Woven Valentine Baskets

I was inspired by this blog on "Maya*Made" to have the kids make these adorable valentine baskets (that we hung as garland until we get ready to fill them with goodies).

Materials Needed:

• Sturdy Carboard or Cardstock to make a Template
• Ruler
• Compass (or something round to trace)
• Scissors
• Assorted Paper
• Glue Stick
• Goodies to stick in it when finished
  

Step 1: Make a template using cardboard or other sturdy material. We traced around a juice bottle for the end and measured out about 4 inches.

Step 2: Fold one piece of paper in half (I prefer to use vintage book pages, but the kids weren't too hip on that so I used scrapbook paper)

Step 3: Place flat edge of template on the fold and trace around template.

Step 4: Cut out (each one is a half of the completed heart).

We decided to cut a bunch of these "heart halves" at once before we moved on to weaving so we would have an assortment to mix and match.

Step 5: Cut two evenly spaced strips starting at the straight edge going up about 3/4 of the way up.

Step 6: Take two heart halves and weave them together. This is the tricky part. I actually had to get instructions from another site that I can't find now. But their instructions put it this way: "While most weaving is over under, this is through and around."

Here is a picture once three rows are weaved together. Always start with the row that will be pushed to the top of the heart and end with the row that will make the other edge of the heart. Step 7: Cut a handle from leftover paper and glue it to the each side of the heart on the inside. (Optional: Glue sides of heart to make a deeper basket)


Step 8: Stuff with Goodies (I wish I had some shredded paper to nestle the chocolates in, but the recovering perfectionist in me will deal).

Step 9: Give to your favorite valentine.

I had more pictures, but for some reason I started having complications and couldn't upload correctly.

I hope you enjoy!