Adorable Easter basket from Designer Paper

I was going to post pictures of the swaps I got Monday night, but I just had to post this today in case you want to make some of these for Easter. I came across this idea when I was looking for a fun project for the kids in the 4th grade religion class Tom and I teach. These baskets were perfect.

And best of all, the project was simple and the kids loved it.

So here is the procedure to make these cute little baskets:

Step 1: You will need a square piece of double-sided designer paper (this piece is from the Designer Series Paper - Flowers for You). For this basket I used 6" x 6" piece of designer paper, but for a bigger basket 9" x 9" or 12" x 12" would work well too. A coordinating strip of card stock or designer paper (tempting turquiose in this sample, 1" x 8.5") will be used for the handle of the basket. Stamped and punched flowers (in this sample the One of a Kind Stamp Set and the Boho Blossoms Punch and the 5-Petal Punch) and brads (the Bold Bright brads in this sample) are used to embellish the basket.

Step 2: The square piece of designer paper is scored into thirds in each direction. So for this 6"x 6" piece of paper, you score at 2" and 4" and then turn the paper a quarter turn and score again at 2" and 4". You end up with the paper sectioned into 9 equal squares as shown below (the Lovely Lilac patterned paper is the reverse side of the same double-sided designer paper shown above). Fold inward along all the score lines.

Step 3: Cut along the scored lines only to the intersecting score lines on two of the opposing sides as shown below.

Step 4: Glue the coordinating strip of card stock as shown below to form the handle of the basket.

Step 5: On each side fold the basket side sections upward and glue the flaps to the area where the handle was glued.
Step 6: To finish off the basket, just embellish with punched flowers and the brads.

I hope you enjoy this project. Give it a try if you have time before Easter. But if you don't have time now, I have seen this type of basket made in a picnic theme using the new Summer Picnic Designer Paper and the Tart and Tangy stamp set, both in the Occasions Mini.

Have a wonderful Easter!

Theresa