Friday, April 23, 2010
May Day Flower Baskets
I had vague memories of weaving paper baskets for May Day as a kid, but when I started making these, the memories came flooding back. I love it when that happens. Making them is easy. Take a square piece of paper (I used some old magazine covers), and fold it into 9 equal parts (just draw a tic-tac-toe game and fold on the lines). Cut out the corners and then cut slits up the sides, leaving about 1/2 inch uncut at the tops (see photo below). Then cut strips of paper, and weave them in. When the weaving is done, use tape or glue to attach a handle. Then fill with flowers and give them to a friend or neighbor!
Jack and Tess were so excited about picking flowers in our yard and arranging them in the baskets. They said they wanted to keep them, so we'll have to make some more by May 1st to give away.
Holy cow, I remember these baskets, too! We made them in school - thanks so much for posting the tutorial. I'd love to make these with my tipsy toddler, too!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of great projects, have you checked out www.WeAllSew.com yet? It's a project dedicated to connecting crafters on the web with each other and with great sewing and crafting inspiration!
Yes those bring back memories. It is cool knowing that your kids will have those memories now too. Giving May baskets is an awesome tradition, thanks for passing it on.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog and spent very good time to review all articles until the beginning ! I even printed your black and white drawings to stick in my son's room :) You're incredibly creative and I will keep following you from now ! BTW your kids are very cute :)
ReplyDeleteThanks everybody!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that WeAllSew website. cool!
And Thanks Lilou. Glad you found my blog.
What a nice blog you have here!
ReplyDeleteYou have a portuguese name, don't you?
Sorry, my english is terrible!
Thanks. Yes my name is Portuguese. It goes way back. There's Portuguese and Jamaican on my fathers side.
ReplyDeleteSo adorable! Not only the flower baskets but your kids are super cute as well.
ReplyDeleteJoel you are just so clever. I love reading your blog. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Joel!
ReplyDeleteI Loooove your blog!!! Everymorning is the first thing I check :)
sorry but I didn't get the fold a square into 9 equal parts.
Greetings from Australia!
very cute ... we use to weave little mats and baskets from coconut palm fronds, similar to these
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteOrnella - Sorry, you're right, that is hard to understand. Basically just make a big tic-tac-toe game on the paper and fold along the lines. Another way to say it, would be to fold in thirds, then rotate, and fold in thirds again. I'll change the directions in the post too! Thanks!
love it. looks easy to diy
ReplyDeleteI too remember May Day...but it must have been a small town thing because we always did it in elementary school when I lived in Nebraska, then when we moved to the big city {Denver} no one had ever heard of it! Sad. Way to bring it back Joel...way to bring it back.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteMiggy - Yeah, I grew up in a small town too, and that's where we did this. It just sort of popped back into my head this spring. We have so many flowers in the yard. I think it will be a fun tradition for Jack and Tess too!
So easy, so sweet and perfect for old magazines! I definitely will be making these! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Joel,
ReplyDeletewe tried to make the basket and it worked out fine! A little smaller than yours, maybe, but big enough to hold numerous dandelions and daisies. The kids loved it!
I put a link to your blog in mine, and some pictures of the basket (not as nice as yours, though).
Love from Belgium!
I'd forgotten how to make these. I'm making some to hold a friend's birthday gifts. Thank you. You are a fount of ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think this idea is GREAT!!!! I hope I can make one!!!
ReplyDeletehello! what an awesome blog you have here! I was pointed in your direction because we have both made May Day Baskets! You baskets really turned out beautiful! Here is a link to my basket post
ReplyDeletehttp://childhoodmagic.blogspot.com/2010/04/may-day-doorknob-baskets.html
Thanks everybody! I love seeing all of your baskets! Fun isn't it?
ReplyDeleteCHILDHOOD MAGIC - Great palm tree baskets! Nice weaving skills. I love it. Also, I totally love the stick sculpture your son made on the beach. Way cool! We're going to the oregon coast this weekend. I'll have to try something like that.
I have come over from crafty crow. Thanks for posting the instructions, I can't wait to try them with my kids!!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful, Joel! I'm so happy to discovered your blog!
ReplyDeletelook at those flowers in your very own garden, what a dream come true!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely. I just fell in love.
ReplyDelete