Friday, February 28, 2014

59 A Prescription to Organize

Well friends, I had high hopes that I would have a studio update for you all today, including a pretty new rug and closet curtain.  However, the rug was baaaaad and the curtain fabric just wasn't right.  So sadly, I have nothin'.  There were a few other hang-ups, but I will get into all of that within the next update.  I thought it would be fun to take a break from studio talk today and focus on my inner organizing nerd instead.

In the past, I have shared my purse process, which basically consists of me carrying a tote that holds my planner, iPad, pens, sunglasses, some other girly things and my wallet.  I take the tote in the car with me when I travel, but don't take it inside with me when I run into stores as I much prefer to just carry a single clutch or wallet most of the time.

Do you ever get frustrated with your purse and just dump it all on the table and give it an instant organizing session?  I did that earlier this week and noticed that there is always a common trend when I do this.  Pesky bobby pins!  Seriously, can't stand those things but I always carry them and use them to pin up my hair.  I know, I know, this is really important stuff right here.


It isn't just the bobby pins though; it is also hair ties and jewelry.  They always seem to be floating around in random pockets inside of my tote.  I decided I needed a small container to corral those itty bitties.  Plus, there are times when I need to occasionally remove my wedding ring when I am out {no hubby, you don't have to worry...  think manicures and long typing sessions at the coffee shop}, and I liked the idea of having something to keep it in so it isn't floating around inside of my tote.

Enter an empty prescription bottle.


Riveting right?  No, this is not rocket science organizing and I know I am not the first to use a prescription bottle to organize little items inside of my purse.  But why not share the big projects with the little right?  So here you have it.  I spray painted a prescription bottle... {I figured if the genius Courtney can spray paint a bleach bottle cap, I could spray paint a prescription bottle}


And then covered it in a vinyl cutout done with my die cutting machine.


And it turned out as adorable small storage for my tote.


I am sure I will continue to use upcycle these containers for other small storage, and next time I will probably save the trouble of the spray paint {it can easily scrape off if you don't put a thin coat of primer on it first and/or a protective finish over it after} and just use decorative paper or fabric and Mod Podge instead.  Live and learn and share I say.  At least it is cute!


This project reminded me of the sweet little headphone storage I created out of a Q-Tip container awhile back, which I still use all of the time.  I adore when everyday packaging can be re-purosed.

What product packaging have you been up-cycling for storage lately? 


59 comments:

  1. What a great idea to decorate them! I feel bad throwing them out, but don't want my children (or me) to get confused as to what is medicine and what is not. I wonder if I could use mod podge on some washi tape to cover one up?

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  2. Great idea, but I have a question. What kind of protective finish would you recommend to keep the paint from chipping and the vinyl from peeling off?

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    1. You could use clear spray, but I ultimately just added some clear packing tape around the bottle. Mod Podge would probably do the trick as well. :)

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  3. Not as common anymore, but a film canister works great too.

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  4. Hi Jen! I love your idea with the bottle! I like big flowy bags so my stuff can get banged up in there if I'm not careful (or my son decides to jump on it). I may just try this out, it's wonderful! I currently use an Altoids tin to put all my teeny tiny objects in; I love it because it's hardy and smells like mint!

    xx Paige

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  5. This is such a great idea! Will definitely attempt. Thanks!

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  6. Wow. Looks great. You can also use an empty TicTac container to hold your bobby pins..Cheers!

    http://www.a-kaleidoscopic-dream.blogspot.com

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  7. WOW... I use my old prescription bottles for bobby pins, q tips, lotion, e.t.c when I travel.. I don't have a vinyl cutout machine but I will be spray painting some of mine soon... This is such a great idea

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  8. Wow! Awesome job on the upcycle! This is perfect for travelling and storing small items. Thanks so much for this idea! =)

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  9. Ummmm I LOVE your keychain! Can you share the source?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah! I found it last summer at a small boutique - it is Russel and Hazel. :)

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    2. Thank you! :-) I am going to track one down!

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  10. I love the little prescription bottle! Goood idea to decorate it!

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  11. What a great idea! I'll remember to hang onto those little bottles in the future!

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  12. Adorable as always! I'm at that stage where I don't even carry a purse. 2 kids and a diaper bag and I usually just have my wallet. But those bobby pins are everywhere!

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  13. How cute! I've been using our empty baby wipe containers for storing little things for our desk, and I made one into a little trash bag dispenser. I'm also saving our two-liter and detergent bottles to paint and make into flower pots this spring.

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    Replies
    1. So wonderfully resourceful! Love the wipe container storage, I miss having those around!

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  14. I'll never look at those bottles the same way again! Thank you!

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  15. That is such a cool idea for bobby pins! I always find some at the bottom of my purse!

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  16. I've been trying to reuse my empty prescription bottles lately too. They're recyclable but I still feel the need to save them. I have one in the car that holds a small bar of soap ( I always have a bottle of water in my car and the soap has come in handy a few times) and I have one in my purse to hold extra camera batteries. Mine aren't as pretty as yours though. I wish my company used pretty green bottles!!

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  17. Such a great idea! I will definitely be making myself one :)

    www.aletterfromem.blogspot.co.uk

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  18. You could also glue a magnet into the lid to make it easier to get out just one bobby pin.

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  19. Such a good idea!! I use tide pods containers to corral my sons hotwheels and other little cars. I also use an old wipes container for our plastic grocery bags. It's so simple to push one in and grab one out when we need one.

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  20. I looooved this post! Just getting ready to travel and I've been noticing lately just how much jewelry I lose/misplace due to my purse and car. This is a fab solution! Thanks Jen.

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  21. Jen,I'm thinking of getting a Silhouette. How would I go about getting fonts to use and the vinyl?I want to do the colored stacking boxes for a wrapping station like you did.

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    1. Hi Martha! Any of the fonts you have downloaded to your computer with load right into the Silhouette Software. The vinyl can be purchased directly from Silhouette, at some craft stores and online at various craft merchants. It is such a fun tool, you are sure to love it!

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  22. Silly comment. Where is that bag from?

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  23. I didn't realize it was a pill bottle until I saw the DIY steps. Really cute! I'm still figuring out my purse system...

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  24. we dont have perscription bottles where im from and our q-tip bottles are was too soft, any other suggestions of things i might use? totally going to try this though. i love it.
    www.itsmylittlethings.blogspot.com

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  25. I like your little pot - what a wonderful idea!

    Thanks for sharing,

    Sophie

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  26. Simply genius! I too will have to go the route of washi tape after spray painting the bottle, but none the less .... genius!!

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  27. this is fantastic! I always have a ton of pins in the bottom of my purse and when i need them can never seem to locate one! thanks for sharing, I will definitely be doing this this weekend!

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  28. Just curious,,,,what it that Silhouette pattern design you used?

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    1. Hi Shayna! It is the A2 card pattern by Sweet Afton. xo!

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  29. I love this! Thanks For sharing!

    http://awkwardgirlx.blogspot.com/

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  30. I was thinking washi tape too. Love this idea! Yours is very cute.

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    1. I have one I carry in my tote, but it's for sewing needles. I painted my with clear nail polish to protect the decorations. When my kids were little, I carried a diaper bag. Now I carry a knitting bag, and like you, grab my wallet out of it when shopping. Once when the kids were little, I got to a polling place to vote, and found I only had crayons in my bag - no other writing tools! Somebody else in line felt bad for me and shared their pen, but I dumped out the entire bag on the stroller shade, hoping a pen was lingering in the bottom, but no such luck! I have a little freebie from Michaels that was supposed to be for beading, but I use it to carry fold-up scissors, plastic needle, thread, etc. My rx bottle revamp fits in there too and holds my sewing needles. It moves from knitting bag to knitting bag, whatever one (yes, I have many) I'm hauling that day.

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  31. This is brilliant! Thank you for sharing :)

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  32. Love it Jen! Everything you do (big or small!) is simply brilliant!

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  33. Wow! Great job! Who would say prescription bottle could look so elegant.. :)

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  34. That is such a fabulous idea lovely, I must make one of these. My bag is always in need of organising!

    Elizabeth x | www.candyflosscurlscupcakesandcouture.com

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  35. This idea is completely genius! I wish I had prescription bottles lying around.

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  36. And to think I just threw out 2 in the recycling bin. This is a great idea! Now, I have to go dig them out and spend some time being crafty thanks to your great post you shared. Hope you are having a lovely weekend :)

    Amber
    www.LittleEllaBug.com
    Unique Handstamped Jewelry & Fingerprint Jewelry

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  37. This is such a good idea! It looks so cute, and very reminiscent of Kate Spade. I just use an old Tic Tac box for my bobby pins but think I'll have to upgrade it now!

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  38. cute! I think that's especially a really good idea for a beach trip-- tuck a few dollars and a hair elastic in there & you're good to go!

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  39. Why have I never thought of this?! Doing this ASAP.

    http://blissfulblonde.blogspot.com

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  40. How did you get the spray paint to stick? Mine just keeps running right off the bottle :(

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    1. Hi Dawn!

      I either do a thin coat of spray primer or use the spay paint with primer built in. I have definitely found that not all spray paints are created equal and nice thin coats are key. xoxo!

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  41. Love seeing every day items turned into a useful little piece of art! Brilliant!

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  42. I'm about 5 yrs behind everyone else, but I just saw this and immediately located at least 4 bottles. I have been looking at backgrounds that I can print with my cricut but can't find anything a cute as what you used. I will keep looking. May try the new plastic gum containers too. I use a laundry pod container in my car for a trashcan (keeps that fresh smell going too) or a dishwasher pod container. Both make good trashcans that can be used for a while, have a lid and can be recycled if they get yuck.

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