Visit A Beautiful Mess to see how you can create some really cute DIY cardboard playhouses!  I would have loved any one of these when I was a kid!

Have you got a frugal DIY idea that you’d love to share with others?  Submit your idea here!

Motherhood On a Dime shows us how to make a fabulous magnetic menu planner!  This system would be great for inquiring minds that want to know what they’ll be eating each night!

Have you got a simple, frugal DIY project you’d like to share?  Submit your post or idea here.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. And just in time, I have a simple gift idea for you!  Give Mom a nice Herb and Tomato gift!

All you need is:

• One or two potted tomato plants
• One or two potted herb plants (I used basil)
• Ribbon
• Wrapping paper (I used brown kraft paper)
• Tape

All I did was cut a strip of Kraft paper wide enough to cover the ugly pots.  I taped it in place.  Next I took some polka dot ribbon I had from the dollar store, wrapped it around over the Kraft paper, then taped it in place.  Finally, I added the red/pink ribbon by tying it in a bow at what I determined to be the front.  As a cute touch, I stuck in a butterfly pick that I found at the dollar store.

All you have to do now is add a card and tell Mom to plant then in her favourite planters or garden!

If you’d rather not use tomatoes or herbs, grab a pack of flowers from your local greenhouse and wrap it the same way with the Kraft paper.  Like so:

I decided to forgo the ribbon this time in favour of writing “Happy Mother’s Day” on the paper instead.

I’d like to know two things:  What will you be giving Mom this year and what do you really want for Mother’s Day?

Ann from My Nearest and Dearest, sent along the link to her super cute tissue paper kids craft!

Using sticks and tissue paper, she created, along with her son, some great spring decor!

Check out My Nearest and Dearest for all the details!

My daughter recently celebrated her first birthday.  Seriously, where did the time go?  There’s no way my baby is one!  Regardless, I wanted to something to commemorate the occasion.

When a mom in a Facebook group that I’m a part of, posted about her son’s first birthday finger painting art, many of us within that group, thought the idea was a great one.  I was one of them!

I made a trip to Michaels armed with a 40% off coupon for some finger paints. I decided on the basic Crayola finger paints. (But you could also make your own!  See I Can Teach My Child for a great sounding recipe.) I was also hoping the canvases would be on sale.  Sure enough, they were, so I grabbed the 11″ x 14″ size.

We started with the blank canvas with some dots of paint I put randomly all over.

Next, we thought eating the paint would be a good idea.  Not so good, but I didn’t panic because the paints were non-toxic.  I should have known better because there isn’t anything this kid won’t eat.

In order to get the final masterpiece, I had to direct her hands all over the canvas. I’m sure she’ll catch on soon enough if we do more “masterpieces” in the future!

Having the bath ready and waiting came highly suggested by the Mom in the Facebook group!

Right now the canvas is displayed proudly on our mantle in the living room.  One day, I’d like for it to end up in a playroom that we may have!

Did you do something to commemorate your child’s first birthday?

I love what Seetha has challenged herself to do when it comes to making greeting cards!  She’s decided to make all her greeting cards from recycled items!

I think this idea fits in quite nicely with the No Spend Challenge this month!

Have you got a frugal DIY idea that you’d love to share with others?  Submit your idea here!