Dollar Tree Sunflower Dishes - An Amazing Party Find

 With fall right around the corner, I am LOVING the sunflower dish line that Dollar Tree is putting out on the shelves right now. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

These plates are GORGEOUS and definitely affordable at $1.25.  (they are also currently available online in smaller quantities here)

Not only would they make a pretty fall tablescape, but they could also be used a party serving tray, and possibly be turned into a cake plate or tiered tray.  

You can see the 10.5 inch dishes here.  They are currently available in a minimum of 4, and will ship FREE to your local store.

The smaller 8 inch plates have a slight different print with smaller flowers.  They are also currently available in quantities of 4.  You can see them here.

 The bowls are a really nice size at 5.5 inches.  They are currently available in online as well, which you can see here.  Their minimum quantity is 12.  

I LOVE the mug. I think it is my favorite dish in the collection.  Unfortunately they are no longer on the website, so you will need to try to find one in person.  I do occasionally find some with the other mugs in the dish aisle in addition to the main display.  

Which one is your favorite dish in the collection? Let me know in the comments. 

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New Dollar Tree Fall Items are here!

While this year is flying by, and technically it is still the middle of the summer, it is fall at the Dollar Tree. If you love the fall, you will want to start checking your local stores because there are so many new adorable items this year. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

I took these pictures over the course of two back to back days. I stopped by the Dollar Tree the first time this week on Wednesday afternoon.   I spoke to one of the employees I knew as she was just starting to put out the new fall items that they got on this week's truck.  There were several things that I would like to get, because I knew they would sell out quickly but due to a few big bills being due this week I knew I had to restrain myself.   

The Farm Fresh calendar was one of those must have items.  While my main store had already sold out of them, a smaller lesser known store nearby still had a few.

I also picked up this Farmhouse one. 

If you come across this wooden truck, grab it immediately!  When I was in the store on Wednesday they only had 5 or 6 left.  Today when I had to go back to pick up a couple of unexpected items they were already all gone. Also gone, but not pictured were the pumpkin wreath forms. 

 

When I was at the store on Wednesday, this aisle was mostly empty, as it was just  beginning to be stocked. Twenty four hours later, it was filled with craft supplies and lots pumpkin decor. 

These velvet pumpkins were quite pretty. The mauve and the burgundy pumpkins were my favorite. If those colors are not your style, they were available in six (possibly more)  different colors. 

These velvet pumpkin floral picks were also very nicely made.  

If you are not a fan of velvet, they also had these gingham pumpkins.  This is another item that will sell out fast.  They were not even out yet on the first day I was there, and just a day later there were only a few pumpkins left in the box. 

This entire wall was school supplies the day before, so I was surprised to see it completely different today. I am loving all the fall decor signs and yard stakes this year, especially the wooden trucks and metal wagons.

These pumpkin metal yard stakes were quite stunning in person. It is hard to believe they are only $1. They also had 

metal sunflowers that will look great in any garden/yard. 

Another favorite item of mine was this blue farmhouse pumpkin truck. 

  

Underneath the signs were these large felt shapes. They can be used as decor, placements, anything you can think of really.

The sunflower is new this year. I think it will sell out quickly. 

Always check all the endcaps when you are in the store.  I found this endcap in the back by the cleaning supply wall. There were so my pretty florals here. 

The purple Dahlias were large and gorgeous!!  They come in many other fall and Halloween colors. 

On another endcap I found all kindsw of monogram items.  They had pumpkins, mason jar signs, ceramic pumpkins and even metal tins with a variety of different letters. 

There was so much to see and this is just the first wave of products. The Dollar Tree releases their holiday items in several waves over the course of  several weeks.  Halloween items are arriving in many stores this week as well. You can expect to start seeing a lot more in all stores as we go through the month of August.  

I will share a pro Dollar Tree shopper tip with you.  If you would like to see what will be arriving in stores, be sure to check out their website online.  You can see many of the fall & harvest items to watch for here.

Many of the Halloween items are also online. You can see all things Halloween here, and the Halloween crafting supplies here.   There are also several craft and party ideas to check out on the website.  Another pro tip, if you are need several of the same item or you cant find what you are looking for in your local store, you can buy your items on the website and have it shipped free to your store.  While some items you have to buy by the case, also be sure to check out the smaller quantity area where you can often buy just a few items.  (I have done this several times, like with the elusive Easter bunnies and the hanging baskets in the spring) 

What kind of items to you like to buy for fall and Halloween? 

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Splatter Screen Mesh Pumpkin from Dollar Tree Items

I finally had the chance to craft this past weekend.  I have  wanted to make this splatter screen pumpkin made with Dollar Tree items for quite awhile.  For most of August, I could not find the splatter screens.  I checked several Dollar Trees on my vacation all around Michigan. I also checked many of the stores in my area.  They were out of stock at every store.  Then one day, all of the stores got more in stock and now they are available everywhere again. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

To make this craft, you need three splatter screens, three rolls of orange mesh, orange tinsel pipe cleaners or wire and some harvest themed ribbon of your choice. 

The handles of the splatter screen can easily be removed with a screw driver.  To make the pumpkin shape, start by overlapping two of the screens by a few inches and secure with either pipe cleaner or wire. 

Center and layer the third screen over the other two and secure with pipe cleaner or wire.  

Start wrapping the mesh on one of the other screens securing it on the back side with pipe cleaners cut in half.  Place the pipe cleaners about an inch apart.

Continue wrapping and securing the mesh until the entire screen is covered. It should take a little over 2 rolls of mesh.  I decided to finish the entire third roll and cover the pumpkin with another layer. 

To make the bow, I layered three different fall theme ribbons. I folded each ribbon three times on each side.  The bottom layer was a little bit longer than the middle, and then the middle was a little bit longer than the top.  I secures all three ribbons with a pipe cleaner.  To make tails for my bow, I also secured one long piece of folded ribbon to the back of the bow using the same pipe cleaner. 

Once all the ribbon is secured with the pipe cleaner,  gently pull out the ribbon loops and fluff them a bit.  When you like how it looks, used the pipe cleaner to secure the bow to the top of the pumpkin. 

This pumpkin is pretty light weight and can easily be hung on the wall, door, or even in a wreath.   

 

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37th Annual Michigan Renaissance Festival

Today's post is little different than most. As you know from time to time, I like to share fun family activities on the blog. I have shared about  Halloweekend at Cedar Point, Our Visit to Six Flags Great America, and LEGO Kidsfest.  This fall there is another fun event, and if you live in the midwest you might want to check it out.  I have not gone before, but my family and and I are really excited to attend this year.  Every weekend from August 22nd- October 4th (including Labor day and a special Friday Festival night Oct 2)  the 37th Michigan Renaissance Festival will be open in Holly, Michigan.   

The more I read about it, the more exciting it sounds. At the festival you will travel back in time to the 16th century.  Inside the gates of a 17 acre village you will see taverns, Renaissance shops and even a castle.  There will be continuous entertainment in the streets such as comedy, music, juggling and more.  There will even be full armored jousting.  Each weekend of the festival there will be a different theme.  I can't decide which one I want to attend more.  It starts with a pet festival on Aug 22-23, and ends with a "sweet" weekend with chocolate and cupcakes on Oct 3-4.  Other weekends will include the Highland Fling, High Seas Adventures (think pirates!), Wonders of the World, Shamrocks and Shenanigans, and a Harvest Huzzah. Everyone single weekend sounds like a great time.  If that is not enough, there will also be fabulous food and 300 artisans displaying their works.  

If this sounds like something you will like to attend, you are in luck! 

My readers save $3 Off Gate Admission with this coupon. You can save $3 off an Adult Admission or a FREE child ticket with the purchase of an Adult ticket.  It is not valid with any other offers. Aug 22nd through October 4th, 10 am-7pm, Rain or Shine! FREE parking. 

You can read more about everything that will be at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, and get directions at MichRenFest.com

Which weekend would you want to attend the most? 

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Countdown to Thanksgiving- Fall Wreath

Today's Feature of the Day is this beautiful fall  wreath from Here's to Handy Andy.  What I found most impressive is how little it costs to make.   Most of the supplies are found at the dollar store. Yes you read that right, in the craft aisle of the dollar store.   This wreath would make a pretty addition to your Thanksgiving decoaration.   You can see how Liz made her  awesome  fall wreath here.

If you would like to be the Feature of the Day as we countdown to the holidays, be sure to link up all of your holiday theme posts on Dare to Share here.

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Fall Decorating on a Budget

Its that time of year again.  The kids are going back to school, the nights are becoming cooler, and fall colors are creeping into our favorite stores.  In just a few short weeks, fall will be here.  While summer will always be my favorite season,  I have to admit I love to decorate for fall.  When there is not a lot of money in the decorating budget, there are still ways to be creative with your decor.  One of  my favorite places for fall crafting supplies is the dollar store.  I found these items just this week. 

Another great place to find decorating items is the thrift store.  There is a huge selection at very afforable prices.   We went yesterday and found several items for our fall decor for just a few dollars. 

Aren't these planters cute?!  They were both only .99 each  at the thrift store.  I loved the shape of the white planter, and the gold color of the smaller planter.  If you find a container  that is an interesting shape, but the wrong color, that can easily be changed with a can of spray paint.   I am going to use these to display pumpkins on my porch.  For this picture  I am  using craft pumpkins from craft stash, since real pumpkins are not quite ready.

An easy way to incorporate color into your decor is by using candy.  I loved the shape of this vase. I also found it at the thrift store for only .99.  I added two small bags of candy corn and a dollar store candle on top. 

I made this using a glass vase and candlestick from the dollar store.  It looks like something you would find in a catalog, but for only a fraction of the price.  It is easy to change the inside of the vase from season to season.  You can use eggs for spring, shells for summer, candy or gourds for fall and ornaments for winter.

A great way to display your fall decor is by making a cake stand/pedestal.  I found the very nice candlestick for only $1.99 and the gold charger plate for only .50 at the thrift store.  I love the color combination as is,  but again it would be very easy to change with a little bit of paint. 

You can use the pedestal in many ways.  In the first picture I added some dollar store leaves and a craft pumpkin.  In the second picture, I used a glitter pumpking from the dollar store and a strand of fall leaves. Both ways would make a great centerpiece, can easily be changed depending on the look you want.   

I have to admit, putting all of these looks together has made this die hard summer loving girl, just a little bit excited about fall!

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