Upcycled Craft: May Day Baskets

For much of the northern hemisphere, May 1st  marks the return of the growing season and in my book, that’s something to celebrate!

When I was a child my mom would tell me stories about the small town in South Dakota where she grew up, and how kids would craft little May Day baskets to give to friends.  I had been charmed by the thought of doing the same so that’s how these little May Day baskets came about.  They also happened to be the perfect solution for re-purposing my growing collection empty yogurt containers, which also allows me to help celebrate Earth Month (April) with a little “reduce, re-use, recycle” goin’ on!

So, if you’re a saver and re-purposer like I am, you might enjoy this craft.  Here’s what you’ll need:

Top Row:  Pipe cleaners.

Middle Row: Rubber bands, empty yogurt or fruit cups, cupcake liners or treat containers (I used the sturdier treat cups from Pick Your Plum because that’s what I had on hand), and glue dots. 

Bottom Row: strip of burlap, scrap fabric, or extra wide ribbon.

Let’s Begin!

Start by fitting one treat cup or a couple layers of cupcake liners to the bottom.  Use enough cupcake liners – each layer adhered with glue dots to the cup and to each other -so you can’t see the words on the container through the liners.  If you use a treat cup, they’re already thick and opaque so you only need one.  Next, place a rubber band near the top, just under the lip of the container.

Thread a pipe cleaner under the rubber band and make a little hook with the end (leaving approx. 2 inches to fold back parallel with the longer piece.)

Twist the shorter piece tightly around the longer piece.  Do the same on the opposite side.

 Now cover the rubber band by wrapping a wide strip of burlap, scrap fabric, or ribbon around it.  Secure to container with glue dots.

Finally, embellish with anything you have on hand to make it extra cute!  I happened to have some antique scrap-booking brads and plenty of ribbon.

Now you’re ready to fill the baskets with fresh flowers or lollipop “flowers”.  For lollipop flowers, just cut some leaves out of construction paper, scrapbook paper, or craft foam, and adhere to the wrapper or stick.

Next, “plant” them into the container filled with dried black beans for dirt.

Add a note if you like…

And you’re ready for delivery!

My daughter couldn’t keep her nose out of these; she’s so eager to give them to friends.

These would also make cute mini Easter baskets or could be used as a take-home treat container for a girls birthday party .

Do you save things and try to find ways to re-purpose them?  If so, I hope you’ll give this craft a try!

Enjoy,