Dollar Store Diva Archives - Page 12 of 16 - Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

The Dollar Store Diva: Free Joy to the World Gift Wrap Printables

December 5th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Simple wrapping ideas with a poignant message from the Dollar Store Diva.

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The simplicity of this gift wrapping leaves the message to speak for itself–the profound announcement of the first Christmas:

Joy to the World!

Using the Joy to the World printable I created, I cut out the tags and matted them in green and red paper.

The candy stripe paper came from my favorite wrapping paper source: The Dollar Store.

Aren’t these lovely?

I love the blue, white and silver of the let-it-snow season here in the northeast.

I added a strip of snowy wrapping paper (from–yes, you guessed it–the Dollar Store) to a white bag, then adhered the smaller blue printable. Some silver and blue ribbon add the final festive touch.

Another white paper bag with red and green ribbons and a couple of jingle bells to ring in the season of joy.

Maybe this will spark some creative wrapping ideas of your own. Or maybe it will be a visual reminder of the angelic proclamation centuries ago:

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).

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For those of you who haven’t met her, the Dollar Store Diva happens to be my Mom, Nancy, who has a special power. She can transform Dollar Store and other inexpensive finds into super fun gifts that would brighten anyone’s day!

Check out more Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

The Dollar Store Diva: Three XOXO Gift Ideas + FREE Printable Tag

November 27th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Here is The Dollar Store Diva’s latest amazingly simple yet super adorable gift idea!

Want to Do Christmas Well with me? LIKE The Merry Little Christmas Project on Facebook and be a part of our community! We talk Christmas baking, decorating, organization and more. Come join us!

Receiving a homemade gift like this tends to evoke the warm feeling that most of us long for during this season.

And I have good news for you–you can make this gift ever so easily using the printable Holiday Hugs and Kisses gift tag I created for you.

Gift Idea #1

I used a small mason jar, filled it with Hershey Hugs and Hershey Kisses, attached the tag with twine and a ribbon, then slipped in a sprig of pine from my backyard.

That’s it!

Check your list–do you have a neighbor? a teacher? a friend? a co-worker still on your gift list?

Gift Idea #2

I love these boxes that are at my Dollar Tree year round. At 2/$1, they make happy packaging.

First, I slipped in red and green tissue paper and filled the box with both Hugs and Kisses.

Then I wrapped the box with red cello wrap (Dollar Store), tied it with curly ribbon, attached the printed Merry Christmas tag, and threw in a candy cane for good measure,

Now, how is this for festive presentation?!

Hostess gift anyone?

***Don’t forget to use this FREE Holiday Hugs and Kisses gift tag I created for you!***

Easy steps for creating the Merry Christmas tags:

1) Print the tags 2) cut them out 3) mat them with your choice of colored paper 4) adhere the matted X and O to the tag 5) punch a hole in the tag 6) run ribbon through the hole 7) tie into a bow

Gift Idea #3

Either of these–the jar or the box–would make the perfect wrapping for a gift card.

Just slip the card in between the Hugs and Kisses and watch the pleasure on the recipient’s face when the bonus gift is discovered!

And there you have it–three gift ideas, all overflowing with Hugs and Kisses.

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Check out more Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

Want to transform your Christmas with us? My Book The Merry Little Christmas Project – Five Words that will Transform your Christmas has helped thousands of women do just that. If you have ever wished that Christmas didn’t have to be so stressful, I wrote this book for you. Click here to learn more and begin simplifying and organizing your Christmas with me!

The Dollar Store Diva: You’ll want to make a note of this (Wrapping Things Up!)

November 16th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

The final installment from The Dollar Store Diva’s printable stationery series!

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A handwritten note on the right occasion is a work of art.––Margaret Shepherd

I am excited to reveal the way I wrapped my all-occasion cards from Parts One and Two.

First of all, I decided that I would use only materials that I already had in my house–no trips to the craft store, just a search through my existing supplies.

I discovered that I had: large manila envelopes, brown lunch bags, white lunch bags, doilies, and twine.

And this is what resulted:

I found this lovely idea here and the printable tags here

I used scrapbooking paper to add color to this bag. Then I added the final touch: stamps to go along with my gift of stationery.

Now I have the perfect gift [Can I trust you with a secret?] for my mother-in-law!

I got this delightful idea and free printable here

AND NOW A TUTORIAL:

So, this is how I did it.

1) I used my trimmer to cut off with the bottom portion of the lunch bags, the part that spreads flat to make the bag stand.

But I didn’t need the bag to stand, so, without a twinge of conscience, I cut the bottom portion off.

2) I used a tape runner adhesive to seal the bottom of the bag.

(Actually, this is my friend Joanie using the adhesive.)

3) And then I added festive embellishments–as shown in the pictures above–and slipped the note cards and envelopes into the bags.

I am happy, indeed, with the results.

Of course, this wrapping idea can be used for any number of gifts on your list.

Last, but most definitely, not least.

I did a happy dance when I finished my final wrapping idea.

[Good news: A link is included at the end of the tutorial with a kit containing all of the printables.]

I used a manila envelope to create a “folder” to house the stationery. Please don’t panic if these directions make no sense at all; I feel quite confident that you can create your own folder without me looking over your shoulder, gasping if you snip the paper in the wrong direction.

1) On my manila envelopes, the back “seam” was not in the middle. That middle seam was important to my plan, so I used my trimmer to cut the length of the envelope one and three-quarters inches above the higher “seam”, making the folder six inches tall.

Is that as clear as mud? Don’t worry, wherever you cut will be fine, just as long as your folder is about six inches tall.

2) This is where that seam comes in handy: I used scissors to cut along the handy-dandy seam, which created about one and three-quarters inches for the cards to poke out of the pockets.

3) I snipped off the ends of the strip I had just cut off, and sealed the flap of the envelope.

And there you have it:

two nifty pockets for the cards and envelopes

a Notes to Write checklist along with some postage stamps,

both attached with a colorful paper clip.

And here is the promised link for a free Handwritten Note Printables kit

Hope your dance is as happy as mine!

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For those of you who haven’t met her, the Dollar Store Diva happens to be my Mom who has a special power. She can transform Dollar Store and other inexpensive finds into super fun gifts that would brighten anyone’s day!

The Dollar Store Diva: You’ll want to make a note of this! (Part 2)

November 14th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Free printable all-occasion cards from The Dollar Store Diva that will make a happy and welcomed gift!

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Source

At Christmas time, do you ever feel like this mother duck?

Well, maybe this next set of all-occasion cards will help you cross off one more name from your list of favorite people you want to give gifts to.

I just found this fascinating blog and I spent a delightful evening choosing images for another set of cards that can be printed and then wrapped with creative energy.

I have attached a file of eight free card printables including the five shown here.

Cozy and warm thoughts Source

A soothing get well note Source

The lonely little birdie says it all. Source

So, let me help you get your Christmas-gift ducks in a row. Just open All-Occasion Cards to Print and choose your favorites. Or, hey, why not print them all to create a gift pack of eight cards, then use the too-much-fun wrapping ideas coming soon in You’ll want to make a note of this! Part 3.

Check out more Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

Source for cardinal in tree

Source for daisy

Source for swings in the snow

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The Dollar Store Diva: You’ll want to make a note of this! (Part 1)

November 12th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Check out the latest installment in the Dollar Store Diva’s Holiday series AND check off a stocking stuffer at the same time!

I love stationery, and I love the notes that are jotted on the stationery. Recently I came across this picture of a note card. I was riveted by it. Its stark simplicity gave power to the simple message–MISS YOU/LOVE YOU. I was also drawn by the black lettering, with the red heart adding a touch of warmth and color.

Using its FREE printable, I immediately printed some to give as stocking gifts.

Then I started thinking of other friends, neighbors, and co-workers I could give a gift of note cards to. I decided to design some of my own, with their own simple message, using the black print and the touch of red.

Miss Frugality that I am, I decided that, not only is the smaller font striking, but it also saves printer ink 🙂

And, of course, I had to create others to share with you. Find my FREE stationery printables here and create to your heart’s content. Tie them with black and red ribbon, and you have a gift you can give with pleasure.

For envelopes, I buy note cards at the Dollar Store simply to use the envelopes. I watch for cards with envelopes that measure 4 1/2 x 5 3/4. [If I’m lucky, I can use the envelopes for my handcrafted note cards, and then I can cut the front off the Dollar Store card and use it as a postcard. Two bangs for the buck!]

But wait! There’s more!

There are two more parts to You’ll want to make a note of this!

Stay tuned to Dollar Store Diva for Part 2–more lovely note cards to make, and Part 3–brown lunch bag wrapping ideas that will make your heart go pitter-patter.

Check out more Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

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The Dollar Store Diva: So much fun, I couldn’t stop!

November 8th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

These are so sleek/beautiful/cute/fun/classy/colorful that I want to keep them all for myself.

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I have a stack of magazines–Christmas issues–that date back as far as 1989. The other day I decided to put them to good use (a.k.a. recycle them). These slender beauties turned out even prettier and more fun than I expected.

Want to join in on the fun? All you need to get started is: Christmas magazines, Hershey candy bars, scissors (or a trimmer), and an adhesive. No extra ribbon or trim is needed–they are sleek and beautiful all on their own.

I leafed through the magazines looking for pictures that could be trimmed to about 5 1/2 X 5 1/2. Some pictures I chose were not that large, so I wrapped the candy bar first with tissue paper. (As in the bar below with the little guys looking up at their Christmas stockings. Too, too cute.) When I found a picture, I made sure that there was nothing I wanted to save from the back side, then I ripped it carefully out of the magazine.

I didn’t mean to make so many, but I was having so much fun I couldn’t stop. Literally.

I had to decide whether the picture would go horizontally or vertically and exactly which two inches I wanted highlighted on the front of the candy bar.

I love the picture below of the mittens drying on the radiator. Can’t you just see the steam rising from those mittens and scarves, soaking wet from an afternoon of sleigh riding? Bet the shivering sledders are drinking hot cocoa even as I write this.

Finally I wrapped the picture tightly around the bar and adhered it on the back, being careful to adjust the picture so that the portion I wanted on the front was in place.

I still chuckle when I look at the advertisement I found: I WILL NOT BE REGIFTED.

I even found a black and white picture of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, celebrating together because finally they both know that It’s a Wonderful Life.

So there you have it–some conversation-starting gifts to have on hand. You could stack 2-4 of them and wrap them in a bright ribbon as a hostess gift, teacher gift, stocking gift, gift for your neighbor, or a game prize. You could also use them at a dinner or party and ask your guests what memory their picture evokes.

That is, of course, unless you’re like me and want to keep them all for yourself.

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Check out more Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

The Dollar Store Diva: Counting the Days!

November 2nd, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Want to Do Christmas Well with me? LIKE The Merry Little Christmas Project on Facebook and be a part of our community! We are working together to make Christmas simpler, organized and more meaningful. Come join us!

I’m so excited about this upcoming holiday series from the Dollar Store Diva! I love these Countdown to Thanksgiving and Christmas printables she’s put together for us.

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My husband always cautioned our children not to brush past the thanks-giving of Thanksgiving in a frenzied rush to get to the gift- receiving of Christmas.

He is a wise man.

Perhaps this printable I have created will help assure that my family will follow his sound encouragement.

Over the years I have used a variety of ways for my children to count down the snowy days of December until the magical number 1 finally arrived. This year [inspired by something I found here], I decided to create a Thanksgiving countdown too.

If you would like to join me, this is what you will need:

One 8 x10″ frame. Mine is a black Dollar Store frame.

Two sheets of white cardstock or white copy paper.

A printer

A dry erase marker

If you choose, you will be making two print-outs: one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. And it’s as easy as 1-2-3.

For Thanksgiving:

1) Print page three of this file (orange checked background) on a sheet of white cardstock or white copy paper. You may want to adjust your margins to the narrowest width.

2) Run that printed paper through the printer and print this Days Until Thanksgiving image over it.

3) Trim the finished copy to fit into the 8×10″ frame.

For Christmas:

1) Print page one of this Days until Christmas file (the candy cane striped paper).

2) Run that printed paper through the printer and print page two over the striped background.

3) Trim the finished copy to fit into the 8×10″ frame.

You can store the extra printable in the frame behind the current holiday countdown, so it will be safe and accessible when it’s time for the other holiday celebration.

The really fun part of this is that a dry erase marker works wonderfully on the glass of the frame. So each day your children can use a tissue to erase the number of the day before, and replace it with a lower number!

I am making copies of these to send to my grandchildren in Kansas, Texas, and Pennsylvania. It makes me happy just imagining them counting down the days–10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1–with their dry erase marker!

Ornament Credit

Christmas Background Paper Credit

Orange Checked Background Paper Credit

Check out more Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

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Want to transform your Christmas from STRESS to LESS with us? My eBook The Merry Little Christmas Project – Five Words that will Transform your Christmas will help you do that. It comes with a lovely Christmas planner so that you can start simplifying and organizing your Christmas today. Click below to buy now:

The Dollar Store Diva: A Thanksgiving Sweet Treat

October 26th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Here’s a yummy autumn idea from the Dollar Store Diva! Who’s going to argue with sweet and salty perfection?!

How about a super easy, super yummy treat to make and share?

Several years ago, my friend Paula introduced me to a colorful fall snack made with only two ingredients: candy corn and honey roasted peanuts. [Paula says 50:50. And I’m not going to argue with this sweet and salty perfection.]

I threw together a batch today; I then dropped a few spoonfuls into plastic sandwich baggies and tied them with thin ribbons. I just happened to have orange, brown and white ribbon [47 cents each from Walmart] –the three colors of the candy corn.

Hanging from the ribbon were too, too cute FREE PRINTABLE tags I found here.

These could be used as place cards on the Thanksgiving table, or a bowl of tagged baggies could be part of your autumn decorations. Family and friends will be delighted when you offer them a thanks-for-stopping-by sweet treat.

Check out more awesome Dollar Store Diva ideas here!

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