Ten Craft Supplies to Buy at Walmart

Today I am sharing my Top Ten Craft Supplies to buy at WalMart, or as I like to affectionately call it...The Mart.

This is a list of things that I buy all the time for projects. Some of these things I pick up practically every time I go. These are items that I use over and over again. I use these things for projects, parties, packaging, presents, and, and, well I am fresh out of "p" words relevant to crafting.

The reasons I like buying these things at The Mart are many. First,  The Mart is a one stop shop. Oh I need milk? Huh okay, well I will just grab a couple of t-shirts too. Next reason, has got to be the prices. For most of these items, the cheapest you are going to find for them is at The Mart.  Another reason I buy these things at The Mart is because for the most part, I know these basics will always be available. 

So now that I have blathered on about why I get these Ten Craft Supplies at the Walmart, let's spill about what these ten craft supplies are.

10. Sandwich bags 

They are great for favors. They can be cut down, sewn together, and stapled closed with a tag. I use sandwich bags for treat packaging. You can buy zip close or fold over. You can get regular, freezer, or snack sized. The packaging possibilities are endless. One of my favorite uses for sandwich bags is with valentines. Like these Dinosaur Valentines.

11. Duck tape

The Mart has a great selection of Duck.tape. We all love Duck tape. There are so many fun projects to make with Duck Tape. A few of my favorite are Duck Tape Rockets, Duck Tape Wallets, and Indoor Hockey with Duck Tape Hockey Sticks.

8. Freezer paper

Oh, freezer paper you versatile beauty you. I have been using freezer paper forever. One of my very first projects to ever appear on this little old blog was a stenciled t-shirt made using freezer paper. Freezer paper is a little miracle. I am sure most of you have heard a little something about freezer paper. You can buy it in the foil and plastic wrap aisle at the grocery store. The roll is giant and is under $6. The stuff lasts forever.

I use it predominately for stenciling on t-shirts, like the Ron Swanson T-shirt. However, I also have used it for home decor, like in these Pillowcase Heart Envelope Throw Pillows and for making gifts like this Grill Themed Father's Day Present.

I also use freezer paper to draft my own patterns, like when I made this Perry the Platypus costume for Bean.

7. Paper Doilies

These paper doilies are fantastic. You can find them in the cake decorating section and they come in all kinds of wonderful sizes. I use these for TONS of things. I have sewn them together to make a banner or two, like part of my Gingham and Burlap Christmas decorations. I have used the big ones in a dessert box. The smaller ones make great embellishments for packages.

They are just so pretty and so super useful. I always have package on hand.

 

6. Paper Lunch Bags

Who doesn't love a great paper lunch bag. I love them for packaging. LOVE them. I love that I can get them in either white or brown. You can stuff them full. Cut them to make a smaller envelope. Sew on them, tape on them, or tie them up with a ribbon. Seriously it is probably one of the cheapest ways to package treats and goodies.  

My love of paper lunch bags only increased when I figured out I could print on them from the computer, like in these Brownie Points Teacher Valentines. I show you how you can print on a lunch sack HERE.

 5. Paint Sample Cards

Okay, so technically these don't really cost anything. However, make sure you use good manners and don't take too many. There are projects all over Pinterest that use paint sample cards. I like using them mostly for party banners. I gather up several colors and then I just sew them together. I have punched out circles, cut them into strips, or just left them the way they are.

Either way, they are a quick and easy way to make a party decoration, like I did for this Avengers Birthday Party.

4. Spray Paint

No explanation needed. I pretty much will spray paint anything, but abandoned buildings and train cars of course! Walmart has a great supply of spray paint. For basic colors and spray paint Walmart is the cheapest. I have a hard time narrowing down my list of  spray paint projects, because basically I have too many. These Kid Airplane Wings were a fun project. 

 

3. Canning Jars

I have made in no secret of how much I LOVE canning jars. First and foremost, oh you know I actually can food in them. You know like Pears, Strawberry Lemonade, Homemade Jam, Salsa, and the list goes on.

I also like to use canning jars for oh-so-much more. I have spray painted them. I have stuck on vinyl. I use them for storage. I put treats in them. I bake pies in them. I use them for drinking glasses. Really this list could go on. These Cherry Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecakes and most recently this Smart Cookie Teacher Appreciation gift are a few of my favorite jar projects.

The neat thing about canning jars is that they come in so many sizes, shapes, and now even colors. The other day I actually found 1/2 gallon canning jars. Guys, I was so excited I clapped in the aisle. Yes, clapped.

If you are in the market for some canning jars, and frankly how can you not, head on over and grab yourself a couple of cases.  

2. Fabric

Okay, so while this is my number two, and I can not get through a grocery trip with out buying some kind of fabric I will concede that not all Walmart stores carry fabric. They used to, but now only select stores do. So this little tip may not be helpful to all of you.

Man I tell you what, if you live by a store that still carries fabric, stock up. Fabric is not just for sewing. 

Say what?! Are you sure?

Why yes, yes I am.You can throw it over a table. Cut it up and use it as ribbon on gifts. Tie it onto a string and make a banner. 

Fabric in all forms is a major player in my party decorating. Like at this Football Birthday Party

Stock up. Use at your leisure.

AND NOW FOR NUMBER ONE....

Drumroll...

1. T-shirts

I make a lot of t-shirts for my boys, and by make I add on to already made shirts. At the price of t-shirts at Walmart it is way cheaper for me to buy a t-shirt and add on a cool graphic than it is to make it completely from scratch.

Walmart carries tons of colors of kids t-shirts. They have crew neck, v neck, short sleeved, and long sleeved. I am obsessed with designing t-shirts and Walmart makes that easier on my budget. They are great quality because they are Hanes T-shirts. 

Whether you use vinyl or fabric paint, you can make a fun and unique t-shirt for your kiddos. Here are a few of my favorite shirts.

Star Wars T-Shirt

Batman T-Shirt

Mister Roboto T-Shirt

 

Those are just a few of my favorites. I could do a hole post on my favorite t-shirt creations...but this is a post about other stuff so I will refrain.

So there ya have it. My Ten Craft Supplies to Buy at Walmart. I hope you feel enlightened. Sorry if your "grocery" bill starts getting a little bigger. Sorry not sorry. Ha.

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5 Steps to Bathroom Independence for Your Toddler

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CtnlCareRoutine  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

So your toddler is potty-trained, and has been for a while. The hard work is out of the way. You earned your parent potty training gold star. There has been underwear wearing, no accidents, and going to the bathroom in public restrooms. Yup. You have mastered all that is potty training and both you and your pupil have come out successful.

Well except for that one thing.

You know.

That whole number two issue.

You know, what I am talking about? Right? 

You hear your all-by-himself-to-the-bathroom-toddler running to the restroom. You hear the door shut. A bit of time passes. The longer the time, the more you know to wait for it.

The inevitable, "MOOOOOOOOOM!!! I went poop. Wipe my bum!"

I immediately think, Oh that is okay. It will pass. Sighing, I go in because the inconvenience and/or foulness of the chore does not outweigh his need for a clean tushie.

However, there comes a time when it is absolutely necessary that my potty-trained kid needs to be completely independent in the bathroom. I can't go to school with him after all. So the question is, how do I help my toddler gain independence in the bathroom?

I came up with 5 pretty easy and self-explanatory Steps to Bathroom Independence for Your Toddler.

The first step is one you probably have already accomplished if your toddler is potty-trained. First thing you have to do is Teach Them. This definitely falls under Potty Training 101.

The second step I think is one of the most important steps of helping them transition to big kid independent conqueror of the bathroom. The second step has to do with the tools you give your toddler in the bathroom. A TP (toilet paper) station if you will. For best success, your toddler needs access to the best bathroom bum cleansing products.

Guys, without a doubt that product is the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line. The Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the moist Cleansing Cloths

Success for independence in the bathroom for my toddler had everything to do with the ease in which he could get clean. The moist Cleansing Cloths allowed my toddler to more easily clean his tush without help plus they are flushable. Can I get an AMEN?!? Then the Clean Care toilet paper just dries everything off making sure that little bum is clean and dry.

Having a TP Station equipped with both the moist Cleansing Cloths and the Cleaning Care toilet paper and within reach of the toilet helped my toddler have all the things he needed. This way he doesn't feel he needs to call out for me. I really can't say enough about Cottonelle's Clean Care Routine line. Dream come true for this momma. The clean simply cannot be beat. Their Clean Care Routine line also helps all members of the household feel clean. Definitely a must for both the newly trained and er...the...uh...more experienced.

Step Three is to allow a couple of Trial Runs. I call this the, clean-yourself-still-have-mommy-check-your-tush step. In step three they have their independence, but there is a little quality control check just to make sure. Snags are worked out. Tips given. Some reteaching done if necessary.

In Step Four it is time to let go and simply Trust Them. Once you have given them the knowledge, the tools, and the time to practice they are ready to be independent.

In other words, it is time for the Mom to let go.

I know I worried about how clean my toddler could really get his bum. Sometimes that got in the way of me trusting him. Now with the help of the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line, I can in all honesty say I do not worry at all that he is getting himself clean.

The last step is an easy one. Step Five is to let them know they did a big job. To let them know they are like the most amazing of amazing big kids ever and that you are thrilled with this new found bathroom independence. Step Five is to give them the Thumbs Up for a job well done.

Happy kid. Happy Momma.

There ya have it, 5 Steps to Bathroom Independence for Your Toddler. The Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line is a major player in these steps.

In fact, my trust in the Clean Care toilet paper and the moist Cleansing wipes has gotten me all geared up and ready for this--

 --my very last potty training journey is about to begin.

I for sure am going to go to Walmart to stock up on the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine line.

You should too because, for the month of February Walmart is running an offer available when you buy both the Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the Cleansing Wipes. You will receive a $5 Vudu (a movie rental system similar to Redbox) when you purchase BOTH the toilet paper and the wipes at a Walmart store.

To receive the $5 Vudu credit, you simply have to take a picture of your receipt showing both items purchased. Then text or email the photo to clean@drvsusa.com. You will then receive a $5 Vudu movie credit. You can get more information by heading to www.drvsusa.com/cottonellemovies.

Doing this Momma thing can be tricky sometimes. I am always grateful for fantastic products that make the day-to-day bits better. Thanks Cottonelle!