IKEA Hack: DIY Rustic Bread Tin Box

Image 19 Comments January 11, 2017 Sammy and Sufi

We eat A LOT of bread… possibly too much of it but we are hobbits so that’s probably not going to change anytime soon. Although we finished renovating our kitchen this past May, there is still some work to be done in terms of organizing and decorating. One of the things that needed to get checked off of our to-do list was finding a way to preserve and store our leftover bread. When we searched for bread storage online, we immediately fell in love with the charm of those rustic farmhouse bread tins. Of course it would have been easy to click purchase and have one delivered straight to our doorstep for $45 but where’s the fun in that? Instead we took our time getting ideas until we came up with an easy DIY bread tin. Not only is it way cheaper than any bread tin you’ll find in store but it’s super easy to make and customizable too. IKEA has two different tin options that you can use for this project and both are under $15.

Hemsmak

Beromlig

The Beromlig that we settled on came with two sizes for $8.99 and we used the larger one to make the bread tin box (we will probably turn the smaller one into a cookie tin). That’s a steal considering simple tins like the one pictured below on wayfair.com are going for $26.99 at sale price. Besides the choice of tin, you also have the option to pick any font you want. We went for a classic look with “Old School Alphabet” stencils that we found at a local Michaels. Lastly, you’ll need to settle on an ink color from the many pretty shades that are out there. Why permanent marker you ask? Well we did try acrylic paint and it peeled off too easily. Although permanent marker can come off with rubbing alcohol (we checked!), it does not come off with a gentle wiping using a wet cloth. I suppose you can use spray paint or some other fancy medium but for a simple and inexpensive home decor item,a good old Sharpie will do the trick. Alright, let’s get started!Materials
Beromlig Storage Tin or Hemsmak
Letter stencils
Permanent marker
Washi or painter’s tape

Directions

1. Wipe the inside and outside of the tin clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
2. Arrange and level your letters on the tin and tape them in place using washi or painter’s tape.
3. Fill in the letters with any color permanent ink you choose.
4. Let dry for 10 minutes before removing the stencils.
5. Find a happy place for your bread box and fill with delicious breads 🙂

What projects and adventures are you working on right now? Please join the conversation below in our comment section, we would love to hear from you!

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Dress your plants: DIY Washi Tape Planter Art

Image 23 Comments November 24, 2016 Sammy and Sufi

This month, the wonderful Igor and Judith at Urban Jungle Bloggers are on the lookout for creative, inspiring and unusual planters for dressing up plants. We took this as a challenge to transform our neutral, minimalist IKEA pots into something a bit more bright and cheery for our eclectic space. Plus with the holidays around the corner, we thought it would be nice to offer a simple DIY gift idea for that special plant-lover in your life.

We’ve seen many cool Washi Tape projects before but had never attempted one until now. Not only is Washi Tape super versatile but the variety of colors, patterns, and textures it comes in makes for endless crafting possibilities. Aside from the planters, tape, and scissors, all you really need for this project is your imagination. To get your creative juices flowing, we are sharing the simple designs we came up with when we put our scissors to the tape. Although it was tedious, we found it much easier to work with smaller pieces of tape with regards to the curvature of the pot (hence the mosaic look!). Despite the time it took, we really enjoyed watching the abstract design emerge as we added piece by piece.

Supplies
Planters
Washi Tape
Scissors
Mod Podge

Directions
1. Design your planters. There’s no limit to what you can think up and create.
2. Cut and stick your Washi Tape pieces on the planter according to your design.
3. Seal your design with Mod Podge.

What are some ideas you have for decorating planters in your home? If you attempt this project please do share the finished product with us on instagram under #chcdiy 🙂

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Fall Harvest Herb Bouquets

Image Leave a comment October 25, 2016 Sammy and Sufi

It’s nearing the end of October and the weather here is finally taking a chilly turn. With all the things that need to get done, including preparing for baby #2’s arrival in a few short weeks, tending to our garden has been one of those things low on our priority list. We really wanted to maximize our harvest this year and preserve what has managed to stay alive but we are just so short on time that we have to be realistic. All those green tomatoes and jalapeños may not be jellied or pickled this year but we at least wanted to dry some herbs for use through the winter. When I found myself bringing basil in but not having the time to clean and dry them, I placed them in a vase on the kitchen counter until I could find the time to tend to them. To my delight, not only did they thrive in their new home but they gave off the loveliest aroma. As you can see, I got a bit carried away and started making more herb arrangements to put around the house. I guess some good can come out of procrastination 😉

If you need to bring your herbs in before they completely die out but can’t preserve them immediately, consider making small bouquets out of them. With regular water changes, they should last up to a week or longer. And the best part? They make such beautiful decor! The pop of vibrant green has really brought life to our home. You can use vases, teacups, jars; any pretty glass you have on hand. I made simple, single herb arrangements but the possibilities are endless. So hold off on lighting those pumpkin spice candles just a bit longer and consider bringing the fresh scents of basil, thyme, lavender, or whatever else you grow into your home. Nothing beats the clean, natural fragrance they give off!