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)

Super Cute PAPER PUPPET Crafts For Kids

Paper puppets are fun to make... and even more fun to play with. I love imaginative play, don't you? Today, I'm sharing SIX paper puppets you are definitely going to want to make with your child or class.

*** Note: For best results, use cardstock for all of the super-cute paper puppet templates.

1) MONKEY Paper Bag Puppet - This paper bag puppet is super-cute and easy to make. You can draw your own monkey, or you can download the template here.

2) BEAVER Paper Bag Puppet - This craft is perfect for kids interested in animals, lessons on winter animals, and Canada Day celebrations. You can draw the components or you can download the template here.

3) Paper Doll SCARECROW Puppet - This scarecrow is adorable... and you can change its clothes! You can download the printable template here.

4) Circus Paper Puppets (ELEPHANT and CLOWN) - These two puppets are so cute for a "circus" themed crafting session. You can draw them on cardstock, or you can download the template I designed here.

5) Teddy BEAR Paper Bag Puppet - This is one of my favourite puppet crafts to make with kids. It's perfect for a Teddy Bear Picnic theme (which is always fun!) You can draw the teddy bear parts, or you can download the template here.

6) SCARECROW Paper Bag Puppet - This is such a fun craft for FALL. You can draw the details on a piece of cardstock, cut them out, and glue them onto a paper bag... OR you can download the template here.

I hope you love these paper puppets as much as I do. Let me know (in the comments), which one is your favourite?

💗

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)