Makely

Let's Make Life Awesome

  • Home
  • Decorating/DIY
    • Create Your Decor
    • Decorate Your Home
    • Paint Your Walls
    • Transform Your Furniture
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
    • Family Wellness
    • Household Care
  • Project Gallery
  • Contact
You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » Are You Ready for a Challenge?

Are You Ready for a Challenge?

by Lindsay Ballard on March 5, 2009 58 Comments

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.

Photobucket

I challenge you to create something beautiful and Spring-y for your home by only spending five dollars. Do you think you can do it?

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.



If you have trouble posting the button on your blog, please let me know! Sometimes Blogger is a little wonky with the code. Or maybe I’m the wonky one. 🙂

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. 🙂

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« DIY Moss Balls
Let’s Go Fly a Kite »

Comments

  1. Jodi says

    March 5, 2009 at 10:19 am

    sounds fun – now I just have to make it to a dollar store 😉

    Reply
  2. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    March 5, 2009 at 11:50 am

    What a great idea, Linds!!! I’m IN!

    Reply
  3. Annie says

    March 5, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    sounds fun…. just hope i’m crafty enough!

    Reply
  4. Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says

    March 5, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    Posted about the challenge at Dollar Store Crafts!

    Reply
  5. Brooke says

    March 5, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Looks like lots of fun. Might I suggest creating a Flickr group for the sharing of finished projects.

    Reply
  6. jannypie says

    March 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    great idea, i will definitely be doing this!

    Reply
  7. Spool {} says

    March 5, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    This looks like so much fun! I’m a little over extended this month, so I hope you do this again 🙂

    Reply
  8. Kimm at Reinvented says

    March 5, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    Ooooh, a contest! That’s got the ‘ole wheels a turnin’. A whole $5? Dollar Tree, here I come!

    Reply
  9. Holly says

    March 5, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    Sounds like fun!

    Reply
  10. Kelly says

    March 5, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    How fun! I am so excited!! And I can’t wait to get others’ ideas too! :O)

    Reply
  11. Sarah says

    March 5, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    I’m in and I have $5 burning a hole in my pocket right now. 😀

    Reply
  12. Andi - udandi says

    March 5, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    I saw this via Heather/Dollar Store Crafts so I’m excited to give this a whirl!

    Reply
  13. Amanda says

    March 5, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    Oh, I’m totally going to do this! Awesome idea!!!

    Reply
  14. Mrs. B. says

    March 5, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    fun idea!

    Reply
  15. ♥Amber Filkins♥ says

    March 5, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    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!!!

    Reply
  16. Living With Lindsay says

    March 6, 2009 at 8:47 am

    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.

    Reply
  17. lindsey says

    March 6, 2009 at 10:36 am

    I’m in! Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!

    http://newlyb.blogspot.com/2009/03/challenge-of-best-kind.html

    Reply
  18. laurelstreet says

    March 6, 2009 at 10:45 am

    I love a challenge – and this is a good one! Can’t wait to see everyone comes up with!

    Reply
  19. Songbirdtiff says

    March 6, 2009 at 11:27 am

    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!

    Reply
  20. Heather - CROQZine - Dollar Store Crafts says

    March 6, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Yay, sounds like we have a lot of interested parties! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Leanne says

    March 6, 2009 at 7:38 am

    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.

    Reply
  22. Christine says

    March 6, 2009 at 7:58 am

    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!

    Reply
  23. Kathryn says

    March 6, 2009 at 8:16 am

    This should be fun! I was just wondering if we are limited to one entry, or if we can post more than one.

    Reply
  24. Julia @ Hooked on Houses says

    March 6, 2009 at 8:32 am

    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!)

    Reply
  25. Linda says

    March 6, 2009 at 9:03 am

    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.

    Reply
  26. Sturgmom says

    March 6, 2009 at 9:08 am

    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!

    Reply
  27. kirwin says

    March 6, 2009 at 9:51 am

    This is so cool! I have no idea what I’m going to do, but I’m up for the challenge.

    Reply
  28. Monkey Doodle Designs says

    March 6, 2009 at 9:58 am

    I’m in… and my kids want to participate, too!

    Reply
  29. Kristen says

    March 6, 2009 at 10:48 am

    What a fantastic challenge!

    Reply
  30. Cindy says

    March 6, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    This is something I want to try!! Sounds like a lot of fun 🙂

    Reply
  31. Graceful Rose says

    March 6, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    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.

    Reply
  32. Kris says

    March 6, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    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

    Reply
  33. Kim says

    March 6, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    Oooh, This sounds fun! I am definitely IN!

    Reply
  34. Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique says

    March 6, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    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

    Reply
  35. Puna says

    March 7, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    This is interesting…I will try to participate…

    Reply
  36. Gayle says

    March 7, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    Oh, how exciting! This is so cool. Can we use things that have been sitting unused in our craft box for years?

    Reply
  37. Tristan Robin Blakeman says

    March 7, 2009 at 3:25 pm

    I’m in! Sounds like fun…and I published your button on my blog.

    Reply
  38. Amanda says

    March 9, 2009 at 12:20 am

    Does Big Lots count as a Dollar Store???

    Reply
  39. april o. says

    March 8, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    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!

    Reply
  40. Living With Lindsay says

    March 9, 2009 at 7:02 am

    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.

    Reply
  41. Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm says

    March 10, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    oooh!! sounds like fun!! I hope you have a great day!! xoxo!! Britt 🙂

    Reply
  42. Jill -Forever and Ever House says

    March 15, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    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!!!

    Reply
  43. lani says

    March 17, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    That’s it!! I’m on my way to the dollar tree!!! I am so excited!!!

    Reply
  44. Maggie says

    March 18, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    I’m going to give it a shoot. I’ll hit the dollar tree on Friday and see what I can find.

    Reply
  45. Carrie says

    March 18, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    How fun! I think I already I have something!

    Reply
  46. Living With Lindsay says

    March 19, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Ann- Absolutely you can use something you’ve already made!

    Reply
  47. Though I'm an Early, I'm usually always Late! says

    March 19, 2009 at 9:58 am

    Yeah – I have just the thing that cost me about 5 bucks. Cool challenge. I’m up for it!

    Reply
  48. Annchan says

    March 19, 2009 at 11:34 am

    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.

    Reply
  49. C. Beth says

    March 22, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    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?

    Reply
  50. JM@princesswithahalfpricetiara.blogspot.com says

    March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am

    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?

    Reply
  51. JM@princesswithahalfpricetiara.blogspot.com says

    March 26, 2009 at 6:45 am

    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!!

    Reply
  52. Small House says

    March 27, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    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

    Reply
  53. Kim says

    March 29, 2009 at 12:06 am

    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!

    Reply
  54. Mary Ellen says

    March 29, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    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

    Reply
  55. Kim says

    March 30, 2009 at 12:13 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
  56. Linda says

    March 30, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    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.

    Reply
  57. Annchan says

    March 31, 2009 at 11:39 am

    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

    Reply
  58. Annchan says

    May 27, 2009 at 9:56 am

    so who won?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


Archives

Categories

PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright © 2009-2019 Makely School for Girls | All Rights Reserved | Posts may contain advertising content or affiliate links