Similar to a journal jar I suppose. The difference is no prompts.
If you are like me I think of random stories I want to tell in my scrapbooks while I go about day to day tasks and I don't often have time to sit down and journal them. My solution was to create manageable sized scraps of paper and stick them in a jar. When I am ready to scrapbook I can pull out a story and get it on a page. Even better- I can use that same little piece of paper or I can elaborate a little more on my notes I jotted down about the story and write more.
I have been thinking about this method for a few days and was excited about the possibilities. Quite easily anyone in our family could jot down a story on a strip. But also this is a great place for visitors to write down a story (perhaps a grandparent writing down a story of their grandchild). It would also be good for a child to have on their nightstand and write down little stories about their day to day happenings. It would be neat to have at a gathering- maybe a birthday party where everyone can write down a story they remember about the birthday boy or girl. It can be kept out in the open (maybe your kitchen or family room).
I came up with a PDF that can be downloaded to create the same story jar I made for our family. But quite easily you could just use regular strips of paper (maybe patterned on one side to create interest).
Here is what you need:
I got my jar at I think Walmart or Target for maybe $3 (it was a few years ago and I am repurposing it). There are two download sheets and you will need a trimmer or scissors and a pen ( I love Sharpie Pens).
Here is a better look at the storytelling paper strips.
I just have to show you this because I thought it was clever to include the trim lines into the design of the printout. The little lines in between the top words are the trim guides.
But there are also some guides at the bottom too in case you need them. I trimmed off 1/2" from the bottom when I was finished so I didn't have any of the print marks and I trimmed the other end at the yellow line.
After you trim them all down here is what you get. There are different sizes depending on how much you would like to write. This is not for serious journaling though- this is more like a get the story down so you have it down sort of thing.
The other PDF is for decorating your jar (in case you like to do that sort of thing)
I'm kind of a plain Jane and I don't think I will put anything on my jar- but I realize there are people who might like to decorate it so I included this file. It has a few different labels for the front of your jar and the top- plus there is a little tag if you want to give it as a gift.
It was late at night when I took these photos so I had issues with lighting so excuse all of that. After you jot your story down...
you wrap it around your pen or pencil to curl it.
and then you drop it in your jar. You can keep a little stack of paper strips beside if you like so they are ready to go.
I curled a few up just so I could see how it would look.
I also curled up a strip from a Write-On Paper Chain to see how that would look. Cute. I think I will add in some of these.
Of course even if creating a story jar doesn't interest you in the least...you can still download the files and use it for other things. I did this page last night real quick using the PDF's and a few other items.
Here is one of the 2-Day Hooray Flappers. I just love these things. I stitch on them, clip them, staple them.
And a 2-Day Hooray Dots n' Spots number tag. He's eleven months already. I cannot believe it.
Here are the downloads:
for personal use only please- you can't go selling this if I'm not ;)
and please link back here to download if you want to share this project online
Thanks!
Download Storytellingjarlabels
UPDATE: My friend requested a "Funny Things Kids Say" jar. If you are interested in those downloads see this post here.
These are awesome. Thank you !!!!
Posted by: Patricia | February 09, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Thank you & you're welcome :)
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 09, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Kaitlin - I LOVE this idea! Thanks so much for sharing:)
Posted by: Michele H. | February 10, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Kaitlin, these are fabulous! It is reminding me of a story I read in Real Simple titled "The God Box." I am definitely going to be using these! THANK YOU!
Posted by: Sonda T | February 10, 2011 at 12:57 PM
This is such a wonderful idea!!! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Sylvia | February 10, 2011 at 02:20 PM
So glad you like it! You're welcome and thank you :)
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 10, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Sonda- I was thinking about that story after I did this. I couldn't remember where I read it- but I loved it. Glad you like this :)
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 10, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Thank you Sylvia- glad you like it!
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 10, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Kaitlin,
Thanks so much for the great idea and the free downloads. I'm dubious about my ability to actually do the jar thing with any consistency but who knows. I do know the strips and labels will be great for layouts though. Love 'em!
Posted by: Peg | February 10, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Peg- I think that is the story of my life. I always see great ideas but never actually implement them. Always fall off course. But- like you said using them for layouts also works :) Glad you like them!
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 10, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Thank you for making these available! Followed the link from Big Picture.
Posted by: Crystal | February 17, 2011 at 06:05 PM
Crystal- You are welcome! I hope you make good use of them. I LOVE Big Picture :)
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 17, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Thanks for sharing these! I followed the link from BPC. Love this idea. Thanks again
Posted by: Deb | February 17, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Great idea and thank you so much! Very kind of you - and beautiful work. Great pix to demo even the cutting! ;-) Heard about this thru Wendy Smedley of Big Picture Classes - pleasure to "meet" you!
Posted by: Lezlee | February 20, 2011 at 05:05 AM
What a great idea!!
Posted by: Sharon W. | February 20, 2011 at 09:57 AM
You're welcome! So glad you like them :)
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 21, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Thank you so much Lezlee! Glad you like them! Nice to 'meet' you too :)
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 21, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Thanks Sharon!
Posted by: Kaitlin Sheaffer | February 21, 2011 at 07:17 PM
This is amazing! Would you be ok with me reposting a portion of this with links to your blog?
Thanks for considering, Malia
www.yesterdayontuesday.com
Posted by: Malia | February 21, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Wonderful tags and strips! Thanks a lot :)
Posted by: Elin L | April 30, 2011 at 04:14 AM
Thanks so much for the wonderful download! Such an easy and simple idea...truly creative!
Posted by: Nicole L. | June 26, 2011 at 08:10 AM
This is such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing and for the download - the templates you created are wonderful.
Posted by: Christine | June 27, 2011 at 12:51 PM
thank you a lot ! I share the link here : https://www.facebook.com/LMIlesptitscadeauxPL?ref=hl and there : http://pinterest.com/lemondedis/project-life-freebies/
Posted by: lemondedis | October 08, 2013 at 12:53 AM