Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend, full of BBQ! It’s during the holidays that I really miss my far-flung family and friends. Love you!
You can’t help but notice no new basket pictures yet, but I promise they are on the way. Computer troubles have put me behind schedule, but everything seems (*crosses fingers*) okay now. We’re also trying out a new look for the website, which I think I really like… easy on the eyes and a nice Search box. I know, I know! Put up some content to Search, already!!!
I’m pretty excited about joining the local miniature club here in my new hometown. I have never joined a miniature group before and am looking forward to it! Hoping to meet some nice people (inevitable, I’m sure!) and get some inspiration too. You will probably be shocked to learn that I am a bit of a procrastinator (no wai!!! yes, wai.) and could use a deadline or two to keep me on pace. This combined with a timid perfectionism sometimes keeps me from trying and/or displaying my crafts. Hey, I’m working on it! Anyway my first meeting is in two weeks, so I’ll keep ya posted…
=) honey

It has definitely been awhile since I last posted, but I am finally in a good place to be able to work on my hobbies again! Life has brought some big changes, but we are doing great and I am delighted to be working some of the fun stuff back in to my day.
I had a great time this summer at a NAME National Miniature Convention and I am definitely feeling the lure of my miniatures… It was a Castles and Cottages themed convention and I am full of ideas and renewed passion. There is nothing quite like meeting up with a few hundred people who share your interests!
I gifted a few of my miniature baskets at the Convention (there are always lots of pressies at any Mini gathering) and the feedback was very gratifying. So now that I am back home, I have been re-learning my weaving and improvising some new tricks with a fresh point-of-view. I have really been enjoying making baskets again, and it is an excellent excuse to watch too many movies (and the Olympics!)
This weekend I will badger my husband into taking pictures of some new baskets and we’ll get them posted here soon!
=) honey

This round basket is done in natural wicker and measures about 1/2″ wide and tall. (12mm wide and 11mm tall)

This is really a wicker cup, intended to hold lollipops in my daughter’s 1″ scale bakery. It could also hold a small potted plant, a jelly jar, tapered candles, or pens and pencils. In fact, I think it would make a great desk set, along with a blotter and a business card holder (could I weave a stapler???) This basket could definitely be in a 1/2″ scale scene, and is the only one I have made so far that I think could be in 1/4″ scene (as a bushel basket?) I will be posting a taller version that makes a nice flower vase as well.

This is a square serving basket woven with butterscotch thread over butterscotch spokes. It is about 1 3/8″ wide and 3/8″ high. (30mm square and 7mm high)

This is another one of my favorites, possibly because there are no lopsided handles to mar the view. It is a bit deep for a tray, and puts me in the mind of a casserole basket. I think it will take a 1″ pie nicely, and I have some Fimo cookies that would line up nicely inside. I have a sweet little checked “napkin” for the basket, but I like the weave so well, it hasn’t made it in there yet. Obviously, I need 4 more of these, at least!

This is an oval market basket woven in natural wicker. I made a heavier handle on this basket, making use of two spokes. It is 1 1/4″ long, 3/4″ wide, and about 1/2″ deep, with an additional 3/8″ handle. (33mm long, 20mm wide, and 12mm to rim, plus 10mm high handle)

Yikes! As I measure this basket for the post, I see that the depth has more of a “range” than I’d like to see. Truthfully, it has a depth of 10 to 12 mm, depending on where I measure. From a distance I can’t really tell, but the ruler doesn’t lie (sigh!) I am determined to make a better one right away!

This was intended to be a small market basket in 1″ scale, but seems suited to an 1/2″ scale bassinet as well. I definitely will try a similar pattern to make 1″ scale bassinet, once I figure out the hood. This one will probably end up full of flowers or bread.

This small, round fruit basket was woven in natural wicker. It is 3/4″ wide and 7/16″ high. The handle is 1/2″ tall, making the basket about 1″ tall overall. (20mm wide and 11mm high, plus 14mm tall handle)

As usual, the trim braid and handle gave me a bit of trouble, but I still like this little basket. I think the light color sets off the contents nicely (in this case small styrofoam balls colored to look like lemons and oranges.) I have since worked out a thinner braid to trim the small baskets, and I will try that on the next version of this basket.

I think this basket would make a sweet little Easter basket as well, and I will try it in a pastel color someday… The list of baskets I want to make grows longer!

This tiny round basket and lid are woven in butterscotch linen thread over walnut brown spokes. The base is 5/8″ wide and 5/16″ high. (16mm wide and 10mm high) The lid is simply a wider, shallower version at 3/4″ wide and 1/4″ high. (19mm wide and 6mm high)

I intended this to be a keep-sake basket for 1″ scale miniatures, but the base could easily be a 1/2″ scale miniature. I think with some teeny handles it would look just right. I like this basket and was proud of the tight weave. The lid was a bit of a tight fit, and I finally had to force myself to just stop messing with it!

This oval handled tray is done in butterscotch “wicker” over walnut brown spokes. The tray is about 1 1/2″ long and 1 1/4″ wide, but the side handles add another 1/4″ to the length. It is a shallow basket, measuring about 3/8″ high. (44mm long with handles by 33mm wide, and 6 mm high)

This is a great little basket, easily one of my favorites. It’s great for serving food or as a shallow gathering basket. The side handles are tricky, but I think they really add to overall look.

This is a walnut brown round basket with a handle. The basket is about 1 1/8″ wide and 5/8″ tall. The handle is an additional 3/4″ tall, so overall it’s about 1 3/8″ tall. (23 mm wide by 16 mm deep, with a 20mm tall handle)

This is a very versatile basket that can be used for food, sewing notions, or any gift basket assortment. I think it would look terrific with a bow on the handle!

I think this is a nice basic basket and I was pleased with it overall. The handle is a little tricky for me still and I continue to practice, practice, practice!