Thursday, December 6, 2007

Fun in a Bottle

OK, got your attention with that title, nope not talking alcohol. I have sent a couple of these bottles out to Ms. Jen's darling little boys and she has posted them on her blog and as such I was asked if I would do a tutorial on them. They are fun to create and kids and even adults get a kick out of them. The best part is watching them stare at the bottle and wonder how you got "the stuff" in there. I never tell my secret, just let them figure it out on their own. I have made two bottles one for boys and one for girls. You can make these for all occassions and holidays. I have made golf, graduation, birthday, halloween, valentine, if you can think of it then put it in a bottle. LOL These are stuffed with goodies for Christmas. I went shopping at the $ store and Target $ spot, one of my two favorites places to find goodies for the bottles.





These two bottles are 2 litre soda bottles, but you can use anything. All you need is the bottle you are going to use a craft kinfe, and if you don't have that use one of those EXPENSIVE steak knives that is always fun and some adhesive remover.

Sometimes you are lucky and the label will come off quite easily, sometimes you have to soak it and then gently peel it. I use my goo-be-gone, to remove the adhesive from the bottle, give it a thorough wash inside and out and let it dry, if you can't wait once you open up the bottle you can use paper towels to dry the inside




Next make a cut in the shape of [ (large C) or ] or U, big enough for you to get the goodies in the bottle. I placed the craft knife inside the bottle so you should be able to get an idea of the size of the cut that I made, I went with the Capital C approach. OK, pretty much this is it, now the fun part begins. The picture below on the right also has the craft knife sticking out, this is to show you the opening, I don't normally just stick it inside the bottle.


I put in some confetti or any kind of gift packing material, I bought the goodies for both the bottles and the packing at the $ store, love the $ store.
















Add some confetti then some goodies, some more confetti and then some more goodies, it goes on like this until you have stuffed everything you possible can into the bottle.




I use clear packing tape to tape over the opening I have made. I have two address labels, one from the computer with clip art and one that I have stamped, you can use stickers, anything you want. Make sure your label is big enough to cover the opening you made and then tape this baby on. You can either hot glue the top of the bottle on or use some of the packing tape, me I had the tape out, the hot glue gun was in the closet, it was a no brainer for me.









I send mine through the Post Office just as you seen them, Priority Mail, I have never tried the regular mail but sure you could also send that way.

The bottle that I made for the girls is being hand delivered so I put some bracelets and candy canes on the outside, even if you are not mailing you do need to put a label on the bottle as this will conceal the opening.

In case you are wondering about the labels on the bottles in the top photo, to protect the innocent and not spoil the surprise real names were not used on the bottles. Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and go make one for someone special in your life, it will put a smile on their face and in their heart.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, WILL CATCH UP WITH YA ON SCRAPBOOK SUNDAY.


I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THESE BOTTLES

1. How do the little ones get the things out?
Once they finally figure out that the bottle is cut and the opening is under the label they just remove the tape and remove the items through the opening.

2. How much is the mail for one (roughly)?
The shipping costs depend on the weight and how it is shipped, I like to send priority but the bottles can also be shipped first class.

3. how big can you make the cut without compromising the bottle.
On a 2 litre bottle I usually make my cuts between 2 1/2 to 3 inches.

52 comments:

Tanis said...

What totally cool gift wrap!
Thanks for sharing (now I have something else to collect and store in the garage :)

Rita said...

Thank you so much Flossie for doing this tutorial, I really appreciate it! You did an awesome job!!! I can't wait to try this but first I need to go shopping for some goodies.

Kelly said...

So fun you are too creative!!!I love it!! I got your Christmas card today I will be posting it later today, thanks so much it is beautiful and my first one of the season!!

Unknown said...

what a fun idea!!! thanks for letting us in on the scoop...=)

Heather said...

Awesome idea! I bet younger children are goggle eyed trying to figure it out!

Excellent instructions- especially the picture with the craft knife sticking out of the bottle- that was a great visual.

Dawn Easton said...

These are super cool! What fun!

Deborah said...

Darling crafty gift bottles! So nice of you to send a couple all the way over to Hawaii to Jen's sweeties! I received your lovley Christmas card, thanks so much for thinking of me! Deb

Lisa's Blessed A Latte said...

I have sent and received them too!!! They are sooo fun....

Tina said...

What a funny idea, Sista! I love it

Chris said...

these are really cool!!! thanks for sharing...>"<

Debbie - StudioBeeCreations said...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Flossie!...This is SUCH A COOL COOL idea!!...Thanks so much for the inspiration & the TUTE!!!!....The possibilities are endless with this!!!

Paula said...

total cuteness! I am smacking myself in the head, going, "why didn't I think of that"?

Tina said...

This is an awesome project. Can't believe that I have been throwing out my 2L bottles. Glad to have a way to recycle them so gloriously!

michelle sturgeon said...

LOL! This is great! I think it will be hilarious to see their faces thinking, "How'd she do that?"

Lisbet said...

Weekend, and the second week into the christmascelebrations. I hope everything is great – I`ve just survival a cold. I thought I should make an inspirationsround before I go home from work.

Have a nice weekend.

Anonymous said...

Wowsa!! Way to go Flossie... what a totally brilliant idea...my DG would be totally in awe of how the goodies got in there. Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial...guess what I will be doing this weekend..another excuse to go shopping too :D (Like I need an excuse right!! )

Dawn♥ said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial on making these. Great inexpensive gifts for the kids! :)

ScrapMomOf2 said...

OK, I'm stunned that you can mail them as is! I would NEVER have thought that the post office would accept them without being in a box! Really!? Wow! These are fantastic! Clever!

Debbie - StudioBeeCreations said...

I know...I know....I ve already visited you today....but had to come back and say YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED...and thanks again for your awesome insiration....did I ever tell you I used to live in so. fla??....Sunrise area!

Nancy B said...

What a Wild and Very Cool idea! I would have never thought of this.

Thanks for sharing this cool idea with the rest of Bloggers.

Debby said...

Flo this is really cool.Thank you so much for the tutorial.Great gift for kids.

Ila said...

These are really Fabulous!! Thanks for the great tutorial. Have a Great Weekend!!

Christi Flores said...

Wow! What a fun present! I just might have to try this! TFS!

Michelle Pearson said...

I'd forgotton all about these! The are fun for kids....thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

Now, why didn't I think of that? Very cool idea, TF the tutorial.

Jenn D said...

What a cool idea. Thanks for the tutorial. I may have to try this for my kids. I bet they'd love it.

Vivian Swain said...

These are so neat. I bet they bring lots of smiles.

Vivian Swain

Anonymous said...

This is the coolest Idea I've EVER seen!!! AWESOME!! I'll have to give it a try!! :) Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful idea!! :)

Rose Ann said...

What an awesome idea, Flossie!! Very cute and clever!

My Paper World said...

Such a cool idea! Very cute, thanks so much for sharing!

JazzyH said...

That is so cool. I love the idea!

Anna said...

wow! you are so much creative! very cool idea :OD

Lori said...

What a fun and creative packaging idea! Thanks for sharing it.

jadadog said...

GREAT idea! THanks for the inspiration!!!

Cathrine StClair said...

What a great idea. Bet people love figuring out how it works! LOL

joslyn said...

so fun. thanks for the great idea. my boys would get a kick out of this.

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

How fun!!! Great tutorial thanks for taking the time to make it, :0) Mel

nancy said...

Flossie...what a cool idea...fun, fun, fun! Can't wait for the right occasion to give this a try = ) !

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tutorial and pics! These could be tres fun! Question: How do the little ones get the things out? How much is the mail for one (roughly)? and how big can you make the cut without compromising the bottle...I'm thinking a cute stocking for christmas, with little wrapped prezzies and visible candies, and an orange? (hmm maybe have to be a tangerine for size lol). :) thx.

Becky G said...

What a fantastic and fun idea! These are great! Thanks for sharing the idea!

Trina said...

What a cool idea!! I might have to try it too!!

Anonymous said...

These look so fun. Great gift idea!

Deb said...

What a fun gift to make and give, they look so cool and so festive too!

Anonymous said...

wow!! this looks like so much fun to make!! very cute!!

Eleanor said...

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

Gillian said...

OH WOW!!!!
these are the coolest!
thankyou so much for such a great tutorial :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome idea!!! love it!!
When my daughter was little I mailed her birthday party invites in a water bottle. Everyone that got one was amazed that you could mail it thru the postal system.
See ya Angie

Anonymous said...

You have been busy!! This is so festive!

Risa said...

I have to tell you that your idea is so cool Flossie! I love your tutorial too.
malieta:)

Unknown said...

such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing!!

Little C's Creations said...

thanks for sharing this, sweetie. my kids are experts when it comes to opening these - thanks to you!!!

love ya lots,
Jen

dreamBox 500C said...

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