FREE printable Farmhouse Lemonade Print... and a dollar store frame upgrade

I love updating my decor with the changing seasons, but I don't like to spend a lot of money. DIYing dollar store items is a wonderful way to create unique items on a budget. Today, I am sharing a super-cute FREE lemon-inspired print that looks great in an updated dollar store frame. It's the perfect inexpensive piece of Summer decor.

I started with a cheap, white, plastic dollar store frame. I took it outside, and I added a couple coats of yellow spray paint.

When it was completely dry, I inserted the cute "lemonade" print I designed.

I created two versions of the print.

To download the 8x10 version of the print: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

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

I plan on creating a few more pieces of lemon decor and making a little "Summer" vignette... but for now, I love how it looks with this dollar store lemonade pitcher, dollar store napkins, and Walmart lemon placemats. Cute, right?

Don't you just love lemon decor for Summer? There is something so cheerful about bright yellow decorations. A few pieces of lemon decorations will make your home feel fresh and full of sunshine.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in this fun DIY wreath for summer.

A Super-Cute Summer Wreath Made from a $3 Walmart Placemat

I really enjoy a good DIY, and I especially love when I can re-imagine something simple into something super-cute and fabulous. Recently, I found a vinyl placemat with a wonderful summer design, and I knew instantly it would make a fantastic (and budget-friendly) summer wreath. I'm sharing how I did it below.

I started with this cute flamingo placemat I found at Walmart for $3. I also purchased a dollar store pizza pan (slightly larger than the placemat) and some nautical rope.

I glued the placemat to the centre of the pizza pan. (I used hot glue, but you can add some industrial strength glue if you are worried about the glue melting in the sun.)

Then, I glued three rings of nautical rope around the edge... one at a time. (Again, I used hot glue.)

When it was done, it looked like this...

I added a bit of twine to the back to make a hanger. (I used hot glue to attach it, and I secured it with a piece of duct tape.)

It looks great hanging on my front door.

But I also like the way it looks on my front porch by my blue adirondack chairs.

Where do you think my wreath looks better?

Don't you love this idea? It's an easy and inexpensive way to create an adorable summer wreath to match your decor. The stores are filled with some great placemats this time of year, and you can use any one you like. You could even try making a rectangle version with a dollar store cookie sheet as the backing for the wreath.

I am really pleased with how this project turned out, but let me know what you think.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in DIYing the fun planter here.

AND you might also like the ideas for summer you can find here.

Wayfair Planter made from Dollar Store Supplies... and I saved over $130!

As a DIYer (and a budget conscious mom), I always see things in stores and think "I could make that for a lot less". Do you do this too? So, recently when I saw a cute planter online, I challenged myself to make it using dollar store materials... and it turned out great! Check out how I made a high-end Wayfair planter using dollar store supplies.

This is the Wayfair version for $141.99...

And here is the one I made for $10 using dollar store supplies. Pretty great, eh?

Here's what you need for my version. (All these supplies came from the dollar store.) A package of stir sticks (4 for $2... but I only used half the sticks... so $1 worth), a dollar store tin planter ($4). a bird house with a tin roof ($4), and miscellaneous supplies you like already have on hand (like glue and paint and a bit of moss, if desired). I allowed $1 for miscellaneous... but even if you had to buy some paint and glue... this DIY version is a lot cheap than the store-bought one.

And here's how you make it:

1) Cut one of the stir sticks for the "Blooming" sign. (Mine was about 7 inches.) A small hand saw would be great, but I couldn't find mine, so I used an exacto knife, and I smoothed the edges with a nail file. Whatever works! lol

2) Use an x-Acto knife or small hand saw to cut out a notch (the width of the paint stick) in the base of the birdhouse.

3) Paint the birdhouse, the paint stick, and the piece you cut from the paint stick. (I used white chalk paint, but any paint would work.) You can also apply a sealant if you are going to be putting it outside, but mine is going under a covered porch, so I didn't bother.

4) Dry brush with a bit of grey paint if you want a more "aged" look.

5) Use a combination of hot glue and wood glue to attach the paint stick to the base of the bird house AND to attach the piece of the small stir stick the big stir stick.

6) Use a Cricut, a paint marker, or dollar store stickers to add the word "Blooming" to the small stir stick.

7) Use hot glue to attach the stir stick to the planter, and reinforce with duct tape.

8) I added some dollar store moss to the base of the bird house... but this is totally optional. The one at Wayfair was plain, but I thought a bit of moss added to the rustic look.

For a closer look, take a look at this video I made...

I plan to plant flowers in my new planter, but since it's still early in the season, I inserted some craft form and stuck in some artificial greenery. It looks super-cute on my covered porch.

What do you think? I know it is not exactly like the $141.99 planter I was inspired by, but I think it's a pretty good "copy" for only $10.

Let me know if you make one. I'd love to see your version!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more budget friendly DIY ideas here.

Turquoise Summer Wreath

I don't get a lot of time to work on "grown up" craft projects, but yesterday I finished a new turquoise wreath for my front door.  It was really easy to make, and I love how it turned out.

Isn't it a fantastic summer wreath?  I really like the blue grapevine wreath, and the flowers are so bright and cheerful. 

Here is what the wreath looked like when I bought it...

Then, I spray painted it, and added some fun felt flowers (that I made using the tutorial you can find here).  These flowers are really simple to make.  All you need is some brightly colored felt, scissors, a glue gun, and a few buttons.  

I am really enjoying my new summer wreath. What do you think? If you make one, let me know how it turns out.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the simple Summer wreath I made here.

Quick Tip Tuesday #8 - Simple Summer Wreath

Until last week, I had a Spring Wreath hanging on my front door.  I knew I needed something more suitable for Summer, and I wanted something fun, easy, and inexpensive.  Here's what I came up with:

I love how bright and cheerful it turned out, don't you?  

I already had the monogram {which I made last fall}, so I just needed to make the wreath.  {I think the wreath would be great without the monogram too.}

To make the simple summer wreath... I bought a cheap grapevine wreath and two bunches of flowers from the dollar store.  Then, I cut the tops off the flowers, and used a hot glue gun to attach them to the wreath.  That's it!

What's on your front door for summer?  If you need something new, this is a great "quick" option, don't you think?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)