Dollar Store Valentine Coasters

1.30.2017

Another day, another dollar (store project). I hadn’t intended to bring you another dollar store project so soon, but something shocking happened. I was scheduled to babysit this weekend for some school-age children. Because I never show up empty-handed I brought all my crafting supplies along with me, only to find out that they didn’t want to craft with me! GASP! It was life-changing. This just doesn’t happen to me! I was all sorts of out of whack. I was going to have to rely on a super-fun personality? I mean, come on, that can’t compare with my crafts now can it?

Contrary to my beliefs, apparently I am super-fun. To give myself some credit, the children woke up the next day and asked if I could come back every day. So there’s that. I’ll take what I can get. Even if it’s only three and five year olds who want to hang out with me. At least it’s not just my husband and my cat.

To get back on track, I had purchased this pack of glitter foam hearts from the Dollar Tree to make a project with the kiddos. I didn’t know what else to do with them, so I made some fun coasters for Valentine’s Day. Just glued three together (they’re thin), and covered each side in Mod Podge (mandatory unless you want your house covered in glitter – trust me, it never goes away at my place).

These even make a cute gift if you add a little ribbon. Everyone loves a handmade craft, don’t they? I bet even my new kid friends would love them. 😉

DIY, Holidays!

Geometric Heart Print

1.26.2017

I think it’s safe to say that if you’re reading my blog, you’ve probably found yourself lost in Pinterest once or twice (a week?). I feel like I visit the site for one purpose and twenty minutes later I feel like an empowered woman who wants four new outfits, two new puppies, and who’s on her way to Michael’s to make fifteen projects after work. I mean really, you need some serious woman-power to get yourself off that site. But I’m not a quitter, so you can find me there if you need me.

During holiday seasons, I usually cruise Pinterest to get some decorating ideas. That, and free prints for my holiday frames. Hint: You can spend $19.99 on a framed Valentine’s print at Target, or you can just buy a cheap frame (spray-paint it if needed), and print a freebie off Pinterest. This is the bane of my existence.

I found a few cute prints this year, but really wanted something a little more hands-on. So what’s a girl to do when she can’t find what she’s looking for? She makes it of course! So I got out my ruler, black marker, and went to town. I created this geometric heart print all by my lonesome (you might think this is not a huge feat, but I am NOT a drawer in any way, shape, or form). Printed two copies, cut pieces from one to trace onto patterned paper, and then glued said pieces onto the other. It’s pretty simple, although a little time consuming. Perfectly paired with a new show my husband is loving on Netflix (that I find a little slow).

In case you don’t have the extra time during a boring Netflix show, you can always just print my version (although it definitely isn’t as cool as making it yourself).

DIY, Holidays!

Valentine’s Pillar Candles

1.23.2017

Apparently I’m not the only person in the world that loves dollar store crafts, because they seem to be among my most popular posts. And why shouldn’t they be? None of us want to spend more money making the craft than it’s worth to buy, amiright? So when you combine dollar store ingredients and just a few minutes, and end up with a super cute craft, you’re #winning.

So who would I be if I withheld such a valuable crafting combination from you? Not a good friend, that’s for sure. And I’m not in the department of pushing friends away (Facebook seems to do enough of that these days). So push pause on your new favorite Netflix show, and get your butt to the dollar store. You only need three things (considering you have a glue gun): White pillar candles, burlap ribbon, and sparkly foam hearts. All of which the Dollar Tree is currently selling. Like I said, get your butt out the door! We all know how quickly stock changes at our favorite store.

Cut the burlap ribbon to fit around the candle one time, use hot glue to adhere it to the candle. Use hot glue to stick one foam heart to the front of each candle. Anddddd you’re done. Like I said, it’s easy, quick, and cute!

DIY

Super Easy Sparkle Frame

12.16.2016

As you’ve probably gathered from the three hundred thousand posts where I mention visiting the Dollar Tree, I am somewhat of a cheapskate. When it comes to material possessions, I just don’t like to spend very much money on them. That is, unless it’s a new camera. My mother likes to joke that I ask for a new camera every year for Christmas and my birthday. (If you’re thinking to yourself right now, “If she always gets new cameras, why aren’t her photos better?” – just shush. I’m usually a little short on time, and that’s when the iPhone comes in handy.)

So back to the point. Around Christmastime, there always seems to be such pretty sparkly frames for sale. And let’s be honest with each other, we both know that I love glitter and anything that sparkles. Like, a lot. But when each frame is almost $20? Eh. I’d rather put that money in my Vacation fund.

So what’s a girl to do? I mean, if you have to even ask that question, you and I have some catching up to do.

You go buy a frame for a buck, you get out your Mod Podge and extra fine glitter at home, and you glitter the shit out of that frame. And then you cover the glitter with a little more Mod Podge so your house doesn’t look like a strip club when you’re done. Not that I would really know, but from what I hear, there is a lot of glitter at strip clubs.

When you’re done, you find a very simple print that you can use to show off the pretty glitter. If you happen to like the print I found, you can print your own for free here.