SIMPLE Easter DIYs you are going to want to make this year (including craft VIDEOS)

Who doesn't love a simple Easter DIY that is adorable and uses inexpensive supplies? So... I've gathered up a few of my favourites below! Each one has easy to follow step by step written instructions AND a short instructional video. Check them out, and let me know which one is your favourite.

1) Sock bunnies - These sock bunnies are easy to make using dollar store socks and other craft supplies. Once you start making them, you'll want to make a whole herd. Check out the written instructions here, or watch the video below.

2) Candy Easter basket - What's better than an Easter basket full of candy? What about an Easter basket MADE of candy? Find the written instructions here, or watch the video below.

3) Mason jar crafts - These dollar store jars are easily transformed into fantastic Easter DIYs. Check out these four fantastic ideas here, or watch the video below.

4) Easter prize punch - This prize punch uses a piece of foam core from the dollar store, plastic glasses, and tissue paper. It's easy to make and lots of fun! Find the written instructions here, or watch the video below.

5) Easter chick decor - These are literally the easiet Easter decor DIYs! If you can glue chicks to a branch, you can make this wall hanging AND this wreath. Check out the written instructions for the wall hanging here, and the video tutorial below.

6) Bunny butt garden - This bunny butt garden is adorable and made using easy to find dollar store supplies. Find the written instructions here, or watch the video below.

7) Yarn wrapped bunny wreath - This is one of my favourite Easter DIYs ever! It was easy to make and I think it's super-cute. Check out the step by step instructions here, or watch the video below.

8) FREE Easter Print... and simple DIY display option - Is there anything more fun than getting something for free? I am loving the adorable watercolour picture I designed for you, AND I have a fun DIY display option that you are going to love. Find the written instructions (and download the free print) here, or watch the video below.

9) Easter pillows made from dollar store bags - I love a simple "no sew" HACK... and these pillows are the perfect simple project for Easter. Check out the written instructions here, or watch the video tutorial below.

Aren't these Easter DIYs adorable? Take a peek at some of the videos on YouTube, give them a "thumbs up", and subscribe to my channel to be notified when I post something new. I have some more great Easter videos planned, and I don't want you to miss out on the fun.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE fun Easter ideas here.

DIY Boho Wreath for Valentine's Day

How cute is this DIY boho wreath? I love the contrast of texture between the metal frame and the soft yarn, don't you? This adorable wreath was easy and inexpensive to make, and it's perfect for Valentine's Day! Check out the simple step-by-step instructions (and easy to follow video) below.

You'll need a metal ring, scissors, something to wrap yarn around, and yarn in Valentine's Day colours. I chose pink, white, and grey.

Then:

1) Wrap the yarn around an 18" piece of cardboard or foam core about 15 times... and cut the strands at one end.

2) Loop the strands around the ring.

3) Add as many strands you like... in whatever colours you prefer.

4) Using the same colours of yarn, make 5 pom poms. If you have never made pom poms before, you can watch the video below. (It's really easy!)

5) Tie the pom poms to the ring and secure on the back with hot glue.

6) Use sharp scissors to trim the bottom of the yarn strands. You can cut it straight across, or you can make a "v" shape like I did.

That's it! Isn't this a sweet little wreath?

For more info... check out my YouTube insructional video here.

If you are looking for a simple Valentine's Day craft, you should totally try this simple wreath. It's fun to make... and super-cute!

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

10 BEST Dollar Store Finds… including some great items for Easter

I'm back with another TOP TEN dollar store finds, DIYs, tips and tricks. This week, I have some fantastic products to share... and wonderful ideas for using the items in your home. Take a look, and let me know what you think.

1) Bunny ears - These grey bunny ears are cute "as is", but I also think they'd make an adorable wreath. I'm planning to wrap a dollar store wreath form in "loop it yarn" (that I also found at the dollar store. Then, I'll add the ears to make an adorable bunny wreath.

2) Paper towel holder - I love this black metal paper towel holder... but I plan on using it for toilet paper. It fits three rolls, and tucks in behind my toilet... where the toilet paper is accessible... but out of the way. Clever, right?!?

3) Easter candy - It's best to stock up on supplies while the selection is good, and I love these inexpensive chocolate bunnies. The jelly beans are high quality and delicious too. I plan on displaying my jelly beans in a glass jar from Dollarama. I'll add the words "Jelly Beans" with my Cricut and display it on my tiered tray for Easter.

4) Porcelain plates - These plates are high quality and super cheap. They are a great find, and sure to go quickly... so if you see them, grab a couple boxes.

5) Burlap bunny bags - These bunny bags are adorable and great quality. They are cute as they are, but I plan on turning them into a couple of Easter pillows. I'll stuff them and seal them with hot glue. Easy peasy!

6) Dip dye tote - Isn't this a gorgeous bag for a couple of dollars? It would be great for hanging and storing produce, and it would be perfect for a shopping bag too. It's super-trendy and looks very boho chic.

7) Easter tablecloth - The dollar store always has a variety of adorable flannel backed tableclothes for holidays. They are inexpensive, and I love this simple design for Easter.

8) Easter basket and matching eggs - This bunny basket is one of the many cute Easter baskets for sale at the dollar store. It would be easy to personalize with a Cricut too.

9) Craft supplies - The dollar store has a large number of fantastic crafting supplies, but one of my favourites right now is this wooden canvas. The backside can be painted to look like a frame, and the inside can be decorated any way you want. 

10) Easter carrots - The dollar store has two different types of carrots and they are both perfect for Easter crafting. This year I have a few fun things planned for them, but last year I made two different pictures. You can check them out below, and click on the links to download your copies for FREE.

Download the "Carrots 4 Sale" picture here.

And you can download the "Hoppy Easter" sign here.

For a closer look at my BEST dollar store finds, check out my YouTube video below.

I hope I've given you some dollar store inspiration. Which one of my 10 finds is your favourite?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the Easter ideas here.

Personal Size Cookie Tart -- an easy and inexpensive Valentine's Day treat

I love a special homemade treat, and this adorable personal size chocolate chip cookie tart is cute and delicious. I paired my favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe with some inexpensive dollar store dishes, and I'm sharing the recipe below.

Here's the recipe:

1)  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2)  In a medium bowl, whisk together the following dry ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

3)  In a separate bowl, use electric beaters to combine the following:

• 1 cup butter (at room temperature... NOT melted)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar

4)  Add 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons real vanilla extract to the butter/sugar mixture.  Beat with electric beaters until well combined.

5)  Using a wooden spoon, mix wet and dry ingredients together (just until combined).  Then, add 2 cups of chocolate chips.  (I like semi-sweet, but you can use whatever you like.)

6)  Place 4 tablespoon size balls into an oven safe heart-shaped dish and flatten the balls into the dish. (I found my dishes at my local dollar store (Dollarama). Bake for approx 12-15 minutes. When they are done, they will be slightly brown around the edges and still soft in the middle. Don't overbake.

The remainder of the dough can be made into regular chocolate chip cookies. Drop tablespoon-size balls (using a cookie scoop for best results) onto a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet, and bake for approx. 8-10 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

I made these tarts for my boys, and they were a huge hit. 

These tarts are served plain, but they'd be delicious topped with a scoop of ice cream too.

The tarts are good after they have cooled, but for the best taste, serve them warm. They'll be crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

This tart is based on my tried and true chocolate chip cookie recipe, so I hope you give it a try. This really is the perfect easy and inexpensive Valentine's Day treat.

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

10 NEW Dollar Store Finds, DIYs, Tips & Tricks

I love creating a cozy home on a budget, and the dollar store really helps me to reach my budget-friendly goals. I like to shop at my local store frequently in order to find the best products, and today, I'm sharing 10 NEW dollar store finds, DIYs, Tips & Tricks. 

Here are my latest favourite finds from my local Dollarama:

1) Dollar store bins - Dollar store bins are inexpensive and great for organizing your home. I found this large plastic one recently, and I love how big it is. I love to use these bins in my craft room and in my closet. Such a great value!

2) Spice drawer organizers - The dollar store has several simple organizers, and this week I found these awesome spice racks. They are going to work really well in my spice drawer.

3) Simple toilet paper holder - I've been trying to make some space under my sink, and I found this to be a great storage solution. A couple of rolls of toilet paper fit on a dollar store paper towel holder. Then, the small stack can be stucked in behind the toilet -- out of the way until it's needed.

4) Inexpensive groceries - The grocery aisle at the dollar store is a fantastic place to find wonderful products at great prices. For example, this granola is a favourite in my house... and it's only $2.50 at Dollarama... much cheaper than the grocery store.

5) Signs - If you like inexpensive home decor, the dollar store always has tons of wonderful options. Many are fine "as is", but I also love DIYing to turn them into something even better. 

I recently found these two signs (below), and I love them both. I upgraded the hanger on the Easter sign and added some details to the bunny with a sharpie. I'm also planning to get "crafty" with the large "home" sign. It's a great size, and I can't wait to get creative with dollar store paint and my Cricut.

6) Yarn - Yarn can be expensive, so it's always wonderful to find it at the dollar store. This week, I found this wonderful "loop it" yarn that is perfect for crafting. I love it for making wreaths, and I think this grey will make a fantastic "winter themed" wreath.

7) Cute carrots - These carrots (which are currently available at Dollarama) are perfect for Spring and Easter crafts. Last year, I used them to make a "bunny butt garden", and this year I'm planning to use them to make a garland, and to craft items for my tiered tray. They always sell out quickly, so if you see them, grab them. 😀

8) Cute cloche - I love these little cloches, but I don't love the cheap, plastic base they come with. So, on a recent trip to Dollarama, I decided to try to put the plastic top onto a candle stick base. I LOVE the way they look together!

I'm planning to paint the Dollarama candle stick holder white and fill the cloche with Easter decor... but the possibilities are endless. Cute, right?!?

9) Mason jar lids - Mason jars have endless uses, and these dollar store lids are a great addition. If you are storing items in jars in your pantry, they'll look extra cute with these inexpensive airtight and leakproof lids.

10) Craft supplies - The dollar store is always adding new craft supplies, and these wooden buttons are my latest favourite find. They are unfinished, so you can use them "as is", or you can paint them to match your craft project... and 100 buttons for $2.50 is a great price!

Looking for more great products and tips and tricks for using them? Check out the short video I made...

Do you have a favourite item on my list? Let me know in the comments.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.