For years, I've seen cute little mini "paper mache" baskets in gift shops in the spring. But what I didn't know is that they are not paper mache at all, but made with peat pots. Yes, the same peat pots gardeners start their seeds in.
This epiphany started one day at the grocery store when I picked up some peat pots for my son to start some tomato plants seeds with (DO NOT go looking for a post on how to grow tomatoes from seeds, because THAT whole experiment was a complete and utter failure).
All of a sudden a light bulb came on in my head. These were the the little basket things I had seen at gift shops and antique stores.
This spring peat pot craft is so darn easy you are going to hit yourself over the head with a gardening trowel for not having made these yourself before now.
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I found my peat pots at the local grocery store, but I have seen them at Home Depot, Lowes and Big Lots too. Just about anywhere that sells gardening goods. I used the 3" Jiffy Peat Pots, but any brand will do.
And I will be super simple with the instructions here:
Easy Spring Peat Pot Baskets
- Buy peat pots in the gardening section
- Paint them with craft paint if you wish
- Mod Podge a graphic onto them
- Add a handle
- Go back to figuring out why your tomato plants are drooping
I did a couple versions of the little baskets just to show the versatility of what you can do with them.
A little bit country (image used was from Vintage Holiday Crafts)
a little bit rock 'n roll Pottery Barn-ish (image used was from The Graphics Fairy)
and a little bit cottage-esque (image used was from who knows where - I've had it for years saved on my computer)
I'm sure I could have been a little more creative on these, using buttons, flowers or lace to bling them up a bit, but I thought it better to stop when I was ahead on these.
Do you ever do that?
Make a craft that is OK, then you start messing with it and before you know it it is in the trashcan.
Then I won't show you the Mod Podged sheet music one that is currently buried beneath coffee grounds and banana peels.
I thought I'd get a little wild on the handles though, so for this one I used wire that I had wrapped about a pencil to make a springy handle.
This handle is a tea dyed bumpy chenille stem.
And on this one I thought a tinsel stem that I had left over from Christmas was a good fit (matches well with the snowy glitter).
Now I just have to buy some Cadbury eggs to fill them up.
Pat
These are adorable. What a wonderful idea!
Shelia
These little baskets are darling! I love them and what a great job you did. They're so little! How cute they are!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
totally adorable!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
totally adorable!
Jane
Those turned out really cute! I love your descriptions!! And yes, I have gone overboard on some projects and then ended up hating them!
Jane
~Lavender Dreamer~
I've seen these too but wasn't quite sure what was being done! Thanks for sharing! I love them! I wonder if I have time to make some! ♥
Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage
I think they're perfect! Love the graphics you chose!
Sue
I have two bags of mini peat pots that I bought to make favors for a wedding shower. I need to "borrow" your idea for the wire handle, Pam. Too clever....
~ Sue
Carol A.Bender
Even though each is unique and different I love them ALL, and yes, I too have been known to overdo something and throw it away.
Olive Cooper
Extremely cute Pam!
Pam
These are so cute!! I love how you made them.
I'm looking forward to following you.
Pam
⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜
mmmm....I love the cadbury eggs. Cute cute baskets Pam!
Heather
I saw these on Kim's blog and thought that they were adorable too! I just love the ones you created as well. Beautiful!
Kim K.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect. I especially love the springy wire handle. I'm just so happy to see someone attempt my craft! Beautiful photos. Looks right out of a magazine. Great job, Pam!
Sherry@Back2Vintage
Pam, these are perfect! You did just the right amount. I especially love the one with the hen and her eggs!!!
NanaDiana
Pam-Those are darling! And, yes, I have gone a bit too far while trying to add just one more detail and wrecked something! A bit too much distressing can make a newly painted piece look really crappy- trust me on this! I'd say on this project you did just enotgh! xxoo Diana Hugs-Diana