Babyfood Jar Tealight Holders

These cute tealight holders are fun to make with the kids, and they use supplies right out of your recycling bin -- empty baby food jars.  My boys loved this activity because it is a little messy and involves using scissors and glue.  :-)

First, gather your supplies:  empty babyfood jars, tissue paper, a paintbrush, and glue.  (You'll need to thin out the glue to the consistency of paint -- approximately 3 tbsp glue for each 1 tbsp water.)

Then, follow these three simple steps:

Step 1:  Using the paintbrush, apply glue to a small section of the babyfood jar.

Step 2:  Cut tiny pieces of tissue paper, and apply to the area where you have just applied the glue.  (Keep applying glue and tissue paper until the entire jar is covered.)

Step 3:  Wait for the glue to dry, and then apply a coat over the top of the tissue paper.  (You can add a second top-coat if desired.)

That's it!  You can use a glue gun to attach a piece of ribbon or other embellishments, but this is totally optional.  

Remember to never leave a burning candle unattended... especially around children.  I intend to use some battery operated tealights I found at the dollar store.  Better safe than sorry!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Love Bugs

When I was a little girl, I remember making "Love Bugs" out of yarn, so I decided to make a similar craft with my boys. They are simple to make, and they are great for kids of all ages. How cute is this Yarn Love Bug for Valentine's Day?

Want to make one {or a bunch}?  Here's what you'll need:  yarn, an empty egg carton, googly eyes, pom poms, pipe cleaners, a scrap of cardboard, scissors, and beads {or other embellishments}.

Step 1:  Wrap yarn (approximately 60-100 times... depending on the thickness of the yarn) around a piece of cardboard (which should be approximately 3-4 inches high).  When you have finished wrapping, tie a piece of yarn tightly around the top of the wrapped yarn and cut the bottom.  (See picture below.)

Step 2:  Spread out the yarn, and glue it to the top of an egg carton.

Step 3:  This is when I got the boys involved.  I gave them the egg cartons covered in yarn, and let them decorate their "Love Bugs" any way they wanted to.  (I helped them add the pipe cleaner antennae because it was a bit tricky, but they did the rest themselves.) 

The boys added: beads (with their initials) to the antennae, googly eyes, pom pom noses, and pipe cleaner mouths.  So much fun!

I think they turned out really cute, and they are a perfect Valentine's Day craft for kids.  I hope you have fun making these adorable love bugs with your little "Sweethearts".

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS - You can find out how to make "Love Bug kits" to share with friends here. (Free printable instructions included.)

And you can find MORE fantastic Valentine's Day ideas here.

New Year's Eve Noisemakers

My three boys absolutely love things that make noise...  go figure! 

So, as part of our "New Year's Eve" celebrations, we made our own noisemakers.  {We made them to ring in the new year, but they are fun to make any time.}

Want to "up" the volume (and fun!) in your house? 

Here is how to make a Kazoo out of a toilet paper roll:

1)  Have the kids decorate a toilet paper or paper towel roll.

2)  Use a hole punch to make two holes at the top of the tube.

3)  Cut out a square of wax paper, and secure it to the top of the tube with a rubber band.

And, here is how to make a paper plate noisemaker:

1)  Have the kids decorate the bottoms of two (sturdy) paper plates.

2)  Put about 3/4 cup of rice on one paper plate, and place the the other plate on top.

3)  Attach the two plates with lots of staples.

These projects are both really easy to make, and they use materials that you probably already have in your cupboards and recycling bins.  Fun, quick and easy... a great New Year's Eve project to do with the kids.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Valentines Day Felt Rosette Wreath

If you have ever made a wreath, you know that wreath forms can be very expensive, so I was super excited when I saw Thrive to Blog use cardboard from an old box as a wreath form.  Genius!  Her version uses burlap {and is lovely}, but I enjoy working with felt, so I came up with this:

Want to make one?  It is time consuming, but not difficult or expensive to make.  Here's what you do:

Step 1:  Cut a heart shape (about 2 inches thick) from an old box.  Then wrap it in 2 inch felt strips (securing with hot glue at the beginning and at the end of each strip).

Step 2:  Make a bunch of felt rosettes.  I made 54.  {This is the part that takes some time.}  You can find a step-by-step tutorial here.

Step 3:  Using a hot glue gun, glue the rosettes onto the felt-covered wreath form.

It is pretty just like this... but you can add a ribbon and/or bow before you hang it up.  I used tulle for a romantic Valentines Day "feel", but you can use anything you like.  (You can also find another version of the wreath here.)

I totally "heart" this wreath, and I hope you do to.  :-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

I am NOT a Supermom

Since I started this blog in April 2011, I have had some people call me a "Super Mom".  For the record, it isn't true.  I am like most moms out there.... I am a hard working mom trying my best to create a good childhood for my boys.

The boys who inspire me to be the best mom I can be.

The intent of this blog is NOT to prove that I am better than anyone else or make anyone feel bad.  In fact, my goal is to  inspire and support other moms.  I know being a mom is a tough job, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all the  moms out there who support and inspire me.

That being said, I thought I would share this list with you:

5 Things about me that are NOT "Super"

1)  Most days, my beds aren't made.

2)  My laundry is out of control, and I sometimes dress my kids in clothes directly out of the dryer.

3)  I don't dust, vacuum, or clean my floors often enough.

4)  I buy clothes that don't need to be ironed (because I am terrible at ironing).

5)  My brain has turned to mush.  (I graduated Cum Laude from University, and now I call my boys by the wrong names on a regular basis.  Can you blame "baby brain" when your youngest is 2 1/2?)

Now that I have that off my chest, I am going to go sneak a cookie while my boys are finishing their lunch.  Is it too late to add "I eat too many cookies" to the list???

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Valentines Day Ideas... to get us started

I know it is a little early, but I thought I would start getting in the "Valentines Day" mood by sharing a couple of things I did last year.

First... how cute is this countdown to Valentines Day using "Hershey Kisses"?  {I put three kisses under each number... one for each of my boys.}  It isn't fancy, but the boys thought it was a lot of fun.



"Kiss" Countdown:  red Bristol board, Dollar Store garland, and Hershey Kisses.



I also made heart-shaped crayons for the boys to take to their friends at school.  This is such an easy project!  Just peel old/broken crayons, place the crayon pieces in heart-shaped muffin tins, and cook in the oven (at a low heat) until all the pieces are melted.  Allow to cool completely before removing crayons from the tins.  (I used silicon muffin tins from the dollar store.)

I am trying to come up with some cute class gifts this year.  I have already started to collect some ideas on my Pinterest board, but would love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks!

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Truly DIY Birthday Parties for Kids

For a party to be "truly" DIY, two things need to happen:   

1. The party can not cost a fortune.    
2. The elements of the party need to be doable by a "real" mom.  

Here are five fun parties I have put together for my my boys. (Click on the links for the details.)

1)  DIY Monkey Themed First Birthday Party

2)  DIY Super Hero Party

 3)  DIY Pirate Party

4)  DIY Music Party

5)  DIY Circus/Carnival Party

Fun, right?  And I promise... I have never taken a cake decorating class, I don't use a party planner, and I never have a big party budget.  All these parties are truly DIY.  I hope you have found an idea or two that you can incorporate into a party for your special little birthday boy or girl.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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