Summer Camp Hacks & Tips

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May 24, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media, Summer Leave a Comment

Ready for warmer weather? Adventures? We have the ultimate list of Sleepaway Summer Camp Hacks, Tips, and Ideas for Kids. From free printables, summer camp packing lists, what your cabin really needs, and more. This list of summer camp ideas will have you all set to go for your outdoor summer vacation adventure away from home.

Summer Camp Hacks & Tips

Our family took a crash course in all things Summer Camp last year. My girls went to a two week summer camp. One of my girls had never even had a successful overnight out of the home without a family member. So with my anxiety of her departure, I began the process of doing everything I could to prepare her (them) for summer sleepaway camp making them feel comfortable and with both needs and wants from home.

Camping as a family or with the girls? Take a look at our Girls Clamping Ideas as well as our Camping Hacks and Tips. Also make sure you and your little girls watch American Girl Story Summer Camp (for free with Amazon Prime) before you go!

Summer Camp Packing Tips

When packing for summer camp, take a look at these tips and packing hacks.

First, you need a camp trunk. Not a suitcase. I learned this late. Our first mommy/daughter camp we went to, we brought a suitcase and it was quite a challenge to get through the mountains.

We learned our lesson on that first trip. Having a trunk to open and close every day was much more efficient for our girls. Camp Trunks are so affordable on Amazon.

This is the summer camp trunk that we got. The price was great, maybe I wish we had gotten one larger, but we are not changing because it is very personalized now with travel stickers.

I thought I did amazing things with my trunk, but woah, Ashley has done something even greater. Look at this frugal-friendly, customized summer camp trunk tutorial. | Lil Blue Boo

Summer Camp Packing List

We have a freebie for you. Download and print this kids Summer Camp Packing list by being a member of our email list. This is primarily for sleep away summer camp but you can, of course, leave off the things not needed for overnights (like sleeping bags) if you are going to to a day summer camp.

To get all of our free printables including this Summer Camp Packing List, subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download any of our free printables. Don’t forget necessities like a reading light, laundry bag, spending money, bug spray, a rain jacket, flip flops and more.

Free Summer Camp Packing List Printable

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

Camp Hair Don’t Care! Keeping your hair in check is quite hard when showering in the mountains. We made sure to pack hats, a lot of hair ties (for getting lost sharing a big cabin) and bandanas. Don’t forget to pick up the Camp Hair Don’t Care tees!

Every VSCO girl and summer camper needs a metal Hydro Flask water bottle to refill with their name in Sharpie underneath. Camp VSCO stickers allows kids to personalize their canteen.

For your camp water bottle, grab small stickers during your travels and add them on or grab camp Hydro Flask stickers from Amazon. Cute options! You can add these stickers to personalize your camp trunk too. | Source

Use your water bottle has a base for friendship bracelet making. Make sure to pack Embroidery Floss for yourself and a lot extra for friends. It will be very popular! | Source

There is a lot of down time! For a fun and memorable camp experience, have your child bring some printables during their free time. We love these printable Mad Libs from Woo Jr. You could also grab this summer camp Mad Libs book.

Remember that free time we spoke about. Have a book (or two for those who love to read.) My daughter worked on the Camp Confidential series while she was away at camp.

Tip: Curious about the book rating or what other thing, visit Common Sense Media to search book titles.

Most of the time, when it is lights out, it is lights out. However, having a battery operated book light can be good for girls who want to read later into the evening before the official “bedtime hour.”

We also suggest bringing battery operated string lights – such a cute touch to a bunk and cabin.

Make sure you have a battery operated fan. The evenings can be extremely hot (or extreme cold – pack a sweat shirt) and plugs are hard to come by. A battery operated fan should give you enough life to get through your summer camp stay. If staying for a prolonged time, make sure to pack extra batteries. | Camp Greystone

It is inevitable kids get home sick. Sleep away summer camp is sure to busy them and exhaust them so they fall straight asleep but having little photos from home will remind them of their loved ones.

Allow your kids to bring some things to personalize their space including photos, lovies, or little mementos. Washi tape will help them hang their prints. | Camp Greystone

For our two-week summer camp, the parents have the ability to email, letters are printed out and delivered to the kids. However, the children do not have access to email so snail mail it is. Make sure to pack your child summer camp stationary. Do not forget the stamps and an extra pen or two.

This is the stationary set that we ordered. It came with an address book for collecting addresses for friends. It comes in two styles.

Camp Letter Printable

We also have a free printable letter from camp! This one comes in a cute newspaper design and guides your kids with things to write – things you would likely ask them and want to hear about!

Get all of our free printables including this Summer Camp Letter Template. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download any of our free printables.

Free Summer Camp Letter Printable

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

Our camp uploads photos of the kids to albums. Each day parents can visit to see what the kids are doing. I save those photos and then turn them into a fun little postcard that I get mailed from Postable. This let’s them see the fun things they have done and gives them something to hang on their bunk.

If you want to ship a postcard form Postable, sign up today. You can $5 off any order of $20. Use promo code MRK8UR86JF at checkout.

How to Make a Postcard for Summer Camp

Below is a tutorial of how to make a postcard for summer camp using Postable and PicMonkey.

Sign up for Postable
Sign up for Picmonkey.
Using Picmonkey, create a collage of photos (I chose to do something with the size ratio of 5×7.)
Save your collage.
On Postable, go to “upload your own” on the top menu of the website.
I chose size flat vertical 5×7 (you could also do horizontal layout or a folded card.)
Upload your saved Picmonkey collage.
Write your message
Address your card.
Checkout. You can $5 off any order of $20. Use promo code MRK8UR86JF at checkout.

My kids are at summer camp for two weeks, so I get these postcards made early in their stay so that they get it in time before leaving. Postable also has options (like the hiking card above) if you wish not to make your own photo collage online.

Label it all! Label all clothing, all accessories, all shoes, etc. Even label your kids underwear. We pick up a pack of Mabel’s Labels Camp Labels.

Looking inside of a trunk can be very overwhelming. Organize clothes by day of the week or type/style using Ziploc Gallon Bags or Packing Cubes (my choice!) | Kelly Elko

The KAVU Rope Bag camping backpack is great and very popular for summer camping. It can be pricey so I monitored it during the off season and gifted it to my girls for a spring holiday.

There are so many patterns on Amazon. I went through all the patterns and looked for those that were most discounted. I added those to my cart and then selected my favorite at the end. If you want something more frugal-friendly, Ambry makes a similar discounted Rope Sling Bag.

It’s always cute to send little items from home, like a little gift each day. Hit up the Dollar Tree and wrap really small items. We also came up with this Summer Camp Candy Notes (though many places will not allow you to send in candy anymore.)

Speaking of backpacks Grab a white pillow case, white t-shirt or white backpack (like we did) and download this Straight Out of Camp Iron On. Perfect for friends to sign at the end of the week!

Eliminate boredom with these Summertime Boredom Buster Activities. Pin to Pinterest.

Also save this Visual Summer Bucket List for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Get inspired this Spring with Dollar Store Easter Decor.

Also access our Free Frugal Coupon Living Printables to help you find joy through embracing the chaos of motherhood more easily!

Stay in the know with daily deals, recipes, crafts, life hacks and seasonal content on Frugal Coupon Living. Receive this and more in your inbox.

Plastic Easter Egg Lightning Bugs Craft

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May 23, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media 1 Comment

Recycle and upcycled your supplies with this Plastic Easter Egg Lightning Bugs Craft. Using a flameless tea light, create a DIY firefly that really lights up. This Summer craft idea for kids is perfect for small hands and makes a cute handmade night light for their bedside.

Plastic Easter Egg Lightning Bugs Craft

Anyone else STILL picking up plastic Easter Eggs off the floor. If I do not get the kids March Easter basket put away within the first 24 hours, these little suckers end up all over the house.

This year, we twisted it up. We actually kept our plastic eggs. By kept I mean “not put away” (insert finger quotation marks) in the Easter boxes. One child sprinkled a few mismatched in the toddlers room. Another child tossed a few in the toy box. Someone one hid some behind the bathroom toilet. The sprinkling, the tossing, the hiding was not agreed upon by me. Once my little monsters managed to fill the house with broken Easter Eggs, I reached my breaking point… in May.

Plastic Easter Egg Crafts

We moved this year and there have been new excitements watching this house go through different seasons. Bulbs have sprung out of the ground, the creek has risen and lowered, but one very exciting event has been the lightning bugs that have emerged in the evenings.

My husband’s and my bedroom is on the third floor. We are high up into the trees with green leaves in the tree tops right outside our window. The other night falling asleep my husband asked if I “saw that?” Don’t you love when someone says “that” over did you “see those lighting bugs in the tree?” I looked out the window and sure enough, the lighting buts were dancing outside our window. So beautiful and magical. I wanted to wake the kids, but as an outnumbered mother of five, I knew better.

I had been researching Plastic Easter Egg Crafts and decided I had a solution for our family. Upcycled Easter Egg Fireflies.

Why Do a Lighting Bugs Light Up?

Before we began our project, we addressed a few questions about lightning bugs like why does a lightning bug light up?

Fireflies, sometimes called lightning bugs, are a unique insect. They light up and this is seen clearly in the evening sky. did you know, according to National Geographic, this was a mystery for 60 years. In 2015, scientist discovered that the light of a lightning bug is from a chemical reaction caused by an organic compound in their abdomen.

This compound is luciferin. When air transfers to the inside of a lightning bugs’ belly, it reactions with the lucierfin causing a chemical reaction that gives up a fiery glow. The firefly can control the amount of airflow to their abdomen creating a pulsating pattern or flicker of light.

You can extend your lesson on insects with our Bug Booklet Insect Journal.

Lightning Bugs Crafts Materials

Multiply these crafts as needed. The supplies below create two fireflies Easter Eggs.

Supplies:

Savings tip: Upcycle old plastic Eater Eggs or look for Easter Eggs on clearance at craft stores. Michael’s Craft Stores offers shipping, same day delivery or curbside pick-up.

How to Make a Firefly

It is very easy and safe for small hands to help you make a firefly Easter Egg. Careful with the hot glue gun as that should be parent lead and can burn your skin. This summer craft for kids idea will be something they can keep beside their bed.

Instructions:

First, gather your supplies. Plugin your hot glue gun to warm.

You will begin by opening your plastic egg. Each side will be slightly different. One more rounded, one with a more pronounced point.

Take your rounded Easter egg halves and use a permanent marker to make a mouth. We made a small smile on one and a half smile on the other.

After you create your smiles, cutting two of your pipe cleaners into thirds for a total of six pieces.

Twist three pipe cleaners thirds together and bend to shape the legs. Repeat for the second set of legs. Put aside.

Once your glue gun is warm, hot glue 2 wiggly eyes onto each rounded egg face. Let dry.

While your eyes are drying, cut your antennas. Take your last pipe cleaner and cut it in half. These will serve as your two sets of antenna.

Take one set and fold it in half to form a V Shape. Curl your ends slightly to shape. Repeat for the second set. Set aside.

Take your pointy Easter egg half and insert your tea lights into both eggs. Turn on your tea lights.

Add the antenna in the egg and then and tightly close the plastic eggs halves together.

Glue on your pipe cleaner legs and let dry.

Take a 2 inch piece of Duct tape and fold it in leaving 1/4 inch uncovered so you can stick it to the edge of your bug.

Use scissors and round your folded Duct tape into wings. Repeat for the second bug.

Finally, stick on your duct tape wings.

To watch your firefly glow, simply crack open your egg and turn on your LED tealight. But make sure to seal it back up tightly! You can turn it on and off as needed.

We placed ours by our kids nightstand. A cute little nightlight but have backup lights because they can burn quickly if you get a cheaper set.

We hope you enjoy making these as much as we did.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Lightning Bug & Firefly craft. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Take all those old Plastic Easter Eggs and Upcycle into Crafts. Pin to Pinterest.

Love Bugs? Take look at this Insect Journal and Booklet for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

Inexpensive Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

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May 17, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media 3 Comments

Create a beautiful outdoor living space with these inexpensive backyard landscaping ideas on a budget. Weekend project ideas for your patio and yard including lighting idea, inexpensive projects, garden hacks and outdoor design tricks.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas

When we moved, it was at the end of winter the beginning of spring. Every day our yard was showing a new sign of life. It was beautiful and I marveled at the surprises this backyard would unveil.

You see, our new home backs against the woods with a beautiful little creek that runs into the Potomac. Nature had done it’s own work and I was willing to let nature take care of itself. My husband saw this differently. He saw that heavy rains would bring high creek levels. He saw lower areas that would hold mud. He saw that the grass would grow uncontrollably, perhaps above the boys shoulder. I dismissed his warnings and told him the yard would take care of itself.

Woops. Two months into living here and the grass (in areas) is as tall as the boys shoulders. I have begged my husband to look into landscape help, ASAP. While he is looking for help, I am searching Pinterest for low-cost backyard landscape ideas to perfect our natural space.

So here we go… figured I would share with my frugal friends too!

Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

Create an instant backyard water feature with your downspouts. Lay down plastic trash bags on the ground as a liner. Pour over river rock and add plants and mulch. When the rain water travels down the spout and over the rocks, it provides a beautiful rock water feature. | Woo Home

This genius backyard hack mounts flower baskets on wooden posts. Doesn’t that beautifully line the walkway? | Cottage at the Crossroads

Set the ambiance with lights. This is a very easy tutorial on how to string lights from natural elements like tree limbs using galvanized buckets and concrete. (As seen in our Backyard Movie Ideas) | Ida klipper och klistrar (in English)

In our cheap patio ideas, we shared this cheap patio lighting idea. Even a small backyard can bet transformed by hanging string lights in potted lamp posts. Great a glow with pots of beautiful flowers. | I Should be Mopping the Floor

Take an ugly fence from drab to fab with this DIY Horizontal Slat Fence. Transforms your outdoor space on the cheap. | Fresh Mommy Blog

Create a beautiful backyard ambiance using Christmas Lights (even when it isn’t winter!) Shop Wayfair for Lights.

Transform your seating area and dinning area with this step-by-step DIY Patio String Lights Tutorial. | Place of My Taste

Tired of weeds? Did you know this newspaper hack will prevent any grass and weed seeds from germinating; the ultimate weed solution. Important to note that unlike WeedBlock Barrier fabric, it will decompose after about 18 months. | Rosemary on the TV

Transform your garden fence with this marble hack and cheap backyard landscape idea. Drill holes, insert colored marbles, and watch the light create a beautiful rainbow sun catcher. I get you will spend more and more evenings outside enjoying the colors of the sunset! | Garden Drama

Planters can be expensive. Did you know you can upcylce a Styrofoam cooler into a DIY Planter! | Salvage Sister and Mister

Don’t open your wallet, I bet you have everything to make these DIY Glowing Outdoor Orbs for about $1 to $3 (if anything!) | The Art of Doing Stuff

These DIY Fire Pit was only $60! Consider it a weekend project. You could later add a homemade fire pit bench. | Keeping It Simple Crafts

This couple took a $20 yard sale armoire and upcylced it to cover unsightly wires from a meter reader and electrical box. They turned the other half into a vegetable garden bed. | Shabby Glam

As seen in our garden hacks and tips, try this pot-in-pot method, so you can switch plants almost instantly. | Florida Friendly Plants

Patiently wait and watch this bean pole teepee plant grow. Such a fun and inexpensive backyard idea that also acts as the perfect DIY fort and hangout for the kids. | Artful Parent

Have an area of the lawn that is brown and isn’t growing? Hiring a landscape designer can be costly. Instead, replace dead grass with a DIY Rock Garden. Save money by replacing turf with rocks! | Home Talk

Transform your flower beds with this garden hack. Put your terracotta pots within the grown and assign each pot a different herb. | Town Mouse

Add charm and character to your area with rock wall edging against a colorful flower bed. | Pine and Prospect

Take an eyesore like a HVAC unit or garbage cans. Hide these ugly items with easy to install decorative fencing. | All Things Mama

Solve the problem of mud and dirt on your shoes with this frugal-friendly up-cycled wood pallet walkway. Such a beautiful garden idea and a stray from the traditional stone path. | The Homespun Hydrangea

Look at these DIY Midsummer Nights Backyard Lighting Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Save these Garden Tips and Hacks when creating your own perfect space. Pin to Pinterest.

DIY Mason Jar Canisters with Kitchen SVG Files

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May 16, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media 2 Comments

Create Homemade Mason Jar Canisters using chalk paint, drawer knobs and directions on how to create Rae Dunn inspired font in Cricut Design Space. Go a step further with Kitchen SVG files and more weekend DIY projects for your home.

DIY Mason Jar Canisters with Kitchen SVG Files

We have the cutest DIY weekend project for your kitchen. A little bit functional, a little bit fun, and a lot of Rae Dunn inspired farmhouse decor. These homemade canisters are made from 16 oz mason jars, knobs, chalk paint, and your vinyl cutter machine.

Kitchen SVG Files

If you have a Cricut maker, it is possible to get crafty and creative in the kitchen. We put together the best Kitchen SVG Files in Creative Market.

For this particular mason jar craft project you will not need to purchase your font. We show you how to get free svg files or Rae Dunn Style fonts for your baking canisters by stretching and pulling your font into a fun height.

However, if you are taking your kitchen crafts a bit further, there are kitchen and baking SVG cut files you can upload to more creative projects for your home and tackle more home decor projects with Cricut Maker.

DIY Mason Jar Canisters

For this DIY project you will need a few supplies to make these mason jar canisters. WE share ow to make your own Rae Dunn inspired fonts using a free farmhouse font available in Creative Market.

Materials

Beyond your vinyl cutter and Cricut tools, you will need more materials to create your Kitchen canisters.

Cricut Maker (or Cricut Joy) with Fine Point Blade
Standard grip mat
Cricut Premium Vinyl, Removable or Permanent in color of your choice (We used Dark Forest Green in the Vibrant Value Pack.)
16 oz Mason Jar with Lids
Cricut Joy™ Adhesive-Backed Deluxe Paper, Natalie Malan In the Grove
Cricut Weeder Tool
Cricut Transfer Tape * (optional)
Americana Chalky Finish for Glass in Everlasting
Paintbrush
Decorative knobs with screws and suitable sized washers
Drill and drill bit
Hot glue gun with clear craft glue
Scissors

For Circut tools, this Basic Tool Set will have what you need and more! You can also pick up your transfer tape, mat, vinyl and more at the Circut Store.

*If you do want to use transfer tape for this project, *consider using Duck Brand Peel Clear Laminate as an alternative to Cricut transfer tape. Some people prefer this brand more.

Directions

Gather your materials and supplies listed above.

Wash your mason jars with soup and hot water and allow them to dry completely before continuing.

Chalk Paint Mason Jars

First, apply a thin coat of chalky finish paint to each of the mason jars leaving the neck of the jars unpainted.

Put the painted mason jar to the side to dry fully.

Repeat with additional chalk paint coverage as needed.

Kitchen SVG Files in Design Space

Open a blank canvas in Cricut Design Space.

Next, select the text icon from the toolbar.

Type the word FLOUR.

To get a Rae Dunn Font for Cricut, change the font to “Little White Lies”. (This is not a font you have to purchase!)

With your word highlighted, change your letter spacing to 0.7.

Stretch the lettering by clicking on the lock symbol above the size section and adjusting the height to 1.7” while keeping the width the same. This will give you that DIY Rae Dunn inspired font.

Next, click on the unlock symbol and adjust the word height to 2”.

With the word highlighted, click on the “Weld” button. This allows you to join shapes/letters to create a single customized image.

Repeat these steps with the the word SUGAR and OATS or any other kitchen canister pantry item.

Select “Make It” in Cricut Design Space.

For cutting the words in your Rae Dunn farmhouse font, set the material type to Premium Vinyl.

Follow the prompts for loading the mat into the Cricut Maker or Cricut Joy and cutting the Premium Vinyl.

When prompted, unload the mat from the cutting machine.

Remove the Premium Vinyl from the mat.

Mason Jar Lids Inserts

To prepare you mason jar lid inserts, first measure the size of your mason jar lid.

Insert a circle shape on to the open Design Space canvas and adjust the size to measure the lid size.

Create another smaller sized circle with a 0.25” diameter and place it directly on to the center of the other larger circle. With both circles highlighted, click on the “Slice” button. This will create a small cut out. You can now discard the smaller circle shape.

Duplicate the circle shapes to cut one for each mason jar lid.

Color sync the images if needed to match the materials color.

Select “Make It” in Cricut Design Space.

For cutting your mason jar lid toppers, set the material type to Cardstock with adhesive backing.

Follow the prompts for loading the mat into the Cricut Maker or Cricut Joy and cutting the toppers. When prompted, unload the mat from the cutting machine.

Remove the adhesive backing cardstock from the mat.

Mason Jar Kitchen Canisters

To assemble your kitchen mason jars, first cut around each font word with a pair of scissors.

Using the weeding tool, peel away the excess vinyl around the cut images and discard.

Transfer one letter at a time by hand to the mason jar.

Alternatively, you could also cut a piece of transfer tape a bit larger than the size of the image.

Peel away the transfer tape backing but ensure the transfer tape is not overly sticky. Place the transfer tape on top of the cut font image.

Gently rub the vinyl to help it stick to the transfer tape. Peel away the vinyl backing, leaving just the image adhered to the transfer tape.

Position the phrase with the transfer tape on to the smooth side of a jar and press in place.

Press the vinyl phrase down with your fingers to help it to stick to the painted glass jar. Slowly and carefully remove the transfer tape leaving the vinyl image on the jar.

Repeat for the other mason jars.

Mason Jar Lid with Knob

First, in the center of the mason jar lid, drill one hole the same size at the screw size for the knob. Take extra care when handling sharp metal edges.

Peel off one of the cardstock circles from the backing and place over top of the mason jar lid.

If your mason jar lid is in two parts, glue them together using a hot glue gun with clear glue sticks.

Screw the decorative knob onto the mason jar lid.

Repeat with the remaining lids.

To finish, fill the containers with oats, sugar and flour.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final DIY Mason Jar Canisters craft. Leave a comment and/or add a photo of your mason jar craft here on Pinterest!

Turn your leftover mason jars into a craft for dad perfect for his birthday or Father’s Day. We give you free SVG files to perfect this gift. Make your own BBQ Seasoning with these free Cricut SVG files. Pin to Pinterest.

Also look at these free Cricut Tutorials with free cut files. Pin to Pinterest.

Top 5 Pinterest Pins from April 2020

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May 12, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media Leave a Comment

Save and enjoy the top pins on Pinterest for the month of April 2020. Make sure you are following Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest!

Top 5 Pinterest Pins from April 2020

Below are some of our top trending pins on Pinterest. I had a little bit of a chuckle when looking at the top performing pins from April 2020. It is clear we have been in a month of social isolation and you guys are making your own bread, copying restaurant recipes, and getting outside to fix up the backyard and curb appeal.

I encourage you to pin them for later to your favorite Pinterest boards and make sure you are following Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest!

Note: One pin I did not include for this April Pinterest round-up were these DIY Mother’s Day Crafts (Pin to Pinterest for next year!)

Previous Top 5 Pins

Top Pinterest Pins

Front Porch Decor. Inspire your welcome and update your curb appeal with the front porch and patio decor ideas. Pin this idea to Pinterest.

Copycat Chick-fil-A Recipes. Looks like everyone is missing friend chicken as much as us (in fact, we just did Chick-fil-a pickup today!) Bring your favorite recipes home with these copycat restaurant recipes. Pin this idea to Pinterest.

Homemade Bread Maker Recipes. Creating this post made me crave owning a bread maker. Maybe one day I will take the plunge. For those of you with this luxury, enjoy some of the best breadmaker recipes out there. Pin this idea to Pinterest.

Gardening Hacks and Tips. Are you a wannabe gardener? Take a look at these hacks and tips for creating a garden. Tips for new and old gardeners. Pin this idea to Pinterest.

High protein Breakfast Recipes. With stay at home orders and home schooling, breakfast has become a bigger meal than it was before. Follow these high protein breakfast recipes to get you and your kids started for the day. Pin this idea to Pinterest.

18 Creative IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hack Ideas

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May 10, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media Leave a Comment

Eighteen Creative IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hacks and Ideas. Get inspired with these low cost IKEA home decor ideas for those with million dollar taste.

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hacks

IKEA Billy Series

The IKEA Billy Series has been around over 50 years. Developed in 1979 by the Swedish designer Gillis Lundgren, IKEA has sold over 60 million units of the bookcases worldwide. Obviously it’s a popular series. Well the world has gotten more creative and the platform of Pinterest has been created. This media sharing has inspired many Billy Bookcase creative designs with an IKEA low-cost price tag.

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Ideas

We have found same amazing Billy bookcase IKEA ideas. Enjoy this list of the top 18 IKEA BILLY Bookcase ideas. Show us what you design after being inspired by these IKEA hackers.

If you want a floor to ceiling custom built in, get started with this BILLY Bookcases cheat sheet and stacking formula. Turn IKEA BILLY Bookcases with glass doors into the most perfect built in you’ve ever seen with this full tutorial. | Vintage Revivals

Turn your shelving unit into a craftsman dream by adding trim. Adding molding to IKEA BILLY bookcase makes it look like an expensive built in unit. | Blesser House

Get crafty for the kids! Turn a white bookshelf into a life size DIY dollhouse. Touches of paint, wallpaper, craft paper and dollhouse furniture and you have a complete home. | The DIY Village

This BILLY bookcase lighting hack adds illumination to any space! Best of all, Jamie doesn’t even have to flip a switch this this remote control lighting trick! | Southern Revivals

This BILLY bookcase hack closet idea is perfect for someone who lacks the IKEA closet PAX wardrobe space. Lauren has quite the experience with IKEA storage units too. Her entire room has intricate plans! | Blesser House

Make your book shelf pop with this DIY hack with billy bookcase drawers. Turn your BILLY book shelves into a colorful dresser. | Infarrantly Creative

This built-in day bed and reading nook transformed this playroom. The hidden gem is created form two different sizes of IKEA bookcases. | House Homemade (Also seen in our Reading Corner Ideas for Kids)

I gave my husband these plans and begging him to make this IKEA billy bookcase entertainment center for only $300! It would resolve our “no entertainment center” problem by 1,000s! | Amanda Katherine

Look at this home improvement hack! Cover an ugly AC Wall Unit with an IKEA bookcase hack. | Design Evolving

This BILLY Bookcase bedroom idea is perfect for a little girls room. Combining a dresser and IKEA book shelf and then paint for the most adorable pop! | Designer Trapped

Need more storage in the kitchen? Custom build a pantry with this IKEA bookcase idea. Compare the price! You can buy IKEA pantry cabinets for around $400 or buy a 15” BILLY bookcase (with a door) for just around $100! | Run to Radiance

Look at this great idea! Take an IKEA bookcase and install over a door or entryway! | The Accent Piece

Revamp your playroom with this painted IKEA bookcase storage unit. Perfect for organizing – so easy on the eyes. | Blesser House

Paint the background of your custom bookcase like this IKEA playroom idea. Love that pop of green! | Centsational Style

Think outside the box and transform your kitchen island by adding a billy bookcase island with IKEA butcher block. | Golden Boys and Me

Revamp your entryway or even your garage with this custom mudroom built ins From IKEA white bookcases for $300! | The Kim Six Fix

Find a similar IKEA mudroom hack using white bookcases with full design inspiration and links. | House homemade

This might be my most favorite BILLY Bookcase hack. It is so easy and really makes your shelf look like a million bucks. Hide the holes in your BILLY Bookcase with DryDex Spackling. Goes on pink and dries white. How satisfying! | Centsational Style

IKEA BILLY Bookcase Planner

Inspired? Become your own interior designer with the help of the IKEA Billy Bookcase Planner Tools. Create your perfect storage and home improvement solutions. Plan online at IKEA and you’ve completed your design you can add it to your cart and order it online – easy.

Visit IKEA Planning Solutions

Speaking of these IKEA BILLY Bookcase ideas, take a look at these Reading Corner Ideas for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

Claim more home project ideas with these Older Home Improvement Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

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May 9, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media 2 Comments

The easiest and tastiest Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Keep this great recipe on rotation with your family. Only three simple ingredients. Absolutely delicious!

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

I am the cook, my husband is the grill man. With his work hours, it is sometimes hard to get family dinner to the table on time and still have the taste of a grilled entree.

The Air Fryer has been incredibly helpful to this dilemma. It is healthy. It is quick and easy. It is all done from my kitchen counter. If you want the lovely taste of fried chicken but don’t want all the fat associated with it, these easy air fryer chicken legs are you solution. Only 3 ingredients and you can have your air fryer drumsticks cooked in 40 minutes time. Insert. Cook. Walk away.

Ingredients for Chicken Drumsticks

These incredibly easy Air Fryer Italian Drumsticks only have three ingredients.

Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients:

6 Drumsticks
Italian Seasoning Packet
1 Stick Butter (Melted) – Follow this melting butter trick in our Backing Hacks and Tips.

We recommend you have Italian Seasoning as a staple in your kitchen pantry. This one is frugal friendly. As a guide, use two tablespoons of Italian seasoning dry mix in place of one packet of Italian seasoning mix.

If you like our Ceramic Rae Dunn Salt and Pepper Cellars, you can grab them here.

Save this recipe for later. Print your recipe and add it to your recipe box or recipe binder! This is my favorite Recipe Binder – I get tired of printing the same recipe over and over. A binder keeps me organized and gives me a place to store my recipes.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Scale

Ingredients

6 Drumsticks
Italian Seasoning Packet
1 Stick Butter (Melted)

Instructions

Dry your drumsticks by patting them down with a paper towel.
Brush each drumstick with butter.
Without overcrowding, carefully place the chicken drumsticks in air fryer basket.
Cook at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Remove from air fryer and coat the chicken drumsticks in more butter.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Return your drumsticks back to air fryer for another 10 minutes.
Take out and enjoy!

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How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer

It is very easy to cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer. Get the fried taste, but with the health benefits of an air fryer!

Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks Directions:

Before you begin, dry your drumsticks by patting them down with a paper towel.

Next, brush each drumstick with butter. You will not use all the butter.

Without overcrowding, carefully place the chicken drumsticks in air fryer basket.

Cook at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Remove your chicken drumsticks from air fryer and coat each in more butter.

Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Finally, return drumsticks to the air fryer for another 10 minutes.

Take out and enjoy!

Note: The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken drumsticks is 165° Fahrenheit.

Air Fryer Accessories

If you are just getting started with this kitchen gadget, take a look at these top 7 Air Fryer Accessories to get you started.

First, take a look at this Air Fryer Accessories Kit which includes 16 pieces including a cake barrel, pizza pan, skewers rack, egg molds, recipe cook book, oil brush, magnetic cheat sheet, air fryer liners and more.

Instead of the Air Fryer Accessories Set, you could get the following pieces individually.

Not included in the kit, is a Mandoline Slicer which is ideal for quickly slicing vegetables. Slice vegetables fry so well into chips!

You will want an Olive Oil Sprayer and Heat Resistant Kitchen Tongs.

Also make sure you pick up our Air Fryer Cheat Sheet as your constant companion.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Air Fryer Chicken recipe. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

This Air Fryer Cheat Sheet is the perfect kitchen resource. Pin to Pinterest.

Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Looking for more Air Fryer Chicken Recipes? These Easy Air Fryer Recipes are perfect for beginners! Pin to Pinterest.

Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas for the Mail

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May 5, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media Leave a Comment

Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas for the mail plus a free donut teacher appreciation printable gift tag that can be delievered via email, over USPS or with Restaurant delivery or pick-up. Plus Virtual teacher appreciation ideas for Zoom, Google classroom and more.

Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Coming up with this Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea took some time. I knew I wanted a punny teacher appreciation printable that could be used during Teacher Appreciation week or as an end of the year gift idea. Plus, currently we are in social isolation and many local restaurants and establishments are suffering, so I wanted to grab something would would give back to local organizations.

We came up with this easy Teacher Appreciation Week gift idea – DONUT you know how much I miss you printable gift tag for teachers. And for years, were we are not in social isolation, this teacher gift tag also comes with another quote that reads DONUT know what I would do without you.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Donut Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag

Get all of our free printables including our donut teacher appreciation gift tag. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples. You can sign in or create a Staples account.

Mail a Gift Card

For our donut teacher appreciation gift card idea, we went at it two ways. First, we picked up gift cards that teachers could use at their leisure. I privately emailed teachers and asked for their best mailing address (knowing well that I might be the school address.) It was a personal question and I know some teachers would want to keep that information private. I softened it by sharing my child wanted to send them a treat. This teacher gift card idea well because it’s a gift that is not perishable. They can get it immediately at their home or when they return to school to pick up materials.

If leaving the home is not convenient for you, consider shopping Amazon for gift cards. You can have them mailed to your home and then add our printable teacher appreciation gift tag before mailing to your child’s educator.

By purchasing from a local bakery or restaurant, you are supporting small businesses during social isolation. Consider it a win/win.

Online Restaurant Delivery

Another option using your donut teacher gift tag is restaurant delivery or pick-up. We used Door Dash to deliver donuts. In this case, you can swing the gift tag to the establishment and add it to the order.

If leaving the house is not an option, consider this electronic addition. You can email the gift tag separately with a sweet message that your great teacher is expecting a delivery.

Another creative idea is to take a photo of your child holding the printed gift tag and email it to your teacher after the Restaurant Delivery arrives (track it on your phone or app.) I think this is a cute idea because it’s personalizes the doughnut delivery with a cute smile from your child and a sweet punny teacher message attached.

For this Teacher Appreciation Restaurant Delivery idea you will need your teacher’s home mailing address.

Teacher Appreciation Printables

We have years and years worth of teacher appreciation printables. Use any of these ideas and using a flat rate shipping box from USPS fill your box with a teacher gift and send it straight from your mailbox. Never leave the home.

More Unique Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Get creative with your electronic and virtual teacher appreciation ideas too.

Host a Class Zoom Party. have all the kids dress up and surprise the teacher. During this time you can share memories of the year together.
Make a Video Message. Have all the students in the class send in a 10 second clip of the reason they love their teacher. Piece those together for a sweet video message. Such a unique and priceless gift idea.
Send an Books Gift Card. One of my favorite places to shop for books is Better World Books. You can buy used or new books. I love buying used knowing I am recycling older books and finding many of my favorite authors and books for less. This also allows teachers to fill their personal and classroom library.
Thanks a Lattee. Thank a teacher a lot with a printable coffee gift card! Print and mail.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Donut Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

The end of the school year is new. Save these End of the School Year Acitivites and Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Find creative Pun-Tastic teacher gift ideas for save these Punny Teacher Appreciation Printables too! Pin to Pinterest.

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