Ghost Mask - Preschool Craft...with free printable

Here is a quick and easy Halloween craft that your little one will love.... especially if your little one loves glue as much as mine does. 

To make things super-easy, I have provided you with a free printable template for this craft {that you can download here}.

To make this adorable ghost mask, all you need to do is:
1) Print out the template I have provided.
2) Cut out the mask.  {Little ones will need some help with the eyes.}
3) Use glue to cover the entire mask with cotton balls.
4) Add craft sticks to the back using duct tape {for strength}.

That's it!  Isn't it a cute little craft for Halloween?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS - You can find more easy and inexpensive Halloween ideas here.

Bacon Pie... aka "the Easiest Quiche you will ever make"

With all our after-school activities, there are many nights I need a "quick supper".  I love this Quiche recipe (which my husband and kids call "bacon pie"). It's easy to prepare and totally delicious. Even fussy eaters will ask for seconds. 

I cook the bacon ahead of time, so when we get home from swimming lessons or hockey practice, I throw the ingredients together quickly and pop it in the oven.  By the time the boys are finished with their showers and baths, supper is on the table. Easy!  

Here's the recipe...

You'll need:
12 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled up)
1 tsp onion powder
1 cup old cheddar cheese
2 cups 1% milk
1 cup biscuit mix
4 large eggs
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
1)  Lightly grease a large pie plate.
2)  Layer bacon, onion powder and cheese on the pie plate.
3)  Beat milk, biscuit mix, eggs, pepper, and salt until smooth.  Then, pour the mixture into the plate.
4)  Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes... until a knife stuck into the middle of the quiche comes out clean.
5)  Let stand for 5-10 minutes, cut and serve.

My husband and I have the quiche with salad or asparagus... but my fussy boys have it with fruit.  Either way, it's delicious.

What is your favorite weeknight "quick and easy" meal?  I am always looking for new ideas.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

{simple} Freezie Holder

Don't you just love an easy solution to a common problem?  Today, I am sharing a simple tip to help little ones that can't hold onto a "freezie" because "it is too cold".  Check out this DIY "freezie" holder.

Just give your little one a stretchy (one size fits all) glove from the dollar store, and you'll never hear "it is too cold to hold" again.

Easy Peasy!  

Clever, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more GREAT ideas for summer here.

Let's Discuss Kitchen Makeovers

Do you ever think about what your dream kitchen would look like? I do. The kitchen is the hub for most of our family activities.  It's where we do our homework and art projects, and it is where we eat together and talk about our day.  

I have tons of things I would change about my kitchen if I had the budget, but there are also many thing I like about my kitchen:

1) The color - I recently painted my kitchen, and I am really pleased with the colors I chose.  The main part of the kitchen is Great Plains (CC-334) and the accent wall is Hale Navy (HC-154)

2) My light fixture - I replaced the ugly light fixture that was above my table (when we purchased our house) with an inexpensive one ($139.99) that I like MUCH better.

3) My pull out drawers - I would love to have a walk-in pantry, but since that isn't an option, I am glad that I have pull out drawers in one of my cupboards. Pull out drawers really help with kitchen functionality and organization.

4) My windows -  I have two windows and lots of natural light in my kitchen.  I love how bright it is.

5) My floor - I really like the tile floor in my kitchen.  It is practical and easy to clean, and that's important for a busy kitchen like mine.

Now do you want to hear about what I would like to change about my kitchen?  (You can check out my Pinterest board here to see what inspires me.)  I'd love to have more storage space and a big island, but if I only had a small budget, here is what I would do:

1) I'd love to paint my cupboards white and update the hardware.  When I am browsing dream kitchens on Pinterest, the white kitchens are always the ones that catch my eye. (There is just too much light wood in my kitchen!)

2) I'd love to get some new appliances... especially a new fridge (as mine is scratched and makes weird noises).

3) I'd love a backsplash.  Right now, I have nothing, and I think putting in a glass tile backsplash would really make a big impact in my small kitchen.

4) I'd love to have a really organized "command centre".  With three busy boys, this project has been on my "to do" list forever.

5) I'd love to install some pendant lighting over my breakfast bar.  It's another small change that I think would make a big impact.

What changes would you make to your kitchen? 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Ultimate Kitchen Makeover Blogger Campaign on behalf of Finish. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Paper Boat Tutorial... old fashioned paper craft

Don't you just love an old-fashioned paper craft?  I made these paper boats {that really float} when I was a little girl, and a few weeks ago, I made them with my boys.  Not surprisingly, they were a hit.

All you need to make your own paper boat is a piece of paper and a wax crayon.  Pretty simple, eh?

Here's what you do:

1)  Color a sheet of paper {on both sides} with a wax crayon to waterproof.

2) Fold the paper in half {the long way}.

3)  Fold both corners {down}, so that they meet in the center.

4)  Turn up the bottom flap, and flip over and do the same on the other side.

5)  Press the end folds together until the middle creases become the outside folds.

6)  Tuck in the end flaps so that it lies flat.

7)  Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner.  Flip over, and do the same.

8) Like #5, press the end folds together so that the middle creases become the outside folds. 

9)  Hold the two outside points, and pull them away from the middle point.  Press down the sides to finish the boat.

Make sense?  It's actually pretty easy if you follow each step.  

Try it, and let me know how it goes.  If you have any trouble, send me an email, and I will see if I can help.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Boo'ing... free printables

Every year, the boys and I "Boo" the neighbours. "Booing" involves...secretly...leaving treats on a neighbours doorstep.  {You can read all about it here.}  This year, I decided it would be fun to create our very own "Boo"ing printables.  Here's what I came up with:

You can download your own copies here and here.

If you have never taken the kids "boo"ing, you should totally give it a try by following the instructions provided on the printable.  It's a great Halloween tradition, and it's lots of fun!

Happy "Boo"ing!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Dollar Store Halloween Wreath

If you know me at all, you know that I love things that are easy and inexpensive.  So, you will not be surprised that I am totally excited to share my dollar store Halloween Wreath with you.

Isn't it cute?  I made it from a pool noodle, some yarn, and some embellishments from the dollar store.  

Want to make one?  Just follow these three simple steps:

1)  Make a wreath form by duct-taping the ends of a pool noodle together.  (I inserted a craft stick into the centre of the noodles, before taping, to make it a little stronger.)

2)  Wrap the wreath in yarn... securing periodically with hot glue.

3)  Attach embellishments with hot glue.  (I used a piece of yarn and purple letters cut from craft foam to spell the word "BOO".)

Don't you just love the purple glittery accents and how they contrast with the traditional white and grey yarn?

If you make a similar wreath, send me a picture.  I love to see the wonderful creations my readers come up with.

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)