Spring is on its way (or already here for some of us!), and I feel like my home needs a little overhaul. Sure, I need to put away our winter coats and start my Spring cleaning, but what I’m really excited about is adding a little Spring into my decor.
If you’re anything like me, you find a thrill in a challenge. Or maybe I’m just over competitive. Regardless, I love trying to decorate my home as beautifully and as cheaply as possible. In these tough economic times, it seems that thriftiness is more important than ever.
There’s nothing quite like the flutter in my heart when I find or create something wonderful for very little or no money. It can definitely be a challenge, but thrifty home decor can be done and can be done beautifully.
What do you think? Do you like that thrill? Are you ready to meet the challenge? Do you want to win a great prize? Yeah, I know you do.
I’d like to introduce you to The Five Dollar Challenge.
The Rules:
1. You may only spend $5 out-of-pocket (not including sales tax) on this challenge.
2. Your $5 may only be spent at a “dollar store,” such as The Dollar Tree, Everything’s $1.00, Family Dollar, Dollar General, or similar stores you may have in your town. Yeah, I’m trying to make you think outside of the box. Get creative!
3. You may also use items you already have around the house, such as tools and supplies.
4. On Monday, March 30th, post “before” and “after” pics on your blog and tell us all about your new treasures. If you don’t have a blog and would like to participate, I’d love for you to email photos to me and a little blurb about your project, and I’ll come up with someway for everyone to see them. My email is LivingWithLindsay [at] gmail.com.
5. Check back here and post a link to your entry. I’ll provide further instructions later if you haven’t ever used Mr. Linky. It’s really easy.
6. Be sure to visit the other participants’ links and remember to leave comments! The more links you visit, the more great ideas you’ll discover.
7. One participant will be chosen at random to win the Grand Prize.
Did you see that last part? A GRAND PRIZE? Woo hoo! I’m going to reveal the prize piece by piece as we get closer to the big challenge date…’cause I like to draw things out like that. I promise you’re gonna love it, though.
So, are you up for the challenge? Leave a comment below to let the world know! Also, I’d love for you to grab the button and add it to your blog so your readers can know how to participate, too.
Need a little inspiration? Check out Dollar Store Crafts for lots of fun projects! There’s even a Home Dec section listed there.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
P.S. I’m so excited that Heater at Dollar Store Crafts has added a link this challenge to her site. Welcome to everyone visiting for the first time!
P.P.S. I’m totally hooked on this challenge! I’ve had so many ideas running through my head, and I just don’t know where to start. Check out Hooked On Houses to see what others are hooked on this week. 🙂
Jodi says
sounds fun – now I just have to make it to a dollar store 😉
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says
What a great idea, Linds!!! I’m IN!
Annie says
sounds fun…. just hope i’m crafty enough!
Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says
Posted about the challenge at Dollar Store Crafts!
Brooke says
Looks like lots of fun. Might I suggest creating a Flickr group for the sharing of finished projects.
jannypie says
great idea, i will definitely be doing this!
Spool {} says
This looks like so much fun! I’m a little over extended this month, so I hope you do this again 🙂
Kimm at Reinvented says
Ooooh, a contest! That’s got the ‘ole wheels a turnin’. A whole $5? Dollar Tree, here I come!
Holly says
Sounds like fun!
Kelly says
How fun! I am so excited!! And I can’t wait to get others’ ideas too! :O)
Sarah says
I’m in and I have $5 burning a hole in my pocket right now. 😀
Andi - udandi says
I saw this via Heather/Dollar Store Crafts so I’m excited to give this a whirl!
Amanda says
Oh, I’m totally going to do this! Awesome idea!!!
Mrs. B. says
fun idea!
♥Amber Filkins♥ says
Great challenge!! I actually looked up while reading this, and looked on the shelves I redid last week. I noticed exactly 5 dollar store things that I incorporated into my decor. Imagine that!!!
Living With Lindsay says
I LOVE that Leanne did the exchange rate on the $5! Way to go!
Kathryn- I think it would be fun to do as many projects as you’d like to! The more ideas, the better.
lindsey says
I’m in! Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
http://newlyb.blogspot.com/2009/03/challenge-of-best-kind.html
laurelstreet says
I love a challenge – and this is a good one! Can’t wait to see everyone comes up with!
Songbirdtiff says
I’ve seen your links several places, and I’ve finally decided to give in and join. I have a fun little plan. Thanks for doing this!
Heather - CROQZine - Dollar Store Crafts says
Yay, sounds like we have a lot of interested parties! 🙂
Leanne says
I came over via Dollar Store Crafts. I’m from Northern Ireland and I’ve checked the exchange rate. I have a whole £3.51 to spend, so it should be interesting to see if I can come up with anything. I can’t wait to se all the other entries.
Christine says
This is such a great idea! I’ve added your button to my blog and I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
Kathryn says
This should be fun! I was just wondering if we are limited to one entry, or if we can post more than one.
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
I think this is such a fabulous idea. Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with–there are a lot of really creative people in the blogosphere! 🙂
(Just Stumbled your post!)
Linda says
This sounds like so much fun.I’ve already started 2 projects.I added a link from my blog to here. Can’t wait to see what everyone else does.
Sturgmom says
I’m not sure if I’ll participate, but I can’t WAIT to see what everyone comes up with! I love getting more inspiration!
kirwin says
This is so cool! I have no idea what I’m going to do, but I’m up for the challenge.
Monkey Doodle Designs says
I’m in… and my kids want to participate, too!
Kristen says
What a fantastic challenge!
Cindy says
This is something I want to try!! Sounds like a lot of fun 🙂
Graceful Rose says
I am a first time visitor to your site and I would be glad to take the $5 challenge. I have posted this challenge on my blog. What a great way to usher in spring.
Kris says
Count me in. I’ll add the button to my blog. It will be fun seeing what ideas everyone comes up with. Can’t wait.
Kris
Kim says
Oooh, This sounds fun! I am definitely IN!
Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique says
Oh, this sounds like so much and what a great way to think “out of the box”, especially during these crazy economic times. Count me in! I have added a post and link to your blog about this fun contest!
I would like to invite you to visit my blog, I have hosting an event for “Support Our Troops” Day on March 21st and would love for you to be a part of the tribute to our American Soldiers! You can read about it at my blog by just clicking on the banner on the right side bar “Support Our Troops” Day Blog Event!
Can’t wait to see what everone creates for under $5.00!
Mimi
Puna says
This is interesting…I will try to participate…
Gayle says
Oh, how exciting! This is so cool. Can we use things that have been sitting unused in our craft box for years?
Tristan Robin Blakeman says
I’m in! Sounds like fun…and I published your button on my blog.
Amanda says
Does Big Lots count as a Dollar Store???
april o. says
Oh yeah! I am in! Spring fever has set in and since I am cutting dining out for breakfast and lunch I think it will fit nicely in my budget!
Living With Lindsay says
As much as I LOVE Big Lots (I was just there yesterday!), I don’t think we can count it as a dollar store since they carry items that cost more than $1.
Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm says
oooh!! sounds like fun!! I hope you have a great day!! xoxo!! Britt 🙂
Jill -Forever and Ever House says
I got ahead of myself and decided to make my craft this weekend. I posted it on my blog. Come by and see if you get a chance! I will definately be back on March 30 to add my post to Mr. Linky!! Thanks for the challenge! It was so much fun and a great way to get those creative juices running!!!
lani says
That’s it!! I’m on my way to the dollar tree!!! I am so excited!!!
Maggie says
I’m going to give it a shoot. I’ll hit the dollar tree on Friday and see what I can find.
Carrie says
How fun! I think I already I have something!
Living With Lindsay says
Ann- Absolutely you can use something you’ve already made!
Though I'm an Early, I'm usually always Late! says
Yeah – I have just the thing that cost me about 5 bucks. Cool challenge. I’m up for it!
Annchan says
I have already posted a lot of $5 crafts on my blog can I use one of those? I am so in and would love to participate. I have also put a link in my blog.
C. Beth says
This really sounds like fun. I may have to hit the Dollar Tree this week to see if I can come up with something, maybe for Zoodle’s room?
JM@princesswithahalfpricetiara.blogspot.com says
I am ready for the challenge and put the button on my blog. I made sonething yesterday that I would like to enter into the contest. Should I just write another comment and include a link to my blog once I put it up there?
JM@princesswithahalfpricetiara.blogspot.com says
Okay, here is my entry:
http://princesswithahalfpricetiara.blogspot.com/search/label/Easter
Not an original idea, but I love it just the same and it only cost a total of $4.00!!
Small House says
OKAY, I’m late signing up for this since, I just found you. But I think I’ll give it a try. Hmmmm….
Everyone that’s made a comment is such the groovy crafters. Can’t wait to see how and what they do.
Sandra
Kim says
I’m so in on this one…I’ve posted the link on my blog, and I’ve got my entry all ready! Can’t wait for the 30th!
Mary Ellen says
I posted on my blog but we live in a tiny town with no Dollar store. A few antique stores, a safeway and Duckwalls is about it. My entry may not qualify but maybe you can make concessions and feel sorry for those of us country folk who don’t get out much!!
blessings
mary
Kim says
Woo! I’m really excited about this challenge!
Here’s my entry:
http://lifeisphantasmagorical.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-break-dollar-store-crafting.html
I can’t wait to see what the others come up with!
This was such a great idea 🙂
Linda says
I got mine done. Wow,it took me almost as long to get it posted as it did to get them done,LOL. This was so much fun. Thank you for doing this for us.
Here is my entry:
http://ribbonsrosesandmore.blogspot.com/2009/03/500-challenge-spring-is-in-air.html
Off to see what everyone else came up with.
Annchan says
Here’s mine, sorry it’s a day late. Am I disqualified?
http://cheap-n-cheerful.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-your-own-cute-storage-box.html
I had the box at home already and I bought the cupboard liner from the dollar store.
total cost? Under $1
Annchan says
so who won?