Magical Monday - Let's make a basket!

This is my project for TMITA/PPC blog. Sue Welsh brings use this week's challenge of making a paper basket or altering one. I made my own and did my own thing. I made a template which you can find in this post.

For my basket I started with a double sided 12x12 patterned piece of paper. I used the 2 scalloped nestability for the top flap found on each side that is white. I cut these in half and then placed them around all four sides. Before placing them on the sides I punched holes in the scallops to give it more of an eyelet lace look. I wove my basket with the other side of the patterned paper (see instructions below). I gathered lace the length of my handle and glued it on and placed the ribbon on top of that and attached my handle after the basket was put together. I added the tiny pink poms poms around the top edge and then added the pretty bows to each side of the handle. I placed an image on each side and then layered flowers on the other two as well. I found that cute little pink humming bird at Michael's and thought it would be so pretty sitting on the handle and found the cute fuzzy chicks at Hobby Lobby which I might add that Avery just loved!



I also made my first side step card to go with my little basket. I carried the theme of the basket to the card. I have seen these type of cards many times and I have always loved the ones I have seen so I gave it a try. The end result was much smaller then I expected, but I was still pleased with the card. You can find the instructions for this card here.



Quick Woven Basket Tutorial:

This is a picture how I divided my paper and of the lines I cut to make this quick woven paper basket. The finished basket ends up measuring 4x4 square.


1. Start with either a 12x12 piece of card stock or a doubled sided piece of atterned paper.

2. Score into nine 4x4 inch squares.

3. Cut along the lines that say cut (4 times the middle squares). They measure one inch each across. This will be the part you weave with the other paper.

4. (Note) The flaps/squares on each corner will fold inward to be the inside of your basket. The lines that don't say cut will be the lines you fold.

5. Cut 16, 1x4 inch pieces of paper that you want to weave with. I used the other side of my patterned paper. You will need 4 strips for each side.

6. Weave each side. Pay close attention with the first woven piece when moving on to the second side, because if you are using a different color or another pp you will want it to be alternated on the next flap so the weave looks like it is carried on the next side when you close up the basket. (does that make sense?)

7. After all sides are woven, glue all the ends on those pieces to secure them in place. (do this on both sides of the paper; inside and outside).

8. Now fold the flaps upward to start forming your basket and the large squares found on the corners that were not woven fold in so that they become the inside of the basket. I placed glue on the flaps before folding in so I could hold them in place while the adhered. I always use Aleene's quick dry tacky glue, it adheres really quickly... I love that stuff. Do that on all four sides.

9. This is where I cut 2 large scalloped nestibilities and cut them in half and used them for the top edge of the basket under the pink pom poms. You of course could finish off your basket however you want.

10. Cut handle the desired length that you would like. I cut mine about 1x11. I glued mine to the basket as well, but you could certainly attach with brads or ribbons or anything creative. I glued on my gathered lace and let it dry before attaching it to my basket.

11. Embellish however you want, have fun!

I think this would make a fun project for a child. If a younger child did this you could make all the cuts for them and let them do the weaving and gluing. These would also be fun to make and maybe place some spring flowers in and give as a gift if you were visiting someone on Easter Sunday as well.

I had a lot making my basket and card! My children are on spring break this week, so I imagine this week will fly by!!

If you want to check out my store for some more great images, please stop by Paper Cupcakes and check out the new images that just arrived~ you can find them HERE.

So, I say... have an "Eggs-traordinary" day!!