Dollar Store Upcycle // Easy Wall Art {Made from a Gift Bag!}

I was recently on the hunt for a cheap bit of wall art for our patio space.  While browsing Dollar Tree I happened upon an adorable gift bag & I thought to myself, "I think this is it!"  I snagged a simple 11X14 frame before I left the store, so the total cost for this project was just $2!

Simply cut one side of the gift bag out, trimming to fit your frame, & place inside!  It's really that easy.

❤

Looking for more cheap art?  Think about elevating these items to frame-worthy status... greeting cards, silk scarves, vintage postcards, wrapping or wall paper samples, sheet music, pressed flowers/leaves, fabric... The possibilities are limitless!

Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Faves

I think it's pretty unanimous that we all want our homes to permeate that stylized-farmhouse-chic that Joanna Gaines makes look so effortless.  In fact, who doesn't want to hear Chip + Joanna smile wide as Texas skies & ask {as if they need to ask}, "Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?"  While only a select few will ever hear those magical words, we can all take home a bit of that Magnolia style with the Hearth & Hand line at Target!

Here's a few of my favorites from the collection...

candle - $19.99

storage bin {medium size} - $29.99

glass candle holder - $24.99

floor pillow - $49.99
napkin {4 pack} - $9.99
ribbon {clearance item} - $2.98

desk caddy - $11.99
nesting houses {set of 3} - $16.99
footed trays {3 sizes available} - $12.99 - $19.99

pitcher - $19.99

salt + pepper houses {2 piece} - $5.99

spoon rest - $2.99

What are some of your favorites from Hearth & Hand?

Dollar Store Upcycle // String Art

Upcycling dollar store finds is one of my favorite things.  I snagged this string art {see below} the other day at my local Dollar Tree, & while it's nice, it's not really me.  So, I'm going to work some easy-peasy upcycling magic to make it more my style.  Here's how...  

Step 1: Get rid of the string + add some fresh paint.  You will likely need several coats to cover. {Extra tip: Don't forget to paint the edges (if that's important to you)!  I forgot to paint them & had mixed my own gray paint color & used it all up, & wasn't about to try & match it up again, so I ended up putting a simple washi tape on the edges (which works, too).}

Step 2: Add some new string. {Extra tip: Add a drop or 2 of hot glue to secure the ends.}

Step 3 {Optional}: Personalize it further with some embellishments, letter stickers/stamps or a painted phrase, or keep it minimalist - it's up to you!  At 1st, I was sure I was going to add a phrase like "Dan + Laura" or write "love" across the bottom in scrolly script, but now I'm thinking of just keeping it simple & sweet & leaving it as is.  Any thoughts?

DIY Vacation Memory Jar

What You Need:

▲ a jar + lid

▲ small tokens from your trip that will fit in the jar

▲ a smallish favorite photo from your trip

▲ a decorative tag {or make your own} + twine or ribbon + Sharpie

Anybody else not really wanting to remember an amazing trip by bringing home a pack of picture playing cards or a collectible spoon?

Creating a memory jar lets you put a personal touch on things + showcase your actual memories/trip highlights + it's not from an overpriced gift shop.  Win-win!  While this makes for a perfect sand & rock holder for beach/camping trips, you can also fill your jar with various tickets, foreign currency, & small souvenirs from most any place you care to venture.  You can be all minimalist or maximalist on these - you get to decide.  I'm thinking several of these jars showcasing different trips would look great as a collection displayed on a shelf or mantle.  Hmmm, I think I may just sense a travel tradition starting here in our house...

Happy crafting {& traveling}!

DIY Gender Reveal Baby Gift {+ Free Printable}

There are so many expectant mamas I know right now {both in "real" life & via my blogging sisters}.  I can literally count over 6 right off the bat.  Anywho, one of my real world friends is expecting her 3rd child in August, & recently held the most adorable bee themed gender reveal party ever.

I was planning to bring diapers to her party, but I wanted to add a little something extra {& more personal}.  With her bee theme in my mind, I created a simple bow that can be used as a hair bow {for baby girl} or a bow tie {for baby boy}.

Here's how you can make your own...  You'll need ribbon {bee themed colors or whatever neutral shades you'd like (remember this has to work for a girl or a boy)}; hot glue gun; small hair clip; more ribbon {to tie around the collar as a bow tie}; small plastic bag {for packaging up}; & the tag printable {if you like}.

Create your bow with a little room to slide the thin long ribbon through the back center {in case it ends up being a bow tie}.  Then, hot glue the hair clip to the back of the bow {in case it ends up being a hair bow}.  Place in packaging & wait to see what it will be!  For my friend it became a sweet little bow tie!

Free Printable:

Click on the bee tag & then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste it where you'd like}.

This printable is free for personal use only.  Link with love.  Thanks!