10 Dollar Store DIYs for Valentine's Day -- They look high end, but only cost a couple of dollars.

This time of year can be grey and gloomy, so it's the perfect time to add some festive Valentine's Day decor. Crafting a few items is great because they are unique, customizable and budget friendly. Today, I'm sharing TEN fantastic dollar store DIYs for Valentine's Day that you are going to love!

1) Tissue paper artwork - Sometimes simple materials are the easiest to work with and have the greatest impact. For this project, you'll need a dollar store frame, tissue paper, contact paper, scissors and glue.

Then:

a) Cover the glass in the picture frame with contact paper or scrapbook paper.

b) Draw a pencil outline of a heart on the contact paper.

c) Cut a bunch of 1 inch squares of tissue paper.

d) Take a square of tissue paper, wrap it around the end of a pencil, and glue it to the outline of the heart. Continue until the entire heart is covered in tissue paper.

e) Add a hanger if desired. I used a leftover silver necklace from New Year's Eve. lol

2) "Made with Love" cutting board - There is nothing better than transforming a cheap dollar store find into something fantastic. Check out this "I love the Kitchen" sign I recently found at my dollar store. Here's the before...

And here's the after...

I started by painting the cutting board pink, adding some twine and wooden heart to the top with hot glue. Then, I added a bit of checked ribbon to the bottom and a Cricut decal to the centre. Cute, right?

3) Valentine's Day book stack - I love a cute book stack, and I made this one using a few scraps of wood I had in my garage. You could also use real books or dollar store tumbling tower blocks glued together.

I painted the blocks, added a strip of ribbon and a wooden heart with hot glue, and added the words "I love you more". I used my Cricut to add the words, but you could use stickers or a Sharpie too.

4) Valentine's Day rolling pin - This is a perfect addition to a tiered tray or Valentine's Day vignette. I started with a toy rolling pin, and I painted it pink and white. Then, I added some ribbon and the words "Be Mine". I used my Cricut, but a Sharpie or dollar store stickers would work too.

5) Dollar store pallet sign - I love transforming something simple into something great, so when I found this little pallet sign, I knew I could turn it into a cute Valentine's Day creation. 

I painted it, added some ribbon with hot glue, and attached an "X" and an "O" from an old Tic Tac Toe game that my kids no longer play with. Didn't it turn out sweet?

6) Key to your heart - This little key is adorable, and soooo easy to make. I found a bag of these little wooden tags at my dollar store, painted one of them pink, added a piece of twine, and attached a little key. I love how cute this little trinket looks on my Valentine's Day tiered tray.

7) "Tumbling tower blocks" love letter - DIY doesn't get much easier (or cheaper!) than this. Paint 4 tumbling tower blocks, use hot glue to attach the blocks together, trace out the letter shape with a black sharpie, and attached a painted wooden heart with hot glue. Easy peasy!

8) Valentine's Day candle - Inexpensive candles make simple Valentine's Day decor, and it is simple to make them look custom and high end. Take a cheap candle, and add a Cricut decal to the front. You could also use stickers or glass markers if you don't have a Cricut. Then, embelish the topof the candle with a bit of twine. Cute and cozy!

9) Dollar store glassware - Dollar store glassware is perfect for creating inexpensive Valentine's Day decor, and you can repurpose it for other holidays too. Try filling a glass jar with love hearts, adding a sticker to the front of a expresso cup and filling it with chocolate kisses, or filling a dollar store jar with pink and white buttons. No craftiness is required for these simple projects!

 

10) Repurposed wedding decor - The Valentine's aisle isn't the only place to find Valentine's Day decor at the dollar store. The wedding aisle also has some wonderful options. Recently I found this white tin bucket and pink rose flower ball at the dollar store. I added a bit of ribbon to the bottom of the bucket, and made a date decal on my cricut. I absolutely love how it turned out... and it totally screams "Valentine's Day".

Didn't these projects turn out great? Which one is your favourite?

And if you want a closer look at my projects (and step by step instructions), you can check out the video I made here...

I hope you take some time to make one of these Valentine's Day DIYs... or a few. It really is easy, inexpensive and fun to add some unique, high-end decor to you home.

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

10 Dollar Store Finds, Tips & Tricks... including a "10 products in 10 minutes" video

I love a good bargain... and I really love inexpensive tips and tricks that make my life easier. So, today I am sharing my latest 10 favourite dollar store finds and some great ideas for using them (in no particular order).

1) Large unfinished crate - I love the size and shape of this crate. It would be great for storage, and I have big plans for updating it with a little DIY. It's really good quality for the price. 

I feel like these crates are going to go quickly, so if you see them in your store, make sure to grab one!

2) Water Bottles - I love everything about these water bottles: the colour, the spout at the top, the size, the shape, and the fact that they are BPA free.

I plan to add my boys' names to the bottom of the bottles with my Cricut. If you are crafty, these water bottles make perfect (and inexpensive) blanks.

3) Sturdy cutting board storage rack - I love how solid and sturdy this metal storage rack is. It would be great for storing cutting boards and pot lids... but it's also good for storing iPads, Chromebooks, and paperwork. It's a great tool for getting organized and managing clutter.

4) Pressed wood crafting blanks - I love the inexpensive crafting materials that you can buy at the dollar store... and my new favourites are the ones pictured below. I can't wait to start crafting with the new rounds I found for less than $1 each!

5) Valentine's Day jam jars - I love these little jam jars. They would be adorable filled with homemade treats are store bought Valentine's Day candy. So cute!

6) Metal bird - This was the cutest piece of decor I have found at the dollar store in a long time. It has a lot of character for such a tiny little piece, and I can't wait to add it to my Valentine's Day tiered tray.

7) Oven safe glass dishes - These heart-shaped bowls would be adorable filled with candies for Valentine's Day... but they would also be really cute used to bake individual goodies. I plan to cook small individual cookie tarts in these oven safe glass dishes, and I know they'll be a huge hit with my boys.

8) Dollar store treats - Treats from the dollar store are staples at our weekly family movie nights. The Old Dutch sea salt & malt vinegar chips are our favourites. They have a great crunch... and they are only 50 cents a bag. If you haven't tried them, you totally should!

9) Winter gear - I have been buying dollar store ski gloves for my kids for years. My boys lose a lot of gloves, so having an abundant and inexpensive supply is helpful.

I also love the magic gloves because they are easy to slip in your coat pockets, purse, or glove compartment. And the cozy (sherpa lined) neck warmers are fantastic too. They keep the kids warm without being a chocking hazard.

10) Helpful kitchen items - The non slip mat is large and can be cut to fit any drawer.. and the pre-cut 

parchment paper is super convenient. Both of these items are bargains and really helpful in the kitchen.

I'm super excited about all my Dollarama finds this week, and I hope I've inspired you to go looking for a few of these fun finds.

Interesting in a closer look at these products? Check out this "10 products in 10 minutes" video that I made for you.

Do you have a favourite item on my list? Let me know in the comments.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

TOP 10 Winter Activities for the WHOLE Family to Enjoy

When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures start to drop, I tend to look ahead to spring and start counting down to summer. However, although I love the lazy days of summer, I remind myself that there is lots of winter fun to be had. Today, I'm sharing 10 winter activities for the whole family to enjoy.

1) Get Crafty - Some days require a fun indoor activity, and crafts are always fun. Younger kids can make paper snowflake garlands and spare sock snowmen. Older kids and adults can make a fun wreath for the front door. Or perhaps everyone could try a family paint night. Crafting is a fun way to get creative and relieve stress... and it's a lot of fun.

2) Get outside and play - Bundle up and get outside and enjoy all the traditional winter activities. Build a snowman, go skating, play hockey, hit the slopes, build a fort, or grab some sleds. Playing in the snow (during the day... and at night) is fun for all ages.

3) Set up a hot chocolate bar - There is nothing better in cold weather than a warm drink. Set up a dollar store hot chocolate stand, a simple hot chocolate bar, or serve the treat outside with a portable hot chocolate basket. There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious treat.

4) Have a new product tasting party - This is a simple way to spend an afternoon at home. Choose some fun new products at the grocery store and have a tasting party. Check out the "how to" here, or check out this quick little video.

5) Make snow ice cream - This is one of my family's favourite winter activities, and if you have never made snow ice cream, you need to put it on your "to do" list. It's easy, delicious, and fun. Find the full instructions here.

6) Build a fort in the living room or have an indoor picnic - Sometimes the only thing you need on a cold winter day is a blanket and a little imagination.

7) Have a movie night - Nothing says "cozy" more than cuddling up to watch a movie. Consider setting up a little concession stand to add to the fun. You could also choose a movie with a winter theme, like "Cool Runnings", "Jack Frost" or "Frozen".

8) Have an indoor snowball fight - If it's too cold and wet to be outside, try an indoor snowball fight. Make pom poms to throw, or try the fun cottonball throwers here.

9) Bake something - Baking with kids is both educational and fun... and there is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies on a cold winter day. You can find the recipe for our favourite chocolate chip cookies here.

10) Have a campfire - Fires aren't just for summer, so get outside and gather around the fire pit. I love the idea of cooking hot dogs over the fire for supper... and don't forget to make s'mores for dessert!

What's your family's favourite winter activity? I absolutely love all these ideas, don't you? 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.