Frugal Coupon Living

Stretching Your Pennies, Saving Your Dollars

Back to School | Fun, Cheap, or FREE Teacher Gifts

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by Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Education, Pinterest, Summer

published date: August 16, 2012
modified datt: August 01,2014

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Start the school year off on your teacher’s good side with this super sharp back to school gift!  A simple and easy craft to do with kids before that first bell rings.  Gather a few supplies around the house and be ready to show your teacher appreciation!

Items needed: 

  • A rinsed and cleaned empty spaghetti jar
  • Several packs of unsharpened pencils
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Ribbon
  • White card stock paper
  • Scissors
  • Flowers
  • Printable tags found below
  • White canvas tote*

We love that this craft involves repurposing something that would otherwise be tossed or recycled.  Of course any round vase or jar will do.  Working quickly, put horizontal lines of glue around the top portion and bottom portion of the jar.  Work to cover a little space at a time so the glue doesn’t harden.  Press the pencils, eraser end up, on the jar.  Continue until you’ve covered the circumference of the jar.  Using hot glue, make a ring around the pencils, about half way down.  Press your ribbon into the glue to adhere to the pencils.  Print the tag below on white card stock paper and tack on ribbon with a dot of hot glue.  Now fill with some fresh flowers to brighten your new teacher’s day!

PIN IT TO PINTEREST or get the FREE PRINTABLE

You can really be the teacher’s pet by printing the large circle above on iron-on transfer paper.  Pick up an inexpensive canvas bag from your local craft store and make a great tote for your teacher.

For the complete Sunny Days classroom printable kit, plus other great back to school ideas, visit  www.simplysprouteducate.com.

* Totes can be found at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s. You can also pick up a FREE tote from Vistaprint. Add the teacher’s name, school name, or even a fun education quote. A simple Google search can help. Grab your Craft Store Coupons!

If You Like This, Check Out These Other Posts:

There is a lot going on in Back to School and the Back to School Series.

Also search our Themed Lunchboxes

1.) Introduction – Project Lunchbox – Pin It

2.) ABC School Days Theme – Pin It

3.) Shark Week Lunch Theme – Pin It

4.) Camping Theme Lunch – Pin It

5.) Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Theme – Pin It

6.) Bug Lunch Theme – Pin It

7.) Happy Birthday Lunchbox – Pin It


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.

Back to School | FREE Keep Calm, Teach On Note and Craft

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

by Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Education, Pinterest, Summer

published date: August 01, 2013
modified datt: August 01,2014

Pin to Pinterest

Start the school year off on your teacher’s good side with this super sharp back to school gift!  A simple and easy craft to do with kids before that first bell rings.  Your child will feel proud and it’s a fun way to show your appreciation for your teacher and help sharpen up her room as the year starts!

Gather a few supplies around the house and be ready to show your teacher appreciation!

Items needed: 

  • A rinsed and cleaned empty spaghetti jar
  • Several packs of unsharpened pencils
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Ribbon
  • White card stock paper
  • Scissors
  • Flowers
  • Printable tags found below
  • Fun tote *optional

We love that this craft involves repurposing something that would otherwise be tossed or recycled.  Of course any round vase or jar will do.  Working quickly, put horizontal lines of glue around the top portion and bottom portion of the jar.  Work to cover a little space at a time so the glue doesn’t harden.  Press the pencils, eraser end up, on the jar.  Continue until you have covered the circumference of the jar.  Using hot glue, make a ring around the pencils, about half way down.  Press your ribbon into the glue to adhere to the pencils.  Print the tag below on white card stock paper and tack on ribbon with a dot of hot glue.  Now fill with some fresh flowers to brighten your new teacher’s day!

 

PIN IT TO PINTEREST or get the FREE PRINTABLE

You can really be the teacher’s pet by printing the large circle above on iron-on transfer paper.  Pick up an inexpensive canvas bag from your local craft store and make a great tote for your teacher.

For the complete Sunny Days classroom printable kit, plus other great back to school ideas, visit  www.simplysprouteducate.com.

Grab your Craft Store Coupons!

If You Like This, Check Out These Other Posts:

There is a lot going on in Back to School and the Back to School Series.

Also search our Themed Lunchboxes

1.) Introduction – Project Lunchbox – Pin It

2.) ABC School Days Theme – Pin It

3.) Shark Week Lunch Theme – Pin It

4.) Camping Theme Lunch – Pin It

5.) Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Theme – Pin It

6.) Bug Lunch Theme – Pin It

7.) Happy Birthday Lunchbox – Pin It


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.

Copycat Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

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

by Filed Under: Frugal Living, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Restaurant, Summer

published date: June 14, 2014
modified datt: July 01,2014

cracker-barrel-double-fudge-coco-cola-cake

Copycat Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
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Take this delicious treat home and make this yummy Copycat Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Coca-Cola Cake! Add the richness of Cocoa Powder and twist it up with a cup of Coco-Cola – yum! For dinner, don’t forget this round-up of Cracker Barrel Recipes.

Ingredients:

Cake:

  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 cup Coca-Cola
  • 2 cup Sugar
  • 2 cup Flour
  • 2 Eggs
  • 3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk (or 1/2 cup Milk and 1 tsp Lemon Juice)
  • 2 tsp Vanilla

Frosting:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1/4 cup Coca-Cola
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1/4 cup Chocolate Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla

Directions:

  1. Grease and flour a 13×9 cake pan.
  2. Preheat oven to 350.
  3. In a saucepan, bring 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup Coke, and oil to a boil.
  4. Combine flour and sugar. Add to saucepan and beat.
  5. Remove from heat.
  6. Add remain cake ingredients. Mix well and pour into prepared pan.
  7. Bake fro 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Cream butter and 1/2 cup cocoa in a large bowl.
  9. Add in 1/4 cup Coke, chocolate syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla.
  10. Beat in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, scraping down the sides frequently.
  11. If frosting is too dry, add a little Coke to thin.
  12. Frost the cake while it is still warm.
  13. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Don’t forget this round-up of Cracker Barrel Recipes.

Follow all Recipes on Frugal Coupon Living as well as FCLAsh on Pinterest.

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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.

Kingsford Charcoal Sale – 40 Pounds for $9.99 at Lowes

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

by Filed Under: Online Shopping, Summer

published date: June 28, 2014
modified datt: June 27,2014

kingsford-charcoal-sale

Find more Great Deals happening now. Don’t miss any of these fabulous finds!

This is some pretty big news – a nice sale on Charcoal, perfect for your July 4th holiday and all your summer needs!

Head over to Lowes and pick up a two pack of 40 lb bag Kingsford Charcoal Sale for $9.99! Retail value $19.99 (search item # 361268)

UPDATE: make this product cheaper! During checkout, use the coupon code 47000RRRRR2404R at checkout for an added 10% off! That makes your product only $8.99 before tax.

Order online to ensure your deal. Pick up in store. It appears there is a limit of 2.

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.

Fourth of July Kid Friendly Firecracker Craft

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

by Filed Under: Crafts, Education, Pinterest, Summer

published date: June 29, 2013
modified datt: June 27,2014

Firecracker Craft -Pin to Pinterest

The Fourth of July makes us POP with excitement at Simply Sprout!  A holiday filled with patriotism, outside play, family, and of course fireworks!  Fireworks and Lil Sprouts aren’t the best combination, so we’ve thought of a way for toddlers to get in on the fun!  Just in time for Independence Day you can make this kid friendly firecrackers!

 What you’ll need:

  •  Tennis ball canister
  • Red, white, and blue ribbon
  • Construction paper
  • Red, white, and blue glow sticks
  • Any additional embellishments (pom poms, sequins, stickers, etc.)
  • Glue gun

Directions:

After you have let the hot glue gun heat up (please supervise any children around a hot glue gun), make a line of glue around the bottom portion of canister.  Working with about one inch of glue at a time would be best. Place scraps of patriotic themed ribbon in the glue.  If you don’t have ribbon scraps at home you could use streamers, strips of paper, curling ribbon, etc.  Be creative!  Continue gluing ribbon from the bottom of the canister until you have made it around the entire circumference.  Take a thicker piece of ribbon and cover up the tops of the ribbon where you have already glued.  Continue wrapping the ribbon until you get to the top.  Take a piece of ribbon and make a handle by gluing the bottoms to each side of the canister.  Using the ribbon that you wrapped the canister with, circle the top portion so that ends of handle are now covered.  To make it look like an official firework, we added a cone made of construction paper to the top and decorated with sequins and such.  Now for the fun part!  Stuff your canister with red, white, and blue glow sticks (we found ours at Target for $1).  Another great idea is to fill the canisters with candy, flags, beads, or other patriotic treats for your young guests!

A creative way to let even our littlest sprouts feel festive on the Fourth of July without worrying a bit!  Have a BLAST this July 4th!  Come visit us at  www.simplysprouteducate.com.

Find more Fun July Fourth Crafts on FCL’s Pinterest Board. Also don’t forget this Patriotic Bike Clip Art from Martha Stewart.


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.

Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal Recipe – Mason Jar Cooking

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

by Filed Under: Frugal Living, Pinterest, Recipe, Summer

published date: June 25, 2014
modified datt: June 26,2014

overnight-raspberry-vanilla-oatmeal-frugal-coupon-living

Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal Recipe
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Want to stay on a quick and healhty morning regiment? Check out this fun Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal! No cooking involved, ready for you to eat a few hours after creating – it’s a fun way to “cook” with Mason Jars.

Ingredients: (per serving)

  • 1/2 cup Steal Cut Oats
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 1/4 cup Vanilla Yogurt
  • 1/8 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tbsp Raspberry Preserves
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Raspberries

Directions:

  1. In a mason jar, combine oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla and preserves.
  2. Screw on lid and shake well to mix.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  4. When ready to eat, remove lid and top with fresh raspberries.

Follow all Recipes on Frugal Coupon Living as well as FCLAsh on Pinterest.

Check out These Copycat Recipes!

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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.

Sweet Breakfast Quesadillas – Peanut Butter, Banana and Chocolate Chips

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

by Filed Under: Frugal Living, Pinterest, Recipe, Summer

published date: June 18, 2014
modified datt: June 18,2014

SONY DSC

Sweet Breakfast Quesadillas Recipe
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I’m warning you now, this is not a healthy pre-workout breakfast. Its more of an occasional treat for you… and maybe the little’s. Uou could make it for yourself before they wake up and then feed them a healthy breakfast of fresh fruit and whole wheat toast (make sure you hide the evidence) I promise I wont judge, we all have a stash of yummy sweets that are only for mommy. These Sweet Breakfast Quesadillas are rich, deliciou, and definitely decadent. While you can use any number of yummy combinations my favorite is this peanut butter, walnut, banana, and chocolate chip combination. Flour tortillas are best as they have the mildest flavor but feel free to use whatever flavor you like.

Ingredients:

  • Tortillas
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Banana’s
  • Walnuts
  • Butter
  • Peanut butter

Directions:

  1. Dice or slice fruit.
  2. In a large nonstick pan over medium heat melt butter, just to cover pan.
  3. While pan is heating, assemble your quesadilla’s, spread peanut butter on one side and place in pan, fill with the rest of your ingredients, in my case I added banana slices, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
  4. Fold tortilla over and brown for about 2 minutes, just until it begins to turn a golden color, flip and repeat on the other side.
  5. Cut into smaller pieces and serve.

You are not limted to these ingredients.  Create your favorite combination, like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Honey and Cinnamon, Strawberries and Cream Cheese (or Marscapone), Marshmallow fluff and Nutella spread, Shredded Apples and Cheddar Cheese… the possibliities are endless!

This recipe is similar to the Nutella Crepe I had The Crepe Vine (you might have seen on Instagram!) If you love Nutella, check out the Nutella Pop-Tarts Recipe too!

Follow all Recipes on Frugal Coupon Living as well as FCLAsh on Pinterest.

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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.

Layered S’more Shooters Dessert Recipe

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

by Filed Under: Frugal Living, Pinterest, Recipe, Summer

published date: June 16, 2014
modified datt: June 16,2014

layered-smore-shooters-frugal-coupon-living

Layered S’more Shooters Recipe
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YUMMY evening snack and alternative for the typical S’mores! Try these Layered S’more Shooters!

Ingredients:

  • whole graham crackers (you will be breaking them into the small rectangles)
  • ¼ cup of marshmallow crème
  • 1 small box of instant chocolate pudding
  • 2 cups of cold white milk
  • 1 cup of thawed whipped topping
  • Mini Marshmallows (for garnish)
  • Hershey’s chocolate bars (for garnish)

Directions:

  1. Break the graham crackers into the 8 small rectangles
  2. Crush each graham cracker separately
  3. Put the crushed cracker into each shooter glass
  4.  Make the chocolate pudding as directed on box
  5. Let the pudding set completely
  6. Mix in the whipped topping
  7. Put the pudding mixture into a piping bag
  8. Put it in each of the shooter glasses
  9. Put the marshmallow crème into a piping bag (It will be sticky and hard to work with!)
  10. Put in a layer of the crème
  11. Sprinkle on another layer of the cracker crumbs
  12. Add another layer of the pudding mixture
  13. Place a piece of the Hershey bar and a mini marshmallow on top of the layers

ENJOY your creation!

Don’t forget the Watermelon Shooters – Recipe for adults or kids.

Follow all Recipes on Frugal Coupon Living as well as FCLAsh on Pinterest.

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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.