Building a Better Basket

It baffled me at first.  Stampin' Up!'s Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL Die (113484) was capable of producing adorable baskets (think table settings, small holiday gifts, wedding or birthday favors). However, the assembly directions were leaving me with inconsistent results.  I admit "engineering" is not my strength.  I "get it" now.

So how do you build a better basket?  Let's break it down.

Here's the Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL Die.  It's considered "XL" because it's extra long at 6" x 13 3/4".

 

Another benefit of this extra long die is that it includes die cuts for flowers and a gift tag, too.  Wonderful with chipboard.  TIP:  You don't need to cut all the shapes (and waste paper) every time you run it through a die cutting machine.  Simply isolate what you want to cut, as I have done here with Whisper White.

Once I cut what I needed with my Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, I dolled up the Whisper White (both sides) with a charming little stamp from Scandinavian Season, inked in Pacific Point.  TIP:  When you don't have just the right colors in Designer Paper, small stamps make delightful, color coordinated patterns.

 

TIP:  When making 3-D objects, you will need a strong adhesive.  I chose Sticky Strip (104294) to avoid any "wardrobe failures."  Both basket pieces should be facing the same direction with the flap on the same side.  Add Sticky Strip to one flap.

Attach the two basket templates as shown.

Flip over and add Sticky Strip to the inside of the base.

Bend the tabs of the base piece.

Attach the base, tabs facing down to create a "dixie cup" type bottom, starting on the side without the remaining unattached flap.  TIP:  Roll the base carefully along the adhesive at the base of the basket template, lining up the tabs with the bottom.

Before reaching the final, perforated flap, add a piece of sticky strip to the outside of the remaining flap. 

Attach the final base tabs and flap (tucked inside the basket) and you're done.

TIP:  To create custom packing confetti to fill your basket (or boxes), I run coordinating card stock through my Crimper.

I next slice the crimped card stock the opposite direction of the crimps with inexpensive shredding scissors, bending and playing with the pieces for a touch for funky texture.

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Stamp Set:  Scandinavian Season (111774)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Pacific Point (111350), Certainly Celery (105125), Basic Gray (108692)
Ink:  Pacific Point (111837)
Cool Tools:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL Die (113484), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), Scallop Square Punch (112081), Crimper (101618), Shredding Scissors
The Perfect Touch:  Pacific Point 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111370), Silver Elastic Cord (109866), Season of Cheer Rub-Ons (112843)