The American Crafts blog posted this pretty spring bouquet idea to brighten up your home. It would also be great for shower (baby, bridal) decorations (use bouquets for table decorations, and one flower for cupcake toppers!) or a gift Mother’s Day. You could omit the skewers and turn these pretty blooms into a fun gift brooch, too. I would skip the soda can display and …

My kids are drawn to the dirt, so I wanted to make them a sandbox. I like the idea of a sandbox: a fun place for the kids to play in semi-clean dirt. In practice, I’m not that excited about having a huge sandbox in a corner of our yard, open to the elements and neighborhood animals, with two tons of sand in it. Even …

Chica at Chica and Jo posted this great idea for making bright and cheerful coasters out of curling ribbon. These would be right at home in mod or retro decor, or would make fun gifts. [project instructions]
You’ll have to pick up the polyurethane varnish at the craft store if you don’t have it on hand. You can pick up readymade cork-backed coasters or small cork …

Craftster member nikimac made over a pair of plain dollar store flip-flops into a cute and classy customized pair of sandals. Her simple technique is easy enough for even kids to master, so none of us have an excuse for wearing hideous plastic flip-flops anymore! These flip-flops also have long ribbons so you can lace up around your ankles, for a cute touch. [found here]

Niki …

Jessica at Oh So Happy Together posted a tutorial for making a pretty flower necklace inspired by one at Anthropologie, and guess what? You can use dollar store stuff to make it! [project details and instructions here]
You can get flower leis at the dollar store at this time of year (there’s a huge selection of tiki/luau supplies at my local DS right now), and I …

Alexa at The Swell Life created this amazing mosaic wall installation for less than $20 using scrapbooking paper, glue dots, and a tape measure. Huge impact for such a low price tag! [project here]
This is a good idea for apartment living or dorm rooms (if you can get away with it–depends on your rules), or would be great for a tween or teen room, or …

Libby from Designing Moms posted this super-cute applique idea for onesies using scraps and buttons. This is a great idea for baby shower or birthday gifts, or even to make for your own kiddos. If you are participating in Make Something Cool Everyday April, this could be today’s project for you. Just jazz up some of your kids’ current t-shirts–you can even use this technique …

Vanessa from MaxxSilly made this classy monogrammed pillow from a pillow cover she bought at the dollar store! By printing the monogram out on iron-on transfer paper, you make this project super simple, but it has big impact! [project instructions]
You will probably not find iron-on paper at the dollar store, but you can get it at any office supply, craft, or big-box store with a …

Professional designer and former Senior Style Editor of Martha Stewart Living Eddie Ross posted a great high concept decorating idea using flour sack dishtowels found at a dollar store! He made a classy and tailored-looking sink skirt that also provides a bit of powder room storage! He got a quote from an upholsterer for the same job and was told it would cost $750 to …

Did you know you can carve stamps using just school supplies? It’s true – you can use the metal eraser-holder part of a pencil instead of carving tools, and an eraser for the carving surface. It’s a lot safer for kids, and a lot cheaper than buying legit printmaking tools. Of course, the end of a pencil won’t carve as well as said tools, but …