Who likes "special wall art" from the dollar store? No? How about if it is jazzed up and redone with the help of some pretty die-cuts and dimensional gloss? Why, yes! Thank goodness for Amy Anderson, who is always making super happy fun time art with the power of Mod Podge over at Mod Podge Rocks! And can I say, I LOVE Dimensional Magic, the aforementioned dimensional gloss? It is such a fun toy. [how to make dimensional dollar store art]

I love the concept of making art and then highlighting areas of it with Dimensional Magic. If you haven't heard of DM, it's a lot like resin, without the mixing, mess, and fuss. And it comes in a bottle with a small spout so it is easy to apply.

Project Materials:

• Dollar store frame with cardboard backing (otherwise known as "special wall art"), $1
• Mod Podge Matte, on hand or about $5
• Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, about $5
• Spray paint, on hand or $3 (don't get the cheap $1 stuff)
• Scrapbook paper, on hand or $.50 each
• Craft glue, on hand

Total: $6 and up depending on your craft supply stash

My dollar store has had a regular supply of t-shirts and other clothing lately, so I've been having a great time refashioning things on the cheap. I love this idea from Heidi at Honeybear Lane -- making a very pretty alteration to a boring tank top. Using a fat quarter and a cool cut-out trick, she customized an inexpensive tank top into a very pretty refashion. You can remake a tank top you already have on hand, or hit the dollar store, thrift store, or big box store to find a shirt that will work for this project. [how to make a snowflake cutout tank top]

If you don't have fusible webbing on hand, you will want to hit the fabric store to get a bit of it. It won't take much!

Project Estimate:

• Tank top, $1 and up
• Fat quarter of fabric (or fabric scraps), on hand or $1
• Fusible webbing, $1 and up
• Sewing stuff, on hand

Total: $2 and up

I have three little boys, aged 2, 4, and 5, which means we are BUSY! Even when we're stuck at home. Parents of three boys know that having three of them is NOT like any other combination of kids. It is a whole lotta boy! You can probably guess how immersed in little boy fun I am. When my first son started talking, I quickly learned about all kinds of vehicles and tractors. And of course I know my way around dinosaurs. That's why I was happy to receive a fun new toy to review (with my kiddos) from Vtech: Switch & Go Dinos.

But first, let me share the crafty portion of this post--a quick and easy racetrack idea! I found an picture of a masking tape racetrack, and I knew I had to try it.

Masking Tape Racetrack

Project Materials:

• Masking tape, $1
• Cars, on hand
• Your floor, on hand (or foot! ha ha!)

Total: $1

To Make:

Just tape out lines on your floor using masking tape. You can create as simple or as complex a track as you want to. I added streets, parking spots, and rectangles that could stand in for "buildings" or other destinations. There's no wrong way to do it!

We have used our track with small cars, large tractors, train tracks, and now the Switch & Go Dinos.

Switch & Go Dinos Review:

The reason I decided to review these toys is because my boys are huge fans of vehicles AND dinosaurs (one of my 5 year-old's favorite books is called DinoTrux by Chris Gall). We were all excited to test out these toys, that combine the two PLUS a morphing process. If you have boys, you know how much they love any toy that does multiple things and is capable of switching between them. I like it when a toy can do multiple things because it encourages creative play.

We got two Switch and & Go Dinos: Sliver, The T-Rex Dino and Horns, The Triceratops. My oldest son (who is almost 6), was able to switch them from dinosaur to car and back to dinosaur with no coaching. My middle son (who is 4), figured out most of the mechanisms, and after I demonstrated the rest, he was able to repeat them with no help. My youngest (who is 2-1/2), could play with the car or dinosaur in either state, and could do some switching, but needed a little help to completely switch them.

Here's a little animation of the tail switching into a spoiler.

The toys have an LCD screen that switches from dinosaur eyes (a few different styles) to the windshield of the racecar with a driver inside. There is a button that makes sound effects and says interesting facts about each dinosaur as they come to life, exclaiming up to 30 expressions.

I made a video with my boys demo-ing the toys (and playing with them):

I just had my 4 year-old show me how these work as I was typing up this review, and he is much quicker at it now that he has been playing with them for a day or two.

The Verdict:

I was pleased with these toys because they were a good fit for all three of my boys. Each boy was able to play with and have fun with these toys, and they played with them constantly for hours as soon as they got them out of the package. The price is reasonable for these toys (suggested retail price of $15.99), especially because they have such a range of play. The quality seems to be very good, and the design and engineering of the toy seems to be well-thought-out. There was no frustration on my boys' part when they switched the dinosaurs.

There isn't really much to complain about, although I will say that toys that can make noise aren't always a parent favorite as sounds can get repetitive and annoying. The good thing is that there is a volume button! The sounds are pretty pleasant, and I haven't had a problem with the sound yet. Also, the T-Rex's name is "Sliver" which doesn't really come out clearly when he says it. My boys called him "Flivver."

Pros:

• Works for an age range of 2 to 6 (and beyond)
• High-quality design and workmanship
• Easy for preschoolers to use
• Very reasonable suggested retail price
• Clever combination of cars and dinosaurs
• Encourages creative play
• Variety of sounds and phrases
• Volume button

Cons:

• Toys with sounds are not always a parent favorite
• Keeps making noise for at least a minute after a button is pushed

How to Buy Them:

• The four Starter Dinos: Sliver the T-Rex, T-Don the Pteranodon, Tonn the Stegosaurus and Horns the Triceratops are on-sale exclusively at Amazon.com for a suggested retail price of $15.99. Buy today on Amazon
• They'll be available at VTechKids.com beginning June 18 for a suggested retail price of $15.99
• All Switch & Go Dinos will be on-shelf at major retailers beginning in Fall 2012, including the four Starter Dinos, as well as Attila the Ankylosaurus (SRP: $24.99), Span the Spinosaurus (SRP: $29.99), Brok the Brachiosaurus (SRP: $49.99)

What do you think of this product? Would you buy it for your kids, nieces and nephews, or grandkids?

Memorial Day has come and gone, but don't stash those patriotic decorations too deep in the closet.  After all, the 4th of July will be here before you can say "fireworks display!"  That's why it's a good idea to start cataloging ideas now - ideas like this cotton candy filled cone that Heather made over at Dollar Store Mom!  Have you noticed the little buckets of cotton candy at Dollar Tree?  One bucket contains enough to make 4 to 6 cones, so these festive treats cost as little as $0.15 each.  Now that's our kind of price tag!  [how to make 4th of July candy cones]

Project estimate:

• Bucket of cotton candy, $1
• Scrapbook paper, on hand or $.50
• Glue, on hand
• Small dinner or dessert plate, on hand
• Wooden coffee stirrers and stickers (for the decorative picks, optional), on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up

What to do with fabric or t-shirt scraps and a dollar store basket? Simple! Make a pretty no-sew woven basket. You can even add handles. So many possibilities for this technique from Bless This Mess. She has done a pretty ombre woven basket in this style as well. [how to make a no-sew woven fabric scrap basket]

Project Estimate:

• Basket, $1
• Fabric scraps, on hand

Total: $1

Are you planting a garden this year?  Whether you're tilling up a big plot or just tending a few potted plants on the porch, there are tons of great DIY ideas out there that are perfect for gardens of all sizes.  Need some examples?  Here are some of our favorite garden-y projects, all using items that you can find at Dollar Tree.

[plastic serving bowls]

[plastic popcorn buckets]

[DIY Urn Planter]

Flower pots can be expensive, especially if you are looking for ones that are a little bit fancier.  The good news is, you can put plants in nearly any container!  To make this urn-style planter, grab a plastic serving bowl and a plastic popcorn bucket.  If you don't care for the color of the parts, a little bit of spray paint will make it any shade you desire.

[pool noodles]

[Pool Noodle Garland by Dollar Store Mom]

Besides flowers and veggies, what else does a garden need?  Some decorations, of course!  Our cohort Breanna came up with the idea of using pool noodles to make a colorful outdoor garland, perfect for adding a dash of personality to your garden or patio.

[flip flops]

[coffee mugs]

[Flip Flop Plant Sconces by Jon S. @ Garden Share]

This is one of our favorite garden ideas we've seen this year - or ever!  The simple combination of flip flop sandals and coffee mugs become sconce-style planters, bringing a bit of green to a wall or fence.  They're as practical as they are cute!

[crepe paper streamers]

[DIY Seed Tape by Mad in Crafts]

One of the most important things you can buy for your garden?  Seeds!  Make planting them foolproof (and kid-friendly) by making homemade seed tape using crepe paper streamers.  Seed tape also makes a great gift for a green-thumbed friend!

[plastic stemware]

[Mardi Gras beads]

[Plastic Stemware Outdoor Chandelier]

Looking to push your garden decorating over the top?  Snag some plastic stemware and Mardi Gras beads and whip up a snazzy outdoor chandy!  People might look at you like you're crazy when you tell them what you're up to, but when they see the finished product chances are they will want one too!

Here's an extremely easy way to carry your fall or winter shoes into spring.  Dollar store ribbon, a favorite of DIY fashionistas, replaces boring shoe strings.  This is also an inexpensive workaround if you are having trouble finding shoes to match a particular outfit; just find ribbon to match instead.  (It makes it a great idea for weddings, formal dances, or other fancy-dress occasions!)

Project estimate:

• Lace up shoes, on hand
• Ribbon, on hand $1

Total: Free or $1

Simply remove the existing shoe strings. Measure an equal (or longer) length of ribbon.

Lightly burn the ends to prevent fraying.

Lace your shoes.

Adorable, right?  (And generally cheaper than actual shoelaces too!)

Somewhere out there is a tie-loving father who anxiously awaits mid-June every year knowing it will mean an addition to his collection.  But he's not my dad.  The last time I saw him in a tie was my wedding, and as soon as the ceremony was over he quickly removed it.  In my wedding photos you can easily spot him at the back of the crown, collar open, wearing a baseball cap.  No, my dad isn't much of a tie wearer.  He does, however, appreciate tongue-in-cheek humor (and snack foods), so this might be a more appropriate necktie-related gift for him.  Inspired by an idea from Martha, the ladies over at Eighteen25 put together these cute tie boxes and filled them up with some of dad's favorite munchies.  Now that's more my dad's style!  [how to make Father's Day tie boxes]

Project estimate:

• Plastic box, $1 and up
• Paper, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Printable template, free

Total:  $1 and up

The first time I heard the term "rain chain," I had no idea what it meant but it sounded so cool that I instantly wanted one.  Then I actually saw what a rain chain is - an alternative to the traditional rain gutter downspout - and I realized that I didn't just want one, I needed one.  Now, you could spend close to $100 to purchase a rain chain, but we're willing to bet that most of our readers are too frugal for that kind of expenditure.  Especially when you can make your own for just a fraction of the price!  We found a DIY version at Curbly that DIY Maven assembled using small metal buckets.  Form meets function meets frugality...  We love it!  [how to make a rain chain]

Project estimate:

• Small metal buckets, about $10 and up
• Chain, about $3 and up
• S-hooks, $1 and up
• Eye bolt,  $1
• Downspout outlet, about $2 and up

Total:  about $17

We love a good crafty challenge.  Nothing gets the creative juices flowing quite like it!  Jane from Buzzmills is took part in a "Feather Your Nest" challenge recently, the parameters of which were that the project had to:  1) include recycled materials and 2) it was a stitch-along, so there had to be sewing involved.  Taking a literal twist on the bird-related theme, she dug into her pile of magazines (who doesn't have a million of those laying around collecting dust?) and came up with a simple (and free!) mobile.  She drew her own bird template for this project, but you could also do an image search for bird clipart to print and cut out if you don't feel so artistically inclined.  Or you could go for a different shape altogether!  [how to make a recycled paper bird mobile]

Project estimate:

• Magazines, on hand
• Template, free
• Sewing machine, on hand
• String, on hand
• Twig, on hand

Total:  Free!