Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity at home with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects.

by

DIY Decor Tags {A Versatile Christmas Decor Craft}

Before you get mad and tell me it’s not even Halloween yet, let me explain why I’m sharing a Christmas craft in October.  I am moving (you can read more about that here), and as a result, a lot of my craft supplies are boxed up AND I can’t decorate my house for fall or Halloween because of showings, etc. 

Because of that, I’m limited in what creative muscles I can flex right now, and this easy Christmas craft was just right!  It’s a transformation of Dollar Tree printed chipboard tag ornaments into darling buffalo check decor tags that add a special touch to Christmas decorations!

Add a dash of charm to your Christmas decor with these dollar store DIY decor tags! Using only dollar store supplies, you can make these large tags to add to wreaths, vases, to use as ornaments, to put in tiered trays, or to hang from a doorknob! The possibilities are endless, and these are such a cute Christmas craft!

Large scale decor tags have been popping up all over the stores, and this project gave me a chance to put my own twist on the trend.  Everything I used can be purchased at Dollar Tree, so you know it’s also extremely budget-friendly! 

Where To Use Large Decor Tags

Before I give you all the details on how to make your own decor tags, you might be wondering WHY you’d make these tags.  What do you use decor tags for?  The answer is – just about anything!  They’re actually really versatile and add a pop of interest anywhere you put them.  Some favorite uses for decor tags are:

  • added to wreaths for a seasonal touch
  • in a tiered tray (these are all the rage over on Instagram and Pinterest. I might be the only person who doesn’t have a tiered tray to decorate.)
  • hanging on a doorknob
  • hanging from a vase or planter
  • tied together as standalone door decor
  • grouped in a basket as part of a larger vignette

Hopefully those ideas spark an idea for you of where you could use similar decor tags in your own home!

Add a dash of charm to your Christmas decor with these dollar store DIY decor tags! The buffalo check wrapping paper makes these tags on trend for Christmas this year! Using only dollar store supplies, you can make these large tags to add to wreaths, vases, to use as ornaments, to put in tiered trays, or to hang from a doorknob! The possibilities are endless, and these are such a cute Christmas craft!

Supplies Used to Make Large Decor Tags

Now, let’s get down to business!  Here’s what you need to make these cute Christmas decor tags.

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

How to Make Christmas Tags for Decor

To help you find in store the exact tags I used for this project, here they are!

Use these Dollar Tree tag ornaments to make adorable decor tags for your Christmas decorations this year.

Flip them over to the flat backside (the fronts have some raised glitter on them), and cut wrapping paper to be slightly larger than the tags.  Then, trace the tags onto the back of the wrapping paper.

Use Christmas wrapping paper to add a festive touch to these decorative tags.

Cut out the tag shapes from the wrapping paper.  Then, place a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire chipboard tag.

Mod Podge is the perfect decoupage medium to attach wrapping paper to these decorative tags.

Carefully place the wrapping paper that you cut to the shape of a tag on top of the Mod Podge chipboard tag.

Buffalo plaid wrapping paper adds a festive touch to this Christmas craft.

Carefully smooth out any wrinkles and make sure that the wrapping paper is flattened all over.  Set the tag aside to dry.  This will take about 20 minutes.

Once the tag seems dry, gently rub the edges of the wrapping paper with sandpaper.  This will remove any wrapping paper that’s sticking over the edge of the chipboard tag.  

Use sandpaper to remove excess paper from the tags.

Next, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the wrapping paper.  This will help seal the wrapping paper onto the tag, and it will remove the shiny finish of the wrapping paper.  

Add a layer of Mod Podge to the top of the tag.

Set it aside to dry.  As it dries, you will notice that the hazy finish disappears.  Yay!  

Once it’s dry, gently brush a bit of black paint around the edges of the tag to give it an aged look.  Adding black paint around the edges of the tag will help add an aged look.

Then, apply the poster stickers to write out words that fit on the tags.  I think four letters are the max that will fit with these poster stickers on these tags.  Dollar Tree poster stickers are an easy way to add lettering to these decor tags.

Use a pencil to poke a hole through the wrapping paper at the top, and then, for an added touch of authenticity, paint a silver circle around the hole.  Use silver paint to add a faux metal circle to the tags.

String twine through the hole, and add decorative elements to the twine.  I used the cutest little red truck ornaments from Dollar Tree and silver jingle bells.  But, you could get creative and add whatever embellishments you like!

These darling decorative tags were created with Dollar Tree craft supplies!

See how easy it is to upgrade the look of these Dollar Tree tags with just a few simple tweaks?  You get a totally adorable look for hardly any money at all.  I just love when decor works out that way!

-Bre

Here’s Another Great Dollar Tree Christmas Craft! Check Out This Dollar Tree Christmas Cloche! 

by

Pool Noodle Pumpkins: A Fun Fall Craft!

While cleaning out my husband’s car this weekend, I found a pool noodle left behind after a trip to our local swimming pool this summer.  A jolt of inspiration hit and I grabbed the pool noodle, ran inside, and got to work making some adorable Pool Noodle Pumpkins for my fall decor!  Cute! These DIY POOL NOODLE PUMPKINS are super easy to make and oh-so-adorable! This is a great fall craft for groups because it's so cheap to make!

I wasn’t totally sure if pool noodles transformed into pumpkins would be cute, but I gave it a try anyway.  And thankfully, they’re darling!  Pool noodle pumpkins are the cutest craft in the patch!

Pool noodle pumpkins are also extremely easy to make and very, very cheap.  These would be a perfect fall craft for large groups (I bet you could make ten pumpkins per pool noodle), and even for the least crafty people around.  They are SO easy to make!

Pool Noodle Pumpkins Supplies

  • Foam pool noodle
  • Fabric (I used a Halloween scarf from Dollar Tree)
  • Wood blocks (I used pieces from a Dollar Tree Jenga game)
  • Raffia or other ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Knife

How to Make Pool Noodle Pumpkin Crafts

 


The first step is to cut the pool noodle into pieces.  I used a serrated knife and the noodle cut very easily.  If children will be making this craft, please make sure to cut the pool noodle ahead of time; do not give the children knives!  Cut a foam pool noodle to make pool noodle pumpkin crafts!

Next, lay the pool noodle piece on top of a piece of fabric.  Cut the fabric so that there is enough fabric on all sides to wrap around the pool noodle and tuck into the hole.  Cut fabric to wrap around a pool noodle to create a cute fall pumpkin craft.

Once the fabric is cut, begin pulling the fabric upwards toward the pool noodle hole, and then tucking the end of the fabric into the hole.  Wrap fabric around the pool noodle to begin creating the pool noodle pumpkin.

Continue wrapping, pulling, and tucking until the pool noodle is completely covered with fabric.

Then, take the wood block and stick it into the hole where the fabric is tucked.  The wood block will hold the fabric in place, but if you want a more secure hold, you could hot glue the block into the hole, too.  Use a Dollar Tree Jenga block as the pumpkin stem.

Finally, tie some raffia around the wood block “stem” to create the look of a vine on the pumpkin.  Tie raffia around the wood block pumpkin stem.

And that is all it takes to make the cutest pool noodle pumpkins in the patch!  Transform foam pool noodles into adorable pumpkin crafts! This blog post shows you how. It's easy!

This craft was perfect for me right now since I can’t really decorate or work on large projects due to our move.  I love how quickly it came together and how cute these pumpkins turned out!  Cute! Grab your kids' pool noodles and turn them into darling pumpkins! This fall craft could not be easier! Love this pumpkin craft and pool noodle upcycle.

 

by

10 More Must-Buy Dollar Tree Craft Supplies

Almost four years ago I publicly proclaimed my love of Dollar Tree craft supplies when I wrote a post on 10 Craft Supplies You Should Buy at Dollar Tree.  I had no idea how popular that post would be; it is the number one visited post on my blog of all time! 

Since that time, Dollar Tree has stepped up their craft supply game even more, and I realized it is time to update that post.  In many stores they’ve added an entire section called “Crafter’s Square,” and it’s filled with amazing buys on craft supplies!  So, here I am, adding to the list of craft supplies you should buy at Dollar Tree, and filling you in on ten more craft supplies you should definitely buy there!

Save money with this list of ten more must-buy Dollar Tree craft supplies! You won't believe what craft essentials you can get for just one dollar! Many of these craft supplies are new additions to Dollar Tree's craft aisle. Check them out and save.

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

If you haven’t read the first post about my favorite dollar store craft supplies, make sure to check it out after you read this post!

Don’t forget that all of these items cost just $1!  If you’re not a regular Dollar Tree shopper, you might not know that unlike other dollar stores, everything in the store is actually $1!

1.  Wreath Forms

If you’ve ever made your own wreath, then you know that wreath forms are surprisingly expensive when you buy them at the craft store.  Dollar Tree sells both wire wreath forms and natural wreath forms in various sizes.  And, at the holidays, you can find them in different shapes!  For example, this fall they have a 3D pumpkin wire wreath form, and for Christmas they have a candy cane shape wreath form! 

Dollar Tree now has an expanded selection of unfinished wreath forms! The wreaths come in all shapes and sizes!

I have made so many projects using Dollar Tree wreath forms, like this Modern Metal Wreath (using the Dollar Tree heart wire wreath form), a Hanging Ribbon Chandelier (using the 4″ grapevine wreath from Dollar Tree), and countless seasonal wreaths (like this Fourth of July Tinsel Wreath).  

I’ve saved so much money using their wreath forms instead of buying them at the craft store!

2.  Deco Mesh Ribbon

Since we just talked about wreaths, I think this second craft supply makes sense – deco mesh ribbon!  If you haven’t used it before, deco mesh is a super flexible woven material that feels like a cross between fabric and plastic.  It can be really pricey at the craft store, but lucky for us, Dollar Tree carries it, too!  

Dollar Tree decorative mesh ribbon is wonderful for DIY wreath projects!

They typically have decorative mesh in the colors shown in that picture, and then for holidays and seasons they have different colors, too!  

I used deco mesh to make an adorable Easter bunny wreath, and I also love to use it to dress up wrapped packages or gift bags.  

3.  Mod Podge Decoupage Medium

I could hardly believe it when I saw that Dollar Tree carries Mod Podge – my favorite decoupage glue on the planet!  It comes in small bottles, but that’s great because most of the time you don’t need thaaaat much of it when crafting!  

Dollar Tree sells Mod Podge! It comes in small containers but is perfect for small craft projects.

Some of my favorite craft projects that use Mod Podge are Dollar Tree decor crafts!  The decorative plates hanging over my kitchen sink and this adorable trinket dish are two that come to mind.  I definitely wouldn’t have needed more than one of these small Mod Podge bottles for those crafts.

4.  Artist’s Canvas Panels

Canvas panels and stretched canvases are among the newer additions to Dollar Tree’s craft aisle, and I couldn’t be happier about it!  Although the largest size they seem to carry is 8×10, the canvases are good quality (unless you’re a professional artist, in which case I’m sure you make your own canvases anyway!), and are perfect for crafters and kids projects!  

Dollar Tree artist canvas is a new addition to the Dollar Tree craft aisle. Get these for all of your craft projects!

The canvas panels fit into Dollar Tree’s wide selection of picture frames, too, which is great for finished projects!  And the stretched canvases can be displayed or hung just as they are (kind of like I did with this Dollar Tree Pumpkins Sign I made recently).

5.  Hot Glue Sticks

One of my crafting mottos is that you can never have enough hot glue sticks!  Who agrees?  🙂

Dollar Tree now carries regular hot glue sticks AND glitter hot glue sticks!  How awesome is that?  Now these aren’t hot glue sticks meant for industrial strength hot glue guns (like my Ryobi cordless that I use for big jobs!), but for those regular strength glue guns that most crafters use.  

Dollar Tree hot glue sticks are a bargain at just one dollar per package!

I hot glue just about everything, so I am always replenishing my hot glue stick stash.  I haven’t tried the glitter hot glue sticks yet, but I think they look so fun!  This simple Glitter Word Art project from The Crafting Chicks looks like something you could easily do with the Dollar Tree glitter hot glue!  (Don’t forget to pick up one of the artist’s canvases while you’re there, too!)

6. Craft Wire or Floral Wire

Have you ever purchased wire at the craft store?  It is SO expensive!  Like jaw dropping expensive!  Dollar Tree sells floral wire that you can cut with scissors and use for so many different types of projects: wiring florals to wreath forms, making jewelry, adding embellishments, and more!  

Dollar Tree floral wire is great for all different types of craft projects.

I’ve seen it in many colors, but this Dollar Tree where I took the picture only had it in purple and red.  I used some of the red floral wire to make a cute hanger for a Valentine decoration I made.  I don’t have a blog post for that project, but I do have this video if you care to watch!  

7.  Craft Wood Shapes and Accessories

Craft wood at Dollar Tree is pretty much brand new – and from what I’ve been seeing in some Facebook Groups I’m in, the selection is only going to get larger!  It used to be that Dollar Tree carried a few wood cutouts around the holidays (like the wood heart I used in that Valentine Door Hanger video posted above), but they are BLOWING IT OUT of the water now with an extremely expanded selection of craft wood items!

Check out Dollar Tree's expanded selection of craft wood items! Such a great craft supply basic for just a dollar.

Unfinished wood picture frames, wood bird houses, unfinished wood plaques, 3D wood figurines and more!

Dollar Tree sells a wide variety of unfinished wood craft items! This is a new craft supply at Dollar Tree.

I even saw unfinished wood letters and numbers.  These are crafting staples that cost so much more at the craft store!  

Stock up on these items and you can make projects like these cute labeled picture frames or this little “hello” welcome sign!

8.  Craft Storage Containers

Anyone who crafts knows that you need a lot of storage for all of your STUFF!  Am I right or am I right?

I absolutely love Dollar Tree’s craft storage items because they keep my stash in check and actually let me have some semblance of organization.  Their plastic locker-style bins are perfect for holding larger items, their pencil cups are my go-to for paint brushes, pens, and scissors, and their tiny plastic containers with lids are what I store gems and beads in.

So while storage containers may not technically be craft supplies, they are essential to the crafting process, so I’m including them!

9.  Decorative Ribbon

My favorite time to buy decorative ribbon at Dollar Tree is for holidays.  The ribbon they have out for celebrations is usually cuter than the ribbon they have during the regular times of year.  Now, being perfectly honest, I haven’t found their wide wired ribbon to be the best in quality (sometimes the wired edge separates from the ribbon itself), but I do like their 5/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon and some of their other decorative ribbons (like their burlap and lace ribbon).

Craft ribbon from Dollar Tree is one of the best dollar store craft supplies to buy.

Ribbon like this typically runs $3.99 and up at the craft store, so these spools are a bargain at $1 a piece!  

10.  Faux Flowers and Faux Greenery

OK, Dollar Tree’s faux flowers are not always the most realistic, and I do not advocate using them in your home decor in place of real flowers or greenery or in place of realistic-looking faux flowers.  HOWEVER, there are many times that Dollar Tree’s flowers look great for decorative craft projects!  Some of the flowers are much more realistic than others!

Take, for example, the faux flowers I used in my Dollar Tree Salt and Pepper Shaker Bud Vases.  Those are very realistic!  Or look at the fake sunflowers on my early fall sunflower wreath, which are also from Dollar Tree.  Those look great, too!

You just have to look at the fake flowers closely and take care to choose ones that don’t look totally unrealistic.  When you do that, you get a great-looking end result and you save a lot of money because craft store fake flowers can cost a lot!

***

So there you have it – ten more must-buy Dollar Tree craft supplies.  You’re going to be saving so much money on your projects – I can feel it!  And, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to read the companion post to this post on Ten Craft Supplies You Should Buy at Dollar Tree!

-Bre

Once You Stock Up, Make These DIY Dollar Tree Home Decor Projects

by

Halloween Skull Decoration: Make a Mini Halloween Cloche!

The spookiest time of year is almost here again!  Get ready to pull out those Halloween decorations and deck the halls for trick-or-treaters.  And of course, don’t forget to make time for some Halloween crafting!  This year, Halloween skull decorations are all the rage, and I’m going to show you how to make a mini Halloween cloche with Dollar Tree plastic skulls.  It’s a piece of Halloween decor that’s cute and creepy all at the same time!

Skull decorations are so hot for Halloween! Use Dollar Tree mini skulls to make these cute and creepy Halloween cloches!  

This Halloween skull decoration is pint sized, which makes it totally perfect for any little spot in your home or office that needs a tiny dash of Halloween.  Think shelves, entryway tables, window sills, and more!

I need small and discreet Halloween decorations this year so I can easily stash them away for house showings.  (We’re moving!  Read up on our unexpected life change here.)  This is just right!

Also, because this Halloween cloche is miniature (well, mini as compared to a regular-sized cloche, but not fairy garden mini!), you can make the whole thing in about 20 minutes.  Not bad!  Use Dollar Tree mini skulls to make adorable Halloween cloches for Halloween this year!

Supplies Needed to Make a Mini Skull Halloween Cloche

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

How to Make a Mini Skull Cloche For Halloween Decor

Begin by getting your paints and paint brush ready!  Paint the unfinished wood candle holder, the mason jar rim (or baby food jar lid), and the unfinished wood furniture button with the black acrylic paint.  

Learn how to make a skull decoration with cheap craft supplies.

Chances are that the black paint won’t cover the rim of the mason jar very well (even with multiple coats), but that is OK!  Let some of that silver color underneath show through – it adds to the look!

Once the black paint dries on all of those pieces, lightly dab some silver metallic craft paint or acrylic paint onto the wooden pieces.  You can also add some silver paint to the mason jar lid if it needs it.  Mine did not.

Paint a wooden candle holder.

Let the silver paint dry and then use hot glue (only with a high temperature hot glue gun) or use a glue made for plastic and wood (like E6000), to attach the mason jar lid to the wood candle holder.  

Turn a candle holder and mason jar into a cute Halloween cloche with skulls!

Place a little Spanish moss inside the lid, and be careful not to put too much in.  You can hot glue the moss to the lid if you like, or leave it loose.  (You might like to see how I used this same Spanish moss to make my fake fiddle leaf fig tree look real!)  

Spanish moss adds a spooky touch to a Halloween cloche craft project.

Then pop a miniature skull on top of the moss.  You can also hot glue the skull onto the moss if you want a more stable skull.  🙂  (That sounds so funny.) 

Use Dollar Tree mini skulls to make adorable Halloween cloches for your decor this Halloween.

Now, screw the mason jar onto the lid and trim off any Spanish moss that sticks out the sides.  If you choose to add the little wooden button to the top, go ahead and glue that on now.  

So adorable! Use mini skulls to make tiny Halloween cloche decorations.

Once that glue is hardened or set, your adorable mini Halloween cloche is complete!  

Make a Halloween cloche with skulls to add some creepy and cute to your Halloween decor this year.

This is one Halloween skull decoration that you definitely want to add to your haunted house this year!  

This Halloween skull decoration is creepy and cute at the same time! Make a Halloween cloche with miniature skulls in under 20 minutes!

-Bre

by

Make a Dollar Store Toolbox Planter

The kids are back in school and the temps are cooling off: my mind is definitely shifting gears toward fall!  Because of that, last week I shared a cute DIY Dollar Tree Pumpkin Sign project that will cozy up your home decor, and this week I’m sharing another fun fall project!  This dollar store toolbox planter is perfect for your your porch or an entryway table!  So cute!! Transform a Dollar Tree toolbox into a pretty planter filled with flowers for fall! Learn how to replicate this look for any season - it's so easy!

Isn’t it pretty?!?  And friends, it is SO darn cheap to put together.  EVERYTHING except the spray paint is from Dollar Tree!

Okay well enough oooooh’ing and aaaaah’ing over this dollar store fall decor – let’s get down to business!

Supplies Needed to Make a Dollar Tree Toolbox Planter

Like I said, pretty much everything for this project is from Dollar Tree!  If it’s not from the D.T., I will let you know next to the supply name.  Also, some of the links may be affiliate links.  You can read my full disclosure policy here.

  • Toolbox
  • Floral foam brick
  • Faux flowers of your choice (I used a bunch of sunflowers leftover from my Dollar Tree Sunflower Wreath, mums, and a beige flower of some sort)
  • Faux pumpkin clips (they come in a three pack)
  • Plaid wired ribbon
  • Harvest metal word (they come in a three pack of Harvest, Thankful, and Welcome)
  • Spray paint (I used this brand and color of spray paint) (not Dollar Tree)
  • Black acrylic paint to add some faux age to the toolbox (not Dollar Tree)
  • Gold acrylic paint for the metal word (not Dollar Tree)
  • E6000 glue (not Dollar Tree)

How to Make a Dollar Tree Toolbox Planter

Start by spray painting the toolbox in whatever color you like.  I really liked this matte burgundy/purple color because it was bold and moody – perfect for fall!  Spray paint a Dollar Tree toolbox a fun color and use it as a planter!

Once the spray paint dried, I lightly added a bit of black paint all over the toolbox to make it look older and less “flat” – if that makes any sense. 

Next, I popped a block of floral foam inside the toolbox.  The rectangular floral foam from Dollar Tree is the perfect fit for the toolbox.  Dollar Tree floral form is the perfect base for this toolbox planter.

Next, I got to work cutting faux florals and placing them into the floral foam.  

Fall faux flowers will be beautiful in the toolbox planter.

I had a stem of faux leaves set aside to use, but decided that the colors didn’t look right with the flowers I was using, so I ultimately ditched them.  Press faux flowers into floral foam.

Once I had the flowers in place, I worked in some of the Dollar Tree wired ribbon, and then added several of the faux pumpkin clips.  Those clips are great because they just attached right to the flowers, exactly where I wanted them!  Faux flowers and pumpkins from Dollar Tree make a beautiful fall arrangement.

Finally, and not pictured here because I forgot to photograph this step, I dabbed a little gold acrylic paint on the metal word “Harvest” and let it dry.  Then I glued it to the inside of the toolbox for a little extra flair.

It all came together super cute and much prettier than the toolbox in its original form.  🙂  This is so pretty! Learn how to upcycle a toolbox into a planter! This fall arrangement is gorgeous and made entirely with Dollar Tree florals.

I can’t stop making Dollar Tree crafts – I hope you’re not sick of them!  Love this pretty fall flower arrangement! See how she transformed a Dollar Tree toolbox and made it a beautiful fall planter!

This entire toolbox planter cost $7 in Dollar Tree Supplies and $4 in paint.  I had the rest of the supplies already, so there was no cost there.  That is not bad at all!  Faux pumpkins, plaid ribbon, and faux florals make a beautiful fall floral arrangement.

So what do you think – will you be transforming a toolbox into a pretty planter for your home?  Let me know!

-Bre

 

Stenciled Chair Seats – A Thrifty and Fun Kitchen Chair Makeover

Thank you to Cutting Edge Stencils for providing the stencil used in this project and the prize to be awarded in the giveaway.  The project and opinions are all my own. One thing I love is giving a plain object new life and personality with a simple change.  Stenciling the seats of my beat up kitchen […]

Two-Tone Painted Dresser Makeover in Cypress Vine Green and Wood

Have you ever had a vision of how something would look in your home – and you were convinced it would be awesome?  That’s what happened to me when I purchased this antique tall dresser in a Facebook resale group recently.  I knew it would be gorgeous in my living room (to take the place […]

Chalk Painted Drop Leaf Table Makeover

Several weeks ago my kids and I were driving when I spotted a table in the alley behind our church.  Like the dedicated furniture hoarder that I am, I immediately threw the car into reverse and backed into the alley to check it out.  It was an old drop leaf table that hadn’t sold at […]