MAYDAY BASKETS

MAYDAY BASKETS

The May baskets that follow are easy to make. The size of each may be adjusted to suit available flowers. Baskets should be filled with fresh flowers immediately before delivery. The flower ends may be enclosed in plastic wrap to help prevent wilting and to protect the basket against dampness. In the absence of fresh flowers, artificial flowers mat be fashioned out of crepe paper, floral wire and tape. The flowers need not be botanically correct, merely pretty and colorful. Since delivery should be made in secret, hang the basket on a door knob, ring the door bell and run!

May Basket 1

MATERIALS

1 piece lightweight construction paper, 6x3", pastel color 2 pieces of ribbon, 12" long, about 1/4 wide, color to match paper

STEP BY STEP

1. Bring ends of one long side of paper together and overlap slightly. Staple or glue in place.
2. Staple or tie ribbons in place at each point of basket opening.

3.Fill with flowers.

May Basket 2

MATERIALS

circle of lightweight cardboard (shirt cardboard), 1 3/4" in diameter 4" square construction paper, pastel color 14" ribbon about 1/4" wide or pretty color string or yarn hole punch, glue, scissors

STEP BY STEP

1.Fold the paper in half each way to make four small squares.

2. Open out and glue the carboard circle exactly in the center. (Illustration 12-2)

3. Cut down each fold line to the circle, bend up the four flaps just made, lap the edges a little and glue in place.
4. Punch a hole in two opposite corners and tie one end of ribbon loosely in place through each hole. ( Illustration 11-3)
5. Fill with flowers.

MAY BASKET 3

MATERIALS

8" square lightweight construction pape, pastel color sharp scissors

STEP BY STEP

1.Fold paper in half diagonally (Illustration 11-4) then in half three more times. Cut off extra bit of paper at end of fold.

2. Carefully cut through folded paper just up to but not through the folds, cutting alternately from each side. Cuts should be about 3/8" apart. (Illustration 11-5)
3. Carefully unfold paper and stretch basket open. Put something heavy, like a small stone, in the bottom to weight it down before filling with flowers. (Illustration 11-6)