.

.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Basket Love

I think this time of year many people are very aware of baskets.   I've been thinking about Easter baskets and split white oak baskets these last few weeks.  Dad and I used to make baskets years ago.  One year, we did the craft time at Vacation Bible School at our church and we taught the older kids how to make baskets.  The kids really liked it.  I had a poster that I made as an introduction with references to baskets in the Bible--you know, like Moses, the loaves and fishes and the spies that were lowered over the wall in a basket.  That had to have been a big basket!!

Would you like to see some of
the baskets that we made?  




The two on the ends are egg baskets.  The first time I made
 one of those-well, it wasn't perfect. The one on the right with
the green and red -well, that was my second egg basket. 
I was pleased with that basket since it was more difficult
to make and I had mastered the technique.




Here are two different types of baskets.  The one on the left has a
square bottom and is square at the top.  The one on the left is a
rectangle on the bottom and an oval at the top.  The basket can also
be made so that it is square on the bottom and then round on the top.
Assistant to the photographer, Pumpkin.


Here is my daughter's Easter basket.
She uses the same basket every year. 
I bet you'd use the same basket every year if
your Granpa made your basket and signed it, too!


This is my favorite basket that Dad made.  It's
large and great for transporting casseroles, cobblers
and one of my party favorites, cheese straws!


It is super strong and has a very sturdy handle.
Dad made several of these big baskets for Mom, me
and as gifts to some of our friends.  I saw one
of his baskets still being used yesterday by a friend.
In  the spring of  2006, I lost my big basket. I couldn't
 even remember where I had used it last. I looked
for it everywhere.  I asked friends about it, too.  I was
 sure, since I couldn't find it in our house, that I must
have left it somewhere.  It really bothered me that I
 couldn't find my basket because Daddy had passed
away in November the previous year. 
 I knew I wouldn't be able to replace it. 

Then, one day, I was looking back through the pictures
I had taken at Easter and this is what I saw...

With a lot of hope, I asked my husband to pull the attic stairs
 down for me.  And there it was-- Daddy's basket in the attic
 and filled with plastic Easter eggs.  My sweet husband
 had put it in the attic with all the other Easter decorations! 
I was a super happy girl when I found my basket!

Here's my sweet Daddy with some of his baskets.

Do you have special Easter baskets or
other baskets that you enjoy in your home?
I'd love to hear your basket story!
Happy Easter!
 

Joining the Party with:
FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS'


Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special



Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olson
Share Your Cup Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday




6 comments:

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Marsha, what an awesome talent! I have only made rag baskets. I have seen handmade baskets and admired their details. It is so wonderful to have something created by your daddy's hands. Pumpkin would sure look cute in one of those baskets! You should link this to my new party.
Hugs,
Jann

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

Wow, your baskets are beautiful and what wonderful mementos. I think Pumpkin really wants to move into that big one. Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting me and our snowmen today! :)

NanaDiana said...

Hi Marsha! I am so happy you found my blog because now I found you back. What a wonderful story here. I am glad you found your basket because there are some things we just can't replace...and, as we get older those little things mean more, don't they?

I have never tried basket making although I think I have given just about every other craft in the world a go. I have always admired baskets and the work that goes into producing them.

I hope you have a blessed Easter and I am your newest follower- xo Dana

Dawn said...

What a wonderful skill to have. I know baskets that are hand made can last for years. I once had a hand made laundry hamper and I got year out of it. Lovely work:)

sconesvt said...

Such a lovely post, Marsha. Thank you for sharing the photos of your beautiful work. I especially like the photo of your dad with all of his handmade baskets. What a wonderful memory!

Revi said...

I love this sweet post! What a great momento to have to remember your dad. His baskets are beautiful, and I love it when beautiful things can also be functional! Your outside space is great! What a great blessing, to have an outside fireplace! I am so glad you found your basket. :)
-Revi