Diy Mini Christmas Trees

Day 2 of #12daysofchristmascrafts! I made 2 mini trees to set on a console cabinet which you see as you walk in the front door. 

Supplies used (for both trees): again all Dollar Tree items

 

•  Megaphone (toy)
• 2 fleece scarves
• Angel tree ornament
• Cone shaped foam
• Red jut twine
• Star ornaments
• Scissors
• Hot glue

Let's start with the fabric tree. This one was inspired by a You tuber, her channel is 4 Quarter Crafts  .

Step 1: Use a  sharp knife to cut off the mouth piece (the narrow end) on the megaphone 

 - This is so the Angel will fit snug on top

Step 2: Cut the fringe off of the scarf and cut the scarf, first into folded strips of varying widths, then the strips into squares.

Step 3: Starting with the largest square of fabric, glue together the open end. This creates a loop. Then starting at the bottom of the megaphone, glue the square to it with the loop face down and leave an overhang at the base.

 - I also used a dab of glue on the bottom corners of the fabric to prevent the color of the megaphone showing through.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 using the other large squares, overlapping each one by about a half inch.

Step 5: Starting with the second row, glue the next size smaller square (in a North, South, East, West pattern) , fill in the gaps to create an overlap.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 using progressively smaller squares until you reach the top of the megaphone.

 

I glued the top strip in one piece, then cut slits into it.

Step 7: Glue the angel ornament to the top rim to prevent it from falling off.

Now for the twine tree:

Step 1: Glue the end of the twine to the top of the foam cone.

Step 2: Wrap the twine around the cone in random directions.

Step 3: When you get to the top, cover any white areas using twine and glue.

Step 4: After cutting the jingle bell off of the star ornament, glue the star onto the top of the foam cone. 

 - I added glue in between each section of this 3d star for more security.

Step 5: (Optional) To give this tree a little more height, I glued on this salt shaker cover I had from a Dollar Tree salt shaker.

And, there you have it! Two cute mini trees to add a festive touch anywhere in your home!

I hope you'll try these! Tag me on Instagram @simplymindy3 if you do, and use #12daysofchristmascrafts! 

How to make a deco mesh wreath

Today is day 1 of my Instagram series #12daysofchristmascrafts. I thought I'd share the diy projects starting from the outside of the house. I was very excited to make a new wreath because we recently had a new door installed! And, this one only cost me $9 to make because I already had the wreath form and wire!

Here are the supplies I used. Everything is from Dollar Tree except for the floral wire 

• 14 inch wire wreath form
• 4 rolls of red deco mesh
• 4 rolls of white deco mesh
• Floral wire (you could also use chenille stems)
• Floral pick (not pictured here)

Step 1: Gather the end of the deco mesh, create a small loop around the outside circle of the wreath from, and secure with floral wire

Step 2: Push the deco mesh through the back opening, between the outside circle and the second circle, to create a loop.

Step 3: Starting with the end of the first loop, push the mesh through the second opening to create another loop.

Step 4: Repeat step 2 and 3 until you get around the whole wreath form. 

- The tighter you bunch the loops together, the fuller the wreath will be.

- If you want to use a single color, push the loops through all three wreath form openings

Step 5: Add the white deco mesh following steps 1 through 4. The second loop will be in the second opening of the wreath along with the second red loop.

Step 6: Add floral pick to embellish. I did not glue the pick, it is secured by the wreath frame.

- You can add any embellishments you want to this, i.e. ornaments, flowers, a bow... I opted to keep mine simple.

Then hang on your door and you are done!

Let me know what you think! If you try this, leave a comment with a picture of yours, or tag me on Instagram @simplymindy3 and use the #12daysofchristmascrafts.

10 Super Easy Diy Christmas Decoration Ideas

As I'm working on my own Diy Christmas Decorations, I thought I'd share some adorable, easy, and budget friendly diy projects I found on Pinterest. Most of these projects can be done with supplies from Dollar Tree! Check out these 10 Super easy Diy Christmas Decorations.

1. Make these snowman ornaments with the kids by One Little Project

2. Or mini wreath ornaments, made with mason jar lids, by Sadie Season Goods

3. Simple and easy porch decoration with recycled boxes by The Seasonal Home

4. Try these glittered candles for a simple centerpiece by Two Sisters Crafting

5. Check out these glass jar luminaries by Crafts by Amanda

6. Dollar tree decorations so simple a child could put it together, by Frugal Wife Wealthy Life

7. How about a beaded mini tree? by Mess for Less

8. Or these huge ornaments made with plastic balls, by Smart School House

9. Try a spin on the traditional wreath, by Southern Charm Wreaths

10. And this gift bag wall art couldn't get any easier! by The Crazy Craft Lady

Will you try any of these? Next week I start an Instagram series called #12daysofchristmascrafts. Follow me @simplymindy3, and tag me if you decide to diy your Christmas decorations! I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

10 Tips for Holiday Decorating on a Budget

I know that not everyone enjoys crafting (what's not to enjoy), or maybe some just don't have the time. So, I've come up with 10 tips for holiday decorating on a budget! I really had to put some thought into this because I'm so used to creating my own version of things I see in the stores that I rarely buy decorative items anymore.

If you're like me, you love decorating for Christmas especially. And, I think you'll agree that these tips will keep anyone from going over budget. I am listing the tips in descending order, with tip #1 being the most budget friendly. So, if you really have no decoration budget, go ahead and skip to the last few.

#10 - Shop the discount stores

I think this is an obvious choice for anyone on a budget, but I've also heard that people find items from higher end stores here.

A few Burlington finds...

 A few of my favorites:

• Marshalls
• HomeGoods
• Burlington (they have expanded their home section and it has a great selection)
• Christmas Tree Shops 

#9 - Shop the drug stores

And while you're at it, check out the gift options for last minute gifts or that gift exchange at work that you don't wanna spend too much on! Lol

• Cvs
• Walgreens
• Riteaid (they start marking down Christmas items before thanksgiving)

This Joy sign at CVS is gorgeous

#8 - Shop clearance

If you've never shopped the clearance section of a store, you must be living in your own world! Or, maybe you can afford to pay full price for everything. In which case you don't need to be reading this!

You can usually find seasonal items on clearance after the season ends, but some places start right before the end of season to make room for new inventory. So, waiting till the last minute isn't always a bad thing!

AC Moore started marking down Christmas items even before Halloween!

#7 - Shop second hand stores

I found a pre-lit outdoor Christmas tree (that you see in stores for $39.99), that's functional and in great condition, for $10!

Sometimes these stores can be hit or miss. But, you may come across new items that someone donated and never used. 

#6 - Shop dollar stores

You know I am no stranger to the dollar store!

I'm not saying go and buy everything they have just because it's $1. But, these days dollar stores are selling quality brand-name products. It is my go to for small trinkets and odds and ends.

#5 - Do it yourself

I know I said not everyone is crafty. But, I'm talking about things a small child could do.

Just a few ideas

• Put some ornaments (or pinecones) into a clear glass vase
• Group together a few different sized candles on a tray surrounded by artificial poinsettias
• Cut out an image from a gift bag and put it in a picture frame

These are a few of the supplies I got from Dollar Tree for diy projects.

#4 - Exchange decorations with neighbors/friends

I've never done this, but I thought it might be a nice idea. This way everyone has new decorations without spending any money! Maybe I'll think about doing this next year.

#3 - Get free decorations

People post ads for items that they need to get rid of. It's like a thrift store, but free!

Try these

• Craigslist
• Facebook marketplace

#2 - Shop after the season

This is a piggyback off of tip #8. But, let's say you hold off on decorating this year and start planning early for next year. This way you have the opportunity to get decorations at up to 90% off! 

#1 - Use last year's decorations!

We live in a world where we feel like we always need to replace things with new ones. Sometimes it's ok to reuse an item more than once. So, go ahead reuse the same decorations! I bet no one will even notice. 

Diy Hot drink Station

With the colder weather fast approaching, I thought I would set up a hot drink station. Of course I had to get a little creative with placement since I don't have a lot of counter space. But, since I painted the countertop, I had switched the placement of my toaster oven and coffee maker, which made better use of the space. 

Since the coffee maker is now in a corner where the counter is rarely used, there is an area where a small shelf will fit perfectly. And where do you find a small enough shelf? Dollar tree of course. I used one of the small cabinet risers to create a cute little shelf.

To make a shelf out of the cabinet riser I used foam board and contact paper, also from Dollar Tree.

First I measured the riser and cut a piece of the foam board to fit on top

I also cut out a second piece to fit the under side of the riser

 - I used hot glue to secure the foam board on the riser so it wouldn't move while applying the contact paper

I then measured and cut out two pieces of the contact paper to cover the foam board and any visible pieces of the top part of the shelf riser.

*If you've never worked with contact paper check out my dresser update .

Lastly I repurposed a paper towel holder to use as a mug tree.

To complete the drink station, I added a coffee can (from which I removed the label), a small container with stirrers, and a glass jar underneath for hot cocoa.

I'm on the hunt for a hot cocoa recipe that doesn't call for a load of sugar. Any recommendations? 

Cheap and easy dish cabinet organization

For the longest time, I had been procrastinating about rearranging this cabinet. The corner is soo deep, things can easily get lost in there if you don't pay attention. But, with some rearranging and the addition of a couple of shelf risers, I can now see to the back of the cabinet.

I think the before and after pictures will speak for themselves.

I simply swapped the location of the cups and plates. 

Before

After

And added a dollar store shelf riser to expand the capacity of the narrower cabinet.

































With the plates in the other side ...

Before

I added a larger shelf riser (5.99) to break up the plates/bowls, and make it easier to grab one when needed.

After

Of course, in the process there were some items that went into the trash. But there were also a few items added to our donation bin, which will hopefully go on to a new home where they can be put to use.

If you like the simple functionality of this update, check out these Pins for some more budget friendly kitchen organizing ideas!

Savor and Savvy's 14 Frugal Kitchen Organizing Ideas features ideas for organizing everything, from the utensil drawer to bakeware pans.

Discover ways to add storage with clever and budget friendly tips from Dreaming in Diy's Easy and Budget friendly ways to organize your Kitchen.