Bonjour! Message in a Bottle DIY + a Giveaway!
When you were still knee-high, did you ever wonder how on earth a message could make its way across the oceans and around the world, nested in a fragile glass bottle and secured only with a piece of cork? Our Shoppe Manager, Vanessa, shows us how we can revisit the imagination of our childhood by creating this vintage bottle project to send to a friend far away or right next door.
Materials
Message in a Bottle Kit
7gypsies Camden Paper Collection
Matte Medium
Hand Dyed Ribbon – Topaz, Smokey Quartz
Cavallini & Co. Paris Stamp Set
Ticket
Excelsior (found at most craft stores)
Instructions
- Begin by decorating the box from the Message in a Bottle Kit with patterned paper from the 7gypsies Camden Collection.
- Adhere paper to the box with the matte medium. Seal and protect the paper by painting over it with the medium as well.
- Remove the bubble wrap from inside the box and stuff with excelsior.
- Roll up your letter and tie it with a small piece of Topaz ribbon.
- Carefully drop your letter into the bottle.
- Stamp the “bonjour” greeting from Cavallini & Co.’s Paris Stamp Set onto a ticket.
- Punch a hole in the ticket, and attach it to the neck of the bottle with another piece of ribbon.
- Place the bottle inside of the box and close the lid. Wrap a couple layers of the Smokey Quartz ribbon around the outside, and tie it off with a bow.
For more projects that will inspire you to create handmade sentiments for yourself or a loved one, visit The Studio.
To whom would you send a special message in a bottle? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll send one lucky winner a Message in a Bottle Kit to make it happen!
Project and photo by Vanessa Spencer
Update: The winner of the Message in a Bottle giveaway is Comment #21, Isabelle! We will be in contact with you about the details of your prize. Thank you to ALL who reached out to us and shared your stories. Your bravery and support for your loved ones is admirable, and we wish you the very best.
*Entries are accepted until 11:59 PM on 9/27/12. Winner will be chosen via random number generator. Contest is open to residents of the U.S.
Posted: Monday, September 10th, 2012 @ 9:45 am
Categories: How-To Project Tutorials.
Tags: DIY, Ephemera.
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I would send this to my sister. We are incredibly close and don’t see each other more than maybe once a year. She’s been my best friend all my life and I miss her more than words can say.
I would send a Message in a Bottle to my granddaughter who is just 3 1/2 to be opened when she leans to read–that is sometime in kindergarten. I want her to know how much I love her and the world is hers!
I would send it to my husband for our anniversary, just because he’d get the biggest kick out of it.
I’d love to send a message in a bottle to my dad. Since I moved away from New Orleans I’ve missed the little chats he and I used to share when in the car together. Making him one of these would send him the message of how special he is to me!
Kitty
@artycattykitty
I would send this to my daughter, who is away at college. I send her 2-3 hand made cards a week so she knows I am thinking about her. This message in a bottle would be a real different thing and one that I know she would cherish!!
I would send this to my mom and remind her how much I love her. She’s having a difficult time since my grandmother (her mother) died last month.
I would love to send my Mom a “Message in the Bottle”. She is the most amazing Mom there is. I know most people say that about their Mom’s, but I really do believe that she is an angel here on earth. She’s the most understanding,
non-judgmental, loving person I’ve ever know. She’s done so much for me and I will never be able to thank her for all of it. I would love to send her a special message in a bottle telling her how great she is and how much she is loved.
My friend who now lives in Texas. We grew up next door to each other in Ohio, and this is exactly the sort of thing we imagined sending and finding. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m amazed we never hopped on our bikes and threw a bottle into Lake Erie!
I would send a message to each of my children just to let them know how much I love them and how proud I am to be their mum.
I would send the bottle to my husband. It would be difficult to get it to him as he has left this life and moved on to the stars, but it would be nice to believe he would get the message inside!
I would send it to my niece/goddaughter Heather. She is traveling all over the states right now and we have not seen her in quite a while. I love sending her little gifts/notes to let her know we are thinking of her.
Thanx for the chance to win! That is just too cute!
Hi! I would send it to my son and his girlfriend who live in another state. I would send them best wishes from my heart for all their hard working endeavors.
My best friend since I was 16,39 years ago,she took me under her wing and got me through something that happened to me,she is my angel.I’m about to meet a daughter from what happened,for the first time,my best friend/angel has me under her wing again,she is the most amazing person I know.
Ya know what……..I would send it to myself. I need a bit of inspiration right now, and why not?
:O)
To my high school friend (she is in her lat 60’s) yes we have known each other a long lovely time, she had heart surgery, she is doing well, a little cheer!
C
I would send this to my cousin who lives in Canada. We have been pen pals since we could write. She would be so excited to get it and would most likely also send me a message in a bottle too.
I’d send it to my sister in England to let her know how much I miss the relationship we used to have.
i want to send this to my new friend, lyn…my husband and i moved to our rented island home after our old home basically went into foreclosure. right from the start, she became my heart’s friend. she has given us garden space in their enormous garden, bread bags ordered online to slip my homemade loaves into, a gallon of iron port drink syrup that i’d raved about but cannot find anywhere, an entire day spent at our old house packing up and cleaning out and dragging up to the garage and taking a load of stuff to the dump in their truck and the list continues. all in the space of 9 months. i’m just so grateful for her now…with our world kind of crashing down around us. she’s like a beacon on troubled waters.
I would probably send to my daughter who would enjoy. She has three children and finds very little time to appreciate the unusual. Thanks.
I would send one to my Dad to cheer him up. He’s in the hospital again with some heart problems and could use a lift.
I would send a message in a bottle to my young sister. Our oldest brother’s death last year is very hard on her. I would let her know that she is loved by her 4 children and my mother and I, that she is beautiful and bright, that our father and brother’s decision does not dictate who we are and what we are going to do with this life. That life is beautiful and so worth living fully, in the moment, that there is hope in the songs of birds and joy in the whispers of the wind, and that every day brings its own message in the bottle in small and magical ways.
Hugs and thank you so much,
Isabelle
I would send it to my husband and tell him how special he is.
My husband of course. How else after 35 years would we keep the romance going..wouldn’t a message in a bottle be perfect! Lol
I would send this message: “Dear Friend, today I said a prayer that your life will be blessed in countless ways, that your spirit will blossom despite life’s circumstances, and your light will shine for all eternity.” It would be great if I could drop it in the ocean, but maybe the lake will do!
I would love to send a secret note to my
husband, who is in Japan for a month!
Many thanks, Cindi
I have been living a precarious life due to health issues (cancer and heart) the last five years. My thoughts now focus on what’s really important, love. Well, to me my love is most appreciated by my grandchildren. As an artist, I have shared many magical moments with my Tia and Hayden. They needed me for guidance and protection when it was lacking. Tia and I developed a very special bond that I am determined to make stronger as she grows up. Right before her second birthday, she moved from Ohio to Florida. In my book I’m writing to her, I said , “I want you to know why your heartstrings tug when you hear my voice years from now, to know how genuine our love for each other is.”
After creating a most magical bottle if I won, I would send it to Tia and write her a love poem of strength and truth and goodness in life. Then I would buy two more bottles, one for my Hayden Bug, the most precious beautiful little boy who has shared so much magic and tea parties with Alice (me) and the Mad Hatter (him) before he also moved; and then to the newest angel who’s waiting to be born into my world. They remind me to cherish what I am given.
I would send a heartfelt message to my dear father. I miss him terribly as he was taken from us suddenly. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.
I have been contemplating what would be a nice surprise for my son’s girlfriend, who has left for college. She is pretty much all alone, and studying very hard (she’s an excellent student). A message in a bottle might just give her the extra encouragement and lift that she needs.
what a great idea! I need to do this to send to my little sister – she would love it.
I would send this to my best friend of 40+ years because she is always there for me and I want her to know how much I appreciate her.
I have to admit, I am one of those who since I was a little girl, has wanted to do this. Then throw it into the ocean, and wait for a reply from that unknown place. If I won, that is what I would do. Thanks for the chance.
Love it! I just know it would bring a smile to my friends lips. She recently lost her father and is all alone now. So she could use a little cheering up. Thanks for sharing your creative ideas with us. They’re always inspiring.
I would do as some others have said and leave this floating for a stranger to find! Imagine the magic it could bring to someone’s day. And what fun to maybe later find out who discovered it and how it made them feel!
I would send it to my best friend of over 50 yrs. we don’t get to see each other because we live several states away, but as a surprise for her next birthday I would like to send her a round trip ticket to come see me.This would be a very cool way to send them. thank you for the chance to win this. you have great ideas to share.
My sister, my mom, my BFF . . .do I have to choose just one?
I’d send my bottle to my nephew who’s in the Marines and currently over in Janpan. We don’t have any communication right now so maybe he would actually get this message!
LOL
I’d send my bottle to my little sister in CO as I don’t get to see her but maybe once a year and it would be something she would always have and think of me!!
Hmmm… it would have to be my very good friend and arting buddy… she would love it!!
I would love to send it to the wonderful people who took care of my dog . I left “Sam ” with them to be groomed and left town for an overnight trip to NY to see my Daughters Art show. I was hit by a car while crossing the street and suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in my left leg. What followed was a month in Hospital in NY and another month in Hospital back home.. These incredible people took care of Sam as if he was their own .. he even slept in bed with them . They kept him for three months while I recuperated and would not take a penny . I will never forget their kindness and can’t think of a sweeter way to express my gratitude .
I would send this bottle to my mother in California. My Mom lost her husband of 40 years a year ago. I think it would help her feel special!
I recently found a friend I had lost touch with for over 40 years. I promise a letter (not email). This would be perfect!
I would love to send this to my precious daughter currently serving in Afghanistan. For the first time in her 20 years, she won’t be home for Christmas. If I can’t send our family to her, a message in a bottle would be certain to let her know we will be thinking of her!
I think I would probably send it to my penfriend in New Zealand. We have been writing to each other since we were 8 and that is over 50 years now! but just recently I have been very lapsed in writing to her so this would be a nice surprise. :)
I would send this to my granddaughter who is
having a very rough time right now. I would let her know that I am praying for her and that God loves her and is with her always, and that I love her no matter what.
Thanks!
I would send a message to my best friend. We have been bf’s since 1975. She is going thru a tough time now and I want her to know that I am always thinking of her.
I would definitely send it to my son. He’s a teen about to leave home. I think he needs a reminder of how much I love him.
I would love to send a message in a bottle to my grandmother. I can picture the delight on her face when told what it was that she had received. I can see her fingers caressing every detail of the bottle and rubbing the smooth glass. She might not want to hear the message because then she would always know there was a secret waiting for her and she would love the suspense. When I was 16 years old, she scolded me for not believing in Santa Claus because that was the same as not believing in the magic of Christmas. Many miles separate us now. She has become blind with age. I will see her next month as we gather together to celebrate her 100th birthday. Wouldn’t she love a message in a bottle on that special day?
I would send a message to my best friend Jenn. I live on the Pacific coast and she is on the Atlantic! A message in a bottle would be an awesome gift to her!!!
I would send a message to my grandaughter who still believes in fairies and loves all the mystery of Harry Potter. She would love this!!
I would send it to my brother who lives up North – and encourage him to begin taking advanced piano lessons again. I want him to rediscover that creative oasis in his life.
I would send it to a lost soul. Someone who needed a serendipitous message. I would enclose some charms to represent hope, a star to guide one’s path, a compass to find their True North, and an anchor to remind them to embrace their roots. I would write a special message and add these quotes:
“The power of imagination makes us infinite.”
-John Muir
“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” -Louisa May Alcott
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“My life is my message.” – Mahatma Ghandi
My message would reach the shore n’ feet of who it was meant for~
A young lady graduating from high school this next spring would receive a message from me in a bottle, encouraging her to pursue the highest calling possible, and to refuse to let fear or hardship stop her.
I would send this to my daughters who love getting mail as much as I do. :)
i would send this to my mother. she has been going through a lot lately (she lost her brother last year and her best friend since toddlerhood is now very ill with cancer). i want her to always know how much she is loved. she lives three hours away from me, so this could be a piece of my heart that she could have close to her always.
My grandchildren of course!
I would send a message to my sister who lives in Prince Edward Island, the opposite end of Canada from where I live in British Columbia. We have just discovered that we both share a love for anything artistic, from writing poetry to making and swapping Artist Trading Cards.
I would send it to my husband and love of my life on his 80th birthday which is in two weeks time. The message would include all the reasons why I love him and why I have been happy for the 51 years we have been married.
I would send it to my 5 “and a half” year old grandson. He has the best imagination of any one I know. I’d just want to be there when he opened it…to see the look on his face and hear the excitement in his voice! Oh, how I love that little one :-)
This would be so easy and fun to make. I would customize it to the person. I would make up several and use them as invites for a girls’ night out event or jewelry party at my home.
To my daughter, when she goes to college. She is very young now. I’d like to write her a note and tuck it away until she is on her own for the first time.
My precious husband of 33 years would receive my special message. What a lovely way to say I Love You!
I would send it to my dear brother, whom has suffered a broken heart from the death of our parents and another brother. He still carries that pain, and I would let him know that although we miss them desperately, it’s ok to go on and live a happy life…that that is their wish for us.
I would send this to my sister, who is six years cancer free this month, and embrace that each day we’re given is such a blessing.
My husband for our 19th anniversary!
Ooooo.. I love, love, love this idea!! Whether I won a kit or not, I’m doing this. My Mum is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s and that’s who is going to receive this!! Thanks for another fabulous idea… and a “Now why didn’t I think of that?” !!
I would send it to myself to open in a year.I would fill it with hopes and dreams. Courage.
My mother has been very ill this past year and I would love to cheer her up, this would be special.
I’d send one to my daughter who just moved 5 hours away. I miss her!
I’d send it to my husband, because he’s so wonderful.
I would send a message in a bottle to my awesome, amazing dad who died May 7, 2009. Although I was able to tell him goodbye, there are many things that have happened since then that I’d like to share with him. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I would send a message to my sister who lives in Alaska – she would get a kick out of getting a message that was not texted or faxed.
I would definitely send this to my husband – who needs to be told more often just how much I love him!
I would send it to my High School Sweetheart that I haven’t seen in 32 years. He was such a romantic, even in his youth! ;o)
If it were possible…I would send one to my daughter, who passed away at 38 weeks gestation. We lost her suddenly and it was very traumatic. I know it’s not “realistic” but its one of those “If I could…I would!” So many things that I wanted to say to her. *sigh*
Thank you for the giveaway!
How Creative! What a cute idea! I think I’ll just have to copy this one.
Thanks!