Simple Custom Coffee Mug

I love the idea of creating customized coffee mugs because they make a useful, clever, and personalized gift. They would be perfect for friends, teachers, moms, and dads... especially with a coffee gift card tucked inside. Today, I am letting you know how easy it is to create your own simple, custom coffee mug.

To make a simple custom mug like mine, you can use Picmonkey.com to add a custom message. I selected: "Design" and "Square", and then I added text. I saved the image to my computer, and then I created a custom photo mug at an online store. There are many online stores that sell photo gifts, but I created this one at VistaPrint.ca.

If you want to use my text, you can right click on the image below and save it to your computer.

And if you are a Harry Potter fan, this Harry Potter graphic I designed would be cute on a mug too. Just right click on the image below and save it to your computer.

Cute, right?

Or, make a fun mug for a teacher that loves coffee. Just right-click on the image below, and save it to your computer.

The chalkboard background looks adorable on a white mug.

Or try this cheeky option for a girlfriend.

Just right click on the picture below, and save it to your computer.

Or if you want a gift for dad, you could make him a mug with this simple sentiment.

Just right click on the picture below, and save it to your computer.

The possibilities for making custom coffee mugs are endless! I think it would be lovely to make a mug using a picture of a child's artwork, a special message from a child, or a favorite photo. What would you put on your custom coffee mug creation?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Paper Viking Helmet

My boys were so excited to hear about the new (third) season of "Dragons: Race to the Edge" on Netflix, that we decided to make a simple craft to celebrate. I love watching my boys dress up and "pretend", so I am always willing to craft a new item for their costume box. Today, I am sharing the simple instructions for this paper Viking helmet.

To make your own Viking hat, follow the steps and graphic below.

Step 1: Cut two strips of card stock and cover both strips with tin foil. Secure with tape. One strip should be long enough to wrap around the child's head, and the other strip (which will be the top of the helmet) should be shorter.

Step 2: Fit the long strip around the child's head, and tape in place.

Step 3: Use tape to attach the shorter strip to the helmet.

Step 4: Draw horns on a piece of white card stock, and tape to the sides of the helmet.

If your kids are fans of the "Dragons: Race to the Edge" series, you are going to want to check out the announcement that inspired our little craft.

I love this little DIY Viking helmet, don't you? If you make one, let me know. I always love hearing from people that have made crafts from my tutorials.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple End of Year Teacher Gifts

Have you ever needed a quick, easy, and inexpensive gift for a teacher? Sometimes, kids have several teachers, so buying expensive gifts can really add up. Today, I am sharing a simple end-of-year teacher gift that won't break the bank... and I am including free printable gift tags.

I found these fantastic reusable summer party cups at Walmart for $1.50, and I filled them with KitKat bars that say, "have a BREAK" on the sides. I also added some packets of lemonade mix. Then, I wraped the cups in cellophane bags and added a tag that says, "Enjoy your summer BREAK!" Did you catch the play on words?

To download the tags I designed (for free): right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo. I sent my tags to the local copy store for printing where I printed the sheet on cardstock for less than fifty cents.

These little gifts are perfect for music teachers, gym teachers, bus drivers, librarians, and special classroom helpers. You could even add a gift certificate for a more extravagant gift. Have you started to think about end of year teacher gifts yet? The last day of school will be here before you know it!

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Have a Sweet Summer (end of year treats and tags)

My boys love sharing treats with their friends on the last day of school, and today I am sharing three "sweet" class treat options with FREE printable tags. All three options are adorable, but you may want to base your choice on how much sugar you want to share.

The first treat may be a little too "sugary" for your taste, but does it really hurt to celebrate the end of the school with an extra special treat? I took an ice cream cone, topped it with a few small "scoops" of cotton candy, wrapped it in cellophane, and added an adorable little tag that I designed. Cute, right?

A less sugary option is to use a cone (like above), but instead of cotton candy, you can add a little sponge ball. My boys love this idea!

Or, if you just want to keep things simple, stick a few treats in a bag, tie it with a ribbon, and add the cute tag. Easy, peasy!

To download the tags I designed: right-click on the picture (below), save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo. I sent mine to my local copy store and had it printed on card stock for $.39 a sheet.

I can't believe the last day of school is just around the corner. It is always bitter sweet for my boys because they look forward to their summer break, but they miss seeing their friends every day. I think sharing a gift with their classmates on the last day of school makes the transition to summer a little nicer, don't you?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Clever Gift Card Packaging (for teachers)

Teachers love gift cards... because there are only so many "#1 Teacher mugs" one person can use.  However, my boys like to give their teachers something fun... so I came up with these clever ideas for gift card packaging.

Why not find out where the teacher likes to eat, and put the gift card in a bag or box from that restaurant?  My son's teacher likes a pizza place called "The Wheel", so we put a pizza gift certificate in a pizza box, and my son added a clever note.  Cute, right?

If you know the teacher likes wine, try putting a liquor store gift card in a wine glass.  I added a few KitKat bars for some extra fun, and I attached a note that said, "Celebrate a fantastic year, and enjoy your summer break!"

To download a copy of these tags: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I think a tote bag is a perfect holder for a book store gift certificate... and what teacher doesn't like books?  I even made some cute, "Thank you for being 'TOTE'ally awesome!" tags.

To download the tags: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I love how these simple ideas personalize gift cards for teachers. They are thoughtful touches that add a bit of fun too!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Brownie Pops {from a mix}

On a recent trip to our local Farmer's Market, my boys talked me into buying them brownie pops. They were a huge hit, and I immediately decided to come up with a simple version I could bake at home with my boys. I started with a basic brownie mix, and I ended up with one of the tastiest treats I have ever made.

The secret to my brownie pops was baking them in a muffin tin. Clever, right?

To make brownie pops from a mix:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Make brownie batter according to package directions.

3) Place paper cupcake liners in 12 regular-sized muffin tins, and half fill each baking cup.

4) Bake for approximately 25 minutes.

5) Cool in pan for 20 minutes, and then carefully remove paper liners from the brownies, and allow to cool completely.

6) Dip a paper straw in melted chocolate, and insert straw into the brownie.

7) Dip brownie pop into melted chocolate, and sprinkle with cake decorations.

These brownie pops are fantastic treats to bake with kids. They would make fun party treats or favours too!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Preschool Theme: Colors

Whether you are a mom with a Preschooler at home or you teach in a preschool environment, "preschool themes" can be a lot of fun and a fantastic way for kids to learn. Today I am sharing some wonderful ways to explore COLOR.

The crafts and activities that I am sharing today are perfect for 3-5 year olds. Tearing paper, coloring and gluing are all simple tasks and good ways to work on fine motor skills. Also, while the kids are having fun, they will be working on name and color recognition.

Books for Color Theme:

Mabel Murple by Sheree Fitch

Red is Best by Kathy Stinson

Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

Mix it Up by Herve Tullet

Song for Color Theme (to the theme of Mary Had a Little Lamb):

If you’re wearing {blue} today, {blue} today, {blue} today,

If you’re wearing {blue} today, stand up and shout “hurray!”

Activities for Color Theme:

Sort pom poms with clothespins

Bean bag toss onto colored pieces of paper

Sort cars into parking spots… by color

Sort foam bits into containers… by color

Sort colored goldfish or froot loops… by color

Sort colored paper clips

Each child gets a card with a color, they name things with that color, and the other children try to guess the color.

Crafts for Color Theme:

Make a rainbow by ripping paper in different colors and gluing it onto a piece of cardstock. (Or make a beach ball using the same technique.)

Craft a caterpillar made from colored circles.

Make a name puzzle using colored letters.

Make a color book by coloring each page a different color.

There are many possible ways to play with color, and it is a fun theme for little ones. Do you know a Preschooler that would enjoy some of these "color" crafts and activities?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)