Kindness Challenge -- instructions and a free printable download 😊 / #EastCoastMommyKindnessProject

There is a lot of negativity in the world, but you can always find kindness if you look for it. Today, I'm sharing a fun way to spread a bit of joy to your friends and your community. Take a look at this short video here for the details, and then, grab the FREE printable below. Fun, right???

*** Make sure to tag #EastCoastMommyKindnessProject so I can see what you did. 😊

To download the tag I designed for FREE: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

If you have any trouble, just leave your email address in the comments below, and I'll send you one.

I hope you have as much fun with this as I did.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Super-cute Dollar Store Decor / Adorable FINDS and easy DIYs

Yesterday, I was browsing the aisles of my local Dollarama... and I found a couple of items that were perfect for DIYing! In the video I made (below) I show you what I found, how I DIYed them, and a super-cute way to style them. You are going to LOVE these!

Check out the adorable mushroom DIY, deck lanterns, and bathroom upgrade here:

Pretty cute, right? Don't forget to like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I have some really fun things planned for summer.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

3 NEW DIY GIFTS made using Dollar Store supplies / FREE gift tags included

I love a useful gift, don't you? Today I am sharing THREE new DIY GIFTS that are made using supplies I found at Dollarama. I'm also including a video with the simple "how to" instructions and FREE printable gift tags.

1) "If you give a teacher a cookie..." GIFT -- Dollarama has soooo many cute mugs, or you can make one with your Cricut like I did. You can fill the mug with coffee, gift cards, store bought cookies or homemade cookies. Then, just add the adorable tag I designed. Easy peasy!!!

To download the tags I designed for FREE: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Super-cute DANDELION VASE -- Dollarama has super-cute tiny vases, and they are perfect for little flowers picked by tiny hands. Great for a mom, dad or teacher. Just add the adorable tag I designed (below), and it's perfect for "gifting". 

To download the tags I designed for FREE: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) "In case of Emergency" GIFT FRAME -- Dollar store frames and shadow boxes are easy to turn into super-cute gifts with a the addition of gift cards and/or treats. I added a Cricut decal that says "In Case of EMERGENCY Break Glass". If you don't have a Cricut machine, you could use alphabet stickers.

You can check out all the step by step instructions in the video I made (below).

What do you think of these budget-friendly gift ideas? Let me know which one is your favourite!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

A Simple (and fun!) DIY Graduation Gift Idea... with free printable gift tag

I love a DIY gift, don't you? This DIY graduation gift idea is a great option. It's pretty fun, and you can download the tag I designed (for FREE) below. I also put together a short DIY video for you here.

To download the tag for free: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Enjoy your free printable, and congratulations to your graduate!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You might also like the graduation ideas below.)

5 Fantastic DIY Gifts for DADs/ Father’s Day Crafts / Dollarama DIY

Handmade gifts are perfect for Father's Day -- they are thoughtful and budget-friendly. Today, I'm sharing FIVE fantastic DIY gifts that dads are guaranteed to LOVE! Most of the supplies came from my local Dollarama, so you'll be able to find everything you need at your local dollar store.

Check out the video (with all the step by step instructions) here:

1) Wood slice key chain - Wood slices from the dollar store can be easily customized and turned into a super-cute, customized key chain. Find the full instructions here.

2) Dad's "pocket stuff" tray - A personalized tray is a great place for dad to drop his keys, loose change, and phone. Help dad get organized with this adorable "pocket stuff" tray. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

3) Paper heart "stuffed with treats" - A fun paper-stitched heart is a great way to gift goodies to dad. It's simple to make, and you can find the simple instructions here.

4) Dad's SNACK 'STACHE jar - Dads love a good "pun", so this jar (filled with his favourite snacks) is a great gift for Father's Day. Find the full instructions here. 

5) Handmade card - I love a card with a handwritten (and heartfelt) message inside. Find out how to make this cute shirt tie here.

Let me know which of these DIYs is your favourite. I think they are all pretty adorable. 

Happy Father's Day!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Quiche RECIPE that you can make in less than 5 minutes / It's budget-friendly too!

Who doesn't love a quick weeknight meal? This Quiche recipe is a staple in our house. It's delicious and super-easy to make. It's also budget-friendly. Check out the step-by-step instructions here.

Check out the short recipe video I made here.

I love that this recipe uses biscuit mix that I buy inexpensively at my local Dollarama. And it's delicious and sooooo easy to make! Give it a try and let me know what you think.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick and Easy (and adorable!) Mother's Day Crafts ("how to" videos included)

There is nothing better than a handmade gift, and today I have four Mother's Day crafts that are super-cute (and easy to make). Most of the supplies come from the dollar store, and I have step-by-step instructions below.

1) Pom pom flower - These flowers are simple to make and are totally adorable! I made a step-by-step instructional video to walk you through the process. You can find the "how to" video here.

2) Sucker flower card - Everyone needs a sweet treat and this sucker flower fits the bill... and it's perfect for Mother's day. Wrap some cupcake liners around a sucker (I used three for mine), add a couple of cardstock leaves, cut a couple of slits on the front of a card, and insert the sucker flower. Don't forget to add a thoughtful note inside the card. Check out the full step-by-step instruction video here.

3) Handmade keychain - A handmade keychain is a useful gift that kids can make for them moms. You'll need a wooden ornament, a key ring, paint, and a decal. I used a Cricut to make mine, but as an alternative, you could use stickers or paint to decorate it. I love this little gift, don't you? Check out the full instructions here.

4) Wooden flower magnet - Making a wooden flower magnet is a fun idea too, and it's something mom's can use. You'll need a wooden flower, a button, craft paint and a magnet. (I purchased all of my supplies at the dollar store.) Then, paint the flower, and use hot glue to attach the the button and magnet. Find the instructions here.

I hope you like these simple Mother's Day crafts. You might also like video I made here:

Happy Mother's Day!!!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Budget-friendly basement BATHROOM UPDATE / From drab to fab for $450!!

I love an inexpensive refresh, and for less than $450, I totally updated (and upgraded) the bathroom in my basement. I hope you LOVE my budget-friendly bathroom reno and money saving tips. 

And, you can find links to the products I used below. (Note: some are affiliate links, so if you purchase any of the items, I'll get a small commission at no charge to you.) 

Amazon light fixture - https://amzn.to/4lIjw2h 

Amazon mirror - https://amzn.to/42ZVQyN 

Taps - https://kent.ca/en/larkin-2-handle-lavatory-faucet-1199482 

Amazon shower curtain - https://amzn.to/4jMJtf3 

Amazon black mat - https://amzn.to/4jMJtf3 

Amazon black toilet paper holder - https://amzn.to/44406hQ 

Amazon black towels & facecloths - https://amzn.to/4ixeItu 

Dollar store décor (frames and baskets and accessories)

Dollarama photo enlargement - local photo developing store

Basket for back of toilet - TEMU

Artwork - TEMU

Black garbage can - TEMU 

Check out the video I made (below) to see all my reno details.

Let me know what you think!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Minute Easter Decor

With Easter just round the corner, I squeezed in one last holiday DIY. I made an adorable Easter Bunny Garland, and it was soooooooo easy.

Isn't it adorable? You can see how I made it in the short video I made here.

What do you think? I'm really working on growing my YouTube channel, so make sure you subscribe and ring the notification bell to make sure that you don't miss out on all the fun things I have planned.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

NEW bunny wreath you can DIY using dollar store supplies / Dollarama DIY/ Easter Wreath

The great thing about DIY is that you can customize your decor to your style and taste... using inexpensive supplies. Today, I'm sharing a gorgeous Easter wreath I made using Dollarama supplies. Check out the result (and the instructions) below.

Here's what I started with...

And here's what I created:

Cute, right?!?

Want to make one of your own? 

Check out the video below for the step-by-step instructions.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

8 NEW EASTER Crafts for the WHOLE Family / Cheap and cheerful Easter Crafts for Kids & Adults/ Dollarama DIYs

Crafting is a great way to spend time with friends and family... and it's wonderful for mental health. And holiday crafting is the BEST! Today I am sharing 8 easy Easter crafts the whole family will enjoy. The crafts are simple and you can find most of the supplies in your recycling bin and at the dollar store.

1) Bunny treat holder - This is a cute craft, and a fun Easter party favour. Download the template here, colour the bunnies, cut them out, cut slips, and insert a treat. Cute, right? You can find step-by-step instructions here.

2) Heart shaped, yarn covered Easter chick - This little chick is totally adorable, and it's made by wrapping yarn around a dollar store wooden heart. Then, add a beak, googly eye, and beak... and voila! You can find the detailed step-by-step instructions here.

3) Coffee filter bunny suckers - Sometimes simple ideas are the best ones... and these bunnies are a perfect example. Cover a sucker with coffee filter, tie with a piece of twine, cut the top in half, twist the ears, and add the facial details. Sooooo adorable!!! You can find step-by-step instructions here.

4) Bunny cookie - This is craft is cute... and it's delicious. Place a cookie in a cellophane bag. Then, add cardstock bunny ears, googly eyes, a sticker nose, whiskers, and a mouth. This would make a wonderful Easter dinner "take home" treat. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

5) Wooden bunny ornament - I purchased a box of wooden circles (50 for $4) at my local Dollarama, but wood slice ornaments would work too. I painted the circle white, and added popsicle stick ears, a twine hanger, and a bunny face. I used a Cricut decal for the face, but stickers and paint markers would work well too. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

6) The cutest yarn chick - This is such a delightful little ornament... and it's super-fun to make. Kids and adults will love this one! You weave yarn around a piece of a toilet roll, and add a felt beak and googly eyes. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

7) Recycled bunny artwork - How cute is this bunny art? It's a fun piece made from an empty egg carton and a piece of a cardboard box. Kids, tweens and teens will love getting creative with this one! You can find step-by-step instructions here.

8) Paper Easter baskets - These are fun to craft and are perfect for gifting. Download the template I designed (below), decorate the basket, cut it out, fold it, staple in place, and add a pipe cleaner handle. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

To download the paper basket template: click on the photo below, right-click, save it, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

What do you think of the 8 Easter crafts I shared today? Let me know YOUR favourite in the comments below. Happy Easter!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)