4 NEW Graduation DIYs... made using dollar store supplies

If you want to take your graduation celebration to the next level, you are going to want to pay attention to a few unique and memorable details. Today, I'm sharing 4 NEW graduation DIYs that are awesome, easy, inexpensive and fun! (And make sure to check out the video at the end of this post for all the step-by-step instructions.)

This tiered tray could not be easier to make, and it is perfect for a graduation. And no one will ever know it's made from dollar store plates and candle holders. Find the step by step instructions here.

Isn't this the perfect tray for a dessert table? I might even add a "You're a smart cookie" sign beside it. I love a good pun! 😀

Capturing memories through photos is an important part of any milestone celebration. I love the idea of creating a custom hashtag for guests to use on social media. Make sharing easy with this FREE downloadable sign. Grab your here.

Another fun photo idea is creating a simple "selfie frame". This one is made from a dollar store piece of foam core and dollar store stickers. It's easy, inexpensive, and fun! Find the instructions here.

And check out my handsome graduate...

Displaying photo memories is another wonderful idea. I glued dollar store frames together to make this awesome centrepiece. You can fill it with balloons or flowers. It's also fun to add a "Congratulations" cake topper. Check out the adorable pictures of my graduate below... and see the step-by-step instructions here.

Inspired to create one or more of these graduation DIYs? Check out the step-by-step instructions in the video below...

Do you have a graduation to plan? Are you planning to try any of these graduation DIYS? I think these ideas are perfect for a preschool, junior high, high school, college, or university graduation.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

FREE Graduation "Hashtag" Sign

If you want an easy way to capture graduation memories, make sure everyone shares their photos with the same hashtag. I love the idea of setting out a sign as a remember, and I'm sharing the one I designed for free.

To download the sign I designed: click on the picture (above), right-click, save it to your computer and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Then, add your hashtag and pop it in a frame. Here's what mine looks like in a dollar store frame. Cute, right?

I'm currently planning my oldest son's graduation, so I'll have more fun ideas and downloads soon. Make sure you follow me on all my social media channels so you don't miss anything!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fantastic SUMMER Freebies and DIYs (boho chic... and budget-friendly)

Who doesn't love gorgeous (and budget-friendly) home decor? It's so great to refresh decor with a change in seasons, and I have some great options for summer. I have SEVEN free prints you can download, and 3 differently DIYs. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the step-by-step DIY video.)

I love these boho chic pictures. You can download them for free here, and pop them into dollar store frames (like I did).

And how cute is this DIY wall hanging? You can find the step-by-step instructions to make tassels and this wall hanging here.

You can also add picture with tiny clothespins. Cute, right?!?

And once you are addicted to making tassels 😀, you can use them to make this super-cheerful garland.

For a closer look at all these summer freebies and DIYs, check out the YouTube video below.

I hope you like these summer decor ideas. I have more summer content coming soon, so stay tuned!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.

Simple SPRING DIYs made using dollar store supplies / High-end Spring decor on a budget

Aren't simple ideas the best ones? Today, I'm sharing fantastic dollar store DIYs for Spring -- they are easy, inexpensive, and super-cute! (And there is a short step-by-step video at the end of this post, so make sure to check it out. 🙂)

How adorable is this rustic Spring wreath? It looks high end, the materials are super-cheap, and it's soooo easy to make. Wrap a wreath form in twine, wrap more twine around the middle, and insert dollar store florals. Easy peasy!

This umbrella wreath is another great DIY for Spring. Simple take a dollar store children's umbrella, pop in some dollar store flowers, and tie with a ribbon. That's it!

This porch hanger is cute too. The tin bucket came from the dollar store, and I added words with my Cricut. Then, I popped in some floral foam and inserted fake flowers. It was simple to make, and it would be a cheerful addition to any porch.

This riser looks high-end, but it only cost a couple of dollars to make. It's just a dollar store plastic bowl glued to a dollar store plastic plate. I love a 30 second DIY that looks like it came from a high-end store!

Alternatively, you can use the same technique to DIY a tiered tray for Spring. Glue a large plate, a candle stick holder, and a small plate together. I got all the supplies for this one at Dollarama.

For a closer look at these DIYs, check out the video I made (below).

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the budget-friendly Spring decor ideas here.

FREE "bunny tail" Treat Labels for EASTER

I love a holiday treat, and these FREE labels make it SUPER easy to create custom Easter goodies. You can use them "as is", or you can use them to mix up some holiday cocktails / mocktails.

To make the "bunny tail" treat, grab a container of cotton candy, form it into balls, put it in bags, and add the cute tag I designed.

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

The bunny tails can be eaten on their own, but they can also be used to make a fun cocktail. Add some 7 up to a glass, and pop in the "bunny tail". Cute, right?

Do you like a holiday cocktail / mocktail? I hope you enjoy this fun drink idea for Easter.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.

St. Patrick's Day Treats & DIYs... made using dollar store supplies (and a few freebies!)

I love a good bargain AND a holiday celebration, don't you?!? If you answered "yes", you are going to want to check out the fantastic easy and inexpensive St. Patrick's Day treat ideas I'm sharing today! (I have some freebies for you and a step-by-step video too.)

First... you are going to want to visit the dollar store and pick up your favourite green or rainbow themed goodies. I purchased: Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, Rainbow Eggies, chocolate coins and Mike & Ikes.

The Lucky Charms cereal can be easily transformed into leprechaun bait. Scoop some into a bag, add the free tag I designed (here), and enjoy. 

Or, you can pop some into a dollar store jar, add the words "leprechaun bait" with a Cricut or stickers, and use it as a piece of St. Patrick's Day decor.

It looks super cute on a tiered tray.

Another fun idea is to turn dollar store chocolate coins into unique treats to share. Print off the card I designed (for free) here. Then, use an X-acto knife to cut a small slit in the card and insert a coin. Cute, right?

A festive drink can also be made using dollar store supplies. Thread Froot Loops onto a straw, and insert the straw into a glass filled with a green drink. I like using 7UP with a few drops of green food colouring.

Finally... why not make a St. Patrick's Day basket OUT of candy and FULL of candy? Use hot glue to attach green candy boxes together and add a cupboard rectangle to the bottom. Then, thread Froot Loops onto a pipe cleaner and attach to the basket with hot glue. Finsh by filling the basket with green and rainbow-coloured treats. Easy peasy!

For a closer look at how I made ALL these treats, check out the video I made...

Which of these treats do YOU think is the cutest? Don' you just love how easy and inexpensive they all are? Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

The BEST budget-friendly DIYs for Easter... high end looks with dollar store supplies

When looking for budget-friendly Easter decor, the dollar store is the first place to shop. The supplies are inexpensive, and it is super-easy to transform them into fantastic, high-end decor. Here are a few of my latest finds and DIYs.

1) This gorgeous bunny wreath is made using 100% dollar store supplies. It is soooo easy to make. Check out the full tutorial here.

2) The dollar store has many Easter basket options, but they look more high-end when you personalize them. I used my Cricut to add a name to the back, but you could easily using alphabet stickers. Get a closer look here.

3) The Easter eggs at the dollar store come in beautiful on trend colours. I love using them to decorate my little white (dollar store) tree. Cute, right? Check out my other ideas for these eggs here.

4) The wooden ornaments at the dollar store come is super-cute seasonal shapes. I love these bunnies for Easter. I used mine to make this wood bead garland, but I have other ideas you can check out here.

5) Dollar store window clings are inexpensive and perfect for DIYing. I like to create artwork by applying window clings to dollar store frames. Check out how easy it is to make your own here.

For a closer look at these products (and step by step instructions for the DIYs), check out the video below.

What do you think? Are you going to try any of these budget-friendly DIYs for Easter? I think the bunny wreath is my favourite, but they are all easy, inexpensive, and fun!

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.

NEW Valentine's Day DIYs... made from recycled cardboard and dollar store supplies

What's more fun than Valentine's DIYs? What about DIYs made with FREE (or super cheap materials? I have some fantastic options for kids and adults... and they are all easy and inexpensive! (I even made a video with all the step by step instructions.)

First up is a Valentine's Day garland made from an old cardboard box. Cut hearts from cardboard, tape a piece of a paper straw to the back, and string the hearts and beads on a piece of twine.

You can also use the cardboard hearts to make framed Valentine's Day artwork with kids. Glue popsicle sticks together to make a frame, glue a string to the top, add buttons to the ends of the piece of string, and glue a piece of cardstock onto the middle of the frame.

Then, decorate hearts to put inside of the frames.

Scrunch up 1 inch squares of tissue paper and glue to a cardboard heart until it is entirely covered.

You can also wrap a heart in yarn (securing periodically with glue).

Or you can just use a paint marker or Sharpies to decorate the cardboard heart. 

Which one is your favourite? I suggest trying them all! :-)

Another simple DIY is this adorable floral canvas. I picked my favourite faux flowers at the dollar store, removed the stems, and used hot glue to attach them to the inside of a dollar store wooden canvas.

For a look at all these projects, check out the video here...

Thanks for checking out my latest easy and inexpensive Valentine's Day DIYs! Let me know which one is your favourite. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.