DIY Minion Costume... made using dollar store supplies

I love a good homemade costume, don't you? I especially love that the finished creations are unique and budget friendly. So, when my 10 year old said he wanted a minion costume that "looked like a mascot", I headed to the dollar store, and I got to work on my DIY Minion Costume (made from dollar store supplies).

I started with a dome-shaped candy bowl, and I used Mod Podge to attach yellow napkins. (Hint: I found the napkins thin and hard to work with, so I recommend using strips of yellow paper instead.)

Then, I cut a mouth out of a round laundry basket, covered it with yellow dish cloths (secured in place with duct tape), and attached a pop up hamper (with twine).

I cut two holes in the sides of a pop up hamper, and covered it in yellow dishcloths. Then, I used black duct tape, mason jar lids, and eyeballs printed on cardstock to make the Minion eyes.

Then, I used hot glue to attach pipe cleaner "hair" and duct tape to attached paper teeth.

Finally, I covered an old apron in blue duct tape to make the overalls. Cute, right?

My son was super-impressed with his costume, and I thought he looked super-cute. There really is nothing better than a DIY Halloween costume.

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

         Find MORE ideas for easy and inexpensive Halloween fun here.

The BEST Homemade Frozen Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Is there anything better than warm cookies right of the oven? My boys are obsessed with my homemade chocolate chip cookies, but it's not always convenient to serve them straight from the oven. That's why I love having frozen balls of chocolate chip cookie dough "ready to go" in the freezer. If you haven't tried this little trick, you are missing out!

I start by mixing up my favourite chocolate chip cookie dough recipe. You can find the full recipe here.

I use a cookie scoop to place balls of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet covered with a sheet of parchment paper. Then, I cover the cookie balls with a piece of plastic wrap, and place them in the freezer until frozen... about 4 hours or overnight. 

You can find the inexpensive cookie scoop I use here. (affiliate link)

When the cookie balls are completely frozen, they can be placed in a freezer bag until you are ready to bake them. (Cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months if it is wrapped well.)

When you are ready to bake the cookies, just place the frozen cookie balls on a cookie sheet, and bake like you normally would... adding a couple of minutes to the cooking time. They are soooo delicious!

I love this process for making chocolate chip cookies, but you could use it with other recipes too. 

It's so wonderful having cookie dough in the freezer "ready to go". It's perfect for surprise visitors, after school treats, and school lunches.

Give it a try. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like this recipe for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

DIY Thanksgiving Decor for Kids and Adults

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends. If you are hosting dinner this year, why not get the whole family involved in creating fun and inventing decor? Today, I'm sharing the best ideas for EASY and INEXPENSIVE DIY Thanksgiving decor.

How cute is this turkey wine bottle? Use a glue gun to attach a couple of dollar store leaves to the back. Then, use more hot glue to attach two googly eyes, a red felt wattle, and a yellow felt beak. It doesn't get much easier, and your guests will love seeing this whimsical bottle of wine on the table!

The wine is great for grown ups, but there should be something on the table for younger guests too. How about a fun turkey candy dish? The kids can help by tracing and cutting out their handprints from coloured card stock. Then, arrange the hands together, secure with tape, and use hot glue to attach the "feathers" to the back of a glass dish from the dollar store. Finish by using hot glue to attach googly eyes, a red felt wattle, and a yellow felt beak. You can fill the dish with any type of candy, but I love the colours of these Reese's Pieces.

Paper crafts are great for kids too. They add to the festive decor... and they keep the kids busy while you are making dinner. You can find the full step by step instructions for this stained glass paper turkey here. 

Kids can also use 1 inch squares of tissue paper (in fall colours) to make this paper plate Thanksgiving wreath. You can find the step by step instructions for this simple wreath here. 

And, of course, adults can make a wonderful wreath for the front door too. Don't you just love this cozy argyle fall wreath? If you can use a scissors and a glue gun, you can make this wonderful piece of Thanksgiving Day decor. Find the full step by step instructions for this Thanksgiving wreath here.

And I love this FREE Thanksgiving print. Download it here, and pop it in a dollar store frame. Cute, right?

Crafting a few unique pieces makes Thanksgiving a little extra special, don't you think?

How are you decorating for Thanksgiving this year? Are you making any fun crafts? I love the personal touch added by handmade items, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the adorable Thanksgiving party favours (and free printable tags here.

DIY Argyle Fall Wreath

I love an inexpensive Fall craft, don't you? And it's even better if you end up with a gorgeous piece of Fall decor. Today, I am sharing the instructions for this simple (and cozy) DIY argyle Fall wreath. You are going to want to make this one!

To make this wreath, you'll need some felt in Fall colours. I used a maple leaf cookie cutter to trace out Fall leaves in red, orange, and yellow.

Then, you need to wrap a wreath form in white yarn (securing periodically with hot glue).

Attach the leaves to the wreath with a bit of hot blue, and then wrap twine around the wreath to create an argyle pattern.

Finish by adding a piece of ribbon for hanging.

Cute, right?!? I love how this cozy wreath looks hanging on my black door.

It doesn't take a huge investment to transform your porch from summer to Fall. You just need a few inexpensive supplies and a little imagination.

Happy Fall!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Popsicle Stick Pumpkin Frame

Fall is the perfect time for crafting with kids. What is cuter than scarecrows and pumpkins? Today, I'm sharing a simple craft children (and their parents) will love... a popsicle stick pumpkin frame.

To make this adorable frame:

1) Paint 4 craft sticks with orange craft paint.
2) Glue the popsicles into a frame.
3) Cut a stem from brown paper and glue to the top of the pumpkin.
4) Glue a piece of curling ribbon to the bottom of the stem.

This little frame is perfect for a picture taken in a pumpkin patch. It would be adorable for a Halloween snapshot too!

I put magnets on the back of mine to attach it to the fridge, but you could hang it from a ribbon too. Cute, right?!?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Custom DIY Fall Decor... for less than $10

I love decorating my porch for summer, but when the temperatures start to drop, I feel the need for a little seasonal update. I know my Fall decor will quickly be replaced by Halloween (and then Christmas) decorations, so I like to keep my updates easy and inexpensive. Today, I am sharing a piece of custom DIY Fall decor that I made for just $7! 

I started with a $4 frame from the dollar store, a piece of fall-themed scrapbook paper, some craft paint and a bit of scrap ribbon.

I painted the monogram red and set it aside to dry.

Then, I cut the scrapbook paper to fit my frame and inserted it behind the glass.

When the letter was completely dry, I used hot blue to attach it to the middle of the frame.

To finish, I used hot glue to attach brown ribbon (for hanging) to the frame .

Pretty cute for $7, right?!? Here's the cost breakdown for the monogram:

Dollar store frame: $4
Scrapbook paper: $1
Pressed wood letter: $2
Craft paint... had on hand
Ribbon... had on hand

I love this adorable piece of decor, and it was an super-easy DIY. How do you update your decor for Fall? I'm always looking for new inspiration!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like this DIY wreath for Fall.

First Day of School Traditions... 2020 edition

The first day of school is an important milestone, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with kids. We keep our back to school traditions simple, but I love them. Today, I am sharing our favorite first day of school traditions... and a few back to school photos of my handsome boys! 😀

We always start our day with a pancake breakfast... with pancakes in the shapes of the boys' new grades. As you can see, they aren't fancy, but my boys find them fun!

Then, we continue our "first day of school photo" tradition. The boys hold an 8x10 picture from the first day of school the previous year. It's so wonderful to watch how much they change from year to year. This year I had the boys take one photo wearing a mask... as a tribute to our new "covid" lifestyle.

Here are a couple photos of my oldest son...

Here's my middle son...

And here is my "baby"...

I also made them take a couple of pictures together. I'm so grateful that they humour me.

And, of course, we ended the day with a "welcome home" treat.

We have had the same "first day of school traditions" for over 10 years. I have always believed that traditions and rituals are the cornerstones of childhood memories, and I really hope I am creating sweet memories for my boys.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)