Hi everyone,

I apologize for taking so long to get this blog up and running!  Several new writing projects and homeschooling have kept me hopping!  I've also been sharing ideas about catechism and faith formation at my other blog, Diary of a Sower.  If you're looking for religious craft ideas, please stop by and check it out!

Several of my long-time readers have asked me to republish some of the craft ideas that were previously featured in the Creative Gift Giver newsletter and on the old website.  I thought I would start with the popular Duck and Bunny baskets, which were featured on my website several years ago. 

These small baskets are made with nut or potato chip cans, some chenille stems and fun foam. You can fill them with little Easter trinkets, jelly beans and chocolate eggs. They would also make nice favors for an Easter brunch. Or have your kids surprise an elderly homebound neighbor with one of these filled with homemade candy! 

Duck and Bunny Baskets

made from potato chip and nut cans

Make these adorable little baskets in minutes!

 

 

 

Supplies:

1. Small potato chip or nut can 

2. Fun foam in your choice of colors 

(we used orange and yellow for our duck and 

white, pink and black for our bunny) 

3. Chenille stems (also known as pipe cleaners)

4. Hot glue or tacky glue

5. Cotton ball (for bunny's tail)

6. Scissors

7. Permanent marker

 

Instructions:

1. Measure the length and width of the can and cut out a piece of fun foam to fit around the can.  Glue it onto the can, lapping ends in the back and leaving two gaps at the top for the basket handles.

 

2. Hand draw (or use a coloring book pattern) the wings, beak, eyes and webbed feet for the duck;  or ears, eyes, 4 paws (two for "hands" and two for "feet") and a nose for the bunny.   

 

3. Trace each piece on fun foam and cut out with scissors.  If desired, trace an outline of the wings and webbed feet, or the paws, with a black permanent marker onto the fun foam.  Allow ink to dry completely

 

4. Glue each piece of fun foam onto the can.  (For the bunny, make whiskers out of black chenille stems and glue them behind the bunny's fun foam nose.) Allow to dry completely. 

 

To make the bunny's tale, glue a cotton ball on the backside of the can. 

 

5. If desired, use a permanent marker to draw additional details on the face. 

 

6. Take two or three chenille stems and twist them around each other, then shape them into a handle.  Place each end of the handle on different sides of the basket, anchoring the handle between the fun foam and the can.  Secure in place with glue. 

 

7. Fill with shred or Easter grass and add candy or small trinkets.