Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Upcycle Plastic Container Into Basket

7:00 AM Gail @Purple Hues and Me Baskets, Creative Craft Hop, Recycle/Upcycle Crafts 16 comments

If you're like me, you probably have bags full of different types of recycled containers. You just never know when you might need one for a project. Well the time has come when I do need one for a project for our Creative Craft Hop hosted this month by Donna @ Modern on Monticello. Welcome All! We are so glad you're here! Looks like I'm starting the hop off sharing my Upcycled Basket! Please don't forget to check out all of the stunning creative craft projects listed at the bottom of my post!

So I started looking at some of the containers that I have accumulated. I came across a good size clear plastic one - about seven inches tall and seven inches wide. It didn't have a top and I haven't a clue what was in it before. I just know it was nice and clean. And had a reflective look as if it was glass. But it wasn't. It was all clear plastic! So I decided to make a pretty basket - one for everyday use where I can store whatnots and catchalls! But I must say that it turned out rather pretty so it goes perfect with my decor, too!

Materials Used:

Utility knife
Snips
Measuring tape, ruler
Chalk pen
Microfiber cloth
Twine - 3mm 109yds
Fabri-Tac Glue
Clamps
Plastic top (flat, large)
Plate (template)

Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

And who doesn't love transforming trash into something useful and beautiful! So let's get started by removing the rim around the plastic container using a utility knife.

The plastic rim was quite difficult to remove. But I finally did it after the hubs saw me struggling with it - he recommended using a pair of snips which really got the job done.

Next, I used a tape measure to mark off the container in 1/2" increments using a chalk pen.

Then used a ruler to draw lines on the container every 1/2" to cut out 1/2" strips ending with an odd number of strips. Having odd number of strips helps to make the weaving even.

The strips were a bit hard to cut, too, but thank goodness for the snips!

Once all of the strips are cut, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe off all of the chalk marks.

Once done, turn the container upside down to begin the weaving process.

Attach the end of the twine just inside of one of the strips at the bottom using Fabri-Tac glue or any quick grab and dry glue. I am not a fan of using hot glue on plastic. With the twine still attached to the roll, start weaving it over and under each plastic strip.

Continue going over one strip, under the next, over, under, over, under and so on, working your way around the container . . .

pushing the twine together for a neat and uniform look . . .

until you have nearly reached the top. Then cut the twine off on the backside of a strip, adding glue to the end and sealing it to the strip.

Using a clamp, braid three pieces of twine 1.5+ times the length around the container to attach the braided twine to the top of the container.

Once the strips are braided, glue on in increments using clamps to hold in place until dry. Be sure to cut off excess braiding to use later for the lid.

Now it's time to cover the plastic bottom!

Place a large dab of glue in the center of the plastic on the bottom. There was already an indentation there so it was not hard to find the center.

Then begin coiling the twine around in a circle on top of the glue . . .

adding more glue around on the plastic as you coil the twine . . .

coiling and gluing round and round until . . .

reaching the end.

How cool to see the coiling and weave when looking down into the

clear container!

To Make the Lid:

Use a small plate, just the size that would cover the opening to draw a circle using a chalk pen on a plastic top for the lid. Cut out.

Then begin coiling the twine on glue starting in the center of the plastic lid.

Continue coiling the twine, adding glue as you coil until . . .

the lid is completely covered with twine.

Then braid another strip of twine to glue around the edge of the lid.

Use the excess braiding twine to make a loop handle by gluing the ends together for the basket lid.

To attach the loop to the lid, place a large dab of glue in the center . . .

and around the base of the loop on top of the lid. Add twine to base of the loop and begin coiling it around. Continue adding glue and coiling the twine until the loop until satisfied with the look to secure in place.

What a lovely upcycle craft!

A basket . . .

for storage or . . .

decor!

I hope you've been inspired to upcycle your trash to something you will treasure!

Up next is Sara, @Birdz of a Feather, who happens to be one of our fabulous co-hosts! Sara is a very talented artist and today she is sharing her Dinosaur Wall Art which is amazing! And be sure to check out all of the talented bloggers sharing their awesome creations below:

Upcycle Plastic Container Into Basket - Gail @ Purple Hues and Me

Dinosaur Wall Art - Sara @ Birdz of a Feather

A Wine Bottle Gets a New Life - Ann @ The Apple Street Cottage

Embroidery Hoop Pocket Wreath - Niki @ Life as a Leo Wife

Paper Mache Bowl DIY - Terri @ Decorate and More with Tip

Hammered Flower Art Gift - Rachel @ Tea and Forget Me Nots

DIY Cooking Utensils - Tammy @ Patina and Paint

Make Fun and Creative Pens with Beads (Instead of Jewelry) - Donna @ Modern on Monticello

How to Make the Prettiest Kentucky Derby Door Hanger - Carol @ Blue Sky at Home

Special Occasion Blooming Wine Glass - Jenna @ The Painted Apron

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Basket Update Foamiran Napkin Decoupage Flower

4:00 AM Gail @Purple Hues and Me Baskets, decoupage flowers, foam paper, Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge 15 comments

It's that time again for The Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge on the fourth Thursday of each month! Here, a group of creative bloggers come together to share their lovely transformations of a thrift store item. Who doesn't love thrift store upcycle projects - whether it's actually creating one or admiring how an item from a thrift store was transformed!

The Rules:

Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
There's no monthly theme.
There's no budget to stick to.

Meet the Hosts

Angela | Simply Beautiful By Angela - Gail | Purple Hues and Me

Jenny | Cookies Coffee and Cra f ts - Michelle | Our Crafty Mom

Meredith | Thriftwood Home

One thing for sure, you can always find lots of baskets at the thrift store. They're usually plentiful in all sizes and styles for just a few dollars. And the best part, baskets are easy to transform with a little bit of paint and a few other enhancements!

Take this worn out basket that I found at the thrift store. At the time, I had no idea what I would do with it - but it was sturdy, a good size, and looked unique! I soon realized that it was perfect for our thrift store challenge!

First, after actually washing the basket - it seemed quite dirty in places - and letting it dry, I painted the green twisted twine, a Mulberry shade acrylic by DecoArt. Once the color dried, the basket still looked rather plain. So I decided to decoupage the basket wicker sides with flower napkins. I had decoupage a basket before and didn't have any problems then.

Begin by separating the printed napkin sheet from the rest and then tearing out some of the flower designs.

Then lay out the napkin design on the basket and lightly tap the napkin with a mod podge coated brush. Continue adding napkins to the basket using this technique.

This is what the basket looked like after filling the sides in with the napkin designs. I did not like the look - there were too many wrinkles! Perhaps the woven wicker was spaced too far apart and allowed the napkin to wrinkle in between - so I quickly washed it all off before it dried.

Then I thought about just making a flower to place on the basket. But I wanted to use the pretty flower napkins I had and wasn't quite sure how I could make a sturdy flower using a napkin. I knew how to make mod podge paper napkin flowers. But I wanted something firm, strong and with dimension. Then I had an idea of using foam sheets or formiran! I had made lots of foam sheet flowers, but never attached napkins (decoupage) to the foam sheets. Would that work? I looked on Pinterest and then google how to decoupage napkins to foam sheets but found nothing.

So I decided to give it a try. There's never harm in trying something new! First, I painted mod podge on the foam sheet.

And starting at the edge of the napkin, laid it down on top of the foam sheet.

Once the napkin was down on top of the foam sheet, I used a plastic bag to smooth out the wrinkles and then let dry.

It took several hours for everything to dry. And while it was drying, I made a template of a flower petal in different sizes. Once the napkin and foam was dry, I drew copies of the petals on the back of the foam and cut them out.

Next, I placed the petals on a low heat electric griddle (or iron if you don't have a griddle) for a few seconds, letting the edges curl.

You'll know the foam is ready when the edges curl and it's time to remove it from the heat by quickly picking it up and using the tips of your of your fingers to shape the petals - by indenting and curling the edges over or even twisting!

Then glue the petal layers together at the center using hot glue.

For the center, pour a generous amount of mod podge into the middle of petals and drop seed beads down into the glue. Mash the beads down into the MP and let dry.