Spring Printable

Don't you just love Spring?  To celebrate the beginning of Spring, I thought I would share this great picture with you... that you can download for FREE.

I took this picture last year while out for a walk with my three year old.  Don't apple blossoms just scream "Spring"?  I think this photo would be a great addition to a Spring mantel.  You can download an 8X10 copy {for free} here.

Has warmer weather arrived where you are?  We still have some snow, but I know I will be smelling apple blossoms soon.  :-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

ECM Kids' Craft Club - #13 {Bunny Ears}

Welcome to the 13th edition of the ECM Kids Craft Club {an easy and inexpensive way for kids to have fun crafting and experience the excitement of getting their very own mail}.  If you want to join the club, you can find more info here.

For everyone who is already a member... let's get started on this month's craft.  This month we are making adorable Bunny Ears for Easter!

Cute, right?  Here's how you make them:

1)  Tape the ends of the three plain/white strips together to create one long white strip.

2)  Make a bunny face in the middle of the long white strip.  Glue on two googly eyes, draw a mouth and whiskers, and cut out (and glue on) a pink nose from craft foam.  Allow to dry completely.

3)  Color and cut out bunny ears (using the bunny ear templates included in the kit).

4)  Tape the bunny ears to the inside of the white strip.  Then, size the strip to the child's head, and tape in place to create a headband.

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed this craft, and I hope you have a very Happy Easter!  {Don't forget to leave me a comment, or send me an email.  Your comments help me improve the club, and I love hearing from you.}  

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't forget... Assist young children when using scissors, and be careful of the small parts included with this kit, as they can be a choking hazard for children under three".)

Leprechaun Trap

Every year my boys put their heads together, make a plan, and build a leprechaun trap for St. Patrick's Day.  Thus far they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to catch a leprechaun, but maybe this is our lucky year.  Here is our lastest version... a "Lego" Leprechaun Trap.

Seriously... what leprechaun could resist this adorable creation? 

The boys used green painting tape to cover a box, I helped them cut out a hole, and they built a Lego staircase.  Pretty clever, aren't they?

All we need to do is add some leprechaun bait (which you can read all about here). 

I think we have a good chance of catching one.  And if we don't... perhaps he'll drop some gold chocolate coins like he did last year.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more St.Patrick's Day ideas here.

Elf on the Shelf {Easter Card}

Some of you may remember that our "Elf on the Shelf" sent a Valentine to my boys.  They were so thrilled by it, that I thought it would be fun if our "Elfie" dropped off an Easter card too.  My boys will be so excited to find this card beside their baskets on Easter morning.

Would you like a copy?  I have put together a {free} generic, printable 5X7 version, and you can download it here.

Do your little ones miss their "Elf on the Shelf"?  Mine sure do!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

Simple St.Patrick's Day Cupcakes

My boys love decorating cupcakes with holiday themes, so this year we decorated cupcakes three ways for St. Patrick's Day.

Aren't they cute?  We made vanilla cupcakes, frosted them with buttercream icing, and decorated them with:

1)  Froot Loops

2)  Lucky Charms

3)  Shamrock Sprinkles.

I never buy sugary cereals, so my boys think they hit the jackpot with these cupcake toppings!  :-)

Are you making any St.Patrick's Day treats this year?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

Easy Appetizer {Nacho Dip}

Have you ever been asked to bring an appetizer to a party?  Do you have a "go to" appetizer that you like to make? I always like to bring something that is simple, tasty, and doesn't need to be reheated.  I hate bothering the hostess to heat up something that I have brought. So, today I am sharing my favourite appetizer to bring to gatherings: My Easy and Delicious Nacho Dip.

For a plate of this dip, you'll need:

• one (8oz package) of room temperature cream cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons of mild taco seasoning mix
• 3/4 cup mild salsa
• 1/2 green pepper (or whatever colour you have on hand)
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1)  Combine the room temperature cream cheese with the sour cream and mild taco seasoning mix.  {I like to use a potato masher, and then a spoon.}

2)  Spread the cream cheese/sour cream mixture onto a large plate or platter, and then cover with mild salsa, green pepper, and grated cheddar cheese.

3) Chill in fridge until ready to serve.

That's it!  To make a large platter, you can double the recipe. (I often do this if I know there is going to be a crowd.)

Serve this dip with a bowl of nacho chips, and I guarantee there won't be any leftovers to take home. 

What is your favorite appetizer recipe?  I am always looking for new "tried and true" favourites.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 Quick and Easy St. Patrick's Day Ideas

St.Patrick's Day isn't a major holiday, but the boys and I like to celebrate March 17 by doing a few things that are fun and easy. Check out this collection of 10 simple ideas that are guaranteed to delight your little leprechaun.

1) Lucky Penny {to share with friends} - Click here for free "lucky penny" printable postcards.  This is a really fun St. Patrick's Day treat to share with friends.

2) Dollar Store Frame - This St. Patrick's Day frame is a great way to get low cost St. Patrick's Day decor.  Click here for a full tutorial and free printable.

3) St. Patrick's Day Penny Banner - This charming banner is easy to make using things you likely already have lying around the house.  Click here for a full step by step tutorial.

4) Treasure to Share - Click here for a free printable bag topper.  Your little leprechauns will love sharing a St. Patrick's Day treasure with their friends.

5) Leprechaun Trap - Click here to find out how easy and fun it is to try to catch a leprechaun.  They are tough to trap, but it sure is fun to try.  :-)

6) Shamrock Hat - This easy craft is simple and lots of fun for kids.  Click here for the step by step tutorial.

7)  Shamrock Pancakes and Green Milk - A few drops of green food coloring, some pancake batter, and a shamrock cookie cutter are all you need to make these adorable pancakes.  Don't forget to add a few drops to some milk too.

Rainbow Seeds make a fun breakfast too! Get the FREE downloadable tag here.

8)  Rainbow Necklaces - String some Froot Loops onto some braiding cord, yarn, or shoestring liquorice to create these edible rainbow necklaces.  Your little leprechaun will love making and wearing this festive piece of jewellery.

9)  St.Patrick's Day Treats - Little ones will love decorating St. Patrick's Day cookies or cupcakes.  Make sure you have plenty of green icing, sprinkles and colorful candies on hand.

10) Leprechaun Bait - This a great way to share St. Patrick's Day fun with classmates, and it's a fun St. Patrick's Day party favor too. Click here for a free printable Leprechaun Bait bag topper, or here for free printable Leprechaun Bait tags.

Bonus 

11) Leprechaun Paper Dolls - This little craft is as fun to play with as it is to make.  Click here for a free printable leprechaun puppet.

What do you do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Will you try one of the easy St.Patrick's Day ideas?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)