All the resources (and FREEBIES) I used in my St.Patrick's Day CTV segment

Did you see my St. Patrick's Day CTV segment this morning? If you did (or if you missed it but are interested in all the fun freebies I shared), keeping reading! ☘

I love decorating a St. Patrick’s Day tree with DIY ornaments. This year, I made the following:

• Jenga block leprechaun hat ornaments (instructions here)
• Yarn leprechaun ornaments (instructions here)
• Pom pom leprechaun ornaments (instructions here)
• Yarn wrapped shamrocks
• Lucky charms (instructions here)
• Cardstock shamrocks

I also like to have some fun with St. Patrick's Day food. Check out the instructions and FREE downloadable tags below:

• "Have a Lucky Day" chocolate coin cards (FREE card below)
• Rainbow seed breakfast (FREE tags below)
• Leprechaun bait (FREE tags below)
• Green drink with a Frootloop straw
• Frootloop necklace (instructions here)
• Skittles rainbow (FREE tags below and instructions here)

***To print the FREE downloadable I designed: find the tag you want (below), click on the picture, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

If you have any questions, let me know. I hope you have fun with these ideas.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

4 super-cute EASTER CRAFTS / Adorable sheep, bunny, and carrot crafts

Easter is a wonderful time to get crafty, and today I’m sharing 4 super-cute EASTER CRAFTS that are perfect for the holiday season. Check out the details and step-by-step instructions below.

POM POM SHEEP -- To make a pom pom sheep: make a white pom pom from yarn, cut out a sheep head with your Cricut (or by hand), attach the head with hot glue, and attach googly eyes with white glue.

***Note: You can find a step-by-step pom pom tutorial here: https://eastcoastmommyblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/things-to-make-with-pom-poms-including.html or check out the video below.

Also... you can find all the Cricut designs I used here.

YARN WRAPPED BUNNY -- To make a yarn wrapped bunny: use your Cricut to cut a bunny silhouette and arms from cardstock (or draw by hand). Then, wrap the bunny with yarn (securing with hot glue), add arms with hot glue, and apply a Cricut decal face and ears (or paint on). To finish, attach a pom pom to the back with hot glue.

Also... you can find all the Cricut designs I used here.

WOODEN CARROT TAG -- To make a wooden carrot tag: paint the tag pink, print and apply a carrot Cricut decal (or paint a carrot onto the tag), and add a hanger.
Also... you can find all the Cricut designs I used here.

WOODEN BUNNY ORNAMENT -- To make a wooden bunny ornament: paint a wood round, apply a Cricut bunny face decal (or apply with paint), and use hot glue to attach a pom pom nose and felt ears.

Also... you can find all the Cricut designs I used here.

Looking for more crafts? Check out NINE more below.

And you'll love these ideas too!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Handmade FELT BIRTHDAY CROWNS

I share a lot of crafts, diys, parties, travel tips, and MORE on this blog... but did you know I also have an online shop called Cute as a Button Designs. Today I'm sharing the latest addition to my store -- handmade felt BIRTHDAY CROWNS. Check out a few pictures of my creations below.

Seriously... aren't they adorable? I have so many ideas for customizing them, but if you are looking for something in particular, please let me know.

Order directly from me via my Facebook page here.

Order via my Etsy page here.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

"No knead" Dutch Oven Bread... easy to make and really delicious!

Making bread can be intimidating, but this "no knead" bread is simple to make... and it is really delicious. The Dutch Oven is the key to the chewy crust and soft interior. No one will believe that this isn't an artisan loaf of bread from a fancy bakery. 

Cooking this bread in a Dutch Oven is really important. It allows the bread to cook in steam, which gives it the perfect texture. I got mine with points at my local grocery store. But Amazon has some great options with fantastic reviews.

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm (not hot) water
• 1 (8g) envelope of active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 4 cups flour (you can use bread flour... but I use all purpose and it works perfectly)
• 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions

1. In a medium size bowl, stir together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to soften and get foamy.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour and salt together.
3. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture, and pour the yeast mixture into the well. Use a wooden spoon to stir until the dough starts to come together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. (If it's too sticky, you can add a bit of flour... and if it is too dry, you can add a bit of water.)
4. Grease a large bowl with olive oil, and place the dough in the bowl. Cover it, and leave it in a warm spot until it doubles in size... approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
5. Lay out a piece of parchment paper, and dust it with flour. Dump the dough onto the floured parchment paper and form into a loose ball... by gently folding in the edges. Floured hands are helpful in creating the "rough" rustic loaf shape.
6. Transfer the dough back to the greased bowl, cover, and let rise for another 30-60 minutes.
7. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 470 degrees F. When it's preheated, place the Dutch oven (with lid) in the oven for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the Dutch Oven from the oven, and transfer the risen dough into it. (Be careful because the Dutch Oven is going to be extremely hot!) 
9. Score the top of the loaf by cutting an "X" with a sharp knife... about 1/4 inch deep.
10. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
11. Reduce the heat to 450 degrees F, remove the lid, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to create a nicely browned crust.
12. Carefully transfer the bread to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool for at least an hour before slicing. (Don't rush this step or you will end up with a gummy interior.)

*** I also like to rub a bit of butter on the top to make it look rich and glossy... but this is optional.

Give this recipe a try, and let me know what you think. I'm pretty sure you'll love it!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

8 Super-cute WINTER CRAFTS the whole family will have fun making / Dollar Store WINTER CRAFTS

This video contains EIGHT quick and easy WINTER CRAFTS that the whole family will enjoy making... and most use budget-friendly Dollar Store supplies. All the crafts are super cute, but the last one is my favourite!

CLINK on the photos or titles for step by step instructions.

1) Tiered tray shelf sitter WINTER HAT

2) Wooden ornament SNOWMAN

3) Painted SNOWMAN ROCKS

4) Cozy HOT CHOCOLATE holder

5) Melting SNOWMAN tiered tray ornament

6) Mason Jar SNOW GLOBE

7) Snowman SUCKERS

8) Pom pom SNOWBALL PET

You might also want to check out the video I made below.

Cute, right?!? Let me know which one is your favourite!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

"Make ahead" French Toast Casserole

I love a "make ahead" casserole, and this French Toast casserole has become a staple in our home. It's great for special occasions, busy mornings, and casual brunches. Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

• loaf of French bread
• 8 eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp real vanilla
• 1 tsp salt

Crumble topping:

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup oats

1/2 brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp all spice

1/2 cold butter (grated to make it easier to cut into the mixture)

Instructions:

1) Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with butter. Then, fill the pan with cut up cubes of bread.

2) Whisk 8 eggs together in a bowl. Add the milk, cream, sugars, vanilla and salt... and whisk together. 

3) Pour the egg mixture over the bread (evenly), cover, and refrigerate overnight.

4) To make the topping: Mix the flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg together with a fork. Add the grated butter, and use a pastry cutter to mix it into a crumbly consistency.

5) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole, and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Serve "as is", or serve with fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Enjoy!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

To get a closer look, check out the YouTube short I made below.

FOUR easy and adorable WINTER CRAFTS for kids and teens / Dollar store crafts and a FREE printable

Chilly winter days are perfect for crafting, and you are going to love the ideas I'm sharing today. I have 4 easy and adorable WINTER CRAFTS for kids and teens. Most use dollar store supplies, AND I'm sharing a FREE printable you can download. Check out all the fun below!

1) Wood slice melted snowman -- This is an adorable craft. It looks great on a tiered tray, but it's sweet just sitting on a shelf too. Find the FULL step by step instructions here.

2) Waterless snowman snowglobe - There is something magical about snow globes, and this version is easy to make and super-cute. Download the FREE printable below, and find the step by step instructions here.

To download the snowman and tree I used for this snow globe: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

3) Snowman lollipops - Who doesn't love a craft that is also a snack?!? These snowman suckers are sure to be a hit with crafters of all ages. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

4) Pom pom "snow buddies" - This is seriously the cutest craft! After you see how easy they are to make, you are going to want to make a bunch of these adorable snow buddies. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

For a closer look at how to make all four of these adorable winter crafts, check out the video I made here:

What do you think of these winter crafts? Which one is your favourite?

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)