm.  He turned a stuffed koala bear into this hilarious animal attack costume, and also used a stuffed dog and pair of pants to make another variation.  What do you think?  Do you find this costume funny?  [how to make an animal attack costume]

Project estimate:

• Stuffed animal, on hand or $1
• T-shirt, on hand or $1
• Red fabric paint, on hand or $1 and up
• White felt, on hand
• Needle and thread, on hand

Total:  Free and up

The post Make an Animal Attack Costume appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Okay, I’ll admit, real taxidermy does freak me out a little sometimes.  For instance, I know a guy whose wife will only let him hang his mounts in his office, so when you walk into this tiny room there are about a dozen pairs of unblinking eyes staring at you from every direction.  Yeah…  Creepy!  This faux taxidermy project, however, has a weird, macabre charm that I can truly appreciate.  Over at I Love to Create, designer Jennifer went on a thrift store safari and hunted down a stuffed zebra, which she now proudly displays on her wall.  It’s so much less creepy, expensive, and inhumane than the real deal!  [how to make a mounted stuffed animal head]

Project estimate:

• Stuffed animal, on hand or $1
• Wooden plaque (or scrap wood and a saw), on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand
• Ribbon, on hand
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up

The post Make a Mounted Stuffed Animal Head appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you’ve ever spent much time photographing kids, you know it can be a challenge.  Cranky moods and outside distractions can make it nearly impossible to get a shot of a smiling face that’s looking in the right direction. Debra from Housewife Eclectic, who also happens to do some photography, came up with an easy DIY solution to help her take better pictures of her youngest subjects.  She converted a stuffed animal to fit around her camera lens, making a fun focal point that holds kids’ attention and keeps them smiling all through the session.  [how to make a camera lens pal]

Project estimate:

• Stuffed animal, on hand or $1 and up
• Hair scrunchie, $1
• Needle and thread, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make a Camera Lens Pal appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.