DIY: Idea Jar

Today was one of those days I couldn't wait for work to end so I could run home and play with paint and popsicle sticks. That's normal right? It was definitely worth the 9 hour wait, because now I can finally put this little project to use.

Do you ever have that hour, that day, that weekend you need a little help figuring out what to do? I'm constantly taking note of activities I want to try later, but when later comes, suddenly all those ideas fly out of my mind. Anyone else have this problem? Or is it just me? Well, I hope you can relate, so you can be as excited about this DIY as I am!

Idea Jar:

Materials:

• Jar
• Paint (craft paint or spray paint)
• Paint brush
• Popsicle sticks
• Cloth
• Twine
• Pen (not pictured)
• Scissors (not pictured)
• Ideas and creativity**

1. Pick your idea categories and color coordinate. I chose red (costly/24 hour+ activity), purple (arts&culture), green (outdoor activity), yellow (inexpensive/no planning needed), and blue (food&drink).

2. Paint those popsicle sticks! It might help to make a list of your ideas first so you know how many of each color you need... or improvise!

3. Pick a fabric to wrap your jar in and cut it down to fit your jar. I folded the edges, wrapped the fabric around the jar, and tied the twine around it. If you want it to be more solid, you could put a few stitches around the edges and/or at the back. If your jar has a label, you might want to take it off. I just covered it to save time.

4. Write down all your creative ideas on the popsicle sticks and stick them in the jar.

Last is the best part: go find (or make) some free time in your schedule and see what activity you pull out of that jar first!

<3 Taylor

In a Bottle

Message in a bottle. Genie in a bottle. Fill in the blank. Right now I'm experimenting with flowers in a bottle. If you haven't guessed, my new inspiration is from these pretty glass containers. I love all the colors, shapes, and sizes. I can't bear to part with a single one that passes through our apartment. So here begins my collection of empty wine, tea, and soda bottles, applesauce and pasta sauce jars. Maybe I'll try some traditional candles in a bottle like this or go a little Alice & Wonderland like this and this. Or maybe I'll fill them with fairy lights or cover the outside with decorations. The possibilities are endless! Recycle and reuse right?

Here's a look at my new garden... I snipped a few clippings from the neighborhood vines. Shhh. I hope this survives longer than my other plant projects. I've recently discovered I might have the green thumb of death. My oregano decided to fall over and never get back up again, and my tomato plant is clinging to it's last hints of life. Though, I keep hoping it will magically resurrect with enough water. I'll blame the hot LA sun, but more likely it's my gardening techniques. That's why I'm going the route of hydroponics. At least I can't forget to water?

And here's some more bottles just waiting to be the focus of a new project:

One person's trash is another's future DIY materials!