DIY Archives - Our Tiny Nest

18 In DIY/ home

The coziest fall simmer pot

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This is the coziest fall simmer pot to make your home smell so good and feel warm.

We are heading into fall and cozy season. One of my favorite things to do is simmer a nice simmer pot and make the house smell amazing. This one reminds me of coffee cake or like you are sitting in a cozy coffee house with Rory Gilmore in your favorite cableknit sweater.

What is a simmer pot?

A simmer pot is a basically a pot of water, fruits, herbs and spices that you simmer throughout the day to fill your home with a nice aroma. Simmer pots are really nice around the holidays with warm spices like cinnamon and clove and they make a great gift too! (Click here to see my DIY simmer pot gift).

I’ve tried alot of different combinations and recently I started adding coffee beans! The smell is incredible! Not only does it neutralize any odors, but it will make your home smell like your favorite coffee shop and is perfect for fall.

To make the coziest fall simmer pot

You will need:

a pot (I like to use this glass simmer pot because it looks pretty too!)
coffee beans
2 cinnamon sticks
2 slices of orange

Directions:

1.) Start by filling your pot with some coffee beans and cinnamon sticks.

2.) Slice two wedges of fresh orange and add to the pot.

3.) Fill the pot about 2/3’s full of water.

4.) Put on the stove, bring to a simmer then lower the heat.

5.) Allow to simmer for 3-4 hours, you can add more water as needed to avoid drying out.

Linking some things below to re-create a simmer pot and cozy up!

For more cozy fall ideas check out

My pumpkin cold foam coffee

Cozy fall home decor

My pumpkin baked brie

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August 30, 2023 By Nicolle

21 In DIY

DIY Beach Memory Box

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If you are going to the beach this summer then you will want to see how to make this DIY Beach Memory Box as a keepsake of your trip.

One of our family’s special places is Narragansett, Rhode Island. We look forward to going whenever we can. It holds a special place in our hearts (I’m linking a post I wrote previously with some of our favorite things to do there). This DIY beach memory box is a great way to remember your beach vacation. Bring back some sand and seashells from your favorite place, and scroll down to see how to make this special keepsake.

This post is brought to you by The Cozy Creative Collaborative

A group of ladies who love all things home, DIY, and food. We team up every month to share a new themed project and this month we are sharing all things coastal. Be sure to scroll to the end to see everyone’s coastal ideas!

If you are coming from my friend Jen at Cottage on Bunker Hill, welcome and I hope you will stick around here awhile!!! When I think of a true coastal girl, Jen comes to mind. How amazing did her lobster cobb salad look? Yummm!!!

How to make a DIY Beach Memory Box

You will need:

shadowbox
sand
seashells and sea glass
photo
sand dollar
permanent marker
hot glue gun

1.) Start by taking apart the shadow box. If desired, cover the backing with cardstock or paper. I chose to cover my black backing with white paper.

2.) Secure your photo to the backing.

3.) Using a gold permanent marker, I wrote each of our names on a sanddollar. If you are using a larger shadowbox and have the space, you could do one for each person.

4.) I secured the sanddollar to the backing using hot glue so that it didn’t roll around.

5.) Fill the bottom of the shadow box with some sand and secure the backing on. I also hot glued around the edges to seal the backing so that no sand could leak out.

6.) Using hot glue, glue the seaglass and seashells around the border of the shadow box and allow to dry.

That’s it! So easy! This is perfect so display on your shelves, coffee table or desk so that you can go back to the beach anytime you need a getaway!

I’m linking some things below if you want to re-create your own shadow box.

For more coastal and beach inspiration, you can also see how I put together this coastal tray decor.

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Next head on over to my friend Heidi where she is sharing how to make the prettiest seashell candles.

Coastal Inspiration from The Cozy Creative Collaborative

Coastal inspired frame with seashells and seaglass.

DIY Beach Keepsake | Nicolle of Our Tiny Nest Blog

Homemade candles with soy wax and scallop shells.

How to Make Homemade Candles in Scallop Seashells | Heidi of Eleanor Rose Home

DIY seashell wall art for summer coastal decor.

DIY Seashell Wall Decor | Charity of Mornings on Macedonia

A coastal themed tablescape with shell accents.

How to Set a Casual Coastal Table | Kelly of The Tattered Pew

New England Cobb salad with lobster, hard boiled eggs, and croutons.

New England Lobster Cobb Salad | Jennifer of Cottage on Bunkerhill

July 25, 2023 By Nicolle

20 In decor/ DIY

Summer on a tray – Coastal Tray Decor

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We are in the full swing of summer, it is hot and we are counting down the days here until we’re at the beach! I decided to bring a little bit of the ocean to us with this easy Coastal Tray Decor. Scroll down to see my Summer on a Tray Coastal Tray Decor and other summer decor ideas from my friends.

Decorating with trays is one of my favorite ways to switch up the decor in my home. Sometimes you might also hear it referred to it as a vignette. Today I’m teaming up with 13 other bloggers to bring you some inspiration for creating your own summer on a tray. And a big thank you to Katherine from Katherine’s Corner for putting this together and inviting me!

If you’re coming over from Hyacinth for the Soul, welcome! I hope that you will stick around, subscribe and come on over and follow me on Instagram!

To make your Summer on a Tray Coastal Tray Decor:

1.) Start by choosing a theme or a vibe that you want to go for. I chose to do a coastal, beachy theme since I am craving the sand and shells. Then gather all your items. I’m a big believer in “shopping your home” first. Go around your home collecting any items you may have that you can use. I have a few different trays in my collection that I like to use. I will link them at the end of this post.

2.) I filled a large glass canister with some beach sand then added a candle. Then I topped the sand with some sea glass to add a pop of color.

3.) I knew I wanted to display some seashells that we’ve collected so I grouped them in a little wooden tray that I had.

4.) I always subscribe to the notion of adding some greenery whether it be real or faux. I had this little faux palm and placed it in this mercury glass vase. I love how the silver pops and complements the cool blues and greens.

I think it adds just the right amount of beachy coastal decor!

If you visit the beach this summer, make sure to bring home some sand and shells so you can a similar vignette and remember your trip!

I’ll link some things below if you want to re-create a similar coastal tray

And if you are looking for more DIY and craft ideas with your beach sand and seashells, check out how to make this DIY beach memory box as a keepsake of your trip.

Check out some of my other seasonal decor ideas:

This easy fall centerpiece

Winter tray decor

Now head on over to Katherine from Katherine’s Corner to see her Summer on a Tray idea.

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July 18, 2023 By Nicolle

22 In DIY/ printables

End of the year teacher gift idea and free printable

Basket with wine bottle, wine chiller, wine tote, best teacher ever book and an apple with tag that says "apples are fine but by June you deserve some wine"

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Teachers will love what’s inside basket! This end of the year teacher gift idea is easy to put together and comes with a free printable too! Because by the end of the year, teachers deserve all the wine.

I can’t believe it’s already almost the end of the school year. Our teachers deserve to be spoiled for all the extra hard work they put in. Honestly, our oldest graduates kindergarten this year and his teacher has been fantastic! We could not have asked for a better experience. So I wanted to put something special together for her to celebrate the end of a great year and kick off summer. This end of the year teacher gift idea is the perfect way to show your appreciation for all they do. After all “apples for the teacher used to be just fine, but by June, they deserve some wine!”

To make this you will need:

a basket
print out of my free printable, which I have linked below.
cardstock or paper
scissors
wine
ribbon
hole punch
filler for your basket
basket items (I’m sharing some ideas below)

Free printable tag

Here is the printable tag. Click here to download and print out your own tags!

Once you have printed out your tag, you will need to cut it out.

Then using a hole puncher, I punched a hole in the corner of the tag and slipped some twine through with a ribbon, tying the ribbon around the neck of the wine bottle.

Next it’s time to fill your basket.

What to include in your End of the Year Gift Basket Idea for the Teacher

The beauty of this gift basket is that it can be completely customized! You can do a fun summer themed basket, coffee, chocolate, honestly, whatever your teacher likes! (But honestly, what teacher doesn’t love wine?)

Here are some ideas of what to include in your basket:

Basket
Turkish towel
Wine tote
Wine chiller
Charcuterie board
Best teacher because book (For this part, I gave each student in the class. two pieces of paper out of the book and had them write what they loved about their teacher. Then had them send back to me so that I could compile them all in the book to give the teacher. Just a little something to personalize it)

You will want to add some filler to your basket. You can use whatever you like but here are some that I like to use:

Then you will want to add your items to the baskets in an aesthetically pleasing way. I like to add the taller items in the back. Complete with some ribbon for a special touch.