It was my first meal in London and I was already asking for favors. I thought that bottled water was a smart choice as I transitioned to a different time zone etc., so I ordered a big bottle. Look what they brought me! A beautiful bottle of mineral water that was "drawn from the aquifer within Blenheim Palace."
Blenheim Palace was a destination on my trip! Only days after this, I planned to leave London and tour this palace turned museum. Remember when I had the place to myself?
I immediately told the waiter at the gorgeous street-level restaurant in Fortnum and Mason that I loved the statuesque bottle and asked if I could take it with me once it was empty.
He winked and said, "Of course." On the label was an image of cherub riding a serpent in the calm colors of gray, khaki and aqua. I had to add it to my bottle collection. By the end of the trip I had two matching bottles and I plan to grow ivy in one of them for my kitchen.
Now tell me, wouldn't you want to take this bottle with you?
Phone. Keys. Camera. Water. This is my list when I head out the door. Does my water need to be this cute? No, but it does need to be mine. I spend a lot of time with friends - out and about, at kid's sports games, euchre nights and school events.
Where there are women, there are water bottles and I was getting tired of "losing" my water in a sea of bottles on a picnic table. Has this happened to you? It is kind of like the need for wine charms to distinguish between glasses at a party. So...
I have made the world's simplest NO SKILL water bottle sleeve. Mine is made of bright yellow oilcloth with strawberries.
Water Bottle Sleeve
your favorite water bottle - this will be the "mannequin"
5 x 9.5 inch piece of oilcloth
pinking shears
3 adhesive Velcro dots (or adhesive Velcro strip)
Use pinking shears to create a pretty zig-zag edge to your oilcloth. Determine the short side of the oilcloth (5 inches across) and stick three fuzzy dots onto the right side of the oilcloth in a row (one in each corner and one in the center).
I am going to tell you the way to get a perfect fit on your water bottle. Place the "mate" sticker onto each dot so that the adhesive is sticking up into the air - ready to be "stuck." Wrap the oilcloth around your water bottle - pretty side out. When the oilcloth overlaps, allow the adhesive (on the dots) to "land" in the perfect place to create a snug fit around your water bottle. Voila!
This water bottle sleeve can be used over and over again.
