Those "silver" trays from Dollar Tree are some of my favorite items to craft with -- they're made of steel so they work with magnets, and make great magnet boards! This cute project, by Tricia from Simplicity in the South, was posted over at Fox Hollow Cottage. Maps plus magnets? Yes please! [how to make a magnetic map board]

Project Materials:

• Silver-tone tray, $1
• Old map, on hand
• Spray paint, on hand or about $3
• Mod Podge, on hand
• Magnets, on hand or $1

Total: $1 and up

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I have many fond childhood memories of Grandma's house.  One thing that I remember is that she always had a basket full of pretty little soaps that sat near the bathroom sink.  These were the "guest soaps" and nobody was allowed to use them.  It never made sense to me; why call them guest soaps if the guests aren't supposed to touch them?  These days I prefer to call them "decorative soaps," a name that seems much more fitting.  Want to dress up your vanity with some decorative soaps of your own?  Gail from Can't Stop Making Things applied a free vintage graphic to some plain bars of soap, creating her own custom soaps that would be perfect for display or to use as gifts.  You can use this method to put any image you want onto the bars!  [how to make decorative printed soaps]

Project estimate:

• Bar soap, $1
• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Computer & printer, on hand
• Graphic, free
• Wax paper, on hand or $1
• Hair dryer, on hand

Total: $1 and up

Whether you know one special little princess or a whole slumber party's worth, here's an idea you will definitely want to pin! Nikki from Whimsy Love made this pipe cleaner tiara after seeing a similar idea in a library book. It's a perfect party favor or activity for a princess party, and a must for any dressup clothes collection. And did we mention that we find it abso-stinking-loutely adorable? [how to make a pipe cleaner tiara]

Project estimate:

• Pipe cleaners, on hand or $1
• Rhinestones (optional), on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total: Free and up

A few months back I bought a bunch of these little frames from the Dollar Store to use as place card holders for our teaching staff.  After the event I had no idea what to do with them.  I shuffled them all around my craft room until yesterday when I said, "No more! I have to come up with something to do with these or get rid of them."  Being a craft supply hoarder of course I wasn't going to throw them out.  Here's something really fun I came up with.

Project estimate:

• Paper, on hand
• E6000 glue, on hand or about $3 and up
• Painter's tape, on hand
• Small frames, $1 each (you will need approximately 7 or 8 frames total)

Total: about $7 and up

First decided what you are going to put into your frames.  You can also decide at this time what you want your frame design to look like.  We are a faith based family and I was excited to have a cross shape.  Just cut the paper to size and insert into frames.  I intend to write my personal blessings in each frame.

After you have your design in mind, place the frames face down in the desired shape.  I flip them over because the face of the frames are flat and it will be easier to place them together.

Place glue along the edges which will join with another frame.  You may choose to use the blue tape to hold the frames in place after you glue them.  Wait until you project is completely dry before handling.

These little frames are really fun and can be placed in any design.

Summer is around the corner, and I want to get my patio ready for cookouts and backyard parties.  I adore tropical flowers, and I have several varieties, like hibiscus, planted in my yard.  I wanted to bring that beauty to the table, so I used a lei to create a quick, inexpensive centerpiece.  At just $2 per centerpiece, you could make enough for a big gathering.  Or, since it IS a wreath, hang it on your door instead.  Your choice!

Project estimate:

• Wreath form, $1
• Lei, $1
• Rhinestones, on hand or $1
• Glue gun, on hand

Total - $2 and up

(I purchased the wreath form and lei at Dollar Tree.)

To make your own wreath form centerpiece:

Step one:  Cut the lei to remove the flowers.  Discard the straws and just use the flowers and leaves.

Step two:  Use the glue gun to attach the leaves and flowers to the wreath form.  I glued two flowers together to make them fuller.

Step three:  Glue rhinestones to the centers of the flowers.

Your wreath/centerpiece is now ready to display!  You can place a hurricane glass in the center and put a candle inside.  You could also arrange a few candles inside the wreath.  As for me, being in mosquito country, I'll probably plop a big citronella candle in the middle.  But it will be the prettiest citronella candle around!

Make easy leather-covered journals using thrift store leather and dollar store notebooks. This simple project can make a unique gift and is quick enough to make for a group such as teachers or a bridal party.

Project estimate:

• Lined journal, $1
• Cardstock (or old report holder), on hand
• New or recycled leather, on hand or $1 and up
• Spray adhesive, on hand or about $3 and up

Total: $1 and up

Using a straight edge and craft knife, cut away the cover from your dollar store journal.

If you are using thick or stiff leather, use the removed cover as your template. Trace around it onto the leather using tailor's chalk.

If you are using soft leather, the journal will look better if the cover is trimmed to the same size as the paper inside. So open the paper pages inside the journal and trace around the paper to make a template. (Optional: You can leave one edge of the leather raw and uneven for a rustic-looking journal.)

Cut out the leather with a rotary cutter if possible. Otherwise a straight edge and knife will do.

Trim your cardstock into two pieces that are double the size of one sheet of paper. (When folded in half, they will be the same size as the paper.) These will be your end sheets.

Using spray adhesive, glue one side of each end sheet to the front and back of the paper journal. Center paper over the leather cover. Use fabric glue or a similar flexible glue to glue the spine of the paper to the leather. Then use spray adhesive to glue the cardstock to the leather.  Place something flat and heavy on top of your journal and allow it to dry.

You can use scraps of leather to embellish the journal with a latch, a tie or a bookmark.

Do you know anyone who knits?  We've found the perfect gift to make for them!  How adorable is this knitter's necklace?  Designed by Think Crafts contributor Stephanie, this quick and easy project will be treasured by the yarn lovers in your life.  (Heck, I can't knit to save my life, and even I want one for myself!)  It's also a great way to use up those tiny bits of yarn that are too small for many other applications.  [how to make a knitter's necklace]

Project estimate:

• Large bead, on hand
• Head pin, on hand or $1 and up
• String or yarn, on hand
• Toothpick, on hand
• Small beads, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Chain, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

It's difficult to pick my favorite thing about this flip flop makeover by Destri from The Mother Huddle.  The colors are adorable, the ruffles are oh-so-sweet, and the elastic ankle straps are a stroke of crafty genius.  (Especially if you're making these for little ones, who might have difficulty keeping regular flip flops on their feet!)  And it's a good project for using up some smaller fabric scraps, which is always a plus, particularly for all the craft hoarders out there.  (Yes, I am raising my hand...)  [how to make ruffle flip flops]

Project estimate:

• Flip flops, on hand or $1
• Fabric scraps, on hand
• Elastic, on hand or $1
• Sewing machine or needle and thread, on hand

Total:  Free and up

We aren't the only ones going flip flop crazy right now - Laura from The Experimental Home is also doing a series of flip flop makeovers! One of her projects was this pair that has zippers for straps. Aren't they just adorable? You could even take this a step farther and embellish them with zipper flowers if you are of the more-is-more mindset. Make sure you check out the rest of her flip flop redo projects as well - he has some great ideas! [how to make zipper flip flops]

Project estimate:

• Flip flops, on hand or $1
• Zippers, about $2 and up
• Hot glue, on hand

Total: about $2 and up