Before and Afters :: of :: Dollar Store Craft Day!

See previous post :: I went buckwild on "idea items" as I like to call them.... at the DOLLAR TREE, the most fantabulous place in the world !!!

Began this simple little project with two items from the Dollar Tree :: a silver and black beautiful gift bag, and an 11x14" black frame.

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I cut a piece out of the bag to fit into the frame. I hung it with some gray toned ribbon. I also hung it with some vinyl lettering, all items from Dollar Tree.

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Total Cost of Project :: $3-4

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There was a set of vinyl lettering at DT (dollar Tree) with the saying "Live Well Laugh Often Love Much" I decided to frame up "Much Love" (a more relaxed, easygoing saying. reminds me of potheads and jamaicans). I used a pink envelope leftover from V-Day and randomly placed the letters. The beautiful black from is straight from DT, no alterations.

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LAMP TIME!!

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This little beauty struck my attention one day and Goodwill and I snatched it up for $3-4. I knew I wanted to put something inside the glass, like stones or glass chips, or something. I put about 3 different fillers in, before I found the perfect black river stones at DT (Dollar Tree) today. And it was just enough to fill the inside of the lamp :)

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AFTER

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A beautiful, classy lamp. for my new pink / black / romantical / swirlie / modern bedroom decor.

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LAMP UPDATE ::

I bought a new lampshade (trust me , this is against everything i stand for...) but it was at Target for $2.48. So I swapped it out ::

<(*please excuse the nasty table it's on!*)

Check out it's corner "home" ::

Just a little homemade cloche' :: made from a cheese board (scored at Goodwill for about $2.99) and a candlestick. The beautiful shell came off my beach here in Destin !!

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Well, I have been in 5th gear today, creating my booty off. I hope you all enjoy looking at everything as much as I enjoyed doing it all!

Also, please send any positive or negative feedback, share a project YOU have done, or and ideas you have. Remember, Create!.

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Srsly, how did I miss Deviled Egg Day?

Apparently, November 2nd is National Deviled Egg day.I was notified of this in my lovely HungryGirl.com newsletter. Just looking at this picture makes me want to make deviled eggs . RIGHT . NOW . Srsly. So of course, I had to share it! Yummy deviled eggs with all the taste and none of the nasty fats or sugars! YAY!

Devilish Eggs PER SERVING (4 pieces): 79 calories, 1.75g fat, 403mg sodium, 6.25g carbs, 1g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 9.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2* Deviled eggs are no longer a fatty no-no. This recipe will have you churning out creamy, delicious eggs in no time. Ingredients: 2 cups roughly chopped orange cauliflower (or alternative below) 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise 3 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese, room temperature 1 tbsp. sweet relish, patted dry to remove moisture 2 tsp. minced shallots 1 1/2 tsp. yellow mustard Salt and black pepper, to taste 10 hard-boiled eggs, chilled Optional topping: paprika Directions: Place cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/3 cup water. Cover and microwave for 6 - 8 minutes, until cauliflower is soft. Once bowl is cool enough to handle, drain any excess water from cauliflower. Lightly mash cauliflower, and then place in a blender. Add mayo and puree until just blended, not smooth. Do not over-blend. In a mixing bowl, combine cauliflower mixture with cheese wedges, relish, shallots, and mustard. Stir until smooth. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, halve eggs lengthwise and remove yolks. Evenly distribute cauliflower mixture among egg white halves and, if you like, top with paprika. Eat up and enjoy! MAKES 5 SERVINGS HG Alternative! This recipe calls for orange cauliflower. If you can't find it, use regular cauliflower. But add a drop of yellow food coloring to the mixture if you want your Devilish Eggs to look like the real thing.

Reuse household items and save money

This sounds so simple, that we often forget how easy ideas like these are!!
From our friends at AllYou.com, 10 ways to give new purpose to old belongings

Transform place mats into coasters

Cut up place mats into drink coasters. Most place mats are already water-resistant and made for wear-and-tear, so no extra prep is necessary.

 

Save cereal bags

If your family loves cereal, you can avoid buying wax paper ever again. Wash and save the plastic bags that come in cereal boxes―they can be repurposed to wrap sandwiches or cold-cuts, store leftovers or freeze meats.

Put tired T-shirts to good use

 Add ripped or worn-out shirts (and other clothing items!) to your arsenal of cleaning supplies―whether you’re washing or dusting, the scraps come in handy as extra rags. (Compared to what you see at your left, which is basically a bag of cut up t shirts!!

Plant a garden using coffee mugs

Chipped coffee mugs make perfect homes for small flowers or herbs. Just fill with potting soil, plant seeds or flowers and place on the windowsill and you have your own portable garden!

 

 

Cover up with paper bags

The brown paper bags you carry out of the grocery store can be easily converted into covers for your kids’ textbooks. That’s one more thing to scratch off your back-to-school shopping list! (I used to do this as a kid, because then you had a blank canvas for all your doodles and scribbles from friends)

Get organized using coffee cans

Use empty coffee cans to hold everything from markers to macaroni! It’s a fuss-free way to de-clutter any area of your home.

Store pills in contact cases

Wash out cases that no longer hold contact lenses and fill them with a day’s worth of vitamins. Take one with you wherever you go for easy, discreet access.

Craft a bird feeder from a milk jug

Milk may have an expiration date, but its container can be used long after the last drop. Turn plastic jugs into bird feeders for your backyard simply by cutting a hole in the side and adding bird seed. Have the kids decorate, then hang from a tree.

Turn candles into pincushions

No need to toss away burned-out candles. They can become convenient homes for pins and needles.

Reinvent greeting cards

Collect the various greeting cards you receive throughout the year. When the holiday or occasion has passed, snip the cards into strips for instant bookmarks or cut off the fronts to use as seasonal postcards.(or I like to cut off the written-on page, and then use the decorative cover (now with a blank back) as a postcard! Genius!)

While we are at it, let's see some ways to re-use paper before chucking it ::

Unlike money, paper does (sort of) grow on trees, which is why it’s important to be mindful of how much you use―and waste. Check out these 10 budget- and earth-friendly tips: 

1. Print again. Reuse printer paper if it has text on only one side. It’s perfect for faxes and casual print-outs.
2. Take note. Make a notepad by stapling used printer paper, blank side up, to a piece of cardboard.
3. Let them scribble. Printer paper is great for kids to draw and paint on, and is often more cost-effective than paper made specifically for artistic pursuits.
4. Make art. Set aside an afternoon to create with your kids. The creative options are endless. Get inspired to make your own at Howstuffworks.com. Papier mâché, for example, simply uses strips of computer or newspaper to yield beautiful creations ready to paint. Get instructions at Ehow.com.
5. Cushion your packages. Newspaper or old wrapping paper can be used as package padding―shred, crumple or tear and eliminate the need for Styrofoam!
6. Make cat litter. Turn newspaper into odor-deterring kitty litter. It only takes a few simple steps―shred, soak in dish detergent and baking soda, and dry. Learn how at Planet Green.
7. Wrap it in your own style. Tape together sheets of unwanted paper, decorate and…instant customized wrapping paper! This is a great way to recycle children’s leftover artwork that doesn’t make the “keeper” pile.
8. Stuff it. Shred old paper to use as fill for stuffed animals or throw pillows. You can use any type of paper. It’s cheaper than buying synthetic padding and works just as well.
9. Create your own. Never buy fancy stationery again! Making your own gorgeous textured paper is much easier than you might think. All you need is pantyhose, bendable wire (a coat hanger, for example) and a blender. Follow the instructions at Ehow.com. 
10. Recycle it. If you’ve absolutely run out of creative reuses for your scrap paper, you still shouldn't throw any out. Paper bags, newspapers, computer paper, magazines, packaging and envelopes (minus the plastic pieces) can all be recycled. The only recycling no-nos are waxed paper, laminated paper (like that in fast-food products), pet-food bags and oil- or food-soaked paper. Check with your local sanitation department for restrictions in your area.

Laptop Skin - Made from Dollar Tree Ingredients !

At my Favorite store, the Dollar Tree, they sell contact paper in the large tubes. The one I bought is white with a black etched rose pattern.
this looks pretty sweet. They DID have the woodgrain contact paper when I went to the DT yesterday.

So since I didn't feel like messing with precise cuts or measuring (even though it IS easy because the paper has a grid printed on the back) I trimmed the edges with some decorative edged scrapbooking scissors.

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Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe

Make your own !

There is no need to spend on pricey bath products. You can save money by making your own body scrub.

Just put 1 cup sugar in an airtight container; pour in enough olive oil to cover. Add a few drops lemon or orange extract and stir. This homemade scrub will keep your skin soft and smelling fresh.

There are a lot of variations, such as adding scented oils, etc. Get creative! Then, send me your recipe variations!

My Awesome Homemade Chips (using only ingredients from the Dollar Tree!)

Finished Product ~ Homemade Pepper & Parmesan Tortilla Chips!

I made these chips on a whim today, because I had some flour tortillas that were about to expire.



These tortillas come about 20-25 a pack and are available at The Dollar Tree for (you guessed it!) one dollar! These are also useful for wraps, burritos and soft tacos on Taco night.
Everything used in this recipe can be obtained at your local Dollar Tree:


The Olive Oil (and the bottle it is in), Black Pepper Grinder and Seasoning Salt, and even the pizza cutter (and the cookie sheet i used to cook them on!)...all of it! Dollar Store finds.

Now for the Recipe:



6-8 Tortillas

Cut with pizza cutter into half, then half again, then one more time. Then cut the pieces into chip sized pieces.

In a bowl or square tupperware container, drizzle Olive oil on the bottom

Grind some Pepper, and a couple of dashes of seasoning salt.

begin to lay your tortilla pieces flat. When that layer is finished, drizzle more olive oil, more pepper, more seasoning salt. Repeat until all tortilla pieces are done.

Take a fork and stir it all together, ensuring that all pieces are well coated.

Lay the pieces on a cookie sheet in a single layer.

put in oven at 400-425

if the tortillas fall apart, this is even better because you will end up with chips of varying sizes and thicknesses.

Cook until golden brown, approx. 8 minutes.

Remove from cookie sheet and put on plate to cool. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Serve and Enjoy!