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.

Some Halloween costumes are more universal than others.  For instance, my most recent costume consisted of a bath robe, a towel, and a book with “Don’t Panic” in large, friendly letters on the cover.  Get it?  Most people didn’t; despite seeing hundreds of people that day, there were only two (yes, two) geeky oddballs who got a good laugh out of it.  If you want to avoid the awkward “what-are-you-supposed-to-be” guessing game, try something a little less subtle, like this Mr. Potato Head costume from Alison at Oopsey Daisy, posted at The Train to Crazy as part of a fabulous handmade costume series.  This costume is for her husband, and she made a matching Mrs. Potato Head for herself.  They go with a collection of group outfits on a Toy Story theme.  How fun!  She appliqued the facial features to the costumes, but I’m also keen on the idea of using velcro to attach them, adding the same interactive element that makes the toy so much fun!  [how to make a Mr. Potato Head costume]

Project estimate:

• Felt yardage, about $9
• Velcro, on hand or $1
• Sewing machine, on hand

Total:  about $9 and up

The post Make a Mr. Potato Head Costume appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

One of the most common questions we get here at DSC are along the lines of, “What kind of crafts can I do for *insert party theme here*?”  We love themed parties and are always glad to help when it comes to brainstorming!

Today’s question comes from reader Katrena, who is planning a Toy Story themed birthday party for her soon-to-be-3-year-old stepson.  She wants to go all-out with the theme without going all-out with the budget.  She’s already sent out invitations she made with Toy Story pictures on them, and she also sent out invitations on Facebook using a Toy Story image.

Without spending much money, what other things can she do to flesh out the Toy Story theme?

[Image: Entrance to the Toy Story Midway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios by Simsim2009; via Wikimedia Commons]

The post Reader Question: Toy Story themed party ideas? appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.