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)

Chocolate, peanut butter CAKE MIX cookies

Who doesn't love a good cookie... and a good short cut? These CAKE MIX cookies are perfect for when you have a chocolate craving, but don't have a lot of time. You can mix up a batch (in one bowl) in less than five minutes. It doesn't get much easier!

To make chocolate, peanut butter cake mix cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, in a large bowl, mix together the following:

1 box of cake mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 vegetable oil

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup peanut butter chips

Mix together, and then scoop 1 tbsp balls onto a silpat (or parchment paper) lined cookie sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop.

Note: If you find the dough too sticky, you can refrigerate it, or add 1-2 tbsp of flour.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Don't overbake. They should be cooked, but still soft in the middle.

For a closer look at how easy it is to make these cookies, take a look at the video I made.

I hope you enjoy these cookies. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of combining chocolate and peanut butter.

♥ 
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 Summer Prints (so cute!)

Who doesn't love a freebie? And these summer prints are "boho style", and the colours are very on-trend. I have SEVEN great options, so check them out below.

To download the prints I designed: click on one of the photos below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 11x14 photo.

Pro tip: I print mine at my local copy store (on cardstock) for less than $2 each.

You can just print one, or you can print a group like I did. Can you believe I got these frames on my local dollar store? I love to switch out the pictures for different holidays and seasons.

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

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.

The BEST Dollar Store Organization HACKS

If you love getting organized, but you don't want to spend a lot of money, you are going to love these dollar store organization HACKS! With a few dollars, and a couple of minutes, you can make you life much easier.

The dollar store has the best bins, hooks, and organizations... and don't be afraid to you common products in unconvential ways.

Check out this video for all my favourite products, tips, and tricks.

Do you have any organization HACKS to share? Do you have a favourite from this video? I have more tips and tricks, so if you are interested, let me know, and I'll get to work on another video.

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*NEW* Budget-friendly Easter Ideas... simple DIYs, a FREEBIE and a fantastic Easter mocktail

I love celebrating holidays with easy and inexpensive DIYs and treats... and Easter is one of my favourites. Today, I'm sharing a couple of ideas of NEW ideas that use dollar store supplies to create fabulous things. You are going to LOVE these!!!

1) Bunny Tail Treats - How cute are these bunny tail treats? Grab some dollar store cotton candy, form it into balls that look like "bunny tails",  place them in bags, and add the cute tags I designed.

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

2) Bunny Tail Mocktail / Cocktail - Add some 7 Up to a glass, and pop in a cotton candy "bunny tail". It's that easy!

3) Dollar Store Bunny Tree - This little white tree is one I purchased at the dollar store at Christmas, but I decorate it for ALL the holidays. For Easter, I added dollar store egg ornaments and the ears from a dollar store headband.

4) No Sew Sherpa Bunny Pillow - This pillow is made from dollar store "car wash cloths"! They are sold in a package of 6, so it's easy to make a herd of bunnies. Cut a bunny shape from two of the cloths, glue the outsides together (except for the bottoms), turn it inside out, stuff it with cotton batten, glue up the bottom, and hot glue a pom pom to the back. It is super-easy and cheap... and it looks really high-end!

For a closer look at these Easter ideas, take a look at the YouTube video I made (below).

What do you think of these ideas? Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel because I'm always creating NEW content and sharing easy and inexpensive DIYs, recipes and home HACKS.

Happy Easter!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter 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.