Under $10 on the 10th - A Valentine Gift

Under $10 on the 10th is a monthly challenge blog hop where we create something that costs under $10, relating to a theme, and hosted by Tammy @Patina and Paint, on the 10th of the month.  If you would like to join us, let me know! Visit the list of creative bloggers at the bottom of this post.

Here's an easy, inexpensive and useful Valentine gift for a friend that can be made for under $10!

Unique GIFTS - 10 on the 10th!

The goal of 10 on the 10th is for a group of us to create something that cost under $10.  Visit the bloggers at the end of this post to see what they created!  

This month's theme was GIFTS

Gift giving can be a challenge sometimes, especially when on a budget.

  Here are a few ideas for the one who loves to try a new cocktail during the holidays:

The price of mini bottles start at $1, so be creative and see how you can spend under $10 for a fun gift.  

You could give an assortment of minis

OR

Here are a few fun ideas:

10 on the 10th: Ornaments

ORNAMENTS

Our theme for 10 on the 10th this month is "Christmas Ornaments"  

Do you need a way to store those very special, breakable ornaments?  I have some ornaments that were on my father's tree when he was young and they are made of glass.  I also have a few from my husband's family tree and would feel so bad if any of these were broken in storage.

Here's a way to keep them safe in storage...

An Easy Fall Scarecrow to Make

   

                         Scarecrows

The traditional scarecrow is a decoy made in the shape of a human. It is dressed in old clothes and placed in an open field to discourage crows, blackbirds and starlings from feeding on seeds and sprouting crops. The loose clothing flaps in the breeze, giving the illusion of a real, moving person.  

This scarecrow will have no purpose other than being decorative!

Christmas in July - 10 on the 10th

                   Hand Painted Gift Bags

This month's theme for 10 on the 10th is Christmas in July.  This is where we spend under $10 related to the theme.  This is also a blog hop so I hope you will visit the three blogs at the bottom of this post!

10 on the 10th - Patriotic Ideas

This month's theme for 10 on the 10th is Patriotism.  

This is where we spend under $10 related to the theme.  This is also a blog hop so I hope you will visit the bloggers at the bottom of this post!

Flag Day and 4th of July are approaching, so I have created the cutest little place card holders for a patriotic table setting while meeting the challenge of spending well under $10!

I purchased a package of 5 mini plastic hats from the Dollar Tree ($1):

I cut scraps of white paper....

...and star paper ($.29):

and taped them together using a rolling tape dispenser:

This created the place card:

I gently made a 3/4" slit on the top of each hat....

....and the corner of the place card was tucked into the slit"

I wrote the names in calligraphy:

A perfect touch for a patriotic table setting!

The total cost of each place card was about $.25!

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Here are a few ideas from the past that are also inexpensive to create for the holidays:

Make a candy bouquet for the kids for under $10!

Vanilla Vodka Cherry Bombs for under $10

Create a centerpiece with items from your kitchen for under $10!

Make some seasoned butter for under $10

I hope you found a little inspiration here for our upcoming patriotic holidays!

Hop over to see what clever ideas my friends have:

Allyson - Southern Sunflowers

Ann - The Apple Street Cottage

Barb - French Ethereal

Cindy - Cloches & Lavender

Corine - Junk To Gems

Tammy - Patina & Paint

Terrie - Decorating & More With Tip

10 on the 10th - Gardening

This month's theme for 10 on the 10th is Gardening.  This is where we spend under $10 related to the theme.  This is also a blog hop so I hope you will visit the bloggers at the bottom of this post!

I am not much of a gardener, but I do like planting herbs.  I found this Mackenzie-Childs creamer a few years ago at a thrift shop for $5.  It has a small chip on the bottom and each year I have planted an herb in it and sat it out on my patio.

The varnish and stain on the wood handle has been stripped by the weather:

I used Old English Scratch Cover and re-stained the handle:

This only took a few minutes and then I applied some varnish to protect the wood!

The rosemary plant was only $2.99 at Trader Joes:

This quick little project cost me less than $10 and I will have fresh rosemary all summer!

Here's a recipe for delicious Rosemary Chicken Breasts

Visit my friends to see their "Under $10 Gardening" ideas:

Allyson - Southern Sunflowers

Barb - French Ethereal

Cindy - Cloches & Lavender

Tammy - Patina & Paint

Ann - Apple Street Cottage

Terrie - Decorate and More with Tip

and me!

Ladybugs - 10 on the 10th

This month's theme for "10 on the 10th" is Ladybugs, so I decided to paint a few greeting cards.  

If you have been to a Hallmark store lately, you must have noticed the price of cards!  They are very expensive, so I try to make my own.  I used to use rubber stamps, but lately I have painted some.

A package of 12 blank cards and envelopes costs roughly $5-$6, so you can save some money by making your own!

I lightly sketched a ladybug on the front of a card:

I like using a water brush - it holds water and has a brush tip:

Each one is a bit different, so experiment and have fun with it!

Don't forget to decorate the envelopes, too:

Lady bugs come in a variety of colors, too:

Stop by to see how these bloggers spent under $10 using the ladybug theme:

Allyson - Southern Sunflowers

Tammy - Patina & Paint

Terrie - Decorating & More With Tip

10 on the 10th - Easter Napkins...and a GIVEAWAY!

Here is an easy craft for your spring dinner table:

I bought 2 white napkins at our local dollar store for 2/$1.00.....

....and I painted each one with a bunny....

....using acrylic paints....

....once acrylic paints dry on cotton fabric...

...the paint will adhere well to the fibers and will not wash out - think "painter's pants"!  

The bunny painted on the napkins was inspired by Jenna @ The Painted Apron....

....who is a very talented artist!  This bunny is quickly painted with 3 strokes and a few dabs for a tail, with a few polka dots!

The napkins can be tucked into napkin rings (these are both from the 1920's, both engraved with the date), 

....and one has initials engraved on the backside!

OR

you can tuck the napkins into a water glass....

...or lay them flat:

They are machine washable and only cost 50 cents and a few dabs of paint to create - easy peasy!

If you would like a chance to win these napkins...leave me a comment below and I will randomly choose a winner on the 15th!

Hop over to see what my blogging friends created for under $10.00:

+Cindy - Cloches & Lavender

+Tammy - Patina & Paint

+Terrie - Decorating & More With Tip

+Corrine - Junk to Gems

+Patti - Pandora’s Box You are HERE!

Don't forget to leave a comment to have a chance to win this giveaway:

UPDATE:

Congrats to Jennifer: