I've long been a fan of the plain little notebooks made by an Italian company called Moleskine.  They're a blank slate inside and out (perfect for us artsy types) and come in various sizes, the smaller of which are perfect for throwing in your purse or glove box so you always have them handy.  They're awesome, but that awesomeness comes at a price.  They aren't ridiculously expensive, but for me (I prefer to purchase notebooks for 29 cents each at back-to-school time), they are more than I want to spend.  Feeling the same way, Josie from Fine & Feathered wrote a simple tutorial for making your own...  for free!  The most difficult part of the project is (brace yourself)...  sewing in a straight line.  Sounds tough, eh?  [how to make faux moleskine notebooks]

Project estimate:

• Cereal box, on hand
• Paper, on hand
• Rounded corner punch (optional), on hand
• Glue stick, on hand
• Ruler, in hand
• X-acto knife, on hand
• Sewing machine, on hand

Total:  Free

Did you ever do string art as a child?  You know, the kind where you arrange nails or pins in a pattern and then wrap string around them.  The other day as I was hunting for Valentine- and heart-themed crafts, I came across a string art heart at Make Grow Gather made with straight pins stuck into a bulletin board.  My gears started turning and I had an "A-ha!" moment:  What if I made string art on a bulletin board, then spray painted over it, using the string like a stencil?  Would it look as cool as I saw it in my head?  There was only one way to find out, so I gathered up a few supplies and got to work.

Project estimate:

• Bulletin board, $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Paper, on hand
• Push pins, on hand
• String or yarn, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

I used a 12 x 12 inch cork tile for my bulletin board, which I found at a local discount store in a four-pack for about $6, or about $1.50 per tile.  (Which is making me tempted to cork up a whole wall!)  Paint the tile in the color you want the shape to be.  I wanted red for my heart, so I picked a nice, bright shade of Martha Stewart multi-surface craft paint called habanero.  I could have just painted the area where I wanted the heart, but I was concerned about how the cork would soak up the paint, so to make sure I had an even finish I went ahead and painted the whole thing.  This will take more paint than you expect because the cork will suck it right in!  You may need to add a second or third coat to get even color.

Cut a heart out of paper to use as a template.  Decide where you want the heart to be positioned on the bulletin board and place the heart there.  Using push pins, outline the heart shape.  Place the pins so that they go around the edges of the paper, but don't put the pins through the paper.  Once all of the pins are in place, remove the paper template.

Tie one end of the string to a push pin and start wrapping.  There is no right or wrong way to do this!  When you're happy with the design, tie off the other end of the string.  Push string down on the push pins so that it is as close to the surface of the cork as possible.

Now it's time to spray paint!  Apply light, even coats of a contrasting color (I chose white) across the tile.  Don't be too heavy-handed with the paint or you will lose the string details!  Paint just enough to cover up the base color.

When the paint dries, pull out the push pins.  As you remove the pins and string, your design will be revealed!  If you want, you can add extra details or embellishments to the design.

I used a pencil eraser and glitter paint to add some sparkle to the heart's outline.  Did it turn out as cool as I saw it in my head?  Nope, it turned out even better!

Have you ever rescued something from the trash because you knew that there had to be something you could do with it -- surely something better than sending it to the landfill -- but you just weren't sure what that something was?  (I'm totally guilty of that on multiple counts!)  We got an e-mail from reader Dawn, who needs some post-trash-picking inspiration.  She writes:

I recently rescued a stack of blank white 9" wide x 7 3/4" tall envelopes from the trash at work, but I don't know what to do with them. Any ideas? All of the searches on the internet I have done on envelopes are how to make your own, not crafts to do with existing ones. I have about 45 of them.

Alright, clever readers.  If you has a big ol' stack of large envelopes in your craft stash, how would you use them?

[image by cohdra @ morguefile.com]

Yes, you read that right.  You can make your own pencils out of paper!  When I saw this project the first thing I said was, "woah!"  Using pencil leads (look for the larger-diameter leads for mechanical or drafting pencils) and origami paper, Kimanh from Scissors Paper Wok made the coolest.pencils.ever.  You could also try paper-wrapping the refills for stick ink pens, or look for colored leads...  Or, if you were so inclined, you could even use this technique to fancy up your crayons!   [how to make paper pencils]

Project estimate:

• Pencil leads, about $4
• Paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Mod Podge, on hand

Total:  about $4 and up

2011 was a tutorial-filled year at Dollar Store Crafts; we brought you more original tutorials than ever!  There were fashion tutorials, home decor tutorials, recycled crafts, and all kinds of other ideas.  Some of them were particularly popular, so to wrap up the year, we thought we would take a look back at our top 10 tutorials out of everything we made in 2011.  Which of our tutorials was your favorite this year?

10. Make the World's Easiest Crocheted Scarf

Okay, I admit it, I have a yarn hoarding problem.  In the spirit of stashbusting, I came up with a way to use a bunch of my random odds and ends and tidbits that were too long to throw away, but too small for a whole project.  It's the perfect crochet project for people who don't know how to crochet.  Don't be afraid, it's super-duper simple, I promise!  [read the tutorial]

9.  DIY Fashion:  Blooming Bib Recycled T-shirt Necklace

We're big fans of the talented siblings from The Sisters 4 Say More is More.  They've contributed some wonderful ideas to our site, including this recycled T-shirt bib necklace by Sophie, aka Sister #2.  It's frilly and girly and makes a big statement, and we're glad you love it as much as we do!  [read the tutorial]

8.  Make Designer-Inspired "Straw" Bangles

Our fashionable contributor Samantha (also of Bromeliad Living) got the idea for these chunky, colorful bangles when she saw a similar design in a magazine.  She got her macrame on and came up with her own take on the look.  The designer version cost $50 each; these cost more like 50 cents each!  [read the tutorial]

7.  Make an Anthropologie-Inspired Ruffled Scarf

Are you noticing a trend on this list yet?  2011 was certainly a good year for DIY fashion!  This Anthro-inspired scarf is another post from Samantha, who adapted the look of a lighter-weight scarf to be cozy enough for winter use.  Even if you think you have zip-zero-zilch for sewing skills, you can pull this one off like a pro.  It's that easy!  [read the tutorial]

6.  Paint a File Cabinet Blue: $5 Revamp

Heather picked up a tired old filing cabinet as a Craigslist freebie.  It was in good shape, but it was bland and boring.  But not anymore!  She went for a cartoony, blueprint-like look, with fabulously whimsical results.  It's playful enough for a kids room, but also works in a grownup space that needs an injection of humor.  [read the tutorial]

5.  Tutorial: Marbled Nail Polish

We hosted a series of nail polish tutorials from Megan at Razberriez, including these fabulous (and surprisingly easy) marbled nails using a water technique.  We thought it was awesome and so did you, sending it all the way to the top five tutorials of the year.  [read the tutorial]

4.  Mini Office Supply Book Covers for Matchboxes

We went mini-crazy earlier this year.  For those of you who reveled in those weeks, there are more tiny things in the future.  Looking back at the last wave of itty-bitty creations, the most popular by far were Heather's miniature book covers made to fit over matchboxes, turning them into office supply holders.  She even put together a free printable so that you can whip out a set of your own in no time!  [read the tutorial]

3.  Make a Recycled Plastic Cup Washer Necklace

The day that someone told me you could use #6 plastic like Shrinky Dinks, it was a life-changing revelation.  Okay, maybe not life-changing, but it certainly did change my sorting of recyclables.  I knew there had to be something nifty I could do with some red plastic cups left after a party, so I played around with my Sharpie and some scissors and came up with this design.  No one will ever guess that it started out as a plastic cup!  [read the tutorial]

2. Cupcake Pin Cushions

Our pal Care from Obsessively Stitching is always coming up with adorable ideas.  She used a dollar store ramekin as the base for making a sweet little cupcake pin cushion, and even made a miniature version that you can wear as a ring to keep pins close at hand while you're fitting your next project.  Can you guess what the mini version is made from?  [read the tutorial]

1.  Make a Drinking Straw Weaving Loom

I was a band camp kid.  (Once a geek, always a geek!)  Actually, the camp I went to was a fine arts camp, with kids majoring in all kinds of music and dance and visual arts.  You could even take elective classes, and one summer I spent my spare time for two weeks of camp studying fiber arts.  It was an experience that would heavily influence y future crafting!  One of the projects I remember doing was making a weaving loom out of drinking straws.  Feeling nostalgic, I grabbed a few straws and did a little old-school crafting.  I never expected my trip down memory lane to be so popular!  [read the tutorial]

If you enjoy recycled crafts, you should definitely check out Reduce, Reuse, Redecorate.  Blogger Allison has all kinds of great ideas, like this book page pencil cup, perfect for the desk of your favorite bibliophile!  The idea came after she used the book pages to punch a bunch of circles for a lamp project.  Don't have any books appropriate for mutilation?  Thrift stores are a great source for books on the cheap,  or take the free route and chop up last year's phone books!  [how to make a book page pencil cup]

Project estimate:

• Book pages, on hand
• Cardboard, on hand
• Cardboard tubes, on hand
• Circle punch or template, on hand
• Glue, on hand

Total:  Free!

Ever notice how secret agents and spies get all the cool gear? Well, now you can too! Make your own mini grappling hook out of office and household supplies, then let let loose on a top secret mission from Her Majesty's Secret Service.

This grappling hook design was built from the new book Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2 (Chicago Review Press) by John Austin*. This book has over 30 mini weapons and gadgets which can all easily be built with office or household supplies, most of which I had on hand already! I chose to build a personal favourite, the grappling gun.

Project estimate:

• Dental floss container (full), on hand or $1
• 2 pencils, on hand or $1
• Ballpoint pen (with removable back), on hand or $1
• Clothespin, on hand or $1
• Cap from large marker, on hand or $1
• Rubber band, on hand
• Pill/medicine bottle, on hand
• Masking tape, on hand or $1
• Paperclips, on hand
• Hot glue, on hand

Total: Free and up

* I am not affiliated in any way with the Author or Publisher. The content of this book lends itself to Dollar Store items and I thought it would be suitable for sharing here.

Grappling Hooks
To make the grappling hook, start by straightening out 3 standard paperclips. Then, half each paperclip and wrap in masking tape. Using pliers, bend each wrapped paperclip into a hook-shape, refer to the picture for bend locations and degree.After all 3 paperclips are bend into hooks tape then to the ballpoint pen cap to secure them.

Launch Barrel:
The launch barrel is made from the cap of a large marker. Ensure that the cap you use is a larger diameter than the ballpoint pen. Create an opening in the closed end of the marker cap by either using a wide bore drill bit or simply cutting the end off the cap. Use caution as this part can be tricky and fingers can get hurt if you're not careful.

Next, snip your rubber band and tape each end to the outside of the marker cap on opposite sides. Use plenty of tape to secure the rubber band in place. Lastly, wind a small amount of masking tape in the centre of the rubber band after it's been attached to the marker cap, this will act as the catch when you arm the grappling hook gun.

Handle, Stock and Trigger:
Disassemble the floss container and set the spool of floss aside. Close the floss container and tape down the two pencils side by side on the bottom of the floss container. This will form the handle of your grappling hook gun.

Using hot glue, stick a clothespin on top of the two pencils over the floss container. This clothespin will act as the trigger.

Finally, add the launch barrel previously assembled on top the taped-down pencils, on the opposite end from the handle with the rubber band draw facing the clothespin.

Spool Line:
Using the spool of floss removed from floss container earlier, unwind about 6m (20') of floss and tape one end to the empty pill bottle. Wind the floss around the pill bottle loosely, starting at the cap end and ending at the bottom of the bottle leaving about 30cm (1') of floss loose. Using hot glue, glue the cap of the pill bottle onto the floss container. Ensure the pill bottle is placed appropriately to allow the spool of floss to be released without catching on the underside of the barrel.

Lastly, remove the ballpiont pen bottom and feed the loose end of the floss into the back of the pen and place the end cap back on, thereby sandwiching the floss into the back of the pen. If you're having trouble getting your floss to stay in the back of your pen try tying a few knots in the floss and then feeding the knots into the back of the pen.

You're all done, time to test out your awesome grappling hook!
Pull back the elastic band and feed the catch into the clothespin. Your grappling hook gun is now armed. Carefully feed the ballpoint pen into the barrel and place the end right up against the clothespin, depress the clothespin to fire your grappling hook!

I managed to get mine to fire about 6m (20') after a little tweaking of the rubber band. Substituting materials may even yield more impressive results. Make sure you point this away from people, pets, plants, or anything breakable.

Have fun!

While looking at a pencil cup she got at IKEA, Camilla from Family Chic noted that the mesh surface would be perfect for needlepoint.  She whipped out some yarn and made a lovely little sampler!  There are a couple of things that I really appreciate about this project:  1) that it's perfect for using up some of the loads and loads of scrap yarn I've hoarded, and 2) that if you get tired of the pattern, you can easily cut it off and give it a re-do!  Camilla even made one with a cute spider motif for Halloween.  You can make them match any theme or occasion!  [how to make a needlepoint pencil cup]

Project estimate:

• Wire mesh pencil cup, $1 and up
• Yarn, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up

Our friend Christine & Co. took a plain mug and transformed it into a pretty chic cuppa with the help of an ombre color treatment (that is, graduated color from light to dark). She was clever and bought just two tasty colors from the new Martha Stewart craft paint line, and cleverly combined them to make four colors. Now that's a dollar store craft I can appreciate! You can get plain mugs at the dollar store, and the Martha paint can be baked in the oven to make it dishwasher safe. [how to make an ombre painted mug]

Project Estimate:

• A plain mug, $1
• Two colors of acrylic paint, on hand or $1 each and up

Total: $1 and up

Let me tell you about this file cabinet. I got it from the free listings on Craigslist a couple years ago. (My secret to getting something good for FREE off Craigslist? Stalk the site or use a CL phone app and the minute you see something you want listed for Free, jump in the car and drive like the wind.) It was a not-so-tasty beige, which is fine for a bland office, but not fun. Not fun at all.

Enter Krylon's new Dual Paint, which is a spray paint and primer in one can. I picked my favorite color, True Blue (or as I affectionately call it, "Ikea Blue"), and went to work on my old file cabinet.

file cabinet before

I should tell you, I have had this file cabinet in my garage for three or four years. I put it in my office back when I picked it up for free, but it was so ugly that when we moved, I never moved it from the new garage back into the house.

 The Blueprint Inspiration

A couple years ago, I found this blueprint-inspired art installation and I have always wanted to have a piece of furniture that looks like this. I love cobalt blue, and I think blueprints are so cool! I am not brave enough to paint a room this color (yet), so I started small, with my file cabinet.

Blue File Cabinet Revamp

Project Estimate:

• Metal file cabinet, on hand
• Can of Krylon Dual Paint, about $5
• Sand paper, on hand or $1
• White paint pen, on hand or about $3

Total: $5 and up

Tools:

• Screwdriver (to remove hardware)
• Paper towels or rag to clean cabinet
• Drop cloth (sooo worth the $5 investment) or newspaper/cardboard to cover work area

Before You Spray Paint a File Cabinet

Spray painting is very easy. Anyone can do it, BUT there are a few simple steps you should take to prepare your project to ensure that your spray painting experience is as successful as it can be.

To prep your surface, you should:

1. Clean it with soap and water and dry it off
2. Sand it lightly to scuff up the surface (this will allow the paint to adhere)
3. If there are any rusty parts, sand them more
4. Wipe off dust with a wet paper towel or rag and let it dry
5. Remove hardware with a screwdriver (this only took about a minute! easier than masking)
6. Make sure your work surface is covered with a drop cloth or enough newspaper/cardboard
7. Shake the can of paint according to instructions, or for 2 minutes
8. Wear gloves before you spray!

With Krylon Dual Paint, you don't have to prime your surface, but if you are using another kind of paint, you will get the best results if you prime first.

How to Spray Paint Metal

One of the cool things about Krylon Dual Paint is that it works on metal and a bunch of other surfaces. Other tips for successful spray paint finishes:

1. Make sure can is shaken before you start, and shake every 15 seconds while spraying
2. Keep spray can 10-12 inches from surface (keep this consistent)
3. Start your spray off the edge of the surface and spray in long sweeping motions to the other end of the surface (don't stop your spray in the middle of the surface)
4. Do two or three light coats and allow to dry between coats
5. Overlap each pass by 1/3

Pinstriping the File Cabinet

I spray painted the file cabinet with a single can of Krylon Dual Paint in True Blue. This was the most successful spray paint experience I have ever had. The spray paint went on evenly and a single can provided full coverage for my two-drawer file cabinet.

After the paint dried, I added white pinstriping with a paint marker. I wanted the stripes to look hand-drawn, so I didn't use a ruler or any masking, but if you want perfect lines, I suggest masking out your area with painter's tape and using acrylic paint instead of a paint marker.

Start your pinstriping on the back or side of your furniture so you can get a feel for how the paint marker works on a side that won't see as much prime-time action.

Even if you want your striping to look hand-drawn, you will have to be careful. There is quite a bit of drag with the paint marker. I found that it worked best when I:

• Started from the bottom and drew the lines upward
• Extended my arm and continued the line all the way from bottom to top without stopping

I love how this file cabinet turned out -- it went from an unloved piece of junk in the garage to one of the most stylish pieces in the house. I am going to use it as a bedside table. And if it's not too matchy-matchy to have more than one blue pinstriped piece of furniture, I might just have to give the old blueprint treatment to some yard sale furniture finds this summer.

Krylon sent me the new Dual Paint to try out. Check out their latest promotion, The Dual Duel, where Krylon is looking to find The Ultimate Restorer.

To win this title, enter your spray paint restoration project and encourage friends and family to vote for your project as their favorite for their chance to win too.

disc: sponsored post, sample, all material, project and opinions my own

Reference: The Right Way to Spray Paint at DIY Life

Linked at: Miss Mustard Seed's Party