This month Studio 5 gave me the challenge to make some dollar store crafts.  Being the frugal diva that I am . . . it was ON!  I decided to focus on some Easter projects.

Use hot glue to wrap hemp (I started with jute but it didn’t hold the paint very well) around a large plastic eggs from the dollar store

Use spray paint to get the desired colors

The basket was also from the dollar store

I love finding party favors and gift ideas at the dollar store because it only takes a moment to personalize and make a one of a kind custom gift.

This cute litte bunny was made from an ugly candle stick and a tacky little ceramic bunny. I simply painted them ivory, antiqued them with some glaze, addded a little moss and beaded fringe, and them simply glued the bunny to the top of the candlestick.

I LOVED these adorable little carrots. I simply added a little tag and voila! A quick and easy party favor. To download the tags, simply click on the link below.

Once again, a quick way to make a great party favor. I simply printed off a vintage image off of the web and added some decorative paper, ribbon and a button.

This is a perfect example of thinking outside of the box. I purchased several of these back at Christmas from the dollar store (it was after Christmas so they were actually 50% off) I liked the shape and thought they would make great cone baskets. I did one for Valentines day too. You can check it out in my “crafting with old books post”.

I lOVE the way this turned out! I simply painted, added some green fringe, and I printed off some paper embellishments.

This was a really simple and inexpensive project. It was made from 3 square picture frames from the dollar store, some thin wooden dowels, and a piece of wood that I got FREE from Home Depot (every once in awhile they will have a cart of free wood pieces by the cutting center). I simply drilled holes in the bottom of the frames. Inserted the dowels with hotglue and then painted. I also added a little bit of moss and a chickie figurine that I already had.

I DID NOT MAKE THIS. I actually purchased it at a craft fair but I LOVED it. It is simply a composition notebook that can be purchased from the dollar store that has been cut into a purse shape and covered with decorative paper. They simply added ribbon for the handles. I thought this was such a great idea!

This was created out of a really tacky bowl and rabbit figurine that I found at the dollar store. I simply painted and then glued the bunny into the bottom of the bowl.

This was kind of a sad little tree from the dollar store that needed a little love. I simply spray painted and added a few small easter eggs that I got last year from Joann’s on sale for $1

I simply downloaded a vintage easter image off the web and decopauged it onto the bucket. I then brushed a thin layer of antique glaze over the top.

This was a great deal! I purchased everything from the dollar store. The wreath form is typically around $5 at the craft store. I simply painted the plastic eggs with spraypaint and stone technique paint.

I hot glued moss all around the wreath.

I hot glued the eggs on the wreath and then added a little extra moss and tied a ribbon at the top.

This was probably my favorite because it was so simple, inexpensive and turned out so great! I simply used a tacky ceramic ornament that I found at the dollar store. It already had a hole in the bottom that was perfect for inserting a wooden dowel with hotglue. Then I drilled a hole in a circle base and used hot glue to insert the bottom of the dowel in. I added a hook at the top and then painted and antiqued.

Crepe paper isn’t just for cheesy party streamers anymore! Crafters are using the inexpensive , lightweight, colorful paper for DIY projects.

Here is the link to the Martha Stewart template to create these flowers http://www.marthastewart.com/265508/hard-flower-barrettes

 

 

I Love Tim Holtz.  I was so excited when I was asked to do a segment that show cased some of his products.  Check it out!

Dress up your Christmas collection with thrift store steals and dollar store finds. You might be surprised how easy it is to turn them into designer decor.

Paint Chip Galore!  This was a tough challenge for me.  I remember about 8 years ago this was all the rage.  I realized how old I was when I was actually still around for a trend came back for a second time.  Paint chips are great because they are realatively free . . . let me just say, they aren’t actually FREE.  The store has to pay for them.  So, I always say be kind and respectful.  If you are just grabbing a couple I’m sure that is fine.  However for larger projects I always think it is best to ask.  I’ve never had anyone tell me no.  Every brand of paint has a different shape or size so it is fun to shop around.  I am so grateful for the many talented women out there.  I actually pulled many of these ideas off line.  Like I said, this was a tough challenge for me, but I am excited to share.

to see the full instructions to make this go to http://www.readymade.com/projects/i_made_this_paint_chip_orbs
I got this inspiration for this here http://secretleavespaperworks.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-old-things-from-secret-leaves.html
This was a fun one.  I simply traced a fish shape and punched various sized circles with a hole punch.  I used some really cool paintchips that had a blue crackle paint finish.
I saw several great paintchip notebooks on Etsy and decided to try my hand at it.

Rope . . . typically I picture cowboys or some type of nautical setting.  Neither one particularly my style.  So, this Studio 5 challenge was kind of fun.  It was interesting trying to come up with ways to carry out this trend with my style preference.  Here are a few things I came up with. I simply wrapped some inexpensive balls with Hemp rope (walmart).  I hot-glued as I wrapped.  Then I used tape to mask off the top and bottom leaving a bare strip around the ball.  Then I used a stencil brush to paint.  After it was completely dry I removed the tape This is a figure eight knot.  There are some really cool sites that show how to tie all sorts of knots that can be fun to use in home decor.

I created these coasters by cutting out a large circle from felt.  Then I used rope and hot-glue to wrap in a circular pattern I wrapped a simple dollar store wreath with rope and then used the technique shown above on the coasters to create some rossette flowers.  I topped them with some fabric and a button. This is a softer look for rope.  I wrapped a mason jar with a light colored rope and filled with flowers This was probably my favorite project.  I used an old frame.  Removed the glass, then simply stapled three strands of rope across the back.  Then you can use small clothespins to clip photos onto the rope strands. This is a tin milk jug I found at a garden center awhile back.  I just wrapped it with rope and then printed out the label below onto printable fabric and attached it to the front.  You can download the label by clicking the photo below.  (You could also cover a glass milk jar or something similar)

My Studio 5 assignment this month was to come up with some ideas for “shoe embellishments”.  My first thought was the Bella Lane collection from Gimme Clips.  These were actually made to be used as hair-clips.  However, I LOVE using them for shoe clips, purse clips, broaches, and more!  Check out this video to see some quick and easy examples.

Right off the top I need to give a disclaimer: I AM NOT A GARDENER.  In-fact, I pretty much kill anything I touch.  So, the following ideas are for inspirational purposes only lol. Studio 5 asked me to put together some ideas for unique ideas for potting plants.  So, here you go.

This month on Studio 5 I was asked to take an “Inspiration Challenge”.  I was shown several pictures and told to create a project using those photos as inspiration,  I was actually really excited about this segment because I LOVE drawer pulls.  It gave me a chance to experiment on an epoxy mold technique that I’ve been wanting to try for awhile

so here is the picture that they asked me to use for inspiration

My Studio 5 task this week was to do a segment on Easter eggs.  I turned to my all-time favorite Easter Egg decorator Martha Stewart.  She always has amazing ideas.  I think my favorite one was the “silk dyed” eggs.  Check it out.