Wayfair Planter made from Dollar Store Supplies... and I saved over $130!

As a DIYer (and a budget conscious mom), I always see things in stores and think "I could make that for a lot less". Do you do this too? So, recently when I saw a cute planter online, I challenged myself to make it using dollar store materials... and it turned out great! Check out how I made a high-end Wayfair planter using dollar store supplies.

This is the Wayfair version for $141.99...

And here is the one I made for $10 using dollar store supplies. Pretty great, eh?

Here's what you need for my version. (All these supplies came from the dollar store.) A package of stir sticks (4 for $2... but I only used half the sticks... so $1 worth), a dollar store tin planter ($4). a bird house with a tin roof ($4), and miscellaneous supplies you like already have on hand (like glue and paint and a bit of moss, if desired). I allowed $1 for miscellaneous... but even if you had to buy some paint and glue... this DIY version is a lot cheap than the store-bought one.

And here's how you make it:

1) Cut one of the stir sticks for the "Blooming" sign. (Mine was about 7 inches.) A small hand saw would be great, but I couldn't find mine, so I used an exacto knife, and I smoothed the edges with a nail file. Whatever works! lol

2) Use an x-Acto knife or small hand saw to cut out a notch (the width of the paint stick) in the base of the birdhouse.

3) Paint the birdhouse, the paint stick, and the piece you cut from the paint stick. (I used white chalk paint, but any paint would work.) You can also apply a sealant if you are going to be putting it outside, but mine is going under a covered porch, so I didn't bother.

4) Dry brush with a bit of grey paint if you want a more "aged" look.

5) Use a combination of hot glue and wood glue to attach the paint stick to the base of the bird house AND to attach the piece of the small stir stick the big stir stick.

6) Use a Cricut, a paint marker, or dollar store stickers to add the word "Blooming" to the small stir stick.

7) Use hot glue to attach the stir stick to the planter, and reinforce with duct tape.

8) I added some dollar store moss to the base of the bird house... but this is totally optional. The one at Wayfair was plain, but I thought a bit of moss added to the rustic look.

For a closer look, take a look at this video I made...

I plan to plant flowers in my new planter, but since it's still early in the season, I inserted some craft form and stuck in some artificial greenery. It looks super-cute on my covered porch.

What do you think? I know it is not exactly like the $141.99 planter I was inspired by, but I think it's a pretty good "copy" for only $10.

Let me know if you make one. I'd love to see your version!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more budget friendly DIY ideas here.

Simple Handmade Mother's Day Gift... with free downloadable print

There is nothing better than a handmade gift from a child on Mother's Day, and I've got a super-cute one for you today. Young kids will love it, but it's perfect for older kids too. I'm even sharing a FREE picture you can download. Check out all the details of the simple button frame for Mother's Day below.

I started with this dollar store frame I had leftover from Easter, but you can use any frame you have. For my frame, I got rid of the little balls inside the frame, and I used nail polish remove to get rid of the words on the glass.

Then, I printed the picture I designed, cut it to fit, and popped it in my frame.

You can put anything you want in the frame, but if you want to use the print I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Then, use hot glue to attach the buttons to the frame. (If little children are making this, use a good quality white glue, and leave lots of time to let it dry completely.)

Isn't it cute? I love the "Moms are like buttons... they hold everything together." saying, don't you?

This would be a fun project using a frame made of popsicle sticks too. Or you could use the print I designed to make a card or a magnet for the fridge. It's really up to you!

What mom wouldn't love this handmade frame? And, let's be honest... moms really do hold everything together! 😀

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more simple ways to celebrate Mother's Day here.

DIY Boho Yarn Wreath

I love inexpensive Spring decor, and I'm really loving the new "Boho" wreaths I am seeing all over Pinterest. I'm always looking for new, budget-friendly ways to add colour to my home this time of year, so making a DIY Boho Spring Wreath has been on my "to do" list for weeks. I finally got around to making one, and when you see how easy these wreaths are to make, you are going to immediately hop in your car to get the supplies you need. 😀

Start by getting the supplies you need: yarn in Spring colours, clear hair elastics, a wire wreath frame, and twine.

Then:

1) Wrap a wire wreath frame with twine (securing periodically with hot glue).

2) Wrap yarn around a piece of cardboard (the length that you want your hanging to be). My cardboard was 20 inches, and I wrapped it around 15 times.

3) Cut one end of the wrapped yarn and hang the strands over the wreath frame, securing with a clear elastic. (You can also tie a piece of yarn around the elastic to cover the elastic to make it stronger and hide the elastic.)

4) Trim the bottom of the yarn with sharp scissors.

Embellish the top of the frame with pom poms. (I tied mine on, and then secured with hot glue.)

Note: If you have never made pom pom befores, you can check out the video here.

That's it! I just love how it turned out. Don't you?

You can add extra elastics to create unique patterns too.

I love a good DIY piece of home decor, and I love that you can customize this Boho yarn wreath using whatever colour yarn you desire. What colours will you use to make your own unique piece of Spring decor?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the fun Spring wreath ideas here.

5 (high end) Dollar Store DIYs for Spring

I love adding seasonal decor to my home... and I really enjoy when I can get a high-end look inexpensively. Today, I am sharing FIVE fantastic Spring DIYs (using dollar store supplies) that you are going to love!

1) DIY Dollar Store Pictures - I designed this adorable print that works well as an 8x10 and a 5x7. You can download the print I designed (for free) here. Then, pop the print in a dollar store frame, and embellish it with whatever you like. It's THAT easy!!!

2) Dollar Store Decorated Tiered Tray - An inexpensive tiered tray can look expensive if you dress it up with carefully selected and handcrafted dollar store items.

On the bottom level, I placed a dollar store lavender plant (in a cement pot) and a little bottle that I found at the dollar store. I filled the bottle with dollar store buttons in Spring colours, and I added a lace embellishment to the bottle cap.

On the middle level, I used some beads that I had in my craft stash, and I added a succulent in a cement bought (that I found at the dollar store).

On the top level, I used a ball of greenery that I found in the floral section of the dollar store. Then, I added a birdhouse that I crafted. I painted a dollar store wooden birdhouse with blue paint, and I covered the roof with wood grain contact paper (which also came from the dollar store).

3) Dollar Store Candy Display - A candy tray adds a bit of whimsey and fun to Spring decor... and it's easy and inexpensive to make. Start by placing a piece of scrapbook paper in a dollar store frame. Then add some candy to dollar store jars. I also added a bottle covered in twine filled with pom pom flowers. It's simple, but it's a lot of fun!

4) Dollar Store Umbrella Wreath - This piece of decor takes less than 5 minutes to put together, and it's the perfect wreath to hang on your front door for Spring. Fill a child's umbrella with dollar store flowers, tie with a ribbon, and it's ready to hang.

5) Dollar Store Spring Flower Display - Spring is synomous with "new blooms", so this dollar store flower arrangement is fantastic. Start with a dollar store tin container, insert a piece of floral foam, cover the foam with dollar store moss, and insert dollar store flowers. Cute, right?!?

This DIY planter (made using dollar store supplies) is fun too. I made it for LESS than $10, and you can get the easy "how to" here.

For another look at these projects (and a bit more explanation), check out the video I made for you (below).

Which of these dollar store DIYs for Spring is your favourite? I love them all... but the candy tray is definitely my boys' favourite!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the simple DIY Spring wreaths I show you how to make here.

DIY Farmhouse Pictures for Spring... with free printable templates

I love adding seasonal decor to my home, but I don't like to spend a lot of money. So, DIYing simple items is one of my favourite things to do. I can create unique, fun, and trendy items... on a budget. Today, I'm sharing two super-easy DIY Farmhouse pictures for Spring I made using a free printable template I designed and some dollar store supplies.

I started with two wooden frames from the dollar store... one 8x10 and one 5x7. Then, I printed the pictures I designed in the corresponding sizes.

To download the 5X7 version of the "Hello Spring" sign I designed: click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

To download the 8x10 version of the "Hello Spring" sign I designed: click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

Then, once the pictures are framed, you can add embellishments. For my 8x10, I strung 5 pom poms onto three strings of yarn, and attached the garland to the top of the picture. Isn't it sweet?

Note: I used hot glue to attach the garland to the frame.

For my second picture, I cut some petals from pink felt, and I used hot glue to turn the petals into a flower. Then, I attached the flower (with hot glue) to the corner of the frame. I love the simplicity of this one, don't you?

I love both of these pictures so much. They are different colours and styles, but both are pretty and fun. Which one is your favourite?

Feel free to use your imagination and come up with your own design. Dollar store artificial flowers would work too. The template is pretty generic, so the possibilities are endless. Have fun with it!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the simple DIY Spring wreaths I show you how to make here.

Simple DIY Candy Easter Basket

What is more fun than an Easter basket full of candy... an Easter basket MADE of candy (of course). This simple DIY uses dollar store supplies, and it is easy to make. This candy Easter basket is the perfect Easter treat for kids and adults. Keep reading for the step by step instructions... including and easy to follow video.

You'll need:

• 4 boxes of candy
• a pipe cleaner
• a box of Froot Loops
• glue gun
• Easter grass (optional)

Start by gluing the ends of the boxes with hot glue and forming the boxes into a square. Make sure the labels are facing out.

Flip the boxes upside down, and hot glue a piece of the cereal box to create a bottom for the box.

Then, make a handle by stringing Froot Loops onto a pipe cleaner. 

Use hot glue to secure the handle to the candy boxes.

Finish by filling the box with Easter grass and treats. Cute, right?!?

Check out this video for step by step instructions.

Isn't this an adorable way to share Easter treats? It's the perfect easy and inexpensive Easter DIY. Who will you share yours with?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.