Tuesday, March 30, 2010

How To : Felt Flowered Papier Mache Easter Basket

aboveshot


Good morning! The sun is shining here today and it is slowly warming up. After I post this I am getting pretty and Wednesday and I are going out to play! But, before that I have a photo tutorial to share with you. I had it in my mind to make Wednesday's Easter basket this year, to go along with the eggs I made her and the soon-to-be-felt-food I am making her. I had a few issues though. It needed to be big enough to hold two dozen soft eggs, it needed to be light enough for her to carry and comfortable enough for her to want to carry it. I kept going back to papier mache for simplicity. I re-examined the mailbox I made her and found it to be light enough so, I went with it. The next snag was how to cover it. My head was not in the place to make a slip cover for it like the mailbox but I knew I wanted a nice soft look. Enter this tutorial from Love 2 Create. It was inspiring in both its simplicity and prettiness. Over the course of the weekend I think I made about 160 felt rosettes.






bowlofroses
This was not enough, I had to make another 45 more I think.


And even though I received three second degree burns on my fingers (There really is a learning curve to hot glue.) I love it. So without further ado, here is the tutorial.

Materials
Cardboard
Strips of paper (pretty or not, thin or thick)
Papier mache paste (watered down glue, flower and water mix, whatever you like to work with.)
Hot glue (and lots of it)
Felt (again, lots of it I think I ran through a dozen sheets between the flowers and lining)









basketforming

formed basket

paperstrips

paperedbasket

grosgrain

feltinside

handlesleeve

handlesleeve2

handlesleeve3

gluehandle

glueflowers

finishedbasket

filledbasket

Wouldn't this make a gorgeous flower girl basket at a wedding too?! Or a pillow?! I am totally making a pillow when the burns heal! Until next time, happy crafting!

I will be linking this up to a few events. One being my own that began today!



Trash to Treasure Thursday @ Reinvented
Creative Share Blog Hop @ Trendy Treehouse
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Idea Sharin' Wednesdays @ Women Who Do It All
Easter Decor Party @ Lynette's LAM Blog
Thursday's Treasures @ Treasures For Tots
Fabulous Friday Finds @ Kojo Designs

17 comments:

Rosemary said...

Wow, what an absolutely gorgeous basket. You are indeed a skilled talent. Love the tutorial, great info .

Nori said...

that purse turned out ADORABLE!!! how could your daughter not LOVE it??? i would proudly carry that around. :o)

thanks for linking up! it's fun to meet another blog sister!

And So I Whisper said...

great idea. thank you for sharing. Love those fabric eggs

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

Very pretty! Would look fabulous all spring and summer long with different items in the basket. Thanks for sharing!

The Charm of Home said...

Very, very pretty! I really love that. You did a nice job.

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

What an adorable basket! How do you make the flowers?

Debbie

Unknown said...

that is stunningly beautiful. i make felt rosettes, too! girl, that think must have taken you hours upon hours. good work. :)

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

That is stunning! What a lucky girl :)

Jill said...

That's darling! It would also make a lovely Easter centerpiece! Thanks for joining the party!

Jill said...

That's darling! It would also make a lovely Easter centerpiece! Thanks for joining the party!

Donna said...

Beautiful Melissa! I thought those were candy roses..completely missed the felt tutorial at first. They look good enough to eat..Ha!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

This basket and the eggs are so sweet!! Sorry about your fingers and the glue gun!! Just think, you probably don't have fingerprints anymore! LOL!!
Debbie

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

That is so lovely! You are right, the basket would be nice for a flower girl at a wedding or even just to keep special things in. I hope your burns heal quickly - would love to see a pillow!

DD

the thrifty ba said...

love this basket (alas, i only have boys so it will never come to my home). thanks for stopping by my blog!

Lynette said...

What a fabulous basket! Wednesday (love your blog name, by the way) will treasure that for years to come!
Glue gun blisters are the worst - I've had my share, let me tell you!

Thanks for joining my Easter Decor Day party and Happy Easter to you and your family!

Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something said...

Absolutely adorable! I love your precious basket! great job! I hopped over from Women Who Do It All and am so happy that I did. Please accept my invitation to drop in at my place one day soon. until later...

Tara said...

I just have to say WOW! This is beautiful. Thanks for submitting it to Trendy Treehouse. I love this as a feature. I will be in contact. Maybe even a guest blogger.

trendytreehouse@me.com