Kate from Salvage Dior had been searching for an antique, scroll-y iron piece to hang on her wall as art.  Unfortunately, she couldn't find one in her price range.  Then one day she came across a fancy rubber door mat at the dollar store and had a brilliant idea!  Would you ever guess that it's actually a door mat?  It's a great way to add drama and vintage charm to your decor without paying a premium price, and since the door mat is much lighter than an actual iron piece, it won't require special hardware to hang.  [how to turn a rubber door mat into wall art]

Project estimate:

• Fancy rubber door mat, $1 and up
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Sandpaper, on hand or $1

Total:  $1 and up

When Amanda from Wit & Whistle came across a pretty linen pillow with the lyrics to "You Are My Sunshine" printed on it at Vivaterra, she was drawn to it.  There were two things that she wasn't too keen on though:  the choice of words (cute, but not her favorite) and the price.  ($159 for a throw pillow??)  Instead she made her own version, recreating the look for a whole lot less.  I love the quote she chose.  In fact, I think I like her DIY pillow better than it designer counterpart!  [how to make a stenciled quote pillow]

Project estimate:

• Pillow cover or fabric, on hand or $1 and up
• Cardboard, on hand
• Pencil, on hand
• Letter stencil, on hand or $1 and up
• Fabric marker, about $3

Total:  about $3 and up

Just when I think I've seen every possible variation on cone trees, someone surprises me with something new and different!  These festive little evergreens by Kim at Sand and Sisal were inspired by some similar trees that Pottery Barn had this season, but the DIY version cost a heck of a lot less.  I love their understated, natural look.  If you have a rustic or woodsy feel to your decor, you could even leave them out all year 'round!  [how to make bay leaf trees]

Project estimate:

• Foam cone or rolled posterboard, on hand or $1
• Aleen’s Tacky Line Roll adhesive or double-stick tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Bay leaves, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

Remember that silk screen kit that I used to make screen printed Christmas cards?  I've been having so much fun with it, and I just can't stop printing designs on things around the house!  Most recently I printed a fleur de lis motif on a pre-made pillow cover that I picked up at Dollar Tree, and I love how it turned out.  The pillow cover is stuffed with an old pillow that used to match my decor, but since we've gotten new furniture, it no longer really fit in the room.  Now it looks just perfect sitting at the end of my couch!  I wrote about it over at Decor Hacks, and I even shot a video to go with it!  Head over there to check it out, and if you are a YouTuber, make sure you subscribe to the Decor Hacks channel.  [how to make a no-sew silkscreened throw pillow]

Project estimate:

• Simply Screen kit, about $40
• Paper, on hand
• Permanent black marker, on hand or $1
• Pillow cover, $1 and up
• Cardboard, on hand
• Repositionable spray adhesive, on hand
• Old pillow, pillow form, or polyfill, on hand

Total: about $40 and up

If someone said to you, "I made a cloche out of a garbage can," your first response probably wouldn't be, "ooh, I bet that is really pretty!"  And yet...  it is really pretty!  I love how Krista from The Gathering Place Design styled her creation with a nesting bird figurine, giving it a look reminiscent of a vintage bird cage.  On her blog, she also shows the same arrangement with a different cake stand and a crystal knob instead of a filigreed finial to demonstrate that the project can also take on a softer look.  [how to make a wire basket cloche]

Project estimate:

• Wire trash can, $1
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Knob or finial, on hand or $1 and up
• Cake stand, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

Last year, Allison from House of Hepworths fell head-over-heels for some fabulous nutcrackers in the West Elm catalog.  But at almost $30 each (or $60 for a larger model), she couldn't justify buying them.  Not when she knew she could make them!  You won't believe the "before" picture of these guys; they were pretty hideous when she found them at Dollar Tree.  A few modifications later, their mod makeover made a world of difference!  [how to make mod nutcrackers]

Project estimate:

• Nutcracker, $1 and up
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

You know the scene: you're loafing around in bed, catching up on your morning talk show TV, when something on the screen gets your attention.  I mean really gets your attention, enough to get you out of bed so that you can take a closer look.  The other day that happened to Kristen from Glitter 'N Glue.  While she was watching GMA, Lara Spencer's necklace jumped out at her.  It was pretty and kind of Egyptian-looking, and it looked a lot like bobby pins.  Inspiration hit, and she ended up with a quick and easy statement necklace. You almost have to look twice before you realize what it is!  [how to make a bobby pin statement necklace]

Project estimate:

• Bobby pins, on hand or $1
• Ribbon, on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up

I have this weird duplicity to my design tastes.  Sometimes I find myself being drawn to or creating things that are bold and bright and outrageous, but when it comes to decorating my house, I prefer more understated, sophisticated projects.  While many Christmas projects that catch my eye fall into the first category, I would say that the latter is true of these simple, elegant potpourri Christmas trees by Carolyn of Carolyn's Homework.  They would look right at home on my front entry table!  [how to make potpourri Christmas trees]

Project estimate:

• Foam cone, $1 and up
• Craft glue or glue gun, on hand
• Potpourri, $1 and up
• Corrugated cardboard, on hand
• Moss Sheets, $1
• String or thread, on hand

Total:  $3 and up

Over at Condo Blues, Lisa created a fun chandelier out of 15 stemmed glasses, inspired by a high-end designer chandelier. Not only did she create this chandelier project, but she made it sound darn easy. I am tempted to try to make one of these, but since I have three young sons, I'm thinking I should wait a few years on this project. This project will cost you a bit of cash, but just think of all the money you will save compared to the $6000 inspiration piece! [how to make a glassware chandelier]

You can find stemmed glassware at your dollar store or thrift store, or round up some unused pieces from your china cabinet. You'll enjoy them a lot more as a chandelier!

Project Estimate:

• 15 wine glasses, $15
• 1 sturdy curtain ring, $1 and up
• Fishing line
• Jeweler’s crimp beads, $2 and up
• Needle nose pliers (for crimping the beads shut), on hand or $1
• A hanging lamp kit, about $5 at IKEA
• Small lamp shade, $1 and up
• Heavy cord or zip tie, 0n hand or $1

Total: $24 and up

Would you wear a dress made out of...  throw rugs?  I would if it looked this good!  Geneva from A Pair & A Spare found some dollar store rugs made from recycled jersey cloth and, noting that they had a good deal of stretch to them, decided they would be the perfect material for a form-fitting dress.  The look is totally high-end, and especially impressive considering the source!  Seriously, would you ever guess?  [how to make a multicolor bodycon dress]

Project estimate:

• Rag rugs, $4 and up
• Zipper, on hand or $1 and up
• Sewing machine, on hand

Total:  $4 and up