Simple Handmade Mother's Day Gift... with free downloadable print

There is nothing better than a handmade gift from a child on Mother's Day, and I've got a super-cute one for you today. Young kids will love it, but it's perfect for older kids too. I'm even sharing a FREE picture you can download. Check out all the details of the simple button frame for Mother's Day below.

I started with this dollar store frame I had leftover from Easter, but you can use any frame you have. For my frame, I got rid of the little balls inside the frame, and I used nail polish remove to get rid of the words on the glass.

Then, I printed the picture I designed, cut it to fit, and popped it in my frame.

You can put anything you want in the frame, but if you want to use the print I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Then, use hot glue to attach the buttons to the frame. (If little children are making this, use a good quality white glue, and leave lots of time to let it dry completely.)

Isn't it cute? I love the "Moms are like buttons... they hold everything together." saying, don't you?

This would be a fun project using a frame made of popsicle sticks too. Or you could use the print I designed to make a card or a magnet for the fridge. It's really up to you!

What mom wouldn't love this handmade frame? And, let's be honest... moms really do hold everything together! 😀

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more simple ways to celebrate Mother's Day here.

DIY Boho Yarn Wreath

I love inexpensive Spring decor, and I'm really loving the new "Boho" wreaths I am seeing all over Pinterest. I'm always looking for new, budget-friendly ways to add colour to my home this time of year, so making a DIY Boho Spring Wreath has been on my "to do" list for weeks. I finally got around to making one, and when you see how easy these wreaths are to make, you are going to immediately hop in your car to get the supplies you need. 😀

Start by getting the supplies you need: yarn in Spring colours, clear hair elastics, a wire wreath frame, and twine.

Then:

1) Wrap a wire wreath frame with twine (securing periodically with hot glue).

2) Wrap yarn around a piece of cardboard (the length that you want your hanging to be). My cardboard was 20 inches, and I wrapped it around 15 times.

3) Cut one end of the wrapped yarn and hang the strands over the wreath frame, securing with a clear elastic. (You can also tie a piece of yarn around the elastic to cover the elastic to make it stronger and hide the elastic.)

4) Trim the bottom of the yarn with sharp scissors.

Embellish the top of the frame with pom poms. (I tied mine on, and then secured with hot glue.)

Note: If you have never made pom pom befores, you can check out the video here.

That's it! I just love how it turned out. Don't you?

You can add extra elastics to create unique patterns too.

I love a good DIY piece of home decor, and I love that you can customize this Boho yarn wreath using whatever colour yarn you desire. What colours will you use to make your own unique piece of Spring decor?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the fun Spring wreath ideas here.

5 (high end) Dollar Store DIYs for Spring

I love adding seasonal decor to my home... and I really enjoy when I can get a high-end look inexpensively. Today, I am sharing FIVE fantastic Spring DIYs (using dollar store supplies) that you are going to love!

1) DIY Dollar Store Pictures - I designed this adorable print that works well as an 8x10 and a 5x7. You can download the print I designed (for free) here. Then, pop the print in a dollar store frame, and embellish it with whatever you like. It's THAT easy!!!

2) Dollar Store Decorated Tiered Tray - An inexpensive tiered tray can look expensive if you dress it up with carefully selected and handcrafted dollar store items.

On the bottom level, I placed a dollar store lavender plant (in a cement pot) and a little bottle that I found at the dollar store. I filled the bottle with dollar store buttons in Spring colours, and I added a lace embellishment to the bottle cap.

On the middle level, I used some beads that I had in my craft stash, and I added a succulent in a cement bought (that I found at the dollar store).

On the top level, I used a ball of greenery that I found in the floral section of the dollar store. Then, I added a birdhouse that I crafted. I painted a dollar store wooden birdhouse with blue paint, and I covered the roof with wood grain contact paper (which also came from the dollar store).

3) Dollar Store Candy Display - A candy tray adds a bit of whimsey and fun to Spring decor... and it's easy and inexpensive to make. Start by placing a piece of scrapbook paper in a dollar store frame. Then add some candy to dollar store jars. I also added a bottle covered in twine filled with pom pom flowers. It's simple, but it's a lot of fun!

4) Dollar Store Umbrella Wreath - This piece of decor takes less than 5 minutes to put together, and it's the perfect wreath to hang on your front door for Spring. Fill a child's umbrella with dollar store flowers, tie with a ribbon, and it's ready to hang.

5) Dollar Store Spring Flower Display - Spring is synomous with "new blooms", so this dollar store flower arrangement is fantastic. Start with a dollar store tin container, insert a piece of floral foam, cover the foam with dollar store moss, and insert dollar store flowers. Cute, right?!?

This DIY planter (made using dollar store supplies) is fun too. I made it for LESS than $10, and you can get the easy "how to" here.

For another look at these projects (and a bit more explanation), check out the video I made for you (below).

Which of these dollar store DIYs for Spring is your favourite? I love them all... but the candy tray is definitely my boys' favourite!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the simple DIY Spring wreaths I show you how to make here.

DIY Farmhouse Pictures for Spring... with free printable templates

I love adding seasonal decor to my home, but I don't like to spend a lot of money. So, DIYing simple items is one of my favourite things to do. I can create unique, fun, and trendy items... on a budget. Today, I'm sharing two super-easy DIY Farmhouse pictures for Spring I made using a free printable template I designed and some dollar store supplies.

I started with two wooden frames from the dollar store... one 8x10 and one 5x7. Then, I printed the pictures I designed in the corresponding sizes.

To download the 5X7 version of the "Hello Spring" sign I designed: click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

To download the 8x10 version of the "Hello Spring" sign I designed: click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

Then, once the pictures are framed, you can add embellishments. For my 8x10, I strung 5 pom poms onto three strings of yarn, and attached the garland to the top of the picture. Isn't it sweet?

Note: I used hot glue to attach the garland to the frame.

For my second picture, I cut some petals from pink felt, and I used hot glue to turn the petals into a flower. Then, I attached the flower (with hot glue) to the corner of the frame. I love the simplicity of this one, don't you?

I love both of these pictures so much. They are different colours and styles, but both are pretty and fun. Which one is your favourite?

Feel free to use your imagination and come up with your own design. Dollar store artificial flowers would work too. The template is pretty generic, so the possibilities are endless. Have fun with it!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the simple DIY Spring wreaths I show you how to make here.

Simple DIY Candy Easter Basket

What is more fun than an Easter basket full of candy... an Easter basket MADE of candy (of course). This simple DIY uses dollar store supplies, and it is easy to make. This candy Easter basket is the perfect Easter treat for kids and adults. Keep reading for the step by step instructions... including and easy to follow video.

You'll need:

• 4 boxes of candy
• a pipe cleaner
• a box of Froot Loops
• glue gun
• Easter grass (optional)

Start by gluing the ends of the boxes with hot glue and forming the boxes into a square. Make sure the labels are facing out.

Flip the boxes upside down, and hot glue a piece of the cereal box to create a bottom for the box.

Then, make a handle by stringing Froot Loops onto a pipe cleaner. 

Use hot glue to secure the handle to the candy boxes.

Finish by filling the box with Easter grass and treats. Cute, right?!?

Check out this video for step by step instructions.

Isn't this an adorable way to share Easter treats? It's the perfect easy and inexpensive Easter DIY. Who will you share yours with?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.

FOUR Easy Easter Crafts to Make... using jars

I love crafting with inexpensive supplies, and I have FOUR wonderful Easter DIY ideas to share today. They are all easy to make and use items you can find at the dollar store. They can be used as Easter basket treats, DIY gifts, and simple handmade decor. Take a look, and let me know which one is your favourite.

1) Easter cookie mix in a jar -- Every holiday requires a sweet treat, and Easter is no exception. I always enjoy baking Easter cookies with my kids, and I love sharing our sweet treats with friends and family. This Easter cookie mix jar is perfect for stocking a pantry, and it makes an adorable Easter gift too. You can find the full instructions and FREE printable gift tags here.

2) Chocolate bunny in a jar -- This chocolate bunny in a jar would be an adorable addition to an Easter basket. It makes fun decor and a wonderful gift too. Simply add some Easter grass, chocolate eggs, and a chocolate bunny to a jar. Cut a piece of scrapbooking paper for the lid, and embellish with some ribbon and twine. It's that easy!

3) Treat jar -- This is such a simple idea, but it is totally adorable. You can make this jar in minutes, and fill it with your favourite goodies. It would be great in an Easter basket, but it would be a fun gift to share with family and friends too. I even like it as a piece of Easter decor. Fill a jar with goodies, glue a plastic bunny (from the dollar store) to the top, and embellish with a piece of ribbon. Cute, right?!?

4) Painted jars - Holidays are a wonderful excuse to get crafty, and Easter is one of the best. Easter colours are fantastic, and what is cuter than bunnies and chicks? With a few dollar store supplies, you can easily transform an old jar into a delightful DIY Easter vase.You can find the step by step instructions for these adorable painted jars here.

I made a short video sharing these projects too. Check it out here:

Aren't these "jar" crafts the cutest?

Are you going to make any of these Easter DIYs this year? Which one is your favourite? I'm not sure I could pick just one... but I am on my second jar of cookie mix. 😉

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.