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Monday, April 27, 2015

A Frugal Li'l Road Trip Basket

Goodman and I often take short day-trips around the area and like to take a few things with us ... like real coffee cups, a thermos of good strong coffee and maybe a snack or two so I needed something other than a grocery bag to hold the cups and snacks.
Lily-of-the-Valley
Y'all know I like practicing frugality whenever possible.  And now, more than ever, it pays as so often when buying something new the quality you expect just isn't there.  I found just what I needed at a tag sale last year. The price on this li'l basket with a padded liner was just a few dollars so I snapped it up and took it home.

The elastic closures were shot, but it was in good shape, otherwise. It really just needed a good cleaning and some sprucing up.  Love the padded liner complete with hot/cold pack.

So I scrubbed the basket clean and washed the liner then got busy making a few flowers and leaves with polymer clay...
Source
 I used these tiny cookie cutters to make the flower shapes. 


Baked them in the oven and let them cool...

 Then used a glue gun to apply them to the lid of the basket.

 And those little elastic ties were replaced with new ones that I perked up with more flowers and leaves.  I'm very happy with it.

 Goodman gives me a strange li'l grin when he sees it in the backseat of the car, but I don't mind. ;)

Hope you're enjoying lots of spring blossoms.
Bearded Iris
And birds, too.
Fastidiously clean Mockingbird



26 comments:

  1. aren't you cute and too creative! :)

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  2. Well now...that is about the cutest thing I've seen in a while. I love vintage things and that pic-a-nic basket is darling! I have never worked with polymer clay but it sure looks like fun!

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  3. Oh cute! We always pack a lunch and a thermos of water for our little adventures too. I would never have thought to add those flowers.

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  4. You did WHAT? Made flowers to decorate it? How awesome is that! I wonder if I could try to make some. They are just precious! And we always pack coffee drinks and snacks for our day trips but here in Florida they have to go in an ice chest. Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane (I'm going to look for this clay)

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  5. Love your basket... We like taking little lunches, too.. I must keep a look out for one.. Great idea.. Thanks.. xo

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  6. The picnic basket was a great find! We travel near AND FAR the same....pack our own lunches, snacks and drinks. Save lots of money that way. Matter of fact, we nearly ALWAYS pack that way for any excursion....never know when we'll end up on an inromptu adventure! sometimes thermoses....but mostly super large glass(suntea size) jars of iced tea. If packed correctly...you can take glass safely. Loved the shot of the lily of the valley...my birth flower!,,,thanks!

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  7. What a nice basket and great ideas to make it even prettier!

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  8. ...that's so stinkin' cute...you did an awesome job..:)

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  9. How cool! I see a lot of picnics in your future :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  10. Very nice find in that basket and I love your flowers you made for it, a girl just has to dress up her basket :) Our Iris's are blooming too and they smell like grape koolaid, really weird, my sister in law brought them to us to plant and they just took off! The bird really looks like he is enjoying his bath :)

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  11. Your basket is lovely and the lily-of-the valley. Don´t think I have ever seen it growing here in Spain. brings back memories.

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  12. What a cute project! I think Goodman's smile is because he can't wait to dig in the box! I am not sure it has anything to do with the decorations ;) Don't worry, my hubby gives me the same response to half of my projects but I know he secretly loves them!

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  13. The picnic basket is so pretty. You've done a fabulous job decorating it. What a wonderful creative project. I love the lovely basket.

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  14. Your basket is adorable! Coffee just tastes best in real coffee cups!

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  15. Well, if that isn't just the cutest! Who would have thought to dress up a picnic basket with polymer clay :) My husband and I are the same way...only real coffee cups will do.

    It's always a joy to have you at Roses of Inspiration - thanks, friend!

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  16. Toni=you are so creative. Fimo flowers would never have occurred to me and they turned out great! You just need a picnic quilt:)

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  17. Hello, this was so very cute and practical, wish I had not given away my old wicker basket! Yes, now please make or find a picnic quilt to share with us!
    I enjoyed this so much... Hope you have a wonderful season of many road trips!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  18. ✿⊱·.
    A cesta está linda e as fotos também.

    Ótimo fim de semana!
    Beijinhos..·°هჱ
    ❤ه° ·.

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  19. That was a great save, and a cute recycle. My mom used to have a picnic basket like this only it was larger. We took that with us on just about every outing . I wonder now where it went- I feel sure she wouldn't throw it away. Have a beautiful Monday!

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  20. Your basket turned out so cute! I would have never thought of doing that! Your iris is gorgeous! Ours are just now starting to bloom.

    Have a Happy Mother's Day!
    :)Vicki

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  21. I love how you customized that cute lilttle basket. Those are some flowers I wouldn't mind having near!
    Hope you're having a great spring season and enjoying your road trips. :-)

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  22. hello,
    your basket looks wonderful......great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    love the colour of your iris.
    have a nice weekend,
    regina

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  23. Your basket looks very cute. You have many amazing ideas. The flower and leaves made by you looks amazing!

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  24. I love your little Sculpey flowers and leaves. What a clever idea!

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  25. Oh Toni! What a darling job you did of sprucing up your picnic basket! I just love it!

    Aren't picnics simply the best...? My family and I love having picnics whenever we can and oh yes! We never forget our coffee and munchies, for what is a day trip without those lovelies...?

    Sometimes packing a picnic for our whole family can be quite challenging as dear me! We have to take so many things along! But it is certainly worth it, and I have always believed that food tastes much, much better out of doors...:)

    Hope you are enjoying your springtime!

    Have a richly blessed weekend and much love to you!

    Kelly-Anne

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Thank you for your comments!