The Basket Lady

In the Good Humor Town, at Hosmer Field, a spectacular fireworks display cracked, hissed and lit up the night sky along with approving oohs and aahs from the crowd. The Fourth of July fireworks that Rumford has been known for and sorely missed over the past several years, brought out the townspeople who smiled, laughed and just enjoyed good ole fashioned togetherness while munching on mucho tasty food and treats. Delish!

Basket Lady stopped in at the Free Shop and was delighted to see the community coming out and supporting their summer time fair to raise funds for a much needed new furnace. The brownies were so good-didn’t take the time to count all of the calories that were in each mouth-watering bite.

The thing is, friends, it is all about community and we’re blessed when we support and hold each other up; offering a helping hand to those in need. Think about what a tremendous gift that’s been given to each one of us to be the human hands of God- so that we may do heavenly work on earth.

In last week's column, we did a Life’s a Beach basket so in keeping with that theme, let’s do a Shell Basket.

Supplies

10-inch long (end to end) x 7.5 inches wide (between handle) x 5 inches high (excluding handle) oval basket with handle

.5 yard-44 to 45 inches with medium print fabric for lid and lid lining

.5 yard-44 to 45 inches wide small print fabric for basket lining and ruffle

1.5 yards-2 or 2.5 inches wide wired net ribbon

2.25 yards to .75 inches wide satin ribbon

2.25 yards to .125 inches wide satin ribbon for hinge ribbons and handle ties

1 yard to .1875 inches wide twisted satin cording, 17 inches square of 1-inch thick polyester bonded batting

17 inches square of corrugated cardboard

2-9x7 inches pieces of white poster board

2 starfish

Assorted seashells in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors

Fabric glue

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Hand sewing needle and thread

Scissors

Iron and ironing board

Tape measure

Craft knife

Ruler

No. 2 pencil

Instructions

1. Line the basket with small print fabric.

2. Cover cardboard with medium print fabric and make a small print pleated ruffle; finished width of ruffle is .75 inches.

3. Glue cording in place with fabric glue, gluing ends on wrong side of padded lid; allow to dry.

4. To complete lid, using .125 inch wide ribbon for hinge ribbons. To secure lid to basket, knot hinge ribbons around handle before continuing to decorate basket.

5. Cut two 12-inch lengths of net ribbon. Hot glue one length of ribbon, one starfish, and several assorted seashells to each half of lid.

6. Cut two 24-inch lengths of .1875 inches with ribbon; set aside. Wrap basket handle with remaining .1875 inches with ribbon, hot gluing ribbon at each end of handle. Trim excess ribbon.

7. Cut three 8-inch lengths of .125 inches with ribbon. Drape remaining net ribbon on basket handle. Secure in place with hinge ribbons and 8-inch ribbon lengths.

8. Knot all ribbons close to ends; trim as desired. Hot glue tiny seashells to ribbons.

9. Tie one 24-inch length of .1875 inches with ribbon in a bow around handle at each end. Knot ribbon close to ends; trim as desired.

A very big thank you goes out to the following angels in training for showing a kindness: Pat Pineau, Rita Rizotte, Lorraine Nadeau, Darlene Akers, Hannaford’s Rumford Pharmacy Dept. and Lem Cissel.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up!

We miss you every day, Dot Sanchas!

In the Good Humor Town, at Hosmer Field, a spectacular fireworks display cracked, hissed and lit up the night sky along with approving oohs and aahs from the crowd. The Fourth of July fireworks that Rumford has been known for and sorely missed over the past several years, brought out the townspeople who smiled, laughed and just enjoyed good ole fashioned togetherness while munching on mucho tasty food and treats. Delish!

Basket Lady stopped in at the Free Shop and was delighted to see the community coming out and supporting their summer time fair to raise funds for a much needed new furnace. The brownies were so good-didn’t take the time to count all of the calories that were in each mouth-watering bite.

The thing is, friends, it is all about community and we’re blessed when we support and hold each other up; offering a helping hand to those in need. Think about what a tremendous gift that’s been given to each one of us to be the human hands of God- so that we may do heavenly work on earth.

In last week's column, we did a Life’s a Beach basket so in keeping with that theme, let’s do a Shell Basket.

Supplies

10-inch long (end to end) x 7.5 inches wide (between handle) x 5 inches high (excluding handle) oval basket with handle

.5 yard-44 to 45 inches with medium print fabric for lid and lid lining

.5 yard-44 to 45 inches wide small print fabric for basket lining and ruffle

1.5 yards-2 or 2.5 inches wide wired net ribbon

2.25 yards to .75 inches wide satin ribbon

2.25 yards to .125 inches wide satin ribbon for hinge ribbons and handle ties

1 yard to .1875 inches wide twisted satin cording, 17 inches square of 1-inch thick polyester bonded batting

17 inches square of corrugated cardboard

2-9x7 inches pieces of white poster board

2 starfish

Assorted seashells in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors

Fabric glue

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Hand sewing needle and thread

Scissors

Iron and ironing board

Tape measure

Craft knife

Ruler

No. 2 pencil

Instructions

1. Line the basket with small print fabric.

2. Cover cardboard with medium print fabric and make a small print pleated ruffle; finished width of ruffle is .75 inches.

3. Glue cording in place with fabric glue, gluing ends on wrong side of padded lid; allow to dry.

4. To complete lid, using .125 inch wide ribbon for hinge ribbons. To secure lid to basket, knot hinge ribbons around handle before continuing to decorate basket.

5. Cut two 12-inch lengths of net ribbon. Hot glue one length of ribbon, one starfish, and several assorted seashells to each half of lid.

6. Cut two 24-inch lengths of .1875 inches with ribbon; set aside. Wrap basket handle with remaining .1875 inches with ribbon, hot gluing ribbon at each end of handle. Trim excess ribbon.

7. Cut three 8-inch lengths of .125 inches with ribbon. Drape remaining net ribbon on basket handle. Secure in place with hinge ribbons and 8-inch ribbon lengths.

8. Knot all ribbons close to ends; trim as desired. Hot glue tiny seashells to ribbons.

9. Tie one 24-inch length of .1875 inches with ribbon in a bow around handle at each end. Knot ribbon close to ends; trim as desired.

A very big thank you goes out to the following angels in training for showing a kindness: Pat Pineau, Rita Rizotte, Lorraine Nadeau, Darlene Akers, Hannaford’s Rumford Pharmacy Dept. and Lem Cissel.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up!

We miss you every day, Dot Sanchas!