Tutorial for little basket/purse

Happy weekend! Today, I will share some instructions for the cute little basket/purse. I think I will call it a purse because it no longer looks like a basket with these alterations. When this die first came out, I was so excited and introduced it to my downline and customers at my open house. Needless to say, it wasn't as easy to put together as I thought. That's because the bottom of the basket is round and it was hard to shape (for me anyway). I'm so happy to see this altered version to make a purse/basket easier to create it with just one extra piece of cardstock. I can live with this change except I need to re-purchase the die since I sold it to someone who said she would take it off of my hands - LOL! The joke was on me! For purposes of this tutorial, I used a So Saffron colored cardstock so you can see how it's done. You will need a piece of cardstock cut at 5X7. With the 5" at the top, score at 2" and 5". Turn the cardstock so that the 7" is at the top and cut at 2" UP TO THE 2" SCORE MARK AND CONTINUE TO CUT FROM THE 3" SCORE MARK DOWN TO THE EDGE OF THE CARDSTOCK. I hope this illustration helps explain what I'm talking about.

Attach the cut out purse front and back pieces to the cardstock piece in the middle sections as shown below.

Fold in the sides of the cardstock piece so that one side looks like this. Repeat for the other side. I used my 1/2" circle punch and snipped off the tip of the edge of the paper so it won't show through the handles. It should look like this:

When you put it all together, it should look like this:

It's a side view of the basket. (Did you see my green fingernails?? LOL! on a sidenote, I read in the Honolulu Advertiser that greens and purples were the latest Spring nail colors!) The finished basket with the fun and easy flower to make looks like this:

Thanks for stopping in on your busy weekend! I hope you are all doing something fun! I'm busy packing my suitcase...going to Vegas with my sister next week for a much needed vacation! Hope you enjoyed this simple tutorial. As soon as I get my hands on this die again, I'll be making more.

By the way...

I forgot to mention a few things regarding the one card swap. Typing up my last post was emotional for me because I know that I will have to re-prioritize all of my responsibilities which may come down to cutting down even more things! Anyway, while I thought about posting these extra thoughts about the OCS, Linda already beat me with her posting about the May OCS. So, if you would like to sign up to be a player in the monthly OCS, please pop on over to Linda's blog HERE and post a comment to sign up!
As you know, every time I don't have a card to share, I have to share a photo of my sweetie Mochiko. Here she is resting on the arm of a chair...if only I could switch places with her! Aaahh, the life of a cat! I am working on a tutorial to make the cute little purse using the basket & bloom die and a piece of cardstock. I'm also hoping to share information about the COLOR RENOVATION that will be taking place beginning with the brand new 2010 - 2011 Idea book & catalog. I can't wait!! I'm sure some of you have already viewed the colors on other blogs. See what I mean about having so many things to do??? Okay, enough for today. Happy Aloha Friday and don't forget to sign up for the one card swap with Linda!!
A little "toot" for my BFF Tamiko...she is having a challenge going on right now and the prize is a nestie die! Whoo hoo! Swing by her blog HERE to get the deets!