Welcome to the 2nd Annual $5 Challenge!
A few weeks ago, I issued the $5 Challenge to my readers. Could you create a new Spring decor item by spending no more than $5 at a dollar store?
I’ll admit that I had a tough time coming up with a project this year. You guys have been sending me your projects, and I was a little scared because everyone’s ideas have been so good! I’ve been blown away.
Here’s what I cam up with: a very easy to create embellished kitchen towel. It’s not something to use to mop up grape juice spills off the counter. Instead, I wanted something cute that I could use to dry my hands instead of going through endless rolls of paper towels.
I bought a white flour sack towel from the kitchen section of Dollar Tree and a bag of faux rose petals in the wedding section. The petals come in white, red, and pink, but I chose the white because I wanted to make the towel solid white.
After washing and drying the towel, I pinned a row of petals along the bottom of the towel. After the row was in place, I used my sewing machine to stitch a zig zag stich along the top edge of the petals to secure them to the towel.
After that row of petals was sewn on, I pinned another layer of petals on top of that one and sewed them into place. Then, I added the next row. In all, I added five rows of petals. On the last row, I trimmed the top of the petals right above my seam.
Next, I found just enough white grosgrain ribbon in my stash to cover the seam line. I first pinned it into place, and then I ran it through the sewing machine.
After the ribbon was in place, I held my breath as I put the towel in the washing machine to see if it would pass my “hold up in the wash” test. Fortunately, it survived the washer and dryer with flying colors.
I absolutely love it! I’m so glad that this challenge forced me to think outside of the box. Now, I have a fresh and fun towel awaiting dry hands in my kitchen.
Now, it’s your turn! If you accepted the $5 Challenge, please add your project to the MckLinky below. Just make sure you have followed the rules:
– Create a new Spring decor item for your home using only $5 worth of items purchased at a dollar store – i.e. Dollar Tree, Dollar Store, Everything’s $1.00, etc. The $5 does not include sales tax.
– You may use the following supplies *if* you already have them on-hand – paint, glue, paper, fabric, tools.
– On or before March 25th, post a tutorial for your new craft on your blog. If you don’t have a blog, please email me photos and a written tutorial to lindsay@makelyhome.com and I will find a way to display it for you.
– On March 25th, come back to my blog and link up your tutorial to the Five Dollar Challenge post that will go up that morning. Any entries that do not follow the rules will be disqualified (and I’ll feel like a big, honkin’ jerk). The MckLinky will close on Sunday, March 28th.
– A panel of esteemed judges (JJ from the Blah Blah Blahger, Emily from Remodeling this Life and Gina from The Shabby Chic Cottage) will select five entries to put forth to the Living With Lindsay readership for voting. We’ll be announcing the five finalists at the end of next week.
– YOU guys will vote for your favorite of the entries. One winner and one runner-up will be selected to win the prizes.
And just because I know you’ve been DYING to know, here are the prizes:
One winner will receive:
- a $30 gift certificate to The Rusted Chain
- a $25 gift certificate to Dollar Tree, courtesy of our friends at Dollar Store Crafts
- a handmade Robin’s Nest from The Shabby Chic Cottage
One runner-up will receive:
- a $30 gift certificate to Back40Life vinyl decor
- a handmade Vintage Book Page Tassel of your choice from Lindsay at Home
Oh, yeah. You definitely want to be the winner or runner-up now, don’t you? I told you the prizes were gonna rock! Thank you very much to these great sponsors!
Ready, set, link up!
Powered by MckLinky
Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…
katherine says
that’s really cute. i’m impressed!
melissa*320 sycamore says
Hi Lindsay! Love, love the towel~so fresh and springy. Hope you’re feeling well and thank you for hosting!
Melissa
Erin says
The towel is so pretty! I’m way out of my league here. Mine look like Kindergarten projects next to the rest. Oh, well. It was fun! Thanks for hosting!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
Love it!!! That is beautiful and so simple! Thanks for hosting!!! I have had so much fun with this party – it really does push you to think outside the box!
Stephanie Lynn says
The towel is simply beautiful {I see one of these cuties in my near future – thanks for the inspiration} I cannot wait to check out the links – so exciting! I’m sure I’ll be spending lots of dollars at the Dollar Tree in the near future! Thanks so much for hosting a great challenge!!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
Thanks for hosting! And I love that towel!! I too would have been holding my breath when washing… Awesome job!!
Soutehrn Gal says
See? You have to have more of an imagination that I do to make something that lovely from those items! Gorgeous.
Southern Gal says
Eh. That should say Southern Gal. I don’t know what Soutehrn Gal is. Sorry.
Marsha says
WOW, that towel is fabulous! I may just have to make one of those!
xxoo
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
Your towel is so cute. Thanks for hosting, I’ve had your button on my sidebar ever since I saw it. I’m always up for a challenge – this is a rockin’ idea :).
Roxanne says
Hi, Lindsay! I’m so excited I found your blog this morning…we are two peas in a pod! I love finding cheap stuff in the dollar tree and turning into treasure. And though it’s already the 25th I’d love to join the challenge. It sounds like fun! Thanks!
Oh! I love your rose petal cup towel (for hands only!) Truly stunning!
I’ll be back!
Roxanne
Sarah @ Dream In Domestic says
Wow that towel is so pretty! I didn’t know we could use thread and a sewing machine, though, since it isn’t in the list of approved supplies. Oh well, I’ll try to remember that next year!
I love this challenge!
Lindsay says
I considered it a tool. 🙂 Oh, well. I can’t win anyway. LOL
Lynda @ SportsMadGirl says
Thanks for hosting!! That towel is awesome. You inspired me to create the wreath I made and I wanted to say Thanks!
Kelly W says
I saw your very vague tweet about this and I was wondering if everything turned out ok lol. It looks awesome!
Lindsay says
Everything looks so great, y’all! I’m totally impressed!
I don’t know why the MckLinky makes us click on a link and go to a different page to see all of entries instead of just them all on the same page. I’d try to play with it and fix it, but I’m afraid I’ll mess it up and lose all the entries! So, I’m just going to leave it alone.
Pam Fitz says
Hi Lindsay! Your towel is so pretty! I’m definitely going to try adding those petals to some stuff for my girls. Thanks for hosting!!
Erin says
Lindsay,
Your towel is so sophisticated! I loved doing this challenge..I may do this on my own again from time to time just for pure enjoyment!
Beth@The Stories of A2Z says
Oh I LOVE this idea!!! I’m going to use a version of it to make a pillow for our bedroom.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
This is great and I need some new kitchen towels! I’ve been avoiding buying any because I don’t like any of the patterns I’ve been seeing, but white is perfect, isn’t it? Especially for Spring and Summer! Since it passed the washer and dryer test, I think I’m going to do a few for myself!
Sandy says
What a wonderful idea! So fresh and white. I love it so much I may just have to make one! Thx for sharing!
Michelle@HappyHodgepodgeHome says
Love the towel…I know I want one! :o) Thanks for hosting
Beki - TheRustedChain says
Adorable!!!
I looked at those plain towels over and over wondering what I could make with them, but never got any inspiration. You did a great job!
Stephanie @ Figments says
That is awesome! And I love the challenge. I’m a new follower and can’t wait to read more!
Heathahlee says
How cute is THAT??? I heart Dollar Tree. I didn’t read this in time to submit my own stuff, but I will have a blast looking through everyone else’s!
Tiffany says
Very cute, I love it!
Lisa Shatzer says
I never would have thought of putting the rose petals on a dishtowel and it is SO CUTE!! It’s also very cool that it is machine washable1
Jessi @ Yankee Belle Home says
So, so, so pretty!! I’ve been hoarding hand towel/kitchen towel ideas lately, and this is moving to the top of the list!
Nikita says
You always have such wonderful ideas! It’s great watching you do such awesome stuff!
Can you tell me the name of the font that you use on your header? It’s really nice and I am unable to find that font anywhere else!
Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more. 🙂
Lindsay says
Sure! The font is called Honey Script Light. It’s a free font I downloaded from DaFont.
Nikita says
Thank you sooo much! It is a beautiful font. That’s why I couldn’t resist asking! 🙂
seriouslyahomemaker says
Oh my lands! I guess when i messed up your mclinky this mornign i really messed it up!
link number lead people to my twitter home page!! not sure if you can change that, but if you can, please change it to: http://www.seriouslyahomemaker.com/2010/03/my-first-egg.html
if not, no worries, i’ll redirect them
so sorry, hon!
angie
Lindsay says
No problem! I fixed it for you.
Nadir@hodgepodge says
How cute! I love it!
sondra says
Cute towel! Wouldn’t that application be even cuter as the hem on a little girls dress? Great idea – the $5 challenge!!!!
Casey says
lovely towel! I never would have thought that up!
Leanne says
I love the towel. I would have been holding my breath while washing it. It turned out beautiful. Thanks for the challenge. I think I’m entered twice. It said it didn’t take it the first time so I entered again. Sorry!
Lindsay says
No problem! I deleted one of the entries, so you are only there once now. 🙂
Tina says
I bought a couple of those plain white flour sack towels too. Hmmm, I guess I need to go back for petals. I never would have thought they’d hold up to washing and drying.
Thank you for hosting the fun. I had a great time coming up with something (even if it did take awhile).
Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog says
Thanks for hosting this party and sharing such a cute idea (no one would ever guess that was a dollar store project!). I can’t wait to check out all of the other amazing ideas that everyone came up with!!
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says
LOVE the towel!!! I want one, too! ; )
Heather says
The hand towel is so cute! You’re such a great source of inspiration 🙂 On the entries, it’s really interesting to see so many people using the same items (especially that bird!) in different ways. I wish you could still access the links from last year!
Janimal says
What a great idea of embellishment! And what cool contest. I entered THREE times! I can’t wait to sit down with a cup of tea and browse through all the entries and get inspired. I have a feeling my project list is about to get really long! THANKS!
Aimee @ In THIS Life says
Lindsay, that towel is to die for! Can’t you just see it in a guest bathroom, too? LOVE it. Got my first linky up, now I need to go write up my post for my second project…
Korby says
Adds Elegance.
jana dille says
just wondering if the items have to be from the $1 store or can it just be under $5?
Cindy Conner says
It is so pretty! Be blessed. Cindy
Heather - Dollar Store Crafts says
Love the hand-towel! Very cute!
MckLinky does that on WordPress because WP doesn’t let you use scripts on blog entries… annoying, I know!
I entered my project, but please don’t consider me for a prize, since I’m awarding one! I just wanted to play!
Hugs to you!
Lindsay says
Oh, that’s good to know about MckLinky! I’m such a WP newbie. 🙂
Christy says
OMG, that is fabulous! I never would have thought it was a dollar store project! This is such fun, you’ve got so many links, it is going to take me a while to see everyone’s ideas. Too bad I didn’t come up with anything in time…oh, well, maybe next time!
jenjen says
What a fun challenge!! I just found out about it, I would love to participate in your next one. Very fun!
XOOXO
Jen
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
Lindsay, that towel turned out great! I never would have thought it would survive the washer.
Shelly B. says
Great project, I love it! Maybe I can participate in the contest next time. 🙂
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
Lindsay,
I have your button displayed on my “Features” page, not on each individual post. Does that count? I’d hate to be disqualified.
Lindsay says
That’s totally fine, Allison! The button wasn’t a requirement. 🙂
Holly L says
That towel is great and I bought some of those petals too…now I am thinking about even more crafts to use those will. Cute. Thanks for hosting the party!
Aneraida says
Hallo Lindsay!
The towel is beautiful and very very chic!
I took part to the contest twice, I suppose it is okay that I bought from the 1 euro shop, ah?? Congratulations for the idea and for hosting the challenge!
Melinda says
Have you washed it yet? Did it hold up? How cute would that be on a Sunday dress burp cloth! Not sure how I stumbled here, but glad I did!
Lindsay says
Yep, it’s been washed and dried and did great. I think the petals may fray a bit over time as it’s washed (they didn’t this time, but that’s just my feeling). I was actually wishing they would fray because I think that would look nice.
Kim @ Everything Etsy says
Your towel looks great…way to think outside the box! I love your $5 Challenge! 🙂
~Kim
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
What a romantic inspiration! You are such a clever and crafty girl. Well done. Happy Spring.
Kendra Joyner says
This is awesome…very clever!!
Amy at The Red Chair Blog says
I love your project! So pretty and creative. Thanks for hosting this fun party, Lindsay. I’ve been looking forward to it ever since you announced it and really enjoyed seeing everyone’s projects!
Nikki says
Just found out about this competition tonight and I couldn’t be more excited. I am OBSESSED with the Dollar Store…seriously like 90% of my crafts come from there! So I’ve entered my goodies…I hope I win!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Charlene Austin says
Are you kidding me with that towel?? OMG I am in love with it. I am going to put my thinking cap on and see if I can come up with something. Wish me luck that I’ll be back.
Kristin says
Love that!! I bet that would make a pretty apron too.
Judi says
This is very inspirational! I love how it looks and knowing it will pass the “wash” test, I would like to try to make some for my bathroom! Thanks for this challenge, it was fun and I am enjoying seeing all of these great creations!! Judi
shari @ little blue deer says
You are so awesome and creative. Wow!
Judi says
I can’t believe I worked on this sooo long and have the wrong date 🙁 I marked down the date as the 28th and here it was the 25th. Sorry I missed the date ~ Judi
Girl on A Budget says
Thanks for sharing this project. It’s such a cute idea. Dollar stores have great items that can be transformed into awesome treasures. Keep up the great work and blog posting. You rock!
Kendra Joyner says
Hi Lindsay…I changed up my piece a little since I first posted it….I thought about reposting it to MckLinky…IS that OK?
AtOneWithHim says
Are you kidding me with all this creativity and cuteness? I love it.
Susan says
I bought those same flour sack towels and embroidered them in a mexico theme for my daughter. I am going to try the petal thing. I have some pink petals I can use.
Beth says
What an awesome idea…both the project $5 or less and the tea towel…you are so creative. So glad to have found your blog!
Beth
MichelleH says
Thanks for the fun challenge. It definitely made me think outside the box.
Ruth says
I am so sad I missed this. We were away on vacation and right before that things were so busy and crazy. I hardly had a chance to catch my breath.
Can’t wait to see what everyone did. I love your idea. It looks great.
Ruth
Pam says
OK… That towel is Seriously Amazing!!!!
Tiffany says
Great project! I showcased you in my blog.
Connie says
That’s so cute! I think I have some curtains in my future with rose petals on the bottom!
Allison @ house of hepworths says
Oh shoot I’m too late! I made a large decor ball using a basketball and a floor mat – both from the dollar store.
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/03/24/crafting-with-a-floor-mat-and-a-basketball/
I’m sure it’s too late but I’m hoping to get my entry in anyway. Trust me, this craft won’t disapoint!!
Rachel says
That is sooo pretty! I think this is my favorite challenge entry so far. Thanks so much for sharing it, I’ll be linking.
bianka says
stunning. could make a very cute touch to a skirt, i think