may day basket

Happy May Day!
 When I learned that my first Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog post for this month was on May 1st, the thoughts that came to mind were centered around May Day Celebrations. Memories from my childhood of dancing around the Maypole and crowning the May queen; as well as the tradition of hanging May baskets, are the inspiration behind todays project.

I begin with a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Bagatelle Box 1.5 x 4. There are many size options available for this box. I choose this size to accommodate a basket handle that would be able to hang from a door knob (as is tradition) when complete. I paint the top and bottom edges of the pieces with antique linen Distress paint and allow to dry. The interior faces of the box sides are then covered with decorative paper to mimic a pretty spring lining for the "basket." I prefer to adhere the decorative papers prior to constructing the box. When this method is selected, be sure to keep the interlocking tabs free from paper. The photograph below shows how I have covered some of the surfaces.

Once adhesive for the lining pieces is dry, I glue the box together and set aside. 

Next, I ink pieces of Distress woodgrain cardstock with Distress Oxide ink in scattered straw and fossilized amber. Drying the inks with a heat tool between layers. When I am satisfied with the coloration, I then use Distress Ink in brushed corduroy and walnut stain to give the cardstock the look of real wood by accentuating the wood graining.

These pieces are cut into strips that will be woven together to create the "basket."

The edges of each strip are inked with coordinating inks to hide the white core that is exposed when the strips are cut, then I begin to weave the pieces together, using the bagatelle box sides as guides.

I continue the weaving to completely surround the box base. 

I then cover the top edges of the bagatelle box with 1/8" strips of the inked woodgrain cardstock. With the basket portion complete, it is time to begin filling it with flowers. Tradition has it that May baskets are filled with the blooms gathered at the end of April's showers. To start, I use the fringing method to cut a piece of peeled paint colored card stock, creating a serpentine of "grass" that will assist in filling the basket. I add a thin line of quick dry glue along the bottom edge of the grass piece and secure it into place.

With the grass in place, I begin arranging the flower pieces that have been colored with Distress inks in shaded lilac, wilted violet, and bundled sage, and the stems painted with peeled paint Distress paint I also add some leafy stem diecuts that have been painted with Distress paint in peeled paint color. All of the various pieces are glued into place. 

The final step is attaching the basket handle. Due to the length of the basket base, as well as wanting the basket to be able to hang from a door knob, as is tradition, I cut two strips of the same width from the remaining inked piece of woodgrain cardstock. (Note: I have inked both sides of one of the pieces of woodgrain cardstock so that when the underside of the handle looks the same as the top. This is important since the handle bends and slips into the sides between the box and the woven paper.) These two pieces are overlapped and glued together at the top. I add a stamped and colored butterfly to the handle to complete the project. 

I am off to deliver this May Day Basket to its special recipient, and carry on this wonderful tradition.

I hope that the coming days are filled with May flowers and perhaps they inspire you to create something beautiful. 

Thank you so much for stopping by, I truly appreciate it.

~Ann

 xxx   

supplies
Distress Archival ink: black soot
Distress inks:
black soot, blueprint sketch, brushed corduroy, bundled sage, dusty concord,
shaded lilac, walnut stain, wilted violet
Distress Oxide inks:
brushed corduroy, fossilized amber, scattered straw
Distress paint:
antique linen, peeled paint
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts: Bagatelle Box 1.5 x 4
Tim Holtz Ideaology: bouquet
Tim Holtz/Sizzix thinlits dies: flutter, garden greens
Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamps: flutter (CMS294)