Category Archives: Tid-Bits & Funnies

Bike Box… Mailbox?

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This mailbox turned bike basket is so charming, it practically deserves its own address. A standard aluminum letter box is lightweight, fits gracefully over the rear tire, and provides a generous amount of storage for the goods you pick up on spins around town. The door’s latch keeps it securely closed so your items won’t slide out, even if there are a few bumps in the road.

Mount this carrier, which fits a lot more than just letters, on a flat rear bike rack.

Tools and Materials

  • Drill
  • Mailbox, by Gibraltar Industries
  • 6 plastic zip ties
  • Bike, M8 bike in Chartreuse
  • Rear bike rack, in Chartreuse

Mailbox Bike Basket How-To

  1. Drill 6 pairs of holes, centered and evenly spaced, into bottom of mailbox (space holes within each pair about an inch apart). Thread 1 zip tie through each pair of holes.
  2. Place mailbox on bike rack, and use the zip ties to secure it in place. The plastic ties are durable and weatherproof, and will withstand the elements.

Bring On That Wonderful Country Summer

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What I’ve Learned

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Ribbon Storage

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To demonstrating this project to you we show it uncovered... but you can cover it with fabric, paper, paint etc. This can also be made with any type of box or hinged container you can find at a dollar store!

I became so tired of spools of ribbon coming undone and digging through drawers to see if I had ribbon that matched that I made a storage/dispensing box for my ribbon spools. The plus side of these boxes is that the ribbon stays neat and organized, you can see what you have a glance, the ribbon pulls right through the hole in box (no need to open lid to use), and because they are covered in the fabric of your choice, they can fit into any decor without being obvious.

Directions:
1. 1 shallow box. Baby-shoe boxes work well.
2. Spray box and lid with spray adhesive and cover with fabric of choice.
3. Using a razor blade to cut a narrow dowel rod the length of the box.
4. Thread spools of ribbon on the dowel rod.
5. Using a hole punch, punch as many holes as you have spools of thread/ribbon down the length of box.
6. Place dowel rod with spools of ribbon in box and thread an inch or 2 of each ribbon through hole.
7. Replace lid on box.

Candied Orange Peels

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For candied orange peel, you need to save the zest (just the orange part). Use a very sharp knife to scrape or cut away the white pith. Slice the peels into strips and cook them in simple syrup (1 part water and 1 part sugar). Cook on a low simmer until the strips start to look translucent. Remove, roll in sugar, and place them on a plate to dry. Now you can use them in all kinds of baked goods. Chop them up to add to recipes, or use them to decorate the tops.