Spring Basket

This made me happy today!! The Inspiration Challenge this week is the Fitz and Floyd website, of which I am already familiar as I am the proud owner of several pieces from their vast collection already. I have always loved the detail and vivid colors of their ceramics. So last night when Stephanie posted the challenge, I looked and looked and looked and loved everything. I finally went to bed without choosing an inspiration piece. When I got up this morning I went into my craft room and found a white, layered, daisy die-cut I had already created (for another project I'll post later) using the SU Sizzix Daisy #2 die. So that got me started. It reminded me of this "Fauna and Flora Basket" piece from the challenge and decided to go for it!! And here's how it went . . . . First, I had to make it purple. I wanted to keep the color soft so I pulled out my stiple brush (finding that thing probably took longer than making the whole dang project!!). I used SU Orchid Opulance in the center and the rest is Lavender Lace. Stippled the under side of the daisy around the edge as well. Then I shaped it. I used the head of a Robins Nest Dew Drops bottle (just because it happened to be in reach at the moment!) and "stirred" the inside of the Daisy to get it to curly up into a bowl shape. Next, the basket handle. I used SU Close to Cocoa paper, about a 2" by 4-1/4" piece. Misted it with water to soften the paper so I could manipulate it. I crunched it up and opened it up again. Misted it again and this time, I rolled it up length-wise from the bottom up. Then I twisted it, shaped it into the half-moon curve and heat set it so it would quickly dry with that narly look into that shape. I sponged it with a brown Colorbox Cats Eye to give it dimension. To attach the handle to the flower basket, I pinched the ends of the handles with a wire cutting tool. That flattened it so it wouldn't be so bulky when I attached it. I used my favorite go-to glue: Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky - to attach the handle to the backet. That stuff glues ANYthing...it's super sticky and dries fast. It's never let me down! I heartily endorse and recommend it... (do you think that will get me a free bottle???) Next I created leaves by using the leaf punch from Martha's collection. The paper is SU DP, but I don't know the pack it is from, sorry. It's a Certainly Celery and white pattern. I folded the leaves in half and stipled them with Always Artichoke. Then I just used a white gel pen to draw in some veins. I attached the leaves to the handle in a random fashion sort of following the actual inspiration piece. I then punched out the Butterfly and glued him (It may be a "her", but for this tutorial purposes, it is a "him") to the handle. The Fitz and Floyd piece has the butterfly on the flower itself, but when I put it there, it blended into the flower because the colors matched so closely. So I attached him to the handle. I forgot to take a picture of how I made the center...but not too complicated! I just punched two small daisys in scrap yellow paper and layered them so they appeared to be a round shape and glued them into the center. So, what do you think? I think I just figured out my Easter project this year!! Let me know if you have any questions and I'd LOVE to know if you make one too! Thanks for checking in!!