Thursday, March 31, 2011



Such a beautiful sunset. It was a scorcher today...I was out and about in 91 degree temperatures and we don't have air conditioning around here.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Look for Inspiration EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE


I have admired these camellias (one of my favorite flowers - I need to get one for my yard renovation) for over two years now. They're in big pots at my bank and I see them every time I'm there. I happened to have my camera today and there wasn't anyone at the bank, so now I have pictures of these gorgeous flowers.

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Oh, so tiny baskets



Shrink Plastic Baskets
I made these shrink plastic baskets ages ago - I think it's time to update them, so check back to see 'modern' versions. They're perfect for favors or gifts - fill them with candy, tiny soaps, flowers...have fun!

What You'll Need:
Shrink plastic - opaque
Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue - 8 oz bottle
1/4" Paper punch if making the ribbon laced basket
Pencil
Oven or toaster oven
Scissors
Spatula
Hot pad
Baby powder
Moss, flowers, ribbon, candy, etc. to decorate basket
7-1/2" to 8" plate for pattern
Ruler
Cookie sheet

How to Make It:
1. PATTERN - Place plate on shrink plastic. Trace around plate with pencil. Cut a basket handle 3/4" x 10-3/4" from shrink plastic.
2. CUT OUT - Cut on inside of lines using scissors. If making basket with laced ribbon, use paper to punch holes every inch about 1/4" in from edges of circle and at the center of the handle.
3. SHRINK - Preheat oven to 275-300 degrees. Sprinkle cookie sheet lightly with baby powder. Lay shrink plastic designs on cookie sheet. Place in center of oven and watch it shrink - the shrink plastic will flatten when process is complete - this should take about 5 minutes. Remove one piece from oven at a time. Immediately shape around glue bottle. Hold until hard. Repeat procedure for other piece.
4. ASSEMBLE - To assemble basket, glue the handle to the inside of the basket. Decorate basket with moss, flowers, ribbon, etc. by gluing place. For ribbon basket, lace ribbon through holes and glue at ends. NOTE: If basket doesn't sit straight, shrink a small rectangle of shrink plastic and glue to bottom of basket.