Message In A Bottle

Each year I seem to struggle with an idea for a Valentine's gift.  In all honesty, my husband and I put much more importance on our Anniversary.  Yet, each Valentine's Day I still want to let him know how much he means to me.  I've written the letters and wrapped them nicely. I've created coupons.  I have bought his favorite candies. I have bought him his favorite beers.  I try to spend as little as possible, but still give him something that is just a little reminder of how much, and why, I love him.  But, my idea for Valentine's Day 2010 was a "Message In A Bottle".  I'd seen the idea on several web sites where you could order them.  But, I wanted it to be a bit more personal.  So, I dug through my crafting cave and found everything I needed.  When my creation was complete I was excited by the outcome.  This memento of my love for my husband now sits on a shelf in our living room.  For me it is a constant reminder of how very much I love the man who took on the saga of me, the man who is a wonderful father, the man who is my other half, the man I simply love.  That and it looks pretty cool next to the other glass jars of sand I have collected from beach vacations.

Supplies: Wine bottle(empty ones work best-haha), sand(I used sand I had collected from beach visits), shells(again, these were ones I had collected but you can also find them at many crafting stores, paper(whatever you would like to write your message on), a cork, some metal keys(I used ones I had purchased previously at Michael's), twine, thinner ribbon(I used brown), yarn(again I used a darker brown), tape, small metal paper clip, and a glue gun.

It is a relatively simply idea to put together. The hardest part was writing the letter to express exactly what I wanted without sounding like a greeting card.  But, when I wrote from my heart the letter simply formed exactly as it should be.  Once the letter is complete, roll it tight enough so that it will fit through the bottle opening and secure with a small piece of clear tape. I had already washed the wine bottle and was sure it was completely dry.  Next add in some sand.  I filled the bottle about 3/4 full.  Then throw in a few seashells. Cut some pieces of twine at varying lengths.  You will need one for the letter, one for the lid, and one for a key.  You may as well go ahead and also cut a couple of pieces of yarn and ribbon.  Now you take your pre-rolled letter and place the paper clip on the top/one end.  You will tie the end of one of the pieces of twine to the paper clip.  This piece needs to be long enough to drape outside of the bottle and  attach to either the cork or a key.  Insert the letter into the bottle with the paper clipped end up.  Next you will tie the remaining pieces of twine, yarn, and ribbon to the bottle neck.  One piece of twine will go to the cork.  I simply laid the twine on top of the cork, secured it there with hot glue, and also laid a shell over the top of the glue to cover it up and add a little "whimsy"(Nicki that's for you!).  Place the cork in the bottle neck.  The remaining twine/ribbon/yarn ends I used to attach the keys and left some simply free.  You are done!