A little bit of Springtime cheer comes from some of my favorite tools and products
Easter baskets may be put away for another year, but this idea for a container can take on a variety of uses for anytime of the year.
Materials Used
Sizzix die/EH Loaf Pan
Sizzix Big Shot
Rebekah Meier Mixed Media Art sheet/Thermoweb
Assorted colored felt
Assorted colored card stock, green
Wire
Seed beads
Ribbon
Small punch or piercing tool
Jewelry pliers
Small foam block
***With this little project, I wanted to share ideas using my "go to" tools and materials that are always near by when I get the "creative bug"!
I have included here, very simple steps to make the entire project, but will only concentrate on the process I used to made the springtime basket from a very versatile Eileen Hull Sizzix die in my collection. This process goes a little beyond the step of just embossing the surface of the mat board with an embossing folder, which is totally acceptable.
An easy version would be to just die-cut, emboss and color the piece of matboard to make the basket. The use of both the Mixed Media Art Sheets, added to the Mixed Media Foam Sheet will give the finished look more texture in two ways because of the properties of each product.
Basket
Die-cut a loaf pan from the sheet of mat board.
Color the inside of the die-cut mat board with color blends if desired.
Color the inside of the die-cut mat board with color blends if desired.
Layer a sheet of art sheet onto the foam sheet.
Die-cut a loaf pan from this layered art sheet/foam piece.
Cut the the die-cut, art sheet/foam piece apart, into nine pieces.
***( 2-long sides, 2-short, ends, 4-angled,ends, 1-bottom)
With 3D embossing folder, emboss each of the 9 pieces.
With 3D embossing folder, emboss each of the 9 pieces.
Use the color blends to color each of the embossed pieces.
Fold along the fold lines of the mat board piece.
Use glue or double side tape to form the loaf pan.
Remove the backing paper from each of the embossed pieces.
Carefully align up the embossed foam pieces over each side of the mat board loaf pan.
Blend all the exposed edges with the brown color blend.
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| Use ColorBlends to add some color to inside of basket |
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| The 4 main pieces embossed and cut into sections |
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| Basket pieces colored and ready for application |
Flowers
Die cut flowers from assorted felt.
Die cut leaves from green cardstock.
Color wooden craft picks with green color blend.
Arrange the die cut felt flower pieces to form a variety of flowers.
Glue the felt flower pieces together to create several flowers.
While gluing together the flowers, insert a green colored craft pick between the largest piece and the remaining layers. Allow these flowers to dry before adding leaves to each with glue.
Squeeze a round glob of glue into the center of each flower. Cover the glue with seed beads. Leave to completely dry.
Finishing
Poke two holes on each long side of the basket to insert wire handles, made with wire and the Twist and Style tool. Pinch ends of wire to hold in place with small pliers.
Glue a block of styrofoam to fit into the bottom of the loaf pan shape. When dry, insert the finished flowers into the foam. Add crinkle grass of choice into the basket. Add any other decorations as desired. Tie a bow into the handles of the basket.
