Spring! Egg Carton Mini Baskets

Here in Colorado real Spring is quite a ways off. I'm not really one to leap ahead to the next season very quickly, but I admit that the pretty Spring colors I'm seeing on Pinterest and some blogs have got me dreaming! 

I know it's barely mid-February, but I'm going to share a Spring craft with you. Super easy, super cute and as colorful as you'd like to make them!

Let me say I did not come up with the basic idea of these egg carton Spring baskets myself. A few years ago-long before I ever imagined blogging-I saw this idea online. I don't remember what website it was, but I saved the concept in my "idea file" and have made them for the past few years. 

Here's what you will need:

  

Standard paper egg carton

Craft paint (any kind of paint will do, actually) in pretty Spring colors. I don't have any pink, so I'll mix some red and white.

                                                                                     

Colored paper clips OR pipe cleaners OR twist ties. I used paper clips, but you can use anything that can be shaped into a handle.






 

If you are using paper clips, it helps to have needle nose, or regular pliers to bend the ends with.

 Some little bits of ribbon, paper or fabric flowers, buttons-really any little thing you'd like to embellish your baskets with. To make a little hole for the handles you can use a small hole punch, but I've found a nail or a tack works just as well. You'll also need a pair of scissors, and glue. I used a hot glue gun for mine.

 Lastly, something to fill your little baskets. Shredded paper, Easter grass, Spanish moss-whatever you like. I used some brown shredded paper for mine. 



Here's what you do:

Begin by cutting the sections of the egg carton apart.  
 

  
Next, use your scissors to trim each section into something of a flower shape. No need to be too literal, unless you just can't help yourself : )

Once you have a shape you like, you can bend each "petal" back slightly, being careful not to tear the paper.

Now for the fun part-decorating!

  


If you're as lucky as me, you can grab yourself a cute little helper!

 I found a few aqua ones from last year! I think that color is my favorite.

Once all your little baskets are painted and dried, it's time to make the holes for the handle.

If you accidentally make a hole too close to the edge, like I did here, don't worry. It won't show when you're all done.

Shape your paper clip into an arch, bend the two ends inward and  tuck them into the holes. Use a bit of hot glue to hold them in place on the inside if necessary.



 Handles done! Easy, right?

To make the little "Spring!" flag for the handle, I simply printed the word in a font I liked and cut them into a flag shape. If you have nice handwriting (I don't!) you could certainly write them by hand.

Make a little fold in the paper, wrap around the handle and glue the paper together holding the flag in place. Don't forget you can change the word to whatever suits your occasion. You might want yours to say Happy Easter!

 

I forgot to photograph adding the little embellishments, but I think you get the idea. Choose a little ribbon or flower, etc and glue it to the handle or the side of the basket.

 Add your basket filler, and that's it! 

 

I wanted to show you how cute they are with Spring colored 

M & M's, or Robin's Egg candies, but I couldn't find any this early!

They would be darling for Spring party favors or placecard holders at your Easter table. 

Happy Spring dreaming, my friends!


Jeanette 


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