Here is another Easter basket for you to try.  Two more Fridays before Easter, so you still have time to create this cutie or check back on the 26th and April 2nd for more ideas.

 
Both of these baskets were created using this pattern, View this photo,
that our friend and fellow demonstrator, Mary, provided.  Mary created the pink and chocolate bunny basket using Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip card stock and Pretty in Pink DSP.  She used punches to create the bunny face, added googlie eyes and the whiskers are created from unraveling our grosgrain ribbon.

The basket we created was made using Pumpkin Pie card stock and Sweet Pea DSP that can be found on page 33 of the Occasions Mini catalog.  The handle is a 1" wide piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock with a 1/2" piece of DSP down the center.  It is attached using two of the flower brads from the Designer Brads, Flower Assortment. We've added Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread and a Pumpkin Pie button, from the Sherbet collection, to the top of the handle.  The flowers are punched from the XL Fancy Flower punch.

This last image illustrates how you can alter the pattern to your specifications.  Ours was done exactly like the attached pattern.  However, Mary increased the sides of the box to make hers a little wider. 

This week we took two "bags" and created a jumbo belly band.  This band uses only the large main piece of the die.  This band is around one of SU!'s new stamp cases.  We added DSP in the plastic "sleeve".  What a great way to embellish a stamp set for a friend, a hostess, your downline, etc.  These cases can hold other gifts as well.  What a great way to store Build-a-Bear paper dolls.  You can create these belly bands to go around DVDs or adjust the size and embellish CD's, or other small gift boxes, etc. 

 Here is a another view.  You can see we used DSP from the Sweet Pea collection. The belly band is Tempting Turquoise card stock that was embossed with a polka dot embossing folder and it is embellished with rhinestones, white ribbon and jumbo eyelets.

Lastly, here is a picture of what the belly band looks like off the package.  You can see we adhered two scallop bags together.  And, notice, the belly band will slide off and on so that you don't have to undo the ribbon.

We have created a step-by-step tutorial for our "things to do..." album/organizer for only $5.95.  This organizer has been created with the DSP from the Occasions Mini catalog, Shades of Spring.  We also include a word document with all the "lists" we use in our album as well as some "spare" ones you can use to create your own lists.  If you would like this tutorial and word document, please, use the Paypal button below.  This tutorial is available just in time for Mother's Day, graduation, SU! convention, etc.  The uses for this album/organizer are limitless.

 

 

So far this month, we are right on track.  We have met our goal of a basket a week until Easter.  So, here is our second Easter basket.  As you can see from the photos below, we started with a disposable coffee cup.

After

The coffee cup was covered with DSP, given a handle, embellishments and filled with candy.  And, as simple as that, you have created an Easter basket.  Here are the supplies we used:

• Card Stock - Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Lovely Lilac 
• DSP - Shades of Spring (from the Occasions Mini catalog), Certainly Celery
• Punches - Scallop Trim Border, 3/4" circle
• Embellishments - Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon, buttons, wire, hemp twine, jumbo eyelet, Non-SU rick rack, disposable coffee cups from Wal-mart, Easter grass and chocolates
• Stamp Set - Country Morning (hostess set)
• Ink - Black Staz-On, marker

Here's how we did it.  First, we removed the band from around the coffee cup to use as a guide and pattern for the DSP.

Next, lay the paper "guide" on your DSP, trace, cut out and glue to your cup.

Then, use this coffee band ""pattern" to create any additional band-layers.  We used only one extra layer, but you could add as many as you like.  By using the actual band from the coffee cup as your pattern, you are able to keep the original curve of the cup thereby making the new piece fit nicely.  
 

We used card stock circles topped with buttons to create the "dots" on our basket.  We used heavy wire for our handle but you could also use pipe cleaners, ribbon - whatever you like.

And, there you have it - an inexpensive way to create your own Easter basket.  You could use any style or size of "cup."  These baskets would make a great party favor, treats for school, or table decorations. Use your imagination! 

Today I'd like to share the card I made for the Stampin' Connection Challenge for this week.

Here is a list of the ingredients used for my card:

• Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral and Whisper White Card Stock
• Sweet Pea DSP
• Inks - Stazon and Creamy Caramel
• Stamps are Happy Easter from Well Scripted and the little chick is from the Hostess Set Country Morning
• Punches: Extra Large Fancy Flower, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circles
• Button, thread and some paper piercing were added embellishments

This week, we created a mini album with this month's featured die, Bag w/Scallops.  Unlike last week's vase, this project uses only the large scallop piece from the die and not the side pieces.  Here is the list of supplies used for our project.

• Card Stock - Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
• DSP - Pumpkin Pie
• Ink - Bermuda Bay (for sponging)
• Punches - Scallop Trim Border, Extra Large Fancy Flower, Boho Blossoms
• Embellishments - 1/2" Pumpkin Pie Striped ribbon, Pumpkin Pie button (from the Sherbet collection), two jumbo eyelets, hemp twine, a magnet, a decorative brad, and a glue dot 

The album is made by adding an additional score line in between the two existing score lines.  The actual measurement is 4-5/8".  We have included four pages in our album but you can add more.  The measurements for the inside pages are 4-1/2" x 2-1/8" and then score these pages at 3/4". The entire album is held together, on the left side, with two jumbo eyelets and the striped ribbon.

The "scrunched" flower is made using both the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch and the Boho Blossoms punch - three of each.  The decorative brad is made with Pumpkin Pie DSP and a non-SU brad maker.

 

As you can see from the above photo, magnets are used for the album closure.  You are now ready to add your pictures, words of advice, words of wisdom or even a few of your favorite recipes.