Scarecrow Paper Doll & Scarecrow Paper Bag Puppet

How adorable is this Scarecrow Paper Doll? You can beat a simple, old-fashioned paper craft, and your kids / students are going to love this one. Download the template, print it, colour it, cut it out, and play with it for hours. It's the perfect fall craft.

I love that you can change its clothes too! Just print the scarecrow onto card stock. You can download the template I designed from my Etsy Shop for 99cents US here.) You'll also need a craft stick for the back, a couple of googly eyes, and a piece of foam core for the nose.

OK, let's get started.

1) First colour the scarecrow and his shirts.

2)  Cut out the pieces.  {Be very careful you don't cut off the "tabs" on the shirts.}

3)  Tape the craft stick onto the back of the scarecrow.

4)  Use glue or tape to attach the eyes and nose.

Now the scarecrow can be used as a puppet, and you can change his shirts {using the tabs} whenever you want.  Fun, right?

Isn't it adorable? Kids will love designing the clothes for this scarecrow paper doll. I remember playing with paper dolls when I was a little girl... and I may have played with this one too! ;-)

You may also love this adorable SCARECROW paper bag puppet. It is soooo cute, and you can download the template to make it here.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also be interested in these FALL crafts for kids.

5 {Easy and Inexpensive} Fall Crafts and Activities

The kids are back to school, the weather is getting cooler, and the days are getting shorter -- Fall has definitely arrived.  But... don't despair... "embrace" Fall with these 5 {easy} and {inexpensive} crafts and activities. 

Click on the links {below} for full tutorials and free printables.


1)  Homemade Birdfeeders {3 ways} - Kids will love making these simple birdfeeders, and they'll be helping the birds get ready for winter too!

2)  {Printable} Fall Checklist - Print off this list, hang it on the fridge, and have fun completing all the Fall adventures.

3)  5-Minute {no-sew} Pumpkin - Kids and adults will love making this simple piece of Fall decor. It's easy, inexpensive, and totally adorable!

4)  {Easy} Paper Bag Kites - It's a craft and a fun excuse to get outside. Your kids are going to love this one!

5)  DIY Fall Wreath - This is a perfect craft for moms. All you need is a glue gun and little bit of patience. You don't have to be super-crafty to make this one!

What is your favorite thing about Fall?  I think mine is our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. 

Happy Fall!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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Simple Side Dish {oven grilled veggies}

Am I the only one who struggles to come up with dinner ideas every night?  If you're like me, you'll love this {simple} side dish -- oven grilled vegetables.

It is super-easy {especially if you cut up all the vegetables ahead of time}.  I usually cut up a red pepper, a small/medium zucchini, and a small container of fresh mushrooms... but you can use whatever vegetables are popular in your house.

Put all the vegetables in a large glass baking dish, and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Then, add some spice... I add pepper, basil, and oregano.  Mix together and bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes {stirring once about half way through the cooking time}.

That's it!  Easy and delicious!  What is your "go to" easy side dish?  Thanks for sharing... I can use all the inspiration I can get.  :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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Fall Wreath {with Monogram}

I guess it is time to accept the fact that summer is over {sigh}, so in an effort to "embrace fall", I made this beautiful Fall wreath for my front door.

Isn't it pretty?  It is actually a combination of two projects I did before.  I have included links to the tutorials {below}.

Click here to find out how to make the Twine Monogram.

Click here to find out how to make the Felt Flower & Grapevine Wreath.

How do YOU embrace Fall? Do you have a Fall wreath hanging on your front door?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Back to School Traditions

Today was the first day of school for my two oldest boys.  It was a sad day for me {and their little brother}, but a very exciting milestone for them. 

Here is what the day entailed...

1)  Special Pancake Breakfast {complete with colored milk in a wine glass}

2)  First Day Photo {holding a photo from the first day of school the year before}

3)  Gift for the Teacher {tutorial can be found here}

4)  Gift for Classmates

5)  After School Treat

Do you have a special "Back to School" tradition at your house?  I would love to have you share it with me.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

Ice Cream for Supper {Party}

As many of you know, my boys and I have been working on our Summer Checklist over the last couple of months.  Last weekend, we completed the last item ... an "Ice Cream for Supper" party.  Here are a couple of pictures:

Fun, right?  The boys looked forward to it all summer, and it was a good way to transition into Fall/Back to School.

Now, it is time for us to get to work on our Fall Checklist.  Have you printed off a copy?  {It's free!}

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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Fall Checklist {with free printable}

Can you believe tomorrow is the first day of September???  It makes me sad to see summer come to an end, but I know that Fall is filled with fun activities too.  So... to get us in the mood, here is the Fall Checklist {2012 Edition} that I put together for our family.

Sound fun?  You can download and print a free copy here.

You can use it "as is", or you can make a fall activity tree {like we did last year}.  You can find all the instructions you need here. 

What is your favorite fall activity?  Did it make my list?

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (If you have never heard of "Booing/Ghosting", you can read about it here.)
 

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Sharing the fun with:

Backyard Camping

Fall is fast approaching, but it isn't too late for a little "backyard camping" adventure.  We recently set up a campsite in our backyard, and we had a fantastic time.

We didn't have a fire pit, so we improvised with a fire projected onto a screen, and a "real fire" of lit candles.

We even had S'mores... because really, what is a camp out without S'mores?  :-)

Have you ever camped in your backyard?  If not, what are you waiting for?  The cool fall evenings are just around the corner.

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

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Homemade Boats

As part of our Summer Checklist, we "crafted" boats to float down a river by our house.

I gave the boys basic supplies {like lids, milk containers, paper, straws, playdough, and toothpicks}, and they started building.  I offered a few ideas and suggestions, but they did most of it on their own.

When they were finished building, we tested them out in our pool to see if they would float.

Then, the next day, we took the "successful sailing vessels" to the river.

When we were finished, we used a butterfly net to scoop them out of the river, and we enjoyed a little picnic.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon.  We sure are going to miss summer.  :-(

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

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{Life Size} Self Portrait

Here is a quick little post about an activity that your child will love... creating a life size self portrait.  It is a perfect rainy day creative endeavour.  :-)

This is so easy and lots of fun!  All you need is some "banner" paper and crayons.  {I got a big roll of paper at IKEA, but I have also seen it at Walmart.}

Here's what to do:

Mom - Get the child to lie down on the paper, and trace the outline of their body onto the paper.  {Be careful... this can be a very "ticklish" part.}

Child - Color the picture to look like you.

That's it!  My boys were very proud of their drawings.  Cute, right?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 
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Simple Scavenger Hunt {with printable}

This week, the boys and I went on a simple Scavenger Hunt {on a trail near our house}.  We packed our clipboards, pencils and picnic, and off we went.

I decided to keep things simple -- I made a list using words for my six year old and added little pictures for my younger two boys.

You can download a {free} version of the list I made here.

The boys had a great time "checking off" all the things on the list, and I really enjoyed our walk through the woods.  :-)

Have you ever taken your little ones on a Scavenger Hunt?  If not, why not print off my list and give it a try?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teaching a Child to Ride a Two Wheeler {Tips}

Last weekend, my five year old and my six year old learned to ride their bikes without training wheels.  They both picked it up within an hour, and I thought I would share a few tips that might come in handy when you are teaching your little one.

1)  Get the gear - When learning to ride a bike, a child will fall, so make sure they are prepared.  We went to the dollar store and got a set of knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads.  I think we saved ourselves from a lot of scrapes.  Also, a proper fitting helmet should always be worn.

2)  Pick the right place -You need to look for a place that is flat and soft.  {We used a local baseball diamond, and it worked really well.}

3)  Need for speed - In order to get their balance, a child needs a little speed.  A little push goes a long way.

4)  Hold the child, not the bike - We started out holding onto the back of the bike, but it was making it difficult for the boys to "feel" the balancing of the bike.  When we started holding onto the child instead of the bike, it really helped.

5)  Be patient - Riding a bike is difficult {and a little scary} for little ones.  Be patient, and give them lots of encouragement.

Check out the "thumbs up" from my proud "bike riders" {and their three year old brother who will have his training wheels a little longer}.  :-)

Do you have a great tip for teaching a child to ride a bike?  I'd love to hear it.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Review and Giveaway {Old El Paso} - CLOSED

Contest Closed - The winner is "Jiselle".

As a Life Made Delicious Connector, I was recently sent a box of Old El Paso products to try.  They are launching 3 new delicious products:  an extra mild hard taco dinner kit, a hot & spicy fajita dinner kit, and a new mild taco seasoning.  

As a busy mom, I love a quick and tasty weekday meal, so I was excited to try some of the new products.  Tonight, we tried the extra mild hard taco kit.  I was a little worried that it might be a little "blah" because it was mild, but it wasn't.  It comes with a seasoning mix {that you add to sour cream} that adds a tasty "tang" to the taco.  Yum!

So... want to try it for yourself?  Leave a comment below letting me know if your family would prefer the "mild" or "hot" dinner option, and you could win a kit valued at $50 {like the one pictured here}.

The contest runs until September 20th, 2012, and is open to Canadian residents only.  {You may enter across multiple blogs, but you may only win one prize.}

Good luck!

 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Life Made Delicious Ambassador Program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of General Mills. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

DIY Teacher Gift -- Flower Pens

This is my favorite kind of project..... an easy and inexpensive DIY gift!  My boys wanted to take something to their teachers on the first day of school, so I decided to make some pretty "flower pens".

All you need are some fake flowers, pens, and floral tape.

Step 1:  Cut the flower so that it is slightly shorter than the pen.

Step 2:  Wrap the tape around the pen and flower.  {I started in the middle, wrapped to the bottom, and then wrapped to the top.}

Step 3:  Pinch the end to seal.

That's it!  Easy, cute and practical.  What teacher wouldn't love a bouquet of these pens on the first day of school?
  
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 
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