Wednesday, January 7, 2009

I Heart the DT

What do you do when you put away all of the decorations from the past holiday? Well, go to the dollar store of course, to see what's new for the next holiday. And, as usual, I found a few fun things to buy.
I think that the dollar store is a lot like the thrift store. If you look with an open mind, there are always treasures to be found!
Here's what I bought:
At first glance, this may not seem like much, right?
Look again!

A roll of holiday ribbon is always a good investment. I have a favorite little boutique that always looks beautiful for each holiday and season. One of the tricks they use is to tie festive ribbon on the items that they always have on display. They tie it to apothecary jars, candles, lamps, wherever! That little touch changes the look of the whole store. It's a great idea to use at home too.

A bag, or two, of conversation hearts is a MUST for Valentine's. Put them in a pretty bowl, jar, or heart shaped container for a treat or a gift. Use them as fillers in hurricanes or apothecary jars. They look fun just spread along a shelf or down the center of a tablecloth. One year, I made a simple and quick gift by gluing the candy hearts onto inexpensive candles. They can be glued on in a random pattern or in a few rows at the base of the candle. I used hot glue, but I put the glue on the candy piece, not on the candle itself.

Rub on letters can be used for more than just scrapbooks. Rub them on a mirror for a special message to your loved ones. They can be put on a glass container that holds candy or a candle. Or you can add them to a heart shaped wooden plaque for an easy, inexpensive decoration.

Holiday ice cube trays are great! Think about freezing red drink mix instead of just water. You can use the trays as molds for melting chocolate to make a batch of homemade chocolates. One year I mixed up a batch of plaster of paris and poured it into heart shaped molds. When the plaster was dry, I painted the hearts and gave them as favors. You could even add a magnet on the back of each plaster heart.

Heart shaped tins can be used for holding the homemade chocolates or magnets, or any small gift. You can use them as a family mailbox for placing love notes inside. The tins could be personalized with paint pens or permanent markers, or decoupage an old fashioned valentine, or monogram onto the top.

What ideas can you come up with for these little dollar store goodies?

32 comments:

Kasey said...

First to comment, lucky me!!! I just posted my dollar finds if you want to check it out. I haven't gone to the dollar store yet, but I"ll have to now.

Amy said...

Thanks for getting me thinking about Valentine's Day! This post reminded me that I signed up to plan the preschool class party. You have some great ideas to get me started!

Huse Yo Mama said...

You're right! Such great ideas! Guess I need to head on over to the dollar store!

Tardevil said...

I don't know, but you've talked me into it. I'm going shopping! It doesn't take much to twist my arm!

Inspired Kara said...

How did you know I was throwing a "sweetheart" themed bridal shower for my best friend this Feb?!!

THANK YOU for the ideas!

Our Paper Plates said...

Great frugal finds and ideas! I love them :) If you were in my ward, you would be on the enrichment committee for sure. Moving to Arizona any time soon?! :)

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow..great ideas!!! Right now I am just at a lost of any "crafty" things...I am still on overload with Christmas..but soon I will get into the Valentine "spirit"..this post already started a "spark"!
-sandy toe

Georgia Girl said...

Oh goodie...just great ideas you are sending to me for my swaps I am doing two Valentine Swaps in a few weeks and boy I was needing some cute ideas to make for this swap. Thanks bunches! Please send more to this non crafty person.

crazigirl80 said...

Do you think the molds could be used in the oven?....I'm thinking of making heart crayons for my toddler. These would be perfect!

Susan said...

Too cute! I love the ribbon idea! I think just about everything in my house had either a gold ribbon --with wire of course--on it during Christmas. I also found these darling glittered green snowflakes at Wal-mart and hung them all of ther house--even in the bathroom on the mirror! THanks for all of your ideas! Love your blog!
Hugs,
Susan

Valarie Lea said...

Great ideas!!!!

Joy said...

crazigirl,
I don't think these would work on the oven, but they might be okay in the microwave---which is a much safer place for melting wax.
Joy

Darlene said...

Oh Joy, again you are giving us all kinds of great Valentine ideas. Thanks so much!

Mimi Sue said...

Great ideas, as usual. Mimi

crazigirl80 said...

How would you melt wax in the microwave? I have only done it in the oven. Thanks!

Queen Bean said...

I just went to the Dt on Sunday and bought that same ribbon. I didn't see those rub on letters. I'll just have to go back. Deana

Joy said...

crazigirl,
Crayons melt at about 150-200 degrees, so just set your microwave on low and check them every couple of minutes. You may need to turn the mold if your microwave cooks unevenly.
Or melt the crayons in separate paper cups and then pour the wax into the heart molds.

Unknown said...

I love your spirit and love of the Dollar Store! To me it's a BIG TREASURE HUNT. Being surround by all the goodies puts me in a creative frame of mind. You've got some GREAT IDEAS--especially tying ribbon to eveyday objects! That can't HELP but breathe new life into things.
PS: LOVE the new blog header with the SILVER....PRETTY!

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

Yay, someone else who shares my love of creating cool stuff from items purchased from the dollar store! :) I will link to your article here from my blog!

Heather

Michelle said...

Love the Dollar store!

Susan said...

I love using holdiay ribbon - it can totally transform the way things look!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I heart the dollar store.
Great buys!

bj said...

u always have the bestest ideas !!
xo bj

Unknown said...

I have those icecube hearts from last year valentine's day dollar store hunting. I love them! the dollar store silicone stuff is the absolute best to use for making chocolates, especially fudge because it's so cheap it's super flexible so i can pop out a fudge heart without indenting it!

Wendy said...

Oh yes, I LOVE the dollar store. Always a fun place to find a hidden treasure.

Becky said...

Hi Joy, I've left a comment before asking you about one of your projects. I actually made them as Christmas gifts for my friends and family. I just wrote about them on my blog, but only have a picture of the one I made for our family. I really think they all turned out so cute!

Kate said...

Oh how I love the Dollar Tree! Thanks for sharing your finds; I can't wait to go!

Buie said...

I found your blog searching "making chocolates" online. Your readers may be interested in a how to DVD on making chocolates. www.making-chocolates.com.

Anonymous said...

I cant wait to see the goodies you make with all of your little treasures!

Mimi Sue said...

Cute stuff. I heart the DT almost as much as I heart the DI. Mimi

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

Great ideas for all your fun dollar finds! I may have to use some of them myself.
I have enjoyed your projects. You are very talented. Keep up the inspiring us all.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

janie said...

I am seriously rolling with laughter here. I can't believe I am seeing this picture! I went to Dollar Tree yesterday and my bag of finds looks almost identical to yours!! I did a rub-on on the heart tin for hubby for Valentine's Day last night and purchased that ribbon for my wreath... funniest thing, this is the first I've ever seen your blog! :)

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