Easy, inexpensive and fun DIY Pirate Party... with FREE downloads for you to use

Today I am sharing a super-fun DIY pirate party that you are going to love! I'm including ideas for: pirate party invites, pirate party decor, pirate party activities, pirate party, pirate cakes, and pirate party favors. I also have FREE downloads for you to use.

Here's a video I made to show you all the elements of the party.

And here are the free downloads mentioned in the video. 

To download the tags, signs, and map I designed (for free): click on one of the photos below, right-click, save it, and print it like a regular photo. The tags are 4x6s photos, and the signs and map are 8x10s.

I hope you incorporate some of these ideas into your own party. Have fun!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find the step-by-step instructions for the Pirate cake in the video here.)

FREE simple & serene BATHROOM ARTWORK... that looks great in DOLLAR STORE frames

I recently updated my ensuite bathroom, and I couldn't find any artwork I liked. I was looking for a simple, serene, minimalist look. As always, when I can't find what I'm looking for, I try to DIY something that works. Check out my budget-friendly solutions below... and download my prints for FREE.

I designed three pictures, popped them in frames I purchased at Dollarama, and hung them on the wall. I wanted something that looked good (and balanced) when the door was open AND when the door was closed. Here's what it looks like when the door is open.

And here's what it looks like when the door is closed.

Want to download the pictures I designed for FREE?

Click on the photo that you like below. Then: right-click, save it, and print it like a regular photo. I sent my pictures to Staples to be printed on cardstock, and I was really happy with the quality.

Here's the 12" X 16" inch print I designed:

And here are the 8 x 10s I designed. You'll see there are a few extra, as I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted until I saw them in the space.

To download the free bathroom artwork: click on the photo you want, right-click, save it, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Which prints are your favourite? I hope you find something you can use in your bathroom. Enjoy!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

First Day of School 2024

This school year, our family is experiencing a lot of firsts and lasts. 

• First time not taking a "first day of school" photo of my oldest son. (He's going into his second year of university, so I gave him a pass. It was a good run! lol) 
• First day of grade 10 for my youngest son.
• First day of grade 12 for my middle son... and his last "first day" of school ever. (Cue the tears!)

The older my boys get, the more I treasure our photos and traditions. Here are few snapshots from this morning.

Have a great school everyone!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Moist and Delicious BLUEBERRY LEMON LOAF

I'm usually a "chocolate" girl when it comes to dessert, but I'm also a sucker for the combination of blueberries and lemon. Recently, I made this loaf, and my husband said that it was the best thing I've ever baked. Pretty high praise! Give the recipe a try and let me know wheat you think.

Ingredients for loaf:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp real vanilla
• zest of one lemon (approx. 2 tsp)
• juice from one lemon (approx. 2 Tbsp)
• 1/2 cup cream (you can use milk instead, but I like the richness of the cream)
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (cleaned and mixed with 1 Tbsp flour)

Ingredients for lemon glaze:

• 2 Tbsp melted butter
• 1/2 - 3/4 cups powered sugar
• juice from one lemon (approx. 2 Tbsp)
• 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla

Directions:

1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. (You can use butter to grease the pan, but the parchment paper makes it a lot easier to get it out of the pan in one piece.)
2. Whisk the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking powder) together.
3. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Once it is combined, start adding the cream and flour mixture -- alternating and adding a bit at a time. Don't overmix. You just want to incorporate all the ingredients.
4. Gently fold in the flour coated blueberries.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 55-65 minutes. Check readiness by inserting a toothpick into the centre of the loaf. It's done when it comes out clean.
6. Cool bread in the pan for about 30 minutes, and move to a wire cooling set on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. (The baking tray and parchment will catch the glaze that drips of the loaf and make clean up easier.)
7. Prepare glaze by whisking ingredients together. Add 1/2 cup powered sugar, and add more until desired consistency is achieved. 
8. Poor glaze over the loaf, allow to set, and enjoy!

This loaf is absolutely delicious! Give it a try and let me know what you think.

You may also be interested in trying this yummy cookie recipe:

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10+ NEW Dollarama DIYs with cheap blanks! / Cricut beginner vinyl decal projects

If you like creating DIY gifts and DIY home decor (on a budget), you are going to love the dollar store finds and Cricut blanks I'm sharing today. Take a look at the video I made, browse the pictures below, and let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy!

What did you think of the video? Here are a few more pictures of my favourite projects...

Did you have a favorite find or project? I'd love to know which things you liked the most!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple DIYs for FALL and BACK TO SCHOOL

Last week, I popped into the dollar store to check out the new Fall items. I grabbed some great things... and I was inspired to do a couple of DIYs. Scroll to the bottom of this post to watch the video I made. It's a good one!

I'm obsessed with the double sided rolling pin. I can use it for Fall AND Halloween!

And you won't believe how easy it is to customize gift bags for the first day of school!

Check out al the fun here:

Have you found any good and inexpensive Fall items lately? Are you planning any Fall DIYs? I'd love to hear about them. :-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Olympics... free colouring pages and MORE!

The 2024 Summer Olympics are fast approaching, and it got me thinking about how much fun my boys and I had celebrating the games when they were younger. I thought it would be fun to revisit some of the crafts we did together. I'm also sharing some all new FREE printable colouring sheets.

To download the free colouring pages I designed: click on the picture of the colouring page you want to print, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo. 

In addition to the colouring pages, you can:

Bake an Olympic cake.

Make an Olympic flag.

Make Olympic medals.

Make an Olympic torch.

Which Olympic event are you most looking forward to watching? I hope you have some little ones to celebrate with, and you enjoy these free Olympic colouring pages and crafts.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)