A Tisket A Tasket, A Green And Yellow Basket

     Seeing as though Easter Sunday is just a few weeks away, and this will be our newest family member's first Easter outside the womb, Smaller Child and I went to the local craft store to pick up Easter baskets for him and his brother. Their selection was less than desirable, so I got the bright idea to make my boys their very own personalized baskets!
     I started by shopping the plain wicker basket section and found a couple I liked. I then selected a few shades of spray paint, some wooden letters and warmed up the imagination and got to work.
     Step One: Remove shoes. There is something really restricting and constricting about crafting with shoes on. I am not sure what that is about me... dirty hippy at heart?
     Step Two: Take baskets, spray paint and Smaller Child (with bare feet) outside because it is 80 degrees, sunny, and WAY to gorgeous to be wasting.

     Step Three:  Paint baskets...being sure to keep Smaller Child and Self upwind. (Notice dirty naked toes)

     Step Four:  Take break and lay in the sun making Smaller Child laugh for a good thirty minutes or so. Hey, crafting is hard work!

     Step Five:  Put Smaller Child (now sun sleepy and content) down for a nap.
     Step Six: Get out acrylics and brushes... and a good cup of coffee.  (Enter Keurig.  OH Darling Keurig... how I love thee!! But don't tell Slow Cooker. He thinks he's the only appliance for me.)

Where was I...? Oh yes...
     Step Seven: Paint wood letters that correspond to Brood's names.
     Step Eight:  Seek and receive approval of paint job by Larger Child.

     Step Nine: Allow for paint to dry. I have to say, this is by FAR the hardest step for me. It always has been. I have a really hard time allowing for things to set, harden, dry etc... I usually push it too fast and nearly ruin my projects. You think I would have learned by now how to act like an adult.  Like I said in a previous post, I fully admit to the fact that I am a work in progress!
     Step Ten:  Affix letters to baskets. I used good old fashioned Elmers... we will see over time how well they hold.

     Step Eleven: Wait (AGAIN)... this time for the glue to dry.  I think I will have another cup of coffee.
     Step Twelve:  Adorn baskets with personal touches that say, "I made this, just for you!" I painted some "grass" and "flowers" on the bottom. I thought it would make them seem more spring-y.  (I like to add the letter "y" to words to make them descriptive... even if they don't make a whole lot of sense, like aerosol-y or compartment-y) I took some artistic liberty with the accuracy of the plant-life.
     Step Thirteen: Step back and admire a job well done.  Now THOSE are some Easter baskets you can't just find anywhere. Those baskets say, "Hello! I am unique, and made with love. Now fill me with large amounts of sweets and cheap toys!"

     Step Fourteen: Add two adorable boys... and voila! Fantastic!!