I’ve been bitten by the crafting bug lately. I don’t know when or why this happened but it happened. I think it was all the garage sales, pinterest, and thrifting I’ve been doing.
I picked up a case of Mason Jars not too long ago with the intent to make tumblers. I still plan on making those but I also decided that I wanted a boredom jar. And not just a kid boredom jar but an everything goes Boredom Jar.
There is a very good chance that you’ll have everything you need right at home and if you don’t none of it is super expensive! You can get most of it thrifting too!
Mod Podge (or glue mixed with water)
Pretty Fabric
Scissors
Spray Paint in colors that match your fabric (optional but recommended)
Wide Craft Sticks (appx 30)
Written out directions are below, for now here are step by steps with pictures! First you want to get your Mod Podge and water mixture ready. Mix 2 parts Mod Podge to one part water. You won’t need much.
Next measure your Mason jar with the fabric to see approximately how long you’ll need the strips. Dip the fabric strips completely in the Mod Podge and then let the excess drip off. Place the strips on the outside of the Mason jar and repeat until the jar is completely covered with fabric.
Let the fabric dry overnight. In the mean time paint approximately 45 wide craft sticks in colors that match your fabric.
Why spray paint the sticks? If you write directly on the sticks without spray painting them the marker will bleed and it won’t look so pretty. Don’t feel like spray painting? They have colored craft sticks!
Once the sticks are dry you can add anything you’d like to them. I have some fun stuff but I also have a lot of family stuff and work out stuff. Some of mine say:
1) Read a Book
2) Do 2 sets of 25 Squats
3) Sweep and Mop
4) Go for a Walk
5) Head to the Library
6) Bring Mason to the park
7) Plan a Crockpot Meal
I have a bunch more that are variations on some of those like more workouts or trying different recipes from cook books I have.
You could even color code it. i.e. All blues are workouts, All pinks are food things, all purples take planning etc. I chose not to do that because I wanted it to really be a surprise!
1. Mix some Mod Podge with water. You don’t need much at all maybe 1/4 all together. 3 parts Mod Podge, 1 part water.
2. Roughly measure the length of your Mason Jar and cut 1/2-1 inch strips of fabric.
3. Dip the fabric completely in the Mod Podge/Water mixture, let the excess drip off and than place it on the Mason jar. Repeat until the entire jar is covered an let dry over night. You may have to stop about half way through to let the Mod Podge dry a little before moving on to the other side.
4. Spray Paint approximately 30 wide craft stick (or as many you need to fit your jar) in colors that match your fabric.
5. Fill the sticks with boredom busters unique to you!
This was such a fun project and perfect for me, it was pretty much foul proof and it’s motivated me to do things in the spur of the moment. I still have lots of sticks that I haven’t filled out with something but I will soon. I’ll also probably double up on some things like the workouts!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Emily @ Baby Dickey says
So cute, love it! Pinned it!
Jenn L says
I love this idea! I need to make one for my KIDS! My 7 year old gets “bored” often. 🙂
Janene says
I LOVE Pinterest! I wish I actually had time to be bored because this is such a cute project! I might let the kids make them because I’d love to have something that I could point them to if they tell me they are bored!!
Kelly @ IdealistMom.com says
Oh wow, I didn’t realize the marker would bleed thru if I didn’t paint the sticks first, thank you for sharing that tip! I’m making my bored jar right now 🙂