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.

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!

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I’m a big fan of silly, whimsical objects and gag gifts.  I thought it would be funny to have a cup with a handle that wasn’t your ordinary, everyday cup handle.  What about an animal shaped handle?  Why not?

These quirky, funny animal handle cups would be great for a party, or just for livening up an everyday meal.  They’re really easy to make, too!

Project estimate:

• Tumblers, 4 for $1
• Plastic animals, on hand or $1
• Super glue, on hand
• Painter’s tape, on hand
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

Step one:  Glue the animals onto the tumblers.  To keep the cups from tipping over, position the animal so that its tail touches the table surface.  To speed things up, I used super glue with a dot of hot glue on top.  This way the animal stays on the tumbler while the super glue dries.

Step two:  Cover the lip of the tumbler with painter’s tape.  I didn’t want anyone’s mouth touching spray paint, so I left part of the cup uncovered.  I couldn’t find my painter’s tape, so I improvised, but you’ll get cleaner lines if you use the correct product.

Step three:  Spray paint the cups and animals.  I used Krylon Fusion for Plastic.

Remove the tape, clean your cup, and set them on the table at meal time.  Watch the look of surprise on your guest’s faces when they see these cups with animal handles.  You can’t help but smile, can you?

The post Tutorial: Party Cups with Animal Handles appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Your eyes aren’t the only ones that strain in the bright summer sun – your pooch’s eyes need protection too!  Next time you step out for a walk on a sunny day, do it in style with these cool doggie sunglasses!  They go on the head in a goggles-like fashion; perhaps we should call them Doggles?  Erika and Sebastian from Sew DoggyStyle are here today to share how to make your own pair!

• Sunglasses (either baby, kids, or adult depending on size of dog), $1
• Stretchy headbands, $1
• String, on hand or $1

The post Tutorial: Dog Sunglasses appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It’s October already!  I’m a nut for Halloween, so I’m very excited to kick into high gear for the season!  I’ve been surfing all over blogland looking for great costume ideas, like this adorable little skunk costume by Kathryn at The Dragon’s Fairy Tale.  I live in a chilly climate , so I like costumes that are nice and cozy, and I’m a little lazy sometimes so I like projects that are easy; this costume is both!  [how to make a skunk costume]

Project estimate:

• Black sweatshirt, on hand or $1 and up
• Black pants, on hand or $1 and up
• Black hat,  on hand or $1
• White faux fur, about $5 and up
• Hot glue, on hand

 Total:  about $5 and up

The post Make a Skunk Costume 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.

This is Fred the Hamster. Isn’t he cute? I sewed him a custom hamster cozy using two different dollar store scarves (for a swap on Craftster).  Sewing a hamster cozy is pretty simple, and using scarves for fabric makes it even simpler!

Since the project was simple and I wanted to make it special for Fred, I embroidered his name on the cozy with my sewing machine. My sewing machine is in sore need of a tune-up (it barely zigzags–what was I thinking trying to monogram like that?), and the letters are a little wonky, but I am happy with the personalization.

Scarves are abundant at the dollar store during the winter (and especially before the holidays! I have noticed that the scarf supply is waning now that we are heading toward spring); I picked up a fleece scarf and a woven plaid scarf. This cozy is fully reversible, too!

If you are making a cozy for a hamster, just sew securely, trim threads, and you’re good. If you are sewing for a gerbil (or other chew-loving animal), you might want to choose fabrics that can’t be easily chewed into and make sure you reinforce the seams by sewing a second seam millimeters away from the first seams. Don’t try this project for a gerbil! Fred’s mommy told me:  “I really wouldn’t recommend any fabric for gerbils. They are maniac chewers. Cozies would be excellent for rats and mice.”

Project Materials:

• Fleece scarf, $1
• Plaid scarf, $1
• Sewing machine and thread, on hand

Total cost: $2 (with scarf leftover–you could make a couple hamster cozies with two scarves).

To make:

1. Fold one scarf over lengthwise until scarf is desired hamster cozy size. Add two inches to the length for seam allowance. Cut.
2. Fold second scarf to same size and cut. If the scarves aren’t the same width, trim to the narrower scarf’s width.
3. If you want to add an applique or monogram to outside scarf, now is the time. Sew it to the scarf that will be facing outward. Make sure you sew it to the outside-facing side of the scarf.
4. Fold both scarves with right sides together and sew up sides of each scarf. (And again, if sewing for gerbils).
5. Turn inner lining scarf inside out (right side should be facing out now), and put it inside the outer scarf.
6. Pin top seams together. Leave a spot where you won’t sew about 2″ long or so – you will turn the cozy inside-out through this hole. You can mark it with double pins to remind yourself, or just remember it – you’re not gonna be sewing for long, here!
7. Sew around the area you just pinned, remembering to leave the 2″ gap.
8. Turn inside out through gap.
9. Turn exposed fabric (where the gap is) into the gap so the seam looks finished. Iron lightly if desired (use a very low setting – dollar store scarves, y’know!).
10. Sew around top seam, making sure the place where the gap was is sealed satisfactorily.
11. Fold top over, and you’re done!

Don’t be scared by the instructions here. They sound more complicated than they are. Even if you are a beginning sewer (or have never sewn anything before), you can do this project!

The post Sew a Hamster Cozy From Scarves appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Grade schoolers will flip over this dino-themed bulletin board with dinosaur push pins. This would be a great gift for one of the many inevitable birthday parties your little Ezra will be invited to throughout the year. Substitute any cute little toys or erasers you find at the DS. Project: ohthatashley

Project Estimate:

• Picture frame: $1
• Cork board tiles/bulletin board: $1-2
• Push pins: $1
• Dino toys: $1
• Magazine clippings, cool paper for frame (on hand)
• Hot glue for push pins (on hand)
• Mod Podge, Elmer’s, etc. for sealing decoupage on frame, on hand

Total cost: $4-5

Not bad for a birthday gift!

The post Make a Dollar Store Dinosaur Bulletin Board appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Make simple and fun printed gift wrap using foam stickers purchased at the dollar store! You can quickly create big sheets of wrapping paper by rolling a printed design on using a rolling pin and foam stickers.

Materials Needed:

• Rolling Pin and/or metal lids from jars (on hand)
• Foam stickers ($1)
• Paint (on hand)
• Freezer Paper or foil or plastic wrap (on hand)
• Paper to print on (on hand or $1)
• Masking tape (on hand)
• Paint brush (on hand)

Total Cost: $1-2

Instructions:

1. Cover rolling pin with protective layer of freezer paper (or construction paper, as shown) and tape down.

2. The fun part! Decide which stickers you want to use, and stick them to the rolling pin. You can use random stickers in a random pattern, or precise placement for a more orderly look. Kids of almost any age can participate in sticker-sticking, too!

3. Protect your surface with newspaper, or freezer paper (paper side up). Tape down. I recommend using masking tape because it’s easy to remove from both your counter and the paper.

Bonus: when you’re done with the project, roll a quick design on the surface protection, and use for wrapping paper!

4. Tape down freezer paper alongside your printing surface, shiny side up. You will use this to ink your prepared rolling pin. Pour paint on freezer paper in desired colors. (Note: if you don’t have freezer paper, use plastic wrap, or foil).

5. You might want to spread the paint out a bit more, using a piece of cardboard (from a cereal box, etc.), and then gently roll your rolling pin over the paint until the stamps are all covered in paint.

6. Gently roll prepared rolling pin over paper! Re-ink when needed.

7. Hang your printed paper up on a clothesline to dry, or use masking tape to attach to cupboards. (Tip: Use washable paint to make for easy cleanup!)

Alternately, make single stamps. This would be a better activity for small kids, since a small stamp is easier for small hands to work with.

1. Stick sticker to a very flat, sturdy object. I used a metal lid from a peanut butter jar. Another good option would be a small block.

2. Ink the stamp using paint. I found that it was easiest to get good coverage with a paintbrush. You will need to re-ink the stamp about every three stamps.

3. Stamp away! Use multiple stamps if desired.

Bonus: You can also use printed sheets of construction paper to make coordinating greeting cards! Make a stack of them and tie them in a ribbon for a great gift.

The post Tutorial: Make Animal Gift Wrap With Foam Stickers appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This is a guinea pig cuddle cup – isn’t that a cute name? Maybe if we enlarge the pattern, we can make a human-sized cuddle cup. I am pretty sure we could all use such a cozy-sounding bed. Creator bindingtwine made this out of dollar store towels. You could also enlarge the pattern just a little to make a great bed for a kitty or dog.

Project Estimate:

• 2 Towels, $2
• Batting, $1 (or recycle from old blanket)

Project Total: $3

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