NEW Spring Decor DIYs... using dollar store supplies

As winter comes to an end, I love adding inexpensive Spring decor to my home. Don't you love how the colours and textures of Spring make your home feel bright and re-freshed? 

Today, I'm sharing a few NEW Spring Decor DIYS that I made using dollar store supplies. (And don't forget to check out the short, easy-to-follow "how to" video below.)

One of my favourite dollar store hacks is making use of their seasonal florals. This year I found these fantastic apple blossom and pussy willow stems.

I cut pieces for the stems, and arranged them in this dollar store milk jug. Then, to dress up the milk jug, I added some twine and wood beads. Cute, right?!?

Bird houses are another option for Spring decor, and I love this unfinished wooden one I found at my local dollar store.

I ripped the hanger from the top, painted the birdhouse white, used hot glue to attach strips of twine to the roof, and wrapped a ring of greenery around the base. It's a perfect piece of decor on it's own, but it's also perfect for a tiered tray.

And... if you are looking for an inexpensive Spring tiered tray option, I have a simple (and inexpensive) DIY option you are going to love.

I started with two plastic plates and a candle holder from Dollarama.

Then, I painted the candle holder with white chalk paint and used hot glue to attach the plates to the candle holder. I decorated it with the birdhouse, wooden beads and some Spring florals. No one will ever guess this is a dollar store DIY!

To see the step by step instructions for all these dollar store crafts / dollar store DIYs, check out the "how to" YouTube video I made below.

I love how all the projects look together, don't you?

Are you interested in more Spring DIYs? I have more great easy and inexpensive projects coming soon, so make sure to take the time to follow me on social media so you don't miss out on any of the fun.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Spring DIYs here.

Fun Ways to Decorate a Room for a Hockey Fan

*Disclosure - I was given the opportunity to try the hockey wall decals from HockeyRooms.ca, and I was compensated for my honest review and promotion of the product. As always, the views expressed on this blog are 100% my own.

I just revamped my youngest son's hockey-themed bedroom, and I can't wait to show you how cute it turned out. I have a fantastic product to introduce you to, and a couple simple DIY projects that will make the room even more fun!

 

First, I cleared my son's walls and room of clutter, and gave it a good cleaning. There were some things (like a "picture book" bookcase (and more) that he has outgrown.

Then, I installed some awesome wallpaper decals from hockeyrooms.ca. They were easy to install, and they really upped the "wow" factor of the room. 

Finally, I completed the room with a few simple DIY projects that added a personal element to the space.

Check out the details, before and after pictures, and short below.

On this wall, I added boards and glass decals from hockeyrooms.ca, and then I set up gallery wall above the boards. I included hockey pictures of my son, and a hockey art project we did together. Didn't it turn out great?

On the wall by the window: I removed the rocking chair, added more decals, cleaned up his books and shelf, and added the letters of his name (which I already had) to this hockey stick hanger he was given as a gift many years ago.

On the wall beside his bed: I added a football poster that he loves (even though it has nothing to do with hockey... lol), I left a bit of blank space to keep the room from feeling cluttered, I and cleaned out the baskets on his dresser.

I also added a command strip hook to the wall so he could hang his favourite jerseys.

And, of course, just to finish off the room, I applied the hockeyroom.ca decals to the space in between the closet door and the door to his room.

If you are interested in seeing how I installed the high-quality wallpaper decals (and you'd like a closer look at my son's room), check out the short video below. Keep watching until the end if you want to see my son's adorable reaction. 💗

I'm so pleased with how my son's room turned out, and he is beyond excited. If you have a hockey lover in your home, I highly encourage you to check out the products at hockeyrooms.ca

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Let me know if you have any questions.)

Top 10 GIANT TIGER Finds for Easter... including fun DIYS and gift ideas

*Disclosure - I was given the opportunity to write about my favourite Giant Tiger products, and I was compensated for my honest review and promotion of the products. As always, the views expressed on this blog are 100% my own.

I am so excited to be able to share my favourite Giant Tiger finds for Easter. I have great ideas for filling Easter baskets, fun Easter gift options, Easter crafts, and Easter decor. 

1) Easter Candy - What's better than an Easter basket full of candy? What about a Easter basket made of candy? Pretty cute, right?!?!

First, head to Giant Tiger and get all your favourite goodies. The selection and prices are fantastic!

I chose some of my boys' favourite treats in coordinating colours, but you can choose anything you like. The only requirement is four boxes of candy that are the same size.

Then, use hot glue to attach the ends of the boxes together, and use hot glue to attach a piece of cardboard to the bottom of the boxes.

Finish by filling the box with all your Easter treats!

 

2) Travel Mug - If someone on your Easter list is a coffee or tea drinker, these travel mugs from Giant Tiger are a perfect and inexpensive addition to their Easter basket. (I got mine on sale at Giant Tiger for only $4.)

These are wonderful plain, but they are even better after a little DIY.

I added a fun little "punny" Easter decal to this one. Isn't it adorable?!?

3) Pastel Retro Hoodie - This licensed hoodie is an excellent addition to an Easter basket. The retro design is adorable and the colour is perfect for Spring. And you can't beat the price of $24.97!

4) Luxurious (budget-friendly) Throw - Cuddling up and watching movies is one of my family's favourite things to do. We are always looking for quality throws at affordable prices, so I was super-excited to find this gorgeous throw at Giant Tiger for only $20. The blanket is soft, and the sherpa lining is really cozy. 

It would also be a great addition to a "family movie night" Easter basket. What could be better than a basket filled with this throw, movie treats, and the movie "Hop"?

5) Tie Dye Kit - When I was a little girl, I always found bubbles and a skipping rope in my Easter basket. When you're a kid, it's fun to receive an Easter gift that you can play with. My kids are a bit old for bubbles and skipping ropes, but I think they'll have fun with this tie dye kit. I can't wait to help my boys make colourful shirts for Spring.

6) Socks (for a fun craft) - Giant Tiger has three pairs of these socks for ONLY $6... and they are the perfect supply for an adorable Easter craft -- "no sew" sock bunnies. This is an excellent Easter craft for families to make together.

Isn't this little sock bunny adorable?

First, using a funnel, fill a sock with rice, and seal the top with an elastic.

Then, use a ribbon to separate the body from the head.

Make ears by using sharp scissors to cut the top of the sock in half and shape the pieces.

Finish by using hot glue to embellish the bunny. Use googly eyes, pom poms, buttons, or whatever else you have on hand. (And you can add a pom pom tail to the back too!)

7) Mini Massager - "Pampering" gifts are always appreciated, and this mini massager is a cheap and cheerful Easter basket option. It's a perfect budget-friendly gift for kids and adults!

8) Bubble Popper Fidget Toy - Popper fidget toys are really popular right now, and this Octopus from Giant Tiger is adorable. I think it would be a super-cute addition to an Easter basket.

9) NHL-themed KanJam - My boys spend the winter playing hockey, but when Spring comes, it's time for them to get outside and play. This frisbee game I found at Giant Tiger is perfect for my boys to play when the weather starts to get warmer... and the fact that I found a version featuring their favourite team is a bonus!

10) Flameless LED Candles - I love the ambiance created by flameless candles, and this three pack from Giant Tiger (for only $15) is awesome. It's hard to see in the picture, but they look and feel exactly like real candles.

They are gorgeous plain, and the light blue colour works well for Easter, but I thought I would take them to the next level with a little DIY.

I used my Cricut to write the word "HOP" on the candles. You could also use stickers if you don't have a Cricut.

I styled them on a wooden tray I already had, and filled the bottom of the tray with little white rocks. Cute, right?!?

Or, for a simpler display option and a different look, you could just set them on metal tray.

Aren't these easy and inexpensive Giant Tiger finds perfect for Easter? Giant Tiger really is a one-stop-shop destination for all things Easter.

Do you have a favourite item on my list? I know my boys will love all my purchases... but I'm pretty sure the candy baskets will be a highlight on Easter morning.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

The BEST Easter Cookies 🐰 No-bake, mini-egg HAYSTACK COOKIES

These no-bake mini egg Easter cookies are an annual tradition at my house. My boys and I bake them together, we eat too many, and we share them with friends. They are easy to make and absolutely delicious... and today I'm sharing the recipe, serving ideas and a short 2 minute instructional video.

To make these adorable Easter cookies:

1)  Mix together the following dry ingredients, and set aside:

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/4 tsp salt

2)  Put the following ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a boil:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3)  Remove from heat, and stir in dry ingredients.

4)  Before the mixture starts to dry out, drop the mixture from heaping teaspoons onto wax paper (or use a cookie scoop), and add three candy covered chocolate eggs to the middle of each cookie. 

Allow to cool completely.

And... before you venture into the kitchen, take a peek at this short, instructional video.

These cookies are great served up with some hot chocolate.

And they make a great addition to a dessert charcuterie board too!

Do you have a favorite Easter Cookie recipe?  This one is definitely at the top of my list. If you give them a try, let me know what you think.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

***Find more Easter ideas here.

SIMPLE ideas for decorating a TIERED TRAY... using dollar store supplies

I love decorating tiered trays for the holidays. It's a simple and inexpensive way to create a fun vignette. Today, I'm sharing FIVE new EASTER tiered tray ideas made using dollar store supplies. These are all easy... but fantastic!

1) Easter-themed wood bead garland - Wooden tags and wooden shapes from the dollar store can be used to embellish wood bead garlands... which always look fantastic on tiered trays. (The beads I strung on the garland came from Amazon, but the embellishments and twine came from Dollarama.)

2) Dollar store ornaments - I found this gnome and bunny at the dollar store... but the bunny was shiney. I painted it with a matte chalk paint, and now I love the way they look together.

3) Tin buckets filled with holiday items - I found these tiny buckets and filled them with bunny tails (pom poms) and dollare store carrots. These are perfect for a tiered tray... and there is no craftiness required.

4) Expresso mugs filled with goodies - These dollar store expresso mugs come in many colours and are perfect for tiered trays. I think this pale blue colour is perfect for Easter... and it's adorable filled with these colourful foil Easter eggs.

5) Dollar store dish filled with carrots and a cute sign - I love these dollar store carrots, and they are super cute in this blue dish (also from the dollar store). I added a chalkboard sign (meant for labeling plants), and I love the result!

Here's how my tiered tray turned out. Cute, right?

I love ALL these tiered tray items... and they are all inexpensive and easy to make.

For a closer look at all these ideas... take a look at this video.

What do you think of these tiered tray ideas? Which one is your favourite?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.