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Stretching Your Pennies, Saving Your Dollars

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Giant Squid Cupcakes | A Beach Party Dessert Idea

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

published date: July 12, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

We have quick and easy giant squid cupcakes for your next beach party. Eight adorable legs, two giant eyes, and a fluffy head make this octopus dessert one easy food craft for the kids.

Giant Squid Cupcakes

Hosting a beach party? Our  Beach Inspired Party Ideas have gone so well we wanted to share with you some more food ideas for your celebration.  Recently we shared with you our Clam Cookies and Mermaid Party Ideas, so today we thought it would be fun to have another festive under the sea dessert.

Take a look at these adorable giant squid cupcakes.  If you are looking for cute cupcake liners, we are a pretty big fan of these blue cupcake liners but if these Wilton Blue Ombre Cupcake holders ever return, we suggest grabbing those.

This food craft was very easy and can be used for the kids. Our cupcakes were prebaked (do while the kids are in school if you want – you might just get to lick the bowl by yourself). You can also pick up unfrosted cupcakes at many local grocery stores. Just ask the bakery department.

The prep time and creative time is minimal and you can have this cupcake craft out in minutes. Our recipe yields 6 cupcakes, but obviously multiply as you need!

Giant Squid Cupcakes Ingredients

Supplies:

  • 6 Prepared Cupcakes, unfrosted
  • 1 Can Blue Frosting
  • 1 pkg. Twizzlers Pull N’ Peel Licorice—fruit punch flavor
  • 6 Large Marshmallows
  • 8 oz. Chocolate Melts, Purple
  • 12 Edible Candy Eyes


Beach Party Dessert Idea

Print
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Giant Squid Cupcakes | A Beach Party Dessert Idea

  • Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
Print Recipe

Description

We have quick and easy giant squid cupcakes for your next beach party. Eight adorable legs, two giant eyes, and a fluffy head make this octopus dessert one easy food craft for the kids.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 Prepared Cupcakes, unfrosted
  • 1 Can Blue Frosting
  • 1 pkg. Twizzlers Pull N’ Peel Licorice in fruit punch flavor
  • 6 Large Marshmallows
  • 8 oz. Chocolate Melts, Purple or Red (we used purple)
  • 12 Edible Candy Eyes

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, melt the purple chocolate per package directions.
  2. Poke a toothpick into a marshmallow and dip into the chocolate until fully covered. This will make your head.
  3. Set the marshmallow down on a parchment lined baking sheet and remove the toothpick. Repeat this for all the heads/marshmallows.
  4. Press two edible eyeballs on the front of each marshmallow before the chocolate hardens. Leave these set until the chocolate is hard and the eyes are set.
  5. Frost each cupcake with the blue frosting making sure to put extra in the middle so the frosting slopes downward a little. Take a butter knife, touch it all around the frosting, and gently pull up so the frosting will look like water waves.
  6. Take a rope of the licorice and cut into 4 pieces. Unwind the strings so you will have all the purple pieces separated. You will need 48 of these pieces for the squid legs.
  7. Lay 8 licorice legs over the top of each cupcake so they drape down over the frosting hanging off the edges a bit.
  8. Set an squid head on top of each cupcake right in the center over the tops of the legs. Press them down a bit so they stay on the cupcake and so it looks like the head is attached to the legs.
  9. These fun little cupcakes are easy to make and would be fun at any summer party!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @frugalcouponliving on Instagram and hashtag it #frugalcouponliving

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Octopus Cupcakes Tutorial

Quick and easy giant squid cupcakes for a beach party. Eight adorable legs, two giant eyes, and a fluffy head make this octopus dessert an adorably fun kids' food craft. Click to Tweet


Also get ideas from these these Beach Inspired Party Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your Summer or Party Board.

If you are hosting an under the sea party, take a look at these fun Summer Crab Beach Cupcakes! Pin to Pinterest on your Summer, Party or Dessert Boards.

Also make these Mermaid Party Clam Cookies (take a look at our Mermaid Party Ideas in that same post!) Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Altoid Tin Craft | Tic Tac Toe Travel Game

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March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media, Travel

published date: June 30, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

How fun is this Altoid Tin Craft? We created a  Tic Tac Toe Travel Game using an upcycled Altoids Tin Box.

Altoid Tin Craft – Tic Tac Toe Travel Game

Altoid Tin Craft

Are we there yet?! Familiar with the tune of this common question? We put together a cute DIY Altoids Tin Game you can make with your child. Not only is this  a great rainy day activity for the kids, it could result in some bought time on your next car ride and help you avoid the age old question – Are we there yet?!

Using supplies you likely have around the home – card stock, washi tape, buttons, glue and magnets, create your own DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Travel Game! This is a very simple craft and requires a little supervision from an adult. It oculd be a fun DIY gift to give a friend. Pair with some other Travel Game Ideas and make a Road Trip Bucket as a birthday present.

Are you the one traveling? You will want to check out these posts as well!

  • Airplane Bingo Printable (or Tic-Tac-Toe)
  • Road Trip Bingo Printable (or Tic-Tac-Toe)
  • Airplane Activities for Kids
  • Road Trip Hacks and Tips

Tic Tac Toe Travel Game

Supplies:

  • Altoids tin
  • Colorful cardstock
  • Colorful buttons (at least two colors)
  • Small magnets
  • 1/4” washi tape
  • Scissors
  • Pen/pencil
  • E6000 glue
  • Glue stick


Altoid Tin Craft - Tic Tac Toe Travel Game Supplies

Directions:

  1. Trace the bottom of your Altoids container on two different colorful cardstock sheets. ( We did a solid for the bottom and a colorful pattern for the top).
  2. Cut out your traced Altoids container card stock paper.
  3. Use your washi tape to make a tic tac toe pattern onto the solid sheet.
  4. Glue the colorful pattern to the inside top of the Altoids tin and the solid color to the bottom with your glue stick.
  5. Carefully glue one magnet to the bottom of each button until you have 2 sets of the same 5 color button magnets.
  6. Let your magnets dry overnight.
  7. Store your magnets in the tin, they will stick to the inside top or bottom for a great travel tic tac toe game.

*Keep magnets away from small children, always supervise while using

How fun is this Altoid Tin Craft? DIY tutorial on a Tic Tac Toe Travel Game using an upcycled Altoids Tin Box. #FrugalCouponLiving #travel #tictactoe Click to Tweet

Altoid Tin Craft - Tic Tac Toe Travel Game


Also enjoy these Upcycled Altoids Tin Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

This Altoids Game Idea goes great with our Airplane Activities for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

Going on the road? Instead check out these Road Trip Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Mom might want to flag these! Winning Car Hacks for Moms. Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Ridiculously Easy Chocolate Pudding Bowls Made with Balloons

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Easter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media, Spring, Summer

published date: June 21, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

Ridiculously easy chocolate pudding bowls made with melting chocolate and the shape of balloons. You won’t believe how easy this ice cream balloon bowl tutorial is with a few simple steps and ingredients.

Chocolate Pudding Bowls Made with Balloons

Ridiculously Easy Chocolate Pudding Bowls Made with Balloons

Want a creative and cute dessert idea for the kids? Make the chocolate dipped balloon bowls. They are so easy, take a few simple ingredients and the kids will have a blast blowing up the balloon (okay, how are we kidding, you will be doing this) and dipping in in the chocolate.

Follow these simple steps. We served with vanilla pudding, but you could try other flavor puddings or even ice cream – I suggest serving on a plate or in a bowl as the chocolate will quick crack when you use a spoon to scoop out the yummy insides. Best of all, you get to eat you chocolate bowl!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Dipped Balloon Bowls

Ingredients:

  • 12 Small Round Balloons (water balloons work well)
  • 8 oz Melting/Dipping Chocolate Candy (your choice of color)
  • 1 box Pudding Mix
  • 2 cup Milk
  • Candy Decorations (optional)


Chocolate Balloon Bowls

Directions:

  1. Make pudding according to box directions and allow to cool.
  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper.
  3. Melt chocolate by microwaving 45 seconds, stirring and repeating until melted and smooth.
  4. Inflate each balloon just until slightly larger than an tennis ball and tie off.
  5. Dip and roll balloon in chocolate until covered about half way.
  6. Place on tray and set tray in freezer for 10 minutes until set.
  7. Dip and roll each balloon a second tip to thicken chocolate shell.
  8. Return to tray and return tray to freezer for 15 minutes.
  9. Snip top of each balloon to release air.
  10. Gently slide your finger and pull balloon away from shell working your way around the edge.
  11. If shell starts to soften, return to freezer for 10 minutes and continue after it firms.
  12. If there are in holes in bottom, carefully fill with melted chocolate to patch and freeze to set.
  13. Fill each egg with pudding and sprinkle with decorations if desired.
  14. Refrigerate until served.
Print
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Ridiculously Easy Chocolate Pudding Bowls Made with Balloons

  • Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 Small Round Balloons (water balloons work well)
  • 8 oz Melting/Dipping Chocolate Candy (your choice of color)
  • 1 box Pudding Mix
  • 2 cup Milk
  • Candy Decorations (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make pudding according to box directions and allow to cool.
  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper.
  3. Melt chocolate by microwaving 45 seconds, stirring and repeating until melted and smooth.
  4. Inflate each balloon just until slightly larger than an tennis ball and tie off.
  5. Dip and roll balloon in chocolate until covered about half way.
  6. Place on tray and set tray in freezer for 10 minutes until set.
  7. Dip and roll each balloon a second tip to thicken chocolate shell.
  8. Return to tray and return tray to freezer for 15 minutes.
  9. Snip top of each balloon to release air.
  10. Gently slide your finger and pull balloon away from shell working your way around the edge.
  11. If shell starts to soften, return to freezer for 10 minutes and continue after it firms.
  12. If there are in holes in bottom, carefully fill with melted chocolate to patch and freeze to set.
  13. Fill each egg with pudding and sprinkle with decorations if desired.
  14. Refrigerate until served.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @frugalcouponliving on Instagram and hashtag it #frugalcouponliving

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
Ridiculously easy chocolate pudding bowls made with melting chocolate and the shape of balloons. You won't believe how easy this ice cream balloon bowl tutorial is with a few simple steps and ingredients. Click to Tweet

Ridiculously Easy Chocolate Pudding Bowls Made with Balloons


Take a look at these other extra ordinary treats! Pop ’til You Drop Popcorn Recipes – Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy these Popsicle Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Finally think outside the box and inside the cup with these Individual Dessert Mug Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Christmas in July – Creative Ways to Upcycle Christmas Lights

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, Facebook, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

published date: June 24, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

Want creative ways to celebrate Christmas in July? Take a look at these craft ideas to Upcycle Christmas Lights. 

Christmas in July – Creative Ways to Upcycle Christmas Lights

Christmas in July – Creative Ways to Upcycle Christmas Lights

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!… or July. Haha, in this heat, one can dream! We could creative ways to Upcycle Christmas Lights for the winter season for for the dead of summer!  From adorable ways to add flair to your garden to cute ideas for your Christmas mantle! Save these ideas for all year long.

Enjoy!

Upcycled Egg Carton Craft – DIY Flower String Lights

Adorable for a birthday, turn party hats and Christmas lights into Birthday String Lights | Creme de La Craft

Make a flameless fire pit! This is adorable for a summer campout.  (Also need in our Glamping Ideas.) | Free People

So there isn’t a tutorial on this whimsical dream catcher, but it might be something you can create on your own or purchase online! | Ling’s Moment Feather Dream Catcher


Drill a hole in the bottom of an empty wine bottle and thread the cord through, then fill the bottle with string lights. You can also use battery operated lights! | Source Unknown

Feeling likes festive party? Turn your Christmas Lights into DIY Candy Lights. | Oh Happy Day

I really love this one! Create a Hula Hoop Chandelier. We suggest spray paining the hoola hoop first with gold or another coordinating color for your home! | Sarah with an H

Another idea with a warm ambiance is to wrap trees in Christmas lights. (Also seen in our Midsummer Night Patio Ideas.) | Weddings by Lilly and Steven Michael Photography

I am obsessed with these Ping Pong Ball Christmas light strands – cute for a teen bedroom, college door, or screened porch. | The Surznick Common Room

Upcycle Christmas lights into more beautiful DIY Christmas Mantle Lights! | A Beautiful Mess

Create a walkway with Christmas Lights and Recycled Beer Bottles. (Also seen in our Midsummer Night Patio Ideas.) | Snacker Doodles

Need we say more?  Cactus Shrinky Dinks Lights. You will need this for making your cactus. | We’re Going to Make It

Turn your lights into a light up rug – how cute! | Sans Limites Crochet

Wrap hula hoops to make this light up feature. | Deborah Silver

Create party lights with upcycled old bottles and stringed lights. | Crafts for All Seasons

Gather those Dixie Cups and make this Christmas Light Garland. | Rhiannon Bosse

This is a sweet touch for an outdoor patio or fence. We are having trouble finding the original source but it looks like mason jars with cork tops, maybe hot glue the tops in the jar and insert the light! | Original Pin

Want creative ways to celebrate Christmas in July? Take a look at these fun ways to Upcycle Christmas Lights Click to Tweet

This space is totally personalized with photographs and so magical with the additional lighting – a perfect teen bedroom or dorm room makeover! This is a great Instagram craft idea. (Also seen in our Teen Bedroom Ideas.) | Urban Outfitters Blog

Why touch the lighter. Toss some Christmas lights over wood for this Glamping Hack!  (Also need in our Glamping Ideas.) | Source Unknown

Grab some origami paper and make boxes to create this festive Christmas light strand. | Guusje’s Appeltaart

Biking this summer? Get festive with Christmas Lights on your Bicycle. | Eleanor’s NYC

Fun for the holidays but can be used any time of the year, create burlap garland. | Create Craft Love


Christmas in July – Creative Ways to Upcycle Christmas Lights

We have other ideas for creating a warm ambiance with light. Take a look at these Midsummer Night Patio Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

And if you are celebrating Christmas in July or in December, enjoy these Christmas Traditions (to begin now!) Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media, Summer

published date: June 14, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

Enjoy the taste of summer with this dessert twist – Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes. Mimic everyone’s favorite shaved iced treat in the form of a tasty individual cake.

Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes

Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes

Summer, summer, summertime…

We found some of the cutest summer cupcakes for your little crew. Don’t let the look fool you. These aren’t your ordinary shaved iced. These are snow cone cupcakes eaten with a spoon! They also are very easy and your little ones will have a fun time feeling like they just walked off The Next Baking Championship program!

Enjoy!

Ingredients and Supplies:

  • 6 Prepared Cupcakes, unfrosted
  • 1 Container White Frosting
  • Sanding Sugars—red, yellow, blue
  • 6 White Styrofoam Cups, 12 oz (you can find smaller ones here)
  • 6 Plastic Spoons
  • Scissors


Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes Ingredients

Directions:

  1. First, cut off a little more than half of the top of each cup. The bottoms will be used to hold the cupcakes so make sure the cupcakes fit inside with the cake tops being about even with the cup tops. Don’t put the cupcakes into the cups yet.
  2. Frost each cupcake with a thick layer of frosting and smooth it into a dome shape.
  3. Start with the blue sugar and sprinkle a thick coat on the left third of the frosting so it looks like a blue stripe. Use the yellow sugar next and sprinkle a thick coat on the middle of the cupcake to look like a yellow stripe. Use the red sugar last to sprinkle on a thick coat for a red stripe on the right third of the cupcake. It should resemble a snow cone.
  4. Set each cupcake down into a cup and dip a spoon down into the edge of the cake so it looks like a spoon inside a snow cone.
  5. Ready to serve.
  6. These are an easy, cute treat to make for any summer party. And they won’t melt!

Making Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes

Print
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Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes

  • Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 Prepared Cupcakes, unfrosted
  • 1 Container White Frosting
  • Sanding Sugars—red, yellow, blue
  • 6 White Styrofoam Cups, 12 oz
  • 6 Plastic Spoons
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. First, cut off a little more than half of the top of each cup. The bottoms will be used to hold the cupcakes so make sure the cupcakes fit inside with the cake tops being about even with the cup tops. Don’t put the cupcakes into the cups yet.
  2. Frost each cupcake with a thick layer of frosting and smooth it into a dome shape.
  3. Start with the blue sugar and sprinkle a thick coat on the left third of the frosting so it looks like a blue stripe. Use the yellow sugar next and sprinkle a thick coat on the middle of the cupcake to look like a yellow stripe. Use the red sugar last to sprinkle on a thick coat for a red stripe on the right third of the cupcake. It should resemble a snow cone.
  4. Set each cupcake down into a cup and dip a spoon down into the edge of the cake so it looks like a spoon inside a snow cone.
  5. Ready to serve.
  6. These are an easy, cute treat to make for any summer party. And they won’t melt!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @frugalcouponliving on Instagram and hashtag it #frugalcouponliving

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
Enjoy the taste of summer with this dessert twist - Snow Cone Summer Cupcakes. Mimic everyone's favorite shaved iced treat in the form of a tasty individual cake. Click to Tweet

Snow Cone Cupcakes


We have so many summer cupcakes, we didn’t know where to begin sharing… so here they are! Take a look at these other summer cupcakes – looks like you might need a long table to hold them all!

Watermelon Cupcakes (no seeds – wink!) Pin to Pinterest.

Catch these tasty treats – Gone Fishing Cupcakes. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget the grill – these BBQ Grill Cupcakes are delish! Pin to Pinterest.

Watch your toes. We love these Crab Beach Cupcakes. Pin to Pinterest.

You can’t have snow cones without cotton candy. Save these tasty Cotton Candy Cupcakes. Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Character Cake Tutorial – Easy Thomas the Train Cake

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

published date: June 08, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

The simplest Character Cake Tutorial. We made an easy Thomas the Train Cake for our train birthday party theme, but this cake can be done with your child’s favorite character including Elmo, Paw Patrol, Dora and more.

Character Cake Tutorial – Easy Thomas the Train Cake

Character Cake Tutorial - Easy Thomas the Train Cake

Have you ever seen a cake at a party and thought they must have spent a fortune, then to find out the hostess made the cake themselves. I am always impressed by people’s talents only to find out that some things just aren’t as impossible as I think. With the dawn of Pinterest, Instagram and more,  creative food crafts are much easier than one would think. We had fun with this Thomas the Train Character Cake*. Using a coloring sheet and some creativity, we made this cake look like a million bucks! Follow our steps with Thomas and make your own character cake to fit your party’s theme.

*In retrospect, I wish I would have done white on the outside instead of blue because it would have made Thomas stand out more!


Thomas the Train Cake Tutorial

Supplies:

  • Baked Cake (any size works, I did 2 9×9 round cakes stacked on each other)
  • Picture of character (the more simple the picture the better!)
  • Printer/copier/scanner – or you could go to an office supply store that has copiers that enlarge or shrink images
  • Frosting – I used the Wilton’s Buttercream Recipe and find that this works best
  • Food Coloring
  • Frosting Bags
  • Frosting Tips – I used either the plain Circle Tip or the Star Tip
  • Scissors
  • Toothpicks

Step by Step Character Cake Tutorial - Thomas the Train

Directions:

  1. First decide what size cake you want to make (see the cheat sheet below to help with sizing.)
  2. Find the image of the character you want (I just Googled ‘Thomas the Train coloring pages’), like I said, and go for simple and easy when choosing!
  3. Print out the image, then resize it according to the size cake you want to make.
  4. You can either do this with a home scanner, or you can go to your local office supply store where they have those capabilities (usually costs under $1.00)
  5. Be sure to have 2 images printed out. You will be cutting one up and using the other one as a reference guide.
  6. After you have baked your cake and its cooled and your frosting is prepared, divide up the frosting and add the food coloring according to your character’s colors.
  7. Place colored frosting in frosting bags with tips.
  8. Cut out your image around the border and place on the cake.
  9. Trace with a toothpick.
  10. Pick up image and cut along a different border in the image, working your way inwards, align to the traced edges you just did and trace a little more with the toothpick.
  11. Once you have all your lines traced, use your other image as a guide (because it can get a little confusing just looking at all the lines and trying to figure out what is what), and start filling in with colored frosting!
  12. I used the simple dot method to fill in and find this the easiest and most effective way.
  13. Slice and enjoy!
The simplest Character Cake Tutorial. We made an easy Thomas the Train Cake for our train birthday party theme, but this cake can be done with your child's favorite character. #frugalcouponliving #thomasthetrain Click to Tweet

Character Cake Tutorial - Easy Thomas the Train Cake


This Cake Sizing Chart from U Create is very helpful when deciding the size of your character cake!

cake-size-chart-u-create


Share-Post-on-Pinterest-Frugal-Coupon-Living

Also take a look at our Monster Snacks for Kids and Monster Party Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Monster-snacks-frugal-coupon-living

Also enjoy one of our favorites, Cookie Monster Ice Cream. Pin to Pinterest.

cookie-monster-ice-cream-frugal-coupon-living-Collage

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Character Cake Tutorial – Easy Thomas the Train Cake

  • Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • Baked Cake (any size works, I did 2 9×9 round cakes stacked on each other)
  • Picture of character (the more simple the picture the better!)
  • Printer/copier/scanner – or you could go to an office supply store that has copiers that enlarge or shrink images
  • Frosting – I used the Wilton’s Buttercream Recipe and find that this works best
  • Food Coloring
  • Frosting Bags
  • Frosting Tips – I used either the plain Circle Tip or the Star Tip
  • Scissors
  • Toothpicks

Instructions

  1. First decide what size cake you want to make (see the cheat sheet below to help with sizing.)
  2. Find the image of the character you want (I just Googled ‘Thomas the Train coloring pages’), like I said, and go for simple and easy when choosing!
  3. Print out the image, then resize it according to the size cake you want to make.
  4. You can either do this with a home scanner, or you can go to your local office supply store where they have those capabilities (usually costs under $1.00)
  5. Be sure to have 2 images printed out. You will be cutting one up and using the other one as a reference guide.
  6. After you have baked your cake and its cooled and your frosting is prepared, divide up the frosting and add the food coloring according to your character’s colors.
  7. Place colored frosting in frosting bags with tips.
  8. Cut out your image around the border and place on the cake.
  9. Trace with a toothpick.
  10. Pick up image and cut along a different border in the image, working your way inwards, align to the traced edges you just did and trace a little more with the toothpick.
  11. Once you have all your lines traced, use your other image as a guide (because it can get a little confusing just looking at all the lines and trying to figure out what is what), and start filling in with colored frosting!
  12. I used the simple dot method to fill in and find this the easiest and most effective way.
  13. Slice and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @frugalcouponliving on Instagram and hashtag it #frugalcouponliving

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Homemade Easy Raspberry Tea

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

published date: June 08, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

We love a tasty fruit iced tea recipe. This homemade easy raspberry tea has a few simple ingredients. Ice and serve as a summer drink!

Homemade Easy Raspberry Tea

Homemade Easy Raspberry Tea

Tea. We have transformed many teas into tasty summer drinks including our popular Peach Iced Tea and forever favorite Strawberry Sweet Tea. This week we have one more, our Easy Raspberry Tea. With a three simple ingredients, this raspberry iced tea is going to be a family favorite. Supervised by an adult, it’s so simple your kids can make it too!

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 3 Black Tea Bags (like Lipton)
  • 8 cups Water divided
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 12 oz Raspberries


boiling tea bags

Directions:

  1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil.
  2. Remove from heat.
  3. Add tea bags and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
  4. Add 4 cups water to medium pan.
  5. Add sugar and raspberries and bring to a boil over high.
  6. Reduce heat to medium and squish raspberries while continuing to cook for 10 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and strain through cheesecloth or strainer, discarding berry pieces.
  8. Combine both in a large pitcher and serve over ice.

Raspberry Tea Ingredients

Print
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Homemade Easy Raspberry Tea

  • Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 Black Tea Bags (like Lipton)
  • 8 cups Water divided
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 12 oz Raspberries

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil.
  2. Remove from heat.
  3. Add tea bags and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
  4. Add 4 cups water to medium pan.
  5. Add sugar and raspberries and bring to a boil over high.
  6. Reduce heat to medium and squish raspberries while continuing to cook for 10 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and strain through cheesecloth or strainer, discarding berry pieces.
  8. Combine both in a large pitcher and serve over ice.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @frugalcouponliving on Instagram and hashtag it #frugalcouponliving

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
We love a tasty fruit iced tea recipe. This homemade easy raspberry tea has a few simple ingredients. Ice and serve as a summer drink! Click to Tweet

Homemade Easy Raspberry Tea


One of our favorite recipes is this Simple & Southern Peach Iced Tea Recipe. Pin to Pinterest.

But the tea loving doesn’t have to stop there. Take a look at this Simple & Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out our Sweet and Southern Pink Lemonade. Pin to Pinterest.

Stay cool with this copycat Lemonade Recipe – Copycat Chick-fil-A Lemonade Recipe. Pin to Pinterest.

Lastly, we love copycat summer drinks. Take a stab at this easy to make Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe. Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

How to Make Stickers Using the Cricut Machine

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March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

published date: June 09, 2018
modified datt: March 29,2019

If you’re looking for an easy tutorial on how to make stickers using the Cricut machine, then you’re in the right place. I will simplify the process, so you can focus on your creativity. Continue reading this easy step-by-step tutorial.

How to Make Stickers Using the Cricut Machine

Making stickers is one of the fastest growing trends, and not just for creatives. There are planners to decorate, containers to label, invitations to hand out, and the list can keep going on.

Learning how to make stickers using the Cricut machine isn’t that difficult with the right tips and help along the way. And today, I’m going to guide you through the Cricut Design space and show you how you can make your own stickers.


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How to Make Stickers Using The Cricut Machine

For this project, you will need printable sicker paper for your machine. Cricut has it online and it is often discounted.

The first thing you’ll want to do is create your stickers. You can do this by using programs such as Microsoft 3D Paint or Procreate, which is a drawing app available on Apple products.

Stickers made for Cricut

Once your stickers are created in the program of your choice, you’ll want to outline your images in a light grey color (make sure to leave plenty of white space around your images) so the Cricut machine will know where to cut.

I would strongly recommend using the light grey color because this color will not show when your stickers are cut. Once your image is ready, save your file as a JPEG for easy uploading into Cricut Design Space.

Next, you’ll want to log into Cricut Design Space and select “Create a New Project.” You’ll want to go to the bottom left of your screen and select “Upload.”

Upload your greyscale image and select “complex” so you will have all of your features and colors from your stickers. This is especially important if your stickers are very detailed. Then select “continue.”

Since you don’t want to print out any of your grey colors from your stickers, you want to click on the wand in the top-right hand corner of your screen.

Then click on any grey area of your image and watch the grey be replaced with a checkered pattern. This tells Cricut Design Space to only print your stickers and ignore everything else on the page. Select “continue” to make your stickers.

After you select “continue” you’ll be presented with two options of what you want Cricut Design Space to do with your sticker image. You’ll want to select the option on the left, which is “Save as a print then cut image.”

Don’t forget to name your image what you’d like your file to be known as (this is on the right-hand side of the screen). Then select “save.” Select your image once your file has been uploaded and select “Import Image” so your stickers are inserted into Design Space.

Once your stickers are imported into Cricut Design Space you can easily rotate your image, make your stickers larger or smaller, depending on the size you’d like to print from your printer. If you need to duplicate or rotate your image, you can do so now.

Once your stickers are the size you want, go ahead and select the “Make It” button in the top right-hand corner of your screen.

After you select “Make It” double check to make sure your image is the size and quantity you’d like to print and cut. If so, select “Continue” in the bottom-right of your screen. You’ll then want to print images on the printer of your choice.

Please remember to insert your sticker printer paper into your machine before selecting the print option. This will save you a headache and you won’t find yourself rushing to your printer or wasting ink.

From the print option, you’ll want to select the printer of your choice, leave copies at 1 (if making one page), and turn off the “Bleed.”

Once your stickers are printed out, make sure your Cricut machine is on and connected.

Next, select the “Paper” option under materials and “Continue.” After you place your sticker paper onto your Cricut mat and insert this into the machine, your fine-point tip cutter will do the rest of the work. (Remember to match your sticker paper and lay your paper down on your Cricut mat as the image is showing in your Design Space.)

Then, enjoy your new stickers!

What kind of stickers are you planning on making? Do you have any questions about using the Cricut machine? Ask and share in the comments below.

Easy and Simplistic Tutorial on How to Make Stickers Using the Cricut Machine @OfficialCricut #circutdesignspace #tutorial Click to Tweet


Take a look at these Cricut Freebies – Tutorials for Your Cricut Projects. Pin to Pinterest.

We love our Cricut Monogram Tutorial. Pin to Pinterest.

Want Another Cricut Tutorial? Learn How to Add Your Own Images to Cricut Design Space. Pin to Pinterest.

A common sought after tutorial – How To Cut Vinyl in Cricut Design Space. Pin to Pinterest.



WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

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I am a wife, mother, daughter, blogger, teacher, friend – a woman of many different hats. My delights are my husband, my five kids, reading, shopping, and spending time with friends and family. I am a Florida girl transferred to the heart of the DC-Metro area. I'm glad you're here! Learn more about Ashley.

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