March Control Freak Blog Hop

It's the 20th of March and that means it's time for the Control Freak blog hop!

If you're taking the blog tour, then you just came from Erin Blair's fabulous blog.  The theme for this month was "spring."  The first thing I think of when it comes to spring is Easter.  I decided I would try my hand at making an Easter Basket.

 

You can find the tutorial for this basket by clicking here.  This was a fun project to make, however, it involved A LOT of sponging.  I used some textured Melon Mambo cardstock and sponged all of the edges with Rich Razzleberry ink.  I think the sponging added a lot of depth to the project so I'd definitely sponge it all again if I made another one.

I was surprised at how big this basket turned out to be.  The basket is 3 3/4" tall (excluding the handle) and is about 5" in diameter.  It will hold lots of Easter goodies.  Speaking of goodies, I need you to know how difficult it was keeping my children at bay so that I could finish this project and take the picture.  They all wanted to eat the egg brownies that I have sitting in the back of the basket.  As soon as I got my photo, they were gone!  Treats don't last long in this house.

Speaking of treats, it should come as no surprise that I LOVE chocolate.  I'm always looking for fun and creative ways to package chocolate to give as gifts because everybody enjoys getting chocolate as a gift, right?  Here's the nugget box that I made.

I used my Matchbox Big Shot Die and cut out four matchboxes in So Saffron ink.  I attached them to a piece of 5" x 5" Orchid Opulence cardstock in such a way that there was one "drawer" on each side.  Each drawer holds four nuggets.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but I used one of the flower Filigree Brads on the front of each drawer as a handle.

I used the Ornament Punch to make this flower on the top of my nugget box.  I learned how to make this flower from my downline Donna.  She taught us how to make these at one of my recent downline meetings.  I'm not sure where the original idea came from.  Click here to see the tutorial I made on how to make this flower.

I sponged all of the edges of the petals, leaves, and center pieces.  I sponged

• Orchid Opulence cardstock with Lovely Lilac ink
• Certainly Celery cardstock with Always Artichoke ink
• So Saffron cardstock with Summer Sun ink
• Pretty in Pink cardstock with Regal Rose ink

I hope you'll continue along the blog hop and check out Patty Bennett's wonderful blog.

Thanks for stopping by!  ~Dannie

Easter Basket
Paper:  Melon Mambo
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Silver Brads, Sponge, Sticky Strip

Nugget Box
Paper:  Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Shades of Spring DSP
Ink:  Lovely Lilac, Always Artichoke, Summer Sun, Regal Rose
Accessories:  Sponge, Sticky Strip, Filigree Designer Brads, Dimensionals
Punches:  Ornament, Circle (1" and 3/4"), Boho Blossoms
Big Shot:  Matchbox Die

Comments

[Mary Brown]

What a GREAT basic DANNIE!!! Love that little treat holder too!

[Connie Babbert]

CUTE, cute projects, Dannie! That basket looks like it is real. And the chocolate holder is devine! Always a great gift!

[brandi]

Great basket, Dannie! I thought it was real!! TFS!
Hugs,
Brandi

[Dawn Olchefske]

Love the matchboxes with the beautiful flower! Awesome basket!!

[Pam]

Loved the sponging on the basket and I even loved the chocolate even more. Thanks for sharing.

[Marie]

Two wonderful projects. Always look forward to your blog tours!

[Pockets of Inspiration]

Dannie, these are beautiful! What great ideas you have. My book of "MUST try this" is running out of pages.

[Lisa M]

The weaved baskets are so much work! Just beautiful! I have never attempted one because I think my head might explode before I finish! the little chocolate box is so CUTE!

[Carol A]

Love your basket! When I first looked at it I thought that it was made from colored reeds. You did an excellent job with it.

[Jan B.]

Wow, great job! Thanks for the ideas!!!

[Erin Blair]

ADORABLE!! LOVE the basket...looks just like a Longaberger Basket! Hope you are planning on a tutorial!! And the little matchbox box...so clever! WOW!

[Jayne S.]

NO WAY that basket is made with just cardstock! Really? It looks like a real basket! The sponging is probably what really makes it pop.

I also LOVE the chocolate treat box. What a clever idea to have it open on all four sides! I'm feeling some CASE-ing coming on!

TFS!

[Barby Thompson]

I hope you will give us all a tutorial on these projects!! They are wonderful!
Thanks!
Barby

[Cheryl]

Wow, Dannie! LOVE the new take on the matchbox die - I'll have to remember that one!

[jenn]

that basket is AMAZING! i can tell all the work it took, but it's well worth it. hope you can find someone to entrust it to who will treasure it as much as they should, given the time it took to create it.

thanks for sharing the flower made with the ornament punch. hadn't seen that one yet! will be on my SAS' mother's day cards!

[Marla]

Amazingly beautiful Easter basket!! I love it!

[Julie]

So great - LOVING that flower and wow, that basket looks so real!!

[Robin Spinner]

How gorgeous!

[Dolores]

Great projects, really love the candy holder with the matchboxes.

[Anita]

Awesome projects!

[Shannon Willis]

I am lovin' the little box. What a cute idea!

[Ann]

Dannie,

ABSOLUTELY love the Easter basket!!! Will you have a tutorial on how to make it? I have never seen one like it before! It looked as if you sponged a real basket! Love, love, love it!

Stampin' Smiles from Ear to Ear,
Ann :)

[Lisa Young]

That basket is awesome! And the matchbox candy box was adorable!

[Gretchen Barron]

Love the basket, Dannie-- and the matchbox is wonderful! So creative! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Gretchen

[Linda Henry]

Love the use of the matchbox die and the basket was fantastic!