Easter Baskets
by: Katherine Johnston
Materials Needed:
*
Balloons: any size. Larger ones for Larger Baskets, smaller ones for
smaller baskets, even smaller ones for ornaments. Little ones make nice
ornaments for an Easter Tree, or to put in a bowl on your table. It’s
really up to you how big or small you want to make them.
*
Crochet
Thread: Brighter colors work best. There are even some that are
multicolored which is pretty. How much you ask? It depends on how big
you are making your egg/s. A small roll will probably make 2 medium
sized Egg Baskets. A Large roll will make 3-4.
(Note:
Don’t use yarn! Yarn doesn’t absorb the glue mixture well enough, and
your basket will be flimsy and probably fall apart if you use yarn. I
learned the hard way, thinking I could use thin yarn instead.)
* Hot glue gun and glue sticks.
*
Elmer’s glue. I get the Gallon size at Lowes or Home Depot. It is half as much than buying it at AceMoore or Michaels.
*
Embellishments: Lace, bows, feather boas, butterflies, fake flowers,
pipe cleaners, pom poms, fake bunny ears…(These are just a few
suggestions) Anything you think will look good to embellish your Egg
basket. Use your imagination!!!
Instructions:
First
thing you need to do is blow up the balloon. Then tie one end of the
crochet thread to the top of the balloon where you tie it.
Then
start wrapping it. I start from the top and go around the bottom back
up to the top and back down and... up criss-crossing at the bottom.
Then
you just start wrapping in all different directions around the balloon
until you have it covered pretty well, like in the pictures of mine.
Then you tie off the crochet thread at the top of the balloon, leaving
some extra thread for hanging the balloon up after you dip it in glue.
Once
your balloon is wrapped, you will then need to prepare an area where
you will hang them to drip dry. Outside on a clothes line in the
sunshine is best. Or you can rope between two trees. If you drip dry
them indoors, or
in your garage... say, be sure to put down some plastic, like an old
table cloth or something so you don't damage any floor surface with the
dripping glue.
Ok,
so now you put Elmer's glue into a pan, I use those foil pans. Just
make sure the pan is large enough to roll the size balloon you are using
in it.
Mix
hot water with the glue. You don't want it thick, but you also don't
want it too watery either. In between is a good mixture. I don't have a
mix ratio, I just use my own judgment.
Once
you have the water mixed well with the glue, you roll your covered
balloon in the mixture, making sure to cover all areas completely. Then
you hang the balloon up to dry somewhere. It will take several hours in
the sunshine, or longer inside, like overnight. You can speed up the
process with a hair dryer if necessary.
Once
your balloon has dried to a stiff feeling, you take a needle and pop
the balloon. After you pop the balloon, place the string shape on a flat
surface and gently flatten the bottom so it will stand on a flat
surface.
Next, cut out a circle, or an oval shape from the side of the string egg that you want to be the front of your egg basket. Be careful not to cut too far down, so you leave a lip around the bottom. After you have cut out your opening, you then cut out the balloon that is hanging inside the shape. It's ok if a little remains at the top, as you can cover this up with a bow and no one will even know. (Note: If your glue mixture was too thick, you will get some glue film on the string. If this happened, use a soft toothbrush and brush as much of that off from the inside of your egg.)
Now
for the fun part: Get your hot glue gun out and ready to use. Careful
not to burn your fingers when using a hot glue gun! (Believe me, it
hurts!) Now, put lace, or something (Feather boas, lace, or just
flowers, or pom poms or something), around the edge of the opening you
just cut out. Embellish it with flowers, butterflies, pom poms, anything
you desire. Put a pretty bow on the top, unless of course you are
making yours look like an Easter Bunny.
Fill
with some Easter Grass and lots of fun things, like a stuffed bunny,
easter candies,Chocolate bunny, eggs and so on. Have fun! The first one
you make is the hardest. After that, you become more creative and a pro
at making them!
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