He lived in a little plastic fish tank for awhile, and I found myself moving it further and further away from central living areas since it was a bit of an eye sore. Then I realized if I moved him too far away, he may just get forgotten and we would have a bunch of sad kiddos sending their little Blueberry down the drain to the sea.
So Blueberry got a new home in a pretty glass hurricane on a tray in the playroom.
The little white dish is a sugar dish that I use to store the fish food. Pretty cute eh?
I wanted to sweeten it up even more, so I broke out my Silhouette to play with some vinyl!
The Silhouette cut out a really cool border design that I used to place around the edge of the tray:
Then I addressed the plain sugar dish. It went from blah:
To simply darling!
Now Blueberry's home is a fun addition to the boy's playroom!
Now that Blueberry {and I} are happy, I have some happy news for you!
You know I love my Silhouette, but what I love even more is that I am giving away a Silhouette CAMEO to one of you very lucky readers!
 |
| {enter using the giveaway management tool below, just follow the simple steps} |
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It is Silhouette promo time! Now through May 16th, you can score a Silhouette CAMEO and Vinyl bundle for a sweet IHeart Organizing price!
What you get - 1 Silhouette CAMEO and Vinyl Bundle for $269.99!
This Silhouette Vinyl Bundle includes:
-
Silhouette CAMEO®
- Silhouette CAMEO® electronic cutting tool
- Power cable/AC adapter
- USB cable
- Silhouette Studio® software
- $10 download card
- 12" x 12" cutting mat
- Silhouette blade
- Basic Instruction Guide
- CAMEO instructional DVD
- 1 roll 12-inch Black Premium Vinyl
- 1 roll 12-inch White Premium Vinyl
- 1 roll 12-inch Transfer Paper
All for $269.99! Total MSRP for this deal is $344.96 which means you can save almost $75! All Silhouette Vinyl is also on sale for 40% off! Only through May 16th!
Just GO HERE and enter ORGANIZING at checkout.
Enjoy!
I used to have a beta fish named Velcro who lived in an old 1.75 Absolute Vodka bottle....not nearly as classy as Blueberry's home!
ReplyDeleteHey does anybody now where to get the fishy sticker other than making it from the machine?
DeleteMy beta fish just passed -- we had him for 3 & 1/2 years! Hope you get to enjoy blueberry for many years to come :)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog the other day and absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteAh, I love it. Who knew having a tiny beta could look so elegant! Makes me want to run out and get a little guy!
ReplyDeleteI raised bettas for a while, and they're spectacularly smart fish. Very misunderstood, so I'm so pleased to see that you have a wide open top for him so there is enough air exchange.
ReplyDeleteI love Blueberry's new home. I bet the kids love feeding him even more now, and they get to see him all the time when they play!
ReplyDeleteExcited about the giveaway, too. I think the discount is closer to 22% though, not the 40% you listed. Still awesome!
OooOoh, figured it out. You get a discount on the Cameo package and 40% off any other vinyl products you buy at the same time. =)
ReplyDeleteI love Blueberry's new digs, super cute for the fish food. Thank you for the giveaway. I do follow Silhoutte!I would love to win it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Teri
ttwendt@comcast.net
So adorable! BTW I've been following Silhouette's blog via Bloglovin'. I just can't handle any more emails. Hope it counts!
ReplyDeletelionsrrrroar[at]gmail[dot]com
Cute fish and what a brilliant idea to make his home part of the decor! I've only just found your blog and have read it from start to finish several times over! I have a couple of manual die cutters which I am just start to fall in love with again.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Blueberry looks so happy!;)
ReplyDeletehttp://theneighborlady.blogspot.com/
I have raised betas for a long time, and I would be concerned about having a completely open top on the jar since they are jumpers. You do need room at the top for the fishy to breathe though!
ReplyDeleteYour fish vignette looks great!!!
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Your vinyl posts make me really want one of these. Unfortunately, I don't have Facebook and can't seem to enter the giveaway properly with my e-mail this time. I've entered lots of other giveaways, so I don't know the problem. Any idea?
Thanks!
Sounds like some are having a hard time with Internet explorer. Maybe try another browser? So sorry, hope you can get it to work!
DeleteXoxo!
Jen
I just bought my kiddos that exact tank last week! Love the new home for Blueberry! He certainly "moved on up"!
ReplyDeleteI think my brain would explode with the amount of ideas I could come up with if I was to win!!
ReplyDeletehttp://simpleas124.blogspot.com.au/
I had a Beta in college that "ran away." I left for class, came home, and he was gone. Never found the little guy. I'm pretty sure a friend stole him as a prank and planned to bring him back later but he met an untimely end during the prank. Nearly 10 years later, no one has fessed up.
ReplyDeleteWas there a lid on his container? Betta fish are known to jump out of their containers sometimes.
DeleteBecause of your blog I have become OBSESSED with the silhouette cameo! I even asked for one as a graduation present for completing my Master's degree. I SO hope I win!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have one.
ReplyDeleteWanda
http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/
First of all, Blueberry is such a cute name. I love what you did with the hurricane!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome!!!! Love this!!! Silly question tho - how do you clean the tank?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing...
DeleteI carefully transfer him to a smaller container while I clean his bowl each week. I always clean the rocks with a strainer and use room temp water.
DeleteXoxo,
Jen
cute name for the fish. I sometimes feel bad for fish in such a small space but I guess they don't mind? Hope the boys enjoy their new pet.
ReplyDeleteCutest name on a fish I have ever heard! :)
DeleteWere I come from this "tank" would be sooo illegal. So personally, I think they do mind. Otherwise there would be no regulations regarding size (40 litres/20 gallons minimum) and interior designs in tanks.
But each to his own :)
We actually originally purchased a tank made for betas and this hurricane bowl is larger than the beta tank. He seems pretty happy and we love him.
DeleteXoxo,
Jen
Love how you corralled it in a tray and the dish is so adorable!
ReplyDeleteOh I want it sooo bad!
ReplyDeleteI love the new hope for the fish too!!
www.rjbrown233.blogspot.com
What a fun idea! I would've never thought to do something like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Silhouette blog follower.
nystrom.jen@gmail.com
So Cute! I love the name blueberry.
ReplyDeleteSo cute--what can't a Silhouette make look better...
ReplyDeleteThis is darling!
ReplyDeleteWe have two Bettas and would love to move them to a "tank" like this but we have to keep them separated (we do not want any babies!) and ours are very particular and picky when it comes to their surroundings. When I clean their tank and if I don't put their trees in exactly the same spot they get VERY upset and are lethargic for hours. This has happened many times! It's strange! But anywho! LOVE your home and LOVE your blog! You get me motivated to do so many things in my home! THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeleteIf you put two bettas in one tank, more than babies, you'd need to worry about them fighting. Bettas will fight until one kills the other, esp if there isn't a hiding spot.
DeleteI've found it depends on the sex of the fish. I've had 6-8 female bettas in a 40 gallon tank with no long term fighting. They'll establish a pecking order within a few days and then it's smooth sailing.
DeleteMales on the other hand? Will fight to the death. :(
"Pretty" fish and birds are almost always male.
DeleteThe beautiful betas you see are male.
I love the idea of the hurricane for your beta fish. We have some snails that could use re-homing, maybe that's the ticket to success. Oh and pretty please pick me for the silhouette!
ReplyDeleteI can't get the giveaway to let me enter with my email address? Is there a trick to it?
ReplyDeletealy81475@ yahoo.com
I cant seem to enter the giveaway either! it says to log in so I click the log in w/ facebook button and window pops up but closes right away and then it says log in again. I really want to enter! :)
DeleteSounds like it may be an Internet explorer issue. Maybe try another Internet browser. So sorry you are having trouble, I hope you can enter!
Deletexoxo,
Jen
Cutest fish station EVER! I used to keep fish, but it's been years. However, since I'm not much of a "pet person" a little fish like this is probably all my children will ever have. Anything else (including more fish in a larger tank) is so much work!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win that cameo BTW. I have been collecting the free shapes of the week for a few months now, but still don't have the machine(!!!)
Blueberry and his little set up are adorable!! Audrey has a fish (Dori) and I think I may need to jazz up her living arrangements...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your blog and SO wish I could enter the giveaway for this amazing prize you are offering but for some reason it's not working! Oh well, maybe I am not supposed to own this Silhouette CAMEO, even though it looks totally awesome. I'll keep trying!
ReplyDelete-Amy
http://theblankpagesblog.blogspot.com/
Our little betta's name is either "Sleeping Beauty" or "Dorothy", depending on when you're asking. S/he lives in our playroom as well and I'm so inspired by your super sweet home for Blueberry, that I may upgrade from the tank we're rocking right now.
ReplyDeleteI love the little food hideaway too!
So clever to store the smelly fish food!! Sadly, it didn't even occur to me to put it somewhere cute -- I just keep trying to hide it.... thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute home for Blueberry!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Silhouette Blog follower. Pick me! :)
ReplyDeletecruz.vaea@gmail.com
Jen, I would love to know how you keep that fish bowl so crisp and clean??
ReplyDelete23thirty at gmail dot com
I have been following Silhouette for awhile now.
thanks for sharing such a great idea...i might do the same for my small turtle....now if only I could get my hands on the cameo!! just signed for email subscription to the Silhouette blog....
ReplyDeleteI can't get the rafflecopter to let me log-in with FB or give my email! I want to be in the drawing! ejroberts86(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe've had many Bettas over the years, but the most memorable was a fish named "Sushi" who lived in a blender. Now, this wasn't a real blender, but a joke blender. It had fixed blades and when you pushed one of the three buttons, it made blender sounds and had funny sayings that it repeated. The kids got a kick out of it. Sushi was with us for 6 years, my kitchen buddy. Now, we have a black goldfish (oxymoron alert!) who lives in a bowl right by our front door. His name is Bob. I think I might try your little scenario for Bob's bowl, to see if I can't make him more presentable. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note...Blue's a girl. That's a beautiful female betta you have :) http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/betta1/ss/How-To-Determine-Betta-Gender.htm
ReplyDeleteHaha, I was told that before and I had no idea when we got it. The boys wanted a boy fish... I haven't told them yet that Blueberry is a girl. :)
Deletexoxo!
Jen
Oh, won't they be surprised! hehe
DeleteI've been thinking of adding one of these to my wishlist! Thanks for the giveaway. That fish is soooo pretty. Hmmmm, I might have to make a trip to the pet store soon.
ReplyDeleteI´m a long time lurker and would like to extend my huuuge thanks for all ideas full of awesomeness and inspiration to get even more organized.
ReplyDeleteBlueberry is a gorgeous fish, for sure. I hope you won´t mind me suggesting a few floating plants on the top, to keep the fishie safely on the right side of the water surface and also to provide with a good hiding place. Bettas are, in their natural enviroments, living mainly in rice fields. Their natural living revire is a square meter. They live their lives " hiding " in dark waters, in solitude, and prefer lush vegetation and crannies and nooks. My Bettas loved mangrove roots, dark rocks here and there and lots of plants.
You have been told about curing the water..?
I'm logged in but Rafflecopter won't let me enter, I follow the Silhouette blog though! whitney.moberg@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteYou're the queen of cuteness!!! Everything that you do and make is just sooooooo cute!!! Absolutely love your blog!!!
wow, you are such a good fish mama. I was just thinking about getting my girls a pet fish. I just don't like how gross the fish bowl gets and you have to clean it. Does it smell? Ew. Anyway, your little blueberry is very cute and this is a cute way to display him. Good job!
ReplyDeletelovely project! thanks for opportunity to win such a cool tool :-)
ReplyDeleteThe only hazard of reading your blog is that sometimes I see things I own and thought were perfectly cute to begin with (like the sugar bowl!), see your upgraded version, and start thinking my house is drab and ugly. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful project! I recently found your blog and just love it! Thanks for being such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
www.thehappierhomemaker.com
That is so neat! I can't believe what little things can make a big difference! I need to get my hands on a Silhouette asap!
ReplyDeleteStephine
www.dearsilas.org
I can't get the rafflecopter to work for me either. It won't let me long in with facebook or enter my email. Really want to enter! shannon.platt@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI just noticed the very first sentence ..." a few months back "- part. * head palm * so of course you know about curing water, otherwise Blueberry would be swimming in heavenly waters already.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for my tardiness!
Angela, well- kept fishtanks never smell. If you consider getting a tank to your home, they are pets just like any animals. It´s good to research about good fish- keeping in advance. As a rule of thumb- a bigger tank is better since the Ph- levels stay more solid better. In a smaller tank you risk a fast spike in levels rising. Keeping a healthy tank requires daily upkeep and weekly changing of water. It takes commitment.
Hey - am so excited about this contest but I can't get entered. I can't click on the "log in with e-mail" and when I try to login with Facebook it asks me to click on the "enter with facebook" again to ensure you have my email. But it won't take the entry. Help!
ReplyDeleteI would SO love to enter the Cameo giveaway (I've become obsessed with it since discovering your blog!!!), but can't figure out how to enter..something seems a bit awry! Will keep trying!
ReplyDeleteOh Oh Oh, I would love to win this, I have wanted one for so long, unfortunately its not in the budget at this time. This is an awesome give away. Thanks for the opportunity to win one!!!
ReplyDeleteBlueberry's home is so cute! I never would have thought of something like that.
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to enter, but I get an error message when I hit "Log in with facebook". When I click "Enter email address", nothing happens. What gives? I would love to enter. My email is mistydawn777@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love it! You've inspired me with a great gift idea for my aquarium-loving husband. We've shied away from one because we have two toddlers at the pull-things-down-because-we-can stage, but this seems compact enough to keep out of their reach. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love Blueberry's home!! That is TOO cute!!
ReplyDelete❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
I'm so glad you shared this! We have parakeets and their food and accessories are kept in a basket, also an eye sore. I am inspired to create a more attractive bird area with attractive containers. Why didn't I think of this?! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I just wanted to say that I am a new follower of your blog, and I am addicted. Thank you for sharing your talent of organization with the rest of us! Secondly, I had a beta fish named Blueberry...small world, huh? ;-) Your fish station is adorable! I pray Blueberry has a long, happy, fishy life...one that is made much better by his new, sweet living quarters, I'm sure ;-)
ReplyDeleteI used to have five fish when I was little and I named them all after the New Kids on the Block! :) I would LOVE to win this! I could totally use this! :)
ReplyDeleteOhh, you're making me clucky for a fish! Is that weird? Yeah, that's weird.
ReplyDeleteI had a male Siamese fighter fish (that's what they're called in Australia) for a long time. I taught him to give me kisses against the glass, and he sulked when I went away.
They really are gorgeous fish!
Hopefully all those having problems entering will see this. I couldn't get it to work using Explorer, but when I used Foxfire it worked just find.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps! Anne
My son had a beta fish that got ignored and ended up in "fishy heaven". I'm thinking the problem was the eye-sore of a plastic tank that got placed in his bedroom; a room we rarely go in, as he has a separate playroom. Maybe I'll surprise him with another one. Only this time, I'll buy a nice, glass "home".
ReplyDeleteIf you have a moment, I'd love for you to check out my blog where I write about organizing and decor, too: http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com.
I love Betta fish, I used to own a pet shop for 10 years and i saw a lot of beautiful bettas come through my doors, they are a very beautiful fish, Blueberry is a very lucky fish,
ReplyDeletecathyplus5.blogspot.com
mexicopetshop at hotmail dot com
I just love all of your super cute ideas! I'm just dying to win a silhouette cameo! I absolutely can't afford one right now and so my only hope is to win! I can't even tell you how much fun I could have... although I bet you already know! :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat way to spice up a simple tray and sugar bowl. Thanks for your great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely just so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it. We have a betta, too. His name is "Mo", short for Elmo-he is a red betta. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI followed the Silhouette blog! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful!
ReplyDeletewhat a great giveaway! { thank you }
ReplyDeleteAmazing Giveaway! This would be so great to win! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeletethanks so much! i already own the silhouette, but needed more vinyl and especially more colors. I have been getting mine from hobby lobby and using a 40% coupon each time. Now I get the same discount and better variety :)
ReplyDeleteso cute! i need a cameo!!
ReplyDeleteLove!! My first Beta was Blueberry, too:)
ReplyDeleteMy kids have been asking for a fish, is the Beta the way to go?
ReplyDeleteI would love to have one of these machines- because I'm not so crafty and I want to be! Just saw your blog today! WIll come back often.
ReplyDeleteohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh pick me pick me puhhhhlease. I want a silohette sooooo very badly. I can't afford it with my budget. Makes me so sad :(
ReplyDeleteOnly you could make having a pet fish so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI love that tray!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about moving him away from the main living areas. Our poor turtles got a little neglected because I kept putting off upgrading their little home to something pretty and they just recently passed on. I'm keeping your project in mind for when the kiddos start asking to bring home fish too!
ReplyDeleteI don't own fish, but I think - as cute as it is - that this fish tank might be too small for your Blueberry ... read this and remember, it is a living being and not a decoration. I am sure you want to teach your clever boys respect for the living.
ReplyDeletehttp://nippyfish.net/2011/10/23/the-native-betta-habitat-separating-fact-from-fiction/
Love, Jule
Aww, you said it so much better than I did! :)
DeleteNo disrespect to Jen, but I agree it's to small.
What a cute little blueberry fish! :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to go out and get a beta! love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest idea ever. I"m soooo doing this over the weekend. Now I just need a Silhouette to make the cute little fishy!
ReplyDeletePut the food in a cute dish!? Why didn't I think of that??? Ours is in a small tupperware container - UGLY! AND- I just found a silver Party Lite tray with a mirror on the bottom at Good Will, and have been wondering what to do with it! Now . . . if I could just win this Silhouette CAMEO giveaway . . . . :)
ReplyDelete{BTW - I am a follower of the Silhouette blog}
Oh, just think of all beautiful creations I could make with a Silhouette!
ReplyDeleteI love your creative mind this would help me help me start being more organized. I can't wait to start and you were great on HGTV.
ReplyDeleteThis! It's so sad that the industry perpetuates these fish being sold as decoration. I've never had a betta that didn't have a fun and unique personality and to see them used like a floral arrangement makes me want to cry.
ReplyDeleteNo need to cry? I just put his food in a decorative dish and put his bowl on a pretty tray. I assure you Blueberry is very happy and very loved by three sweet little boys.
Deletexoxo,
Jen
I just entered for a Silhouette.. I have wanted one for soooo long, I'm graduating with my Master's degree today and it would be a great graduation gift!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! Your blog is SO inspirational! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI love your new fishy home and thanks for such an awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the clever ways you have thought of to use your Silhouette Cameo, now my fish wants a fun food dish too! I'm already addicted to labeling with my P-Touch and I know that the sky is the limit with this beauty!You are such an inspiration in my life, I love all the great ideas you think of!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the sugar dish idea!!
ReplyDeleteI know this is an old blog post and Blueberry has probably long since gone to fishie heaven, but I couldn’t resist adding: bettas do best in a 2.5+ gallon, heated and filtered tank with a place to hide. Your bowl looks like it meets the size requirements, and I read that you did do weekly water changes—yay!—but without a heater, it is hard for bettas to thrive, and they become stressed without a hiding place.
ReplyDeleteNo filter is doable but risky as ammonia spikes can occur very suddenly and kill your fish. Filters not only help keep water clean, they provide a place for good bacteria to grow to convert ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate, which is less harmful to the fish.
Also, some plastic plants have sharp edges that can actually tear bettas’ delicate fins (probably not as big a problem for your female Blueberry, as males grow longer fins).
I’m not trying to offend or reprimand. This is more intended as a comment that someone else will hopefully see and consider when they are thinking about adopting a fish. Bettas can survive in less-than-great conditions for a long time, but it’s not kind to make them live that way. It’s hard for many people to tell when their fish are stressed or not doing well as they are so different from us, but I assure you they do have more health problems and shorter lifespans when kept in poor conditions.