Vintage Basket Easter Craft Project

Materials:

• Peat pots
• Chalk paint or craft paint
• Paint brush
• Laser copied images
• Mod Podge (matte)
• Foam core
• Wire for handles (mine was jute covered)
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue
• Paper shred
• Lace for trimming
• Easter chicks, bunnies, and eggs to fill the baskets
• Flowers and other embellishments of your choice

Instructions:

1. Paint the peat pots with your chosen paints.  I painted mine with chalk paint, and I was pleased with the outcome.
   
   
    
2. I painted the bottoms and the insides, which wasn't really necessary.  I would suggest just painting inside the rims.  They had to dry overnight, which took patience.
    
3. After your peat pots are dry, it's time to add the color copied images to them.  Using a bit of Mod Podge, coat the back of the image and apply it to the pot.  Smooth it out with your fingers to get out any air bubbles and excess glue. Topcoat with Mod Podge.
    
4. Next, cut a length of wire for your basket handle and hot glue it into place inside the basket. 
    
5. I wanted my chicks and bunnies to stay stationary within the baskets.  If you want yours to do the same, cut a circle of foam core and insert it about a half inch down inside the peat pot, using hot glue to secure it.  This will help keep the basket handles secured, too.
   
   
    
6. Now you can glue your little chicks, bunnies, or eggs and they won't fall out of your basket.  You can even glue some of the paper shred to the foam core so the foam core won't be seen.
   
   
    
7. Now comes the fun part:  embellishing the basket!  Add your lace, flowers, and ribbons with hot glue to make your basket as fancy as you want.