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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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 


Sharing over at:
Be Inspired at Common Ground

Mums Make Lists-Empty Your Archive


The Scoop Mega Spring Party
Vintage On A Dime-Welcome Home Wednesday 
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesdays 
Cowgirl Up! 
Embracing Change- Creative Inspirations! 
From My Front Porch to Yours-Treasure Hunt Thursday 
StoneGable-Tutorials Tips and Tidbits 
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson-Share Your Cup Thursday 
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home 
Common Ground-Be Inspired! 
Diana Rambles-Pin Me 
Fox Hollow Cottage & Debbiedoo's Power of Pinterest Party 
Six Sisters' Stuff-Strut Your Stuff Saturday 
Two Succulent Sisters-What to do Weekends 
It's Overflowing-Overflowing With Creativity
Coastal Charm-Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Craftberry Bush-The Inspiration Gallery
Party Junk Easter Projects at Funky Junk Interiors  
 

20 comments:

  1. These are just the absolute sweetest... and, I think I can make them here in my land- that- doesn't- celebrate- Easter! I know some little chocolate bunnies that will need a home... so I will look forward to a Spring craft! Thanks, Jeanette! Dina

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  2. now those are absolutely darling! We both have Spring on our minds. I worked on an egg project today too but mine is not near as cute as yours. Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.

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  3. These are adorable. Such a neat idea! I love the colors you chose. I have spring fever so this post is right up my alley.
    melinda

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  4. These are the cutest! I love the little spring banner on the top and all the tiny embellishments. Using the colored paper clips for handles is a great idea! Love all the fresh spring colors as well. You have a wonderful blog with some great projects and I'm happy to be following you via GFC and looking forward to more!

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  5. Absolutely adorable, and recycling to boot!
    Lisa

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  6. I'd love to have you share these sweet little baskets at What to do Weekends Party. Best wishes, Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/02/welcome-to-what-to-do-weekends-party.html

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  7. This is a super sweet idea!! I want to play w/them but I also want to make some at pre-k.

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  8. Such a cute idea.........Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com



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  9. Hi Jeanette, I am so anxious to start pulling out the Spring. Trying to hold off just a little longer. Your baskets are so cute. Love the soft pastel colors! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  10. So cute!
    Love them!
    Thanks for linking to the Creative inspirations Party!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  11. Thanks so much for coming over to What to do Weekends with this darling project!!! I emailed this to my niece and pinned it also!! This looks like a fun project! Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/02/welcome-to-what-to-do-weekends-party.html

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  12. Hi Jeanette, I am featuring you at Share Your Cup this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  13. oh Jeanette, these are absolutely adorable!!! I'll be featuring them Thursday on Be Inpsired, thanks so much for joining in on the party!

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  14. They are darling! I pinned them :)

    <3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original link party is open.

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  15. So cute! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  16. These are just too adorable!!!
    Congrats on the feature at Common Ground
    ( where I'm visiting from )
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  17. How cute! I'm going to save this adorable idea. :)

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  18. How adorable!!! Love these! Thanks for sharing this at my Pin Me Linky Party.

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  19. These are really precious! Pastels are so pretty, but just don't fit in w/our decor...the possibilities are endless for so many versions. Thank you for sharing!
    JP

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