easy paper basket tutorial

Ever need a last minute gift? Seriously. Who doesn't?  

I wish I was better about thinking ahead, but alas, I have very few brain cells functioning at this juncture.  

However,  I've got it covered with this little DIY.  This may be the easiest paper craft I've done all year.

It's just cut, sew and glue. Tada! Your done!

Here's what you need:

-Enough paper to cut six sides and one bottom from the pattern. Use at least 80lb paper for this project so it is sturdy. Most craft paper that is printed on both sides is heavy enough.

-scissors
-sewing machine
-hot glue gun
-items to decorate your basket (optional)

Using the pattern, cut out six sides and one bottom.  You can enlarge or reduce the pattern to your liking. If you print it out full sized you will have roughly a 6" and 4 1/2" basket.

Start with two sides, line them up and sew them together with an eighth inch seam. Pay attention to what patterns you want on the outside of your basket. Wrong sides go together when you are sewing.  Keep adding sides until you have them all sewn together, then sew the first and last sides together so you have a circle.  Fit your bottom piece down into the basket. It may not go all the way to the bottom. That's okay. You can trim it to fit exactly where you want. Using your hot glue gun, run glue around the edges of the bottom to adhere it to the side of the basket. It may be too tight to get your gun down into the basket. Just drop the glue down in and use a dowel or something to get it where you want it. It doesn't matter if it looks good because it will be covered.

That's it. Your done! Embellish it if you wish. You could add a ribbon handle or other doodads. I think it would be cute to use scallop scissors to cut the top edges. I used Easter grass, but you could also use tissue paper to line your basket.

Then to the goodies! Oh my. The possibilities are endless. Something sweet!

And in case you are wondering...

The tall pink basket was made from The Girl's Paperie paper by Margie Romney-Aslett and my digital photo elemets come via Rhonna Designs. 

Want more fun DIY ideas? Check out:

click on image

the bradley necklace project

Here's a quick and super fun craft for mother's day or any normal day when you feel like being extra cute.

I call it the "Bradley Necklace and Bracelet".  Here's what you will need:

* Brads- either already made or ones you can assemble yourself.

* Jump rings

* beads

* Jewelry chain

* Clasp

* Needle nose pilers

* Clippers

All supplies are available at the craft store in the jewelry making section and the brads are most often found in the scrapbooking section.

I wanted to use my own fabric to cover the brads so I bought a tool called an iTop from Imaginisce. It allows you to easily cover metal brads with paper or fabric.

Just follow the directions on the package. Or you can just buy the brads already covered or painted. Either way is super cute.  

Once you have all the brads selected that you want to use start making loops onto the back using your needle nose pilers to bend the prongs. 

Like so.

Snip off the ends of the prongs so that you have a complete loop on each side of the brad.  Use your jump rings to join the brads.  For the bracelet, I used painted brads in a strait row, but for the necklace I added a brad here and there to create a cluster.

Play around with it until you get the look you want.  On the necklace I added a few beads and used my fabric to cover some large oval rings.

This project is simple enough to do with children from about age 5 and up.

granny chic scalloped bracelets

Having two babies has taught me to plan ahead. For the most part anyway.  I still leave the house without an extra diaper on occasion, which baffles me. You'd think I'd have the kid stuff down to a science. I don't.

But I am planning ahead for Christmas.  I'm already looking at different gifts I'd like to get for people. I'm thinking about what I might like to make the neighbors.  I'm keeping my eyes open for a cute stocking for Frankie Valentine.

And I've started making gifts for girlfriends.  Which brings us to today's topic.  Crocheted bangles.  They are granny chic. They can be made quickly. They are seriously the easiest, cutest handmade gift around. 

What you will need:

* small crochet needle (2.10mm-2.27mm)

* cotton pearl embroidery thread (I like Valdani, or you can often find DMC in your local craft store)

* thin metal bangles or hoops (round works the best)

* jewelers glue or super glue

Now as you all know, I suck at writing patterns. However, I can tell you that all you need to do to make these darling scalloped bangles is to single crochet around the bracelet until the metal is completely covered. Then, to create the scallops, chain seven, skip five stitches, single crochet and repeat until you have gone all the way around. Tie off and put a small dab of glue to secure the knot.

I own one pair of hoops and these are it. I love them. Same pattern, just on a smaller scale.

I worked up a lavender pair for a teacher gift.

For a seasoned crocheter, these bracelets can be made lickity-split. If you have the know how, you can change the pattern to make shells or something else fancy. For the beginner they might take a little finesse, but they are totally doable.  I dream of wearing ten or more on one arm. They would make a gorgeous statement piece. They are like friendship bracelets- for adults.

Oh and last but not least? Presentation is everything. Brown craft jewelry boxes can be found without too much effort.  Add a little lace and ribbon a you have yourself a seriously awesome handmade gift.