Me and Mom circa 1979 Those of you who have been around for awhile are familiar with the talents of our very own Dollar Store Diva. She’s also occasionally called “Mom” or “Mama” around...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2018/01/19/thank-dollar-store-diva-aka-mom/
Recently I discovered a two-ingredient recipe for hot fudge sauce. Yup, a two ingredient recipe for hot fudge sauce. I decided to try a “make-your-own-hot-fudge-sundae” when my family came to...
I recently posted an art supplies Dollar Store Organizational System for people like me who are visual learners and also hassle with ADD. I am ever so happy with this system; you can check it...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2017/07/21/super-easy-art-supplies-organization-idea/
I am creative; I simply can’t not create things. The problem is that I am also disorganized. The fact that I am a visual processor with a touch of ADHD has made my creative energies significan...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2017/07/06/dollar-store-organizational-system-art-supplies/
I introduced the idea of using watercolors to create super-easy birthday cards, and I included a step-by-step tutorial in my original post: Super Easy Watercolor Birthday Cards. And now–ta d...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2017/04/12/8-super-easy-diy-watercolor-birthday-cards/
One of the disappointments of my life is that I can’t draw. I used to dread art class in high school because what came so easily to others was sweat and tears for me. Thanks to Pinterest, how...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2017/03/24/super-easy-diy-watercolor-birthday-cards/
Every year when I turn my calendar to February, it seems that I have just put away my Christmas decorations. And I have to build up enthusiasm to start decorating–yet again–for Valentin...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2017/02/04/simple-valentine-decorations-two-easy-diy-banners/
Recently my sister Lois introduced me to what she claimed was the most delicious hot chocolate ever: Thomas Jefferson Hot Chocolate. “Say what?!” I exclaimed. “What in the world is Thomas J...
See part 1 of this post here. The gift of a handcrafted journal is such a lovely thing. Once my friends and I decided we wanted to create some small gifts to bless special people in our life who...
Note from Kaley: I am honored to have my Mom share a little bit of her personal story with us today on the blog. Each time I hear this particularly touching story from her childhood, I am mov...
I finally managed to make the transition from tea to coffee when I turned 45. Unfortunately an expensive addiction to Dunkin’ Donuts coffee quickly followed. I made many attempts to make cof...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2016/07/26/how-to-make-a-cup-of-coffee-thats-perfect-for-you/
I love these Easter printables from our very own Dollar Store Diva! Such a simple and lovely way to commemorate the Easter holiday. I’m going to print mine out now! *** As my children were gro...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2016/03/21/the-dollar-store-diva-celebratory-easter-printables/
My husband’s parents have been such good grandparents to our now-adult children. Every Christmas or birthday or anniversary we want to give them a special gift. Normally we get something for th...
Idea #1 Joy to the World In a recent Christmas post, I explained that I had been motivated by The Merry Little Christmas Project to simplify Christmas 2015. For me, Christmas offers a season o...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2015/11/27/5-super-fun-christmas-doodles-gift-wrap-ideas/
Ever since I devoured Kaley’s book, The Merry Little Christmas Project, I have been on a mission to simplify Christmas 2015. However, in my quest for simplicity, a giant-sized issue stands...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2015/11/17/super-simple-gift-wrap-ideas-with-christmas-doodles/
My favorite fall project from last year was this “Blessings Galore!” burlap wreath: As I unpacked the wreath this year, I realized that I had plenty of autumn-y scraps of fabric and burla...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2015/10/26/the-dollar-store-diva-diy-autumn-lights-garland/
When I was first married, I had zero culinary skills. {Bless my dear groom.} The one redemptive recipe for those first bumbling months of dry lasagne and hard-as-golf-balls cinnamon rolls was ...
I am a busy woman. {Feel free to add your name to the Busy Person List.} In addition, I am a busy woman who regularly procrastinates. {There’s a list for that too; you can sign your name under ...
*** It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from the Dollar Store Diva (a.k.a. my MOM), but she can’t stay away for long! She has a fresh new idea that I think you guys are really going ...
I love this organization system brought to us by our very own Dollar Store Diva! I am a woman of many interests; I am also a visual learner with a touch of ADD. The combination of these facts has...
The minute I found this idea and tutorial here, I knew that this would be the primary craft I would concentrate on during the 2014 Christmas season. I have since made these little works of art w...
I like walking into the Dollar Store, not looking for anything in particular, and then leaving the store with a treasure. That very thing happened recently. I noticed these red and white knit sc...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/12/02/dollar-store-diva-dollar-tree-wreath-2-20/
Source While I was shopping recently, a handsome young man came up to me and said, “Mrs. Hill, you probably don’t remember me.” I studied his face, but I had to admit that I didn’t. As ...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/11/07/dollar-store-diva-season-giving-thanks-challenge/
*** When I saw this free printable banner at the TomKate Studio (along with other classy Thanksgiving printables), I decided immediately to hang one in my home as a lovely reminder of the sig...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/11/03/dollar-store-diva-6/
I recently shared my giddiness over the Dare-to-Be-Square pumpkins I created with my new Gift Box Punch Board here. And the fun continues. Since the gift box punch board can create boxes in 20...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/10/24/dollar-store-diva-fall-paper-crafts/
I am in love. Well, maybe I am in really, really like. With a gadget. My frugal nature resists spending money new gadgets, but when I watched this video, I was smitten. I have Amazon Prime so I c...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/10/23/dollar-store-diva-dare-square-pumpkin-decor/
I just heard this announcement on TV: Pumpkin is back at Dunkin’ Donuts! Typically those words would make me grab my car keys and start my engine. But no longer. You see, my friend Sally intr...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/10/17/dollar-store-diva-milk-frother/
I’m not much of a fabric DIYer, but when I saw this autumn burlap-tied wreath here, I knew immediately that I wanted to make it. I followed the tutorial but tweaked the directions a bit by ...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/10/02/dollar-store-diva-autumn-burlap-wreath-free-printable/
There is a difference between stocking up on and hoarding. “Hoarding” is about piles and stacks of products that I may or may not ever use. “Stocking up on” means finding a good deal on a...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/09/18/dollar-store-diva-stocking-dollar-tree/
We have a bathroom upstairs in our little Cape Cod that’s hardly big enough to store two toothbrushes. Besides that, it’s b.o.r.i.n.g. “Someday” we’ll spend some time and energy on it, ...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/09/11/dollar-store-diva-dollar-store-just-fun-wall-art/
My sweet little niece recently celebrated her 3rd birthday. Her gift box was rather large, so I wanted to think of a happy way to fill up all that empty space. Awhile back I had downloaded t...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/09/04/gift-wrapping-with-free-funky-font/
Decorating Ideas with Dollar Store Items For my daughter-in-law’s recent birthday, I wanted to add some colorful touches to the annual singing of Happy Birthday, dear Macia! As usual, the Doll...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/08/21/birthday-decorating-with-dollar-store-items/
Back to School Countdown Chalkboards I decided to run into the Dollar Tree the other day to do some window shopping. Window shopping–yeah, right. There was no way I could pass up these beauties...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/08/12/back-to-school-countdown-chalkboard/
I was looking for a special college send-off gift for my granddaughter. Our family is spread across the United States, but we were spending a week together in Virginia so I wanted to seize that...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/08/11/dollar-store-diva-5/
One steamy summer day I decided to try a McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry-Lemonade. It was love at first sip. I assumed that an elaborate-fancy-technology-McDonald’s-patented-secret-process wa...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/08/04/dollar-store-diva-frozen-strawberry-lemonade/
*** It’s an annual dilemma at family vacations: Where did I put my soda? or Is that your cup of coffee or mine? With twenty of us gathered for a week in one cabin and lots of icy drinks a...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/07/25/homemade-burlap-square-coasters/
I had so much fun using my new Wilton decorating set when I made this American flag that I didn’t want to stop. Sooo… I grabbed a box of vanilla wafers and spread them out on waxed paper. Wi...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/06/27/dollar-store-diva-4/
I teach English to adult immigrants and refugees. Many of them are working toward US citizenship. I am so proud of them and grateful to be their “Teacher Nancy”. I wanted to do something fun ...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/06/25/4th-of-july-jello-flag-recipe/
Raspberry Slushie Easy Recipe A couple of weeks ago, on a hot June day, I decided to try an icy fruit drink at my beloved Dunkin Donuts. As soon as I took my first sip, I thought to myself: Oh,...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/06/13/raspberry-slushie-easy-recipe-for-a-ninja-blender/
Since I am called the Dollar Store Diva, one might deduce that I really, really like shopping at one. And that deduction would be exactly right. I don’t like to spend money–not even a doll...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/05/13/best-craft-supplies-to-buy-at-the-dollar-store/
Recently I had the privilege of babysitting three of my out-of-town grandsons. After we had happily eaten breakfast together, I turned my back ever so briefly, and–much to my surprise, those th...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/04/04/dollar-store-diva/
*** I still remember the moment when the realization hit me: “Oh, my goodness–I could be the poster child for adult ADD!” It explained so much. –Trouble completing tasks and meeting deadl...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/03/06/how-a-dollar-store-notebook-helped-my-adult-add/
Hey! How about a sugar-free love note for your Valentine? Supplies: 1) A small plastic container with lid– 2/$1–at Dollar Tree. 2) Valentine Jar Printable 3) A small dee-lightful picture o...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/02/06/dollar-store-diva-wouldnt-change-anything-valentine/
Update: The calendar has been updated so you can use it every year! Many months ago, when I received a free 7-day pill organizer from CVS, I came up with the idea of putting a treat a day in the ...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/01/30/free-valentines-day-printable/
Lovely Scenario: Four of our six children and 15 of our 16 grandchildren live out of town and need a bed to sleep in when they come to visit. Sometimes a bunch come to stay at the same time. Star...
*** Have I mentioned lately that I love the Dollar Store? Since our family continues to grow (currently a total of 28 including children, spouses and grandchildren), my husband and I find it easi...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2014/01/04/dollar-store-diva-yet-another-reason-love-dollar-store/
Wrapping with fabric has been one of my favorite too, too fun wrapping projects. This box was wrapped like swaddling a baby in a blanket. I used torn strips of random Christmas fabric to wrap...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2013/12/17/merry-little-christmas-fun-wrapping-idea-13/
What excitement there was in the air when I discovered this free Christmas font! I quickly downloaded the font onto my computer, then I typed abcdefg… (both uppercase and lowercase) to find t...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2013/12/07/merry-little-christmas-create-tags-christmas-font/
Hmmm…what are these? one might ask. And the answer is: These are stocking stuffers wrapped in fabric for certain family members. (I don’t want to mention any names and spoil the surprise :-)...
https://chachingonashoestring.com/2013/12/05/merry-little-christmas-fun-wrapping-idea-12/
I wrapped this box with music scrapbook paper that I got at Michaels for 17 cents a sheet. Then the ripping-fabric-fun began. Don’t you like the frayed-edges look? I wrapped this next gift in...