The Basket Lady

It’s back! The anticipation of a Fourth of July fireworks in Rumford this year makes summer all the more festive.

A great big thank you for a job well-done along with a big round of applause for the voluntary members that served on Rumford’s Fourth of July Fireworks & Celebration committee. “Celebrate good times, come on, let’s celebrate and everyone have a good time.”

In the spirit of summer fun and frolic, here’s the step-by-step instructions on how to easily assemble a “Life’s A Beach” family or gift basket.

Instead of throwing things together at the last minute and hoping that something will actually land in the basket; as you’re making a mad dash for the front door, out of the house and down the steps, yearning for as much frivolity as you can get. Ha ha.

Life’s A Beach

Supplies

Basket:

Natural bleached willow basket with handle, 13x9x14-inch high

Basket Decorations:

Spray paints- blue or light green; Spanish moss; silk olive leaves; sea shells; 20-gauge blue wire; dried starfish; sea glass; natural raffia; cellophane wrap; gift Basket Contents:

brown kraft paper or brown grocery bag; green pleated paper shreds; beach towel; sunscreen

suntan lotion; sunglasses; a novel or book; snacks and water bottles.

Nice Additions: A frisbee, a pail/shovel, blow bubbles and board games.

Decorating the Basket

1. Basecoat the entire basket, inside and out, with light green spray paint. Let it dry.

2. Spray the top and handle of the basket with blue paint to create a shaded, two-toned effect.

3. Create a base for the silk olive leaves along two sides of the basket with Spanish moss and white glue.

4. Drill a small hole in each shell. To do this safely and not break the shells, wear safety goggles, work on a wooden board, and use a small drill bit on a rotary type drill. To hold the shell in place while you drill, place the shell on some plasticine clay, which will support the shell to prevent breakage.

5. Attach the shells to the rim of the basket with wire. (The wire also helps hold the moss in place). Start with larger shells at the base of the handle and work out to the sides with smaller shells.

6. Using a glue gun, add the dried starfish and sea glass.

7. Add a bunch of raffia to the arrangement by making a knot in the middle of some raffia strands, bending them, and gluing them in place.

Assembling the Gift Basket

1. Place the rolled up towel in the basket.

Secure with brown paper. Add pleated green paper shreds.

2. Place the remaining items in the basket.

3. Wrap with cellophane. Top with a raffia bow with shells glued at the center.

In the Good Humor Town, the following angels in training get a big thank you for showing a kindness: Dr. Joshua Sparling, Jeffrey Leonards, Karen Chadburn, Ellen Snow, Kevin Frost, Lucy Morin, Dead River Co. in Rumford, Carol and John Emery and Bruce Farrin.

Friends, never pass up an opportunity to show someone a kindness-do it today.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up!

We miss you every day, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.