Jellyfish in a Bottle [FAIL]

I'm really good at failing. Not in school or my marriage (thank goodness!), but in blog projects. I take something, assume it's really easy to do, try it out, and laugh when the 3rd time is never the charm. Today's example? The jellyfish in a bottle picture I found here on TheMetaPicture. There aren't any instructions, just photos, so I guess I can cut myself a little slack, but I tried this three different ways, each more frustrating than the last. If you want to try this at home, here are some things I recommend you don't do.

Before you start, gather your supplies. You'll need:

* 1 or 2 plastic bottles (depending on how many you want to make - I used old water bottles)
* 1 or 2 plastic bags (like what you'll find in the produce section - they're free and if you're prone to making mistakes, you'll want a few!)
* Scissors to cut the bags
* Food coloring (should you want to tint the water)
* String (or a rubber band, if you don't mind it being visible).

Attempt #1 - Judging by the pictures in the original post, here's what I did.

#1 - Opened up the bag so it was a nice big flat square...

#2 - I put my finger in the middle of the bag so as to...

#3 - ...easily find the head of the jellyfish. I secured the head with a piece of string.

#4 - Next: the tentacles. I took my scissors and started hacking away, making these really big, thick, long tentacles. Hack hack hack.

After seeing just how big it was, I decided to cut the tentacles in half. Was still quite a beast.

And after filling the "head" with water, securing it tightly, filling up my water bottle and placing my jellyfish inside... well, it looks like "jelly" and more "trashy."

I tried again.

Attempt #2 - Ok, this time I figured out what not to do. Don't have thick, long tentacles and use a more "invisible" string. Got it.

#1 - So first I cut the bag to the length of the bottle. That way I knew the tentacles wouldn't be too long.

#2 - I opted to use white thread to secure the head. Much more invisible.

#3 - I didn't use the entire bag this time. Sometimes I threw out giant chunks of plastic, just so my little jellyfish wouldn't be overwhelmed in the bottle.

#4 - I filled up the head with water... but then the head fell apart! Apparently the thread just slipped off. Let me tell you - if your thread isn't long enough, it's going to take you at least half an hour to form the head again, put the string back on, and fill up with water because when the plastic and thread get wet, it's just a slippery mess!

#5 - Since I was closer than last time, I added 1 drop of food coloring. And let me tell you - 1 drop is too much!

My little jellyfish is invisible. And still a clump of plastic floating at the top.

Sigh. Ok, one more time...

Attempt #3 - This time I was going to do it right. Water down the color, forget the string, and make even fewer (and shorter) tentacles!

#1 - This time I made the head first AND used a rubber band to secure it. Take that jellyfish!

#2 - I hacked at the little jellyfish so much he looked like a ghost of his former self.

#3 - My bottle is filled, the color diluted, and... the head won't fit. Are. You. Freaking. Kidding Me.

#4 - After 10 minutes of trying to make the head smaller, I eventually get it in the bottle and my little guy is upside down.

I flip it over and over and over and you can barely see his little head at the top.

I think, after three tries, I can call this jellyfish in a bottle an epic fail. I'm going to go curl up to, "Peanut Butter and Jellyfish" by Jarrett Krosoczka now. You're better off doing the same.

TOTAL COSTS: Free
I recycled my bags, bottles, string, and rubber bands. Scissors and food coloring also on hand.

TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME: Would you believe me if I said over an hour? Ugh...

EASY-PEASY SCALE (1 super easy - 5 very difficult): 4 out of 5
I have no doubt that if I had used bigger bottles, this experiment might have gone differently, however I tried to replicate the exact pictures to no avail. My little jellyfish were destined to swim upside-down, sideways, and every way in between.

DIY Cat Repellent

I have a cat named Batman. He's less than a year old and when we got him as a young kitten, he developed a habit of biting cords. And then he progressed to biting cabinet doors. And window latches. And really anything he can get his little toofers on. I tried the water bottle, that didn't work. I had heard of covers you can put over cords... but they stink up your apartment. Then, I came across this post from LouisesCountryCloset for a DIY cat repellent using orange peels and it seemed too easy not to try. And holy crap, it works! I was 100% shocked because I was 100% sure it wouldn't work. Even if you don't own a cat, I bet you have a flower bed neighborhood cats like to use as a litter box.... you might want to give this a try and save your petunias!

It's easy, all you need are:

1. Orange peels
2. A spray bottle
3. (optional) Cheese cloths or nylon hose to wring out as much as you can from the orange peels. I tried using a cheese cloth and it didn't work, but you don't really need them anyway.

I used 5 oranges and a medium pot and was able to make 12 oz (in a 14oz. bottle).

First, peel your oranges. I found it helped to score the oranges into quarters.

Next, put the peels in a medium pot and add just enough water for the peels to float at the top. Let the water get to a boil and let it boil for 10 minutes, to release the oil.

After 10 minutes, drain out the water and if you want, use a cheesecloth or nylon hose to wring out the peels for anymore liquid.

Once cooled, pour into a water bottle and spray wherever you like!

I immediately started on these open cords Batman seems to be fond of. His reaction?

He sniffed....

And then walked away with his mouth open, aghast I would ruin his fun.

Of course, every cat is different so yours might not react the same way but hey, it's cheap and worth a shot, isn't it? And there's enough to last a long time!

P.S. - Your house will smell ah-may-zing.

TOTAL COSTS: About $5 to make 24 oz. (price from Vons)
$4.99 to buy 10 oranges
Water bottle on hand

TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME: About 30 minutes
5 minutes to peel oranges
6 minutes to get water up to a boil
10 minutes to boil water
10 minutes to let cool

EASY-PEASY SCALE (1 super easy - 5 very difficult): 1 out of 5
This isn't hard at all (unless you have a problem peeling oranges). Give it a shot and save your cords, door stoppers, or flower beds!