Dollar Store Design: Plasticware That Turns Your Head
Great design is everywhere. Sometimes it’s just a matter of looking at ordinary objects from a different angle, like Instagrammer and Montreal-based art director Gary Whitter did here:
Originally posted on Instagram by @gwhitter under #dollarstore.
Bright colors, clean shapes, catchy designs than pop–would you have known this was a dollar store find? Some things just work, no extra dollars required. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Tag your photos with #dollarstore or #dollarstorefinds or #liberty$store to share them with us!
Dollar Store Creativity: Indoor Butterfly Garden
Stumbling across the internets as I so often do, I happened on this terrific idea from mom blogger Amy Bowers, the “mamascout leader” at mamascouts.blogspot.com. It’s a terrific idea for a few reasons:
- It’s raising butterflies, and everyone loves butterflies. They are the fairies of the bug kingdom, spreading loveliness and pollinating flowers wherever they alight. Plus, they’re lovely bugs that neither sting nor bite. Incredible. And they transform from one cool-but-buggish-bug into something entirely different. Where would metaphors be without butterflies? Besides the whole cocoon-emerging theme, a rose by any other name probably wouldn’t have been a rose in the first place without a butterfly to pollinate it.
- It’s a project for kids. Kids are awesome, though they have been known to bite and sting. They obviously need the influence of gentle, non-bitey butterflies in their lives.
- It’s a nature project and science project, but it’s one everyone in the family can get behind. Butterflies bring families together. Especially butterflies raised on the dining room table.
- It involves a pop-up hamper, a device so cool it makes you want to do laundry just so you can have an empty hamper to play with and pop up and down over and over.
- Aside from the nature stuff, which you can get either at a nursery inexpensively or free out in, ya know, NATURE, this Project of Infinite Wonder costs all of $1. How can you deny this to your kids now?
Thank God It’s Pinterest Friday: Quick & Elegant Ice Cream Slab Dessert
Source: dollarstoremom.com via Kammera on Pinterest
First things first: The above picture of a chocolate-draped quadrilateral of ice creamy delight looks unbelievably delicious…and I suspect still would look unbelievably delicious even if I hadn’t skipped lunch.
Second: It also looks decadent. That goes with the being a chocolate-draped quadrilateral of ice creamy delight, but it should be said.
Third: Delicious Decadent Desserts = Expensive, Time-Consuming Desserts. (Neither of which should be confused with deserts, which are hot and dry and pretty much the exact opposite of ice creamy delight.) I believe this equation DDC = ET-CD is one of the foundations of higher algebra. Caveat: I majored in English.
Fourth: The exception to this rule is when the said delicious, decadent dessert is MADE ENTIRELY OUT OF THREE INGREDIENTS THAT COST ONE DOLLAR EACH, quickly assembled, lovingly photographed, and pinned to Pinterest to tantalize and tease my tummy on a day I skipped lunch.
Yep, it’s even prettier now, isn’t it? Personally I’m fond of the draped-in-chocolate look (on desserts, not on myself), but you could also bedazzle your dollartastic creation with sprinkles, frosting, or any other imaginative accompaniments you could dream up.
I’m thinking this chocolate-draped miracle is missing something, a little sparkle perhaps. A huge silver spoon that nestles into my hand would look perfect, stuck right in the middle. Don’t you think?
Thanks to Dollar Store Mom for sharing the original post she found at Rambling As Usual, and to pinner Kammera Rice for pinning Dollar Store Mom’s post that tempted me so!
Here are the instructions how to make it:
- Buy a $1 carton of frozen ice cream from the dollar store, and some $1 chocolate bars, sprinkles, candy or other toppings.
- Put the box of ice cream on a platter, carefully cut the box away, and freeze the ice cream on the tray until it’s hard again and will keep its shape.
- Top it how you want: Melt some chocolate and drizzle it down the sides, cover it with crushed candy or elaborate sprinkle designs–go crazy!
- Put it back in your freezer until you’re ready to stick a giant spoon in the middle of it and hand it to me. I mean, your guests.
Did you make a version? Post it to your blog or Pinterest, then link to it in the comments! I’d love to see it. Please also include directions to your home (just kidding).
Link Love: 6 Holiday Craft Projects on a Budget
Thanksgiving is over, and it’s getting cold outside. What better time to decorate for the holidays. You’ve purchased the tree. The stockings are hung on the mantle [with care]. However, no house is fully decorated until the ornaments are placed and the rooms are filled with holiday cheer. This Girl on a Budget found SIX holiday craft projects using items from the dollar store. Create homemade, fabulous ornaments; add a special holiday sign to any room; and add seasonal flair using a popular snack. Check out the links below for more details.
photo credit: Alyssabeths Blog
Holiday JOY Sign Tutorial – Dollar Store Crafting
The “Alyssabeths” blog featured a post recently that provided a tutorial on creating a holiday sign using items she found at her local Dollar Tree Dollar Store. Using picture frames, decorative paper, ribbon, glue, ornaments and ribbon a new tradition is born. The details are located here.
photo credit: Eric Roth via WomensDay.com
Holiday Craft: Topiary Ball
Do you love pistachios? I found a craft project from Women’s Day that uses red pistachios to create a lovely topiary ball. Using a hot-glue gun, red pistachios, a Styrofoam ball and red acrylic paint beginner crafters can create a delightful decoration that can be displayed on an egg cup or candlestick from the dollar store. Get the project details here.
photo credit: TidyMom
3 Homemade Christmas Ornaments {tutorial}
Many families have holiday traditions ranging from special food entrees to special events. This craft project is an opportunity to start a tradition built of Christmas ornaments. These ornaments are perfect for adding sparkle to the tree or give them as gifts. Either way, people are sure to enjoy them! The project details for all 3 ornaments are located here.
These crafts projects are sure to add a festive touch your home and tree! Decorating for the holidays can be fun, easy and inexpensive using items from the dollar store.
“What do you think? Do you have other easy holiday craft projects? Share them below!”
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Holiday Gift Boxes in 5 Minutes
Ten Days until Christmas! There’s still time to find great gifts and gift wrapping options for the special people on your list. The local dollar store has a variety of items to make the season of giving a bit easier. This Girl on a Budget found materials for a super cute AND easy craft project at the dollar store. For the small gifts or party favors, making holiday gift boxes is an great opportunity to add a personal touch. Below are detailed instructions on what I did in less than 5 minutes with less than 5 dollars!
Holiday Gift Boxes
These gift boxes make a perfect package for small gifts. They are ideal for gift cards, jewelry, or candy favors. The gift boxes I used were only $1 at the local dollar store.
Items needed:
Gift boxes, these were labeled as Party Favor boxes
Holiday Stickers from the craft store (I used foam stickers)
Instructions:
1. Adhere desired stickers to gift boxes prior to assembling the boxes.
2. Assemble the boxes and insert gifts.
Along with gift boxes, the dollar store has many other gift wrapping options – bags, boxes, wrapping paper, holiday stockings and more. Don’t spend a fortune when a few dollars will suffice. Dollar stores have what you need!
What holiday gift options have you found at the dollar store? What is your favorite gift wrapping choice?
Leave your comment below.
Happy Holidays!
Money Saving Tips for Back-to-School Shopping
Can you hear the pitter-patter of little feet as millions of children prepare for the annual event known as “The First Day of School?” Outfitted in new clothes, new shoes and pure anticipation, boys and girls across the country eagerly look forward to returning to [or starting for the first time] school each August. Their return to school would not be complete without a list of school supplies. Back to school shopping is a task that can be fun and exciting. The local dollar store can make school supply shopping less draining and more economical.
In preparation for classes, finding the right supplies is ideal. While each school or district may have a specific list of items needed, there are a few basics that every student should have. This girl on a budget found the following school supplies at my local dollar store.
Paper Supplies
Paper is definitely an essential part of the supply inventory. Depending on the age and grade, different types of paper are needed. The dollar store has a solid quantity of loose leaf paper, writing tablets, note pads, memo books, journals and other paper products.
Writing Supplies
Armed with innovative and insightful thoughts, students need writing items as part of their school experience. Load up on pencils, pens, erasers, correction tape and permanent markers.
Art Supplies
Children have a vivid imagination and what better way to express their creativity than through art?! The dollar store is the perfect place to arm your student with art supplies. I found crayons, markers, bottle s of glue, scissors and more.
Storage Items
Many schools require students to provide practical ways to store their supplies for safekeeping. There are several solutions for storage, including binders, folders, cases, containers, and boxes. Another item to consider for storage is a lunch container to hold delicious meals from home.
The first day of school is fast approaching, and there is no time like the present for school shopping. Your local dollar store is a great place to purchase the necessary school supplies without breaking the budget.
Have you purchased your child’s supplies yet? What did I miss on my list? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
photos courtesy of the “Girl on A Budget”
5 Summer Grilling Must-Haves from the Dollar Store
As summer “officially” begins this Memorial Day weekend, many Americans will choose to relax and prepare their meals by grilling outside. This Girl on a Budget found amazing grill items at the local dollar store that will take any grilling endeavor from ordinary to extraordinary.
There are endless recipes for summer grilling. Many tasty and healthy dishes can be prepared with ease and effort. In addition to meat, buns and veggies, Summer Grill Masters should equip themselves with these Top 5 Must-Have items:
Every outdoor chef should be equipped with tools for safe grilling. Check your local dollar store for options. (photo: Girl on a Budget)
- Seasonings: Add spice and flavor to your food with seasonings from the dollar store for a bargain. You will find a variety of spices – that can quickly transform your recipes – such as black pepper, garlic powder and seasoning salt.
- Condiments: No grilling menu is complete without the necessary sauces that complement any meal. There are great bargains on mustard, BBQ sauce and ketchup at the dollar store. I found that all were readily available in large quantities.
- Grill Tools: While summer grilling can be fun, it is important to be safe and efficient. My local dollar store provides a generous selection of grill tools and accessories. I was delighted to find grilling tong sets and spatulas in addition to grill brushes and scrubbers (for easy cleaning). You can also find mitts and towels for safe grill handling.
- Trays / Coasters / Dinnerware: Festive trays and dinnerware in both paper and plastic options are great additions to your summer grilling experience. Check your local dollar store for availability and variety.
- Grilling Apron: Every Summer Grill Master needs a BBQ apron (and the authority it commands)! Search for the perfect apron at the dollar store.
When planning the perfect summer celebration, check the local dollar store for affordable items and party accessories. Having the right equipment is one step closer to providing the right food, environment and experience!
What is on your must-have list for summer grilling? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
