A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

March 27, 2013

WOYWW #199 ~ All About Baskets

Hi Every Body!

It's time for Julia Dunnit's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday (WOYWW)!  Please click over and see Julia for the details and join in the fun!  (Julia, this is r.e.a.l.l.y. long, even for me, but I've sectioned it so folks can hop off along the way.)
 
Today my desk is folded in two.  I mean twofold.
 
First, I want to wish all of you a Happy Easter, or a Happy Passover, or a Happy Regular Ol' Sunday, doing whatever makes you happy!
 
Second, this week I continued messing around with some chevron die strips, so after the desk view, there is a chevron "basket weave" tutorial.  On my desk you can see a card with an eggy-headed bunny peeking over a 'chevron fence,' and a card with a 'chevron basket' full of sequined eggs. 
 
 
 I think I've got you all covered with my weekend wishes!
 

~~~
 
If you need to make like an Easter bunny and hop along, I understand.  Thanks for stopping!  I hope you'll take a mo to wheel down to the comment section and let me know you came by so I can return the flavor!  Happy WOYWW and enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy your day.  LITS*!
 
~~~
 
Chevron Basket Weave Tutorial
 
I posted this Easter card a couple of days ago and many peeps thought that I wove the chevrons in the basket, or that I otherwise put a lot of time and effort into making it, or  just plain wondered how I did it.
 
 
I've made some photo collages to show you what I did, since I don't have a video set-up in the Playhouse.  I don't have a video setup in the Playhouse because I know me.  I would sit there all day eMoting and not getting any cards made.  I weighed out whether I wanted 15 minutes of fame from a resulting viral YouTube video, or simple bliss puttering around making cards.  Making cards won so you will have to employ your own imagination to add action, drama, foreign subtittles, and musical orations!  Here you go:
 
 
Toilet paper?!  Oh, my, no.  The secret of making anything of this sort is to have largish sheets of sticky-backed paper.  You can use large shipping labels, or whole single sheets (lots of stamping websites have them), or fly-paper, or a 4.5 inch roll like I have here. 
 
My roll was purchased on accident.  I heard about these tapes from the "Online Card Class 2" that I took a few months ago and I placed an order with Ellen Hutson LLC.  I don't have excellent spatial and mathematical skills, as you know, and I thought I was getting an assortment of tape sizes, so when this big ol' hunkahunka sticky tape arrived, I went "What in the name of Sam Hill is this mahoosive roll of mahoosiveness?"  But, hey, my fault for doodling instead of paying attention during the measurements class in grade school.  This sucker will last me my lifetime and yours, but it was just the ticket when I wanted to mess around with my chevron strips!

I love how life always works out.
 
So you start with a piece of sticky paper and you make some cutout chevron strips with whatever die or skizzors process you use.
 
 
Then you just start laying your strips on the sticky piece.  I didn't pay attention to my color arrangement for this, so ignore that.  Unless you really like it, then you can comment, "Wow, I really like the color arrangement you used!" 
 
Next you just line up the mountain of one row with the valley of the other for as many rows as you want.
 
 
When you're done with your rows, you have to trim the sides and "finish off" the top and bottom of your faux weave.  For this tute, I just used a "mountain" snippet piece for both, which I then trimmed.
 
 
Now you have your completed "basket" or other shape you've made.  If you want to make a "fence," you just use a larger offset between the pieces.  Play around and have fun!  (Messing with them reminded me of the folded-over gum wrapper chains we made as kids.  Anyone?)
 
~~~
 
What you'll notice next is that you can see and touch the adhesive in the small spaces left in the intersections of your design.  You could leave it like that and hope your cat doesn't decide to hop up on your desk and lay down on it, like I know a lot of your cats are wanton to do!
 
 
Or you could do what I did and use a small hole punch to punch out a few holes and use a pair of tweezers to pop them into the sticky bits.  This turned out to be a, "Well, wudja lookee there!" fantastic design feature.  When stuff like that happens, you pretend you meant for it to happen all along.

And that's it.  It doesn't take hours; in fact, it might be quicker than a card that needs a lot of coloring or fussy-cutting.  Let me know if you have any questions or if I wasn't clear

~~~

Speaking of baskets, this is very last minute, but I just saw this incredible Easter basket made by my friend Vicky (emphasis: not made by me):


Isn't that so sweet?!  For easy-to-follow directions on how to make this basket, visit Vicky's site:  Crafting Clare's Paper Moments!
 

Mwah!

*Life Is Too Short!

(And thank you "cm!"  You made my day!!)
 

 

55 comments:

Amanda said...

Great tutorial Darnell the step by step is so easy to follow too. Would never have thought of it myself but am eager to try it now. I am useless at measurements and have been known to purchase several of something cos they are always the wrong size lol. Hugs, Amanda x

Eliza said...

Hi Darnell excellent tutorial would never of thought to use a sticky sheet, thanks for the tip.

Happy Easter to you too. Hope it is a relaxing one for you.

Happy WOYWW TOO
HUGS ELIZA 8

Words and Pictures said...

Ooh, lovely chevron weave, and thanks so much for the detailed tutorial. Great cards on your desk... I've missed a few, but happy to be back (and with my mother in tow this time!)... Happy WOYWW!
Alison x
#36

Sandy said...

Made me laugh with the mahoosiveness of the roll of tape.. Glad you found a fantastic use for it love the card you made will have to investigate getting that die.
Happy Easter
Sandy :) #7

Cathy said...

Thankyou for the enlightening tutorial,fantastic! Cathy :)

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, that big roll certainly made me smile, it's just the kind of thing I would do (sigh). Your tutorial is fantastic, you make it look so easy, but I guess it is when you know how! Love the end result and love the basket that you show too, will go and have a look at that. Hope you have a wonderful Easter. Hugs, Annie x #33

Kathyk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathyk said...

You sure would NOT want to mistake THAT roll for your charm' ultra now, would you?????

FABBY projects from you - love your chevrons and your baskets too

Happy Easter to you and your readers, Darnell

Kathyk

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Thanks for tutorial, all projests are GREAT, my favourite is basket,
hug Tamara

Sue said...

A fabulous tutorial Darnell.

Oh yes, I can relate to your 'big roll' incident too!

Sue xx

Lunch Lady Jan said...

My initial thought was you wouldn't want to mix up that big roll of tape for a toilet roll at a critical moment......;)
I love that pretend woven card, so easy yet with a magic result. I. Have always found weaving the most boring craft activity in the world!!!! Apart from Zentangling that is!! I must have zero patience....it's only taken me 51 years to work that one out......
I like the tutorial for the basket your friend made too, might use that with the kiddlywinks in school :)
Hugs, LLJ 59 xxxx

Kelly Griglione said...

Ummm, wow, that is a gianormous roll of sticky stuff! But I love happy accidents like this. When I have a massive quantity of something, and absolutely no hoarding desires, my playtime can result in something quite unexpected. Just like yours did here. Was very excited to see you posted a tutorial on your basket. And now I can see how your tiny hole punches came in handy to cover up the last remaining sticky spot (which you probably wouldn't have done if you just put adhesive on the back of the strips to begin with). Yes, It totally reminded me of those gum wrapper chains when I first saw your basket! Thanks so much for the tutorial, Darnell!

glitterandglue said...

I like that - rather nice - and has lots of potential for other times of the year, too. Well done with the tutorial.
glitterandglue #92

Julia Dunnit said...

Wow, I love the colours that you've use for the tutorial! Thanks for sharing, it looks a lot more work when finished, huh! Loving the view on your desk this morning - specially the plain card with the big old bow on it....it sorta sums up my card making this week. Without the bow.
Gotta love Vicky's basket...haven't done a thing, not one, related to Easter. Shame on me.

Heathers Inspiration said...

Beautiful woven card and ideas.
Love how so many different ideas are here in your post x
Happy Easter WOYWW heather #86

Kristie Goulet said...

Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial and chuckle. :) You rock!

Bonnie said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I don't have the chevron die (yet) but if (when) I get it, I'll be giving this a try!

ria gall said...

What a fantastic tutorial thank you so much for sharing that. I love your easter makes they are so bright and cute.
Wishing you a very Happy Easter and a great day today
Ria

CraftygasheadZo said...

Wow you have been busy, great makes and great idea using those large labels. Take care my WOYWW friend. Zo xx 117

maria f. said...

Damn cats ;)

Susan said...

I LOVE my score tape! Did you know that you can put it on the paper you plan to cut, THEN run it through the machine to cut...then all you do is peel off the back and slap it down! I wish I had bought the 4.5 inch wide...I would use it ALL the time! Cute, cute card!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Darnell I so love Wednesday`s with you. That is one honkin big roll of Scor Tape!! Love it and I love Scor Tape. Your cards and baskets are fabulous and so is your tutorial.

lisa said...

Hi Darnell. Love your tutorial. I'm seeing chevrons now, makes a change from stars anyway!!! That is one massivo roll of tape. You'll certainly never be short of it that's for sure.
Love your cards. The chevrons look like basketweave to me.
Happy WOYWW and Happy Easter.
Hugs Lisax #60

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Me again! I consider myself suitably chastised and you're right, onwards and upwards....grin :)
LLJ xxxxx

Gibby Frogett said...

Hi Darnell.. Great cards and wonderful instructions - thanks.
That huge roll is fabulous!
Thanks for stopping by and for your comments re my butterfly dilemma - I'd not thought about the focus of the card so thanks for that..Happy WOYWW and have a lovely weekend Gill x #75

Anonymous said...

The card is very neat and I adore the little basket. Fun projects!
SueC#137

Anonymous said...

I learnt a long time ago DJ not to rail against the mojo, you'll just waste a lot of supplies cause you won't like anything that you FORCE yourself to make and you'll be even more frustrated than ever. Right now my mind is telling me to knit, so I knit away! Have a wonderful Easter, I take it you will be partaking in the chocolate eggstavaganza? I mean. you have made all those cards after all!

Hugs
Brenda

Karen said...

Great tutorial - you don't always need a video IMO :D

Happy Easter/Passover thingy! and Happy WOYWW x
Karen T #153

shazsilverwolf said...

Love the tutorial- and I am going to add to your 'Happy' list; Happy Eostre- she was a Goddess of fertility- hence the bunnies & chicks at Easter :) Have a great week, hugs, Shaz xx

Geri said...

Great chevratorial Darnell! You really did make it look easy!

Hmmmm....I'm thinking that the big a__ roll of tape is going to be around for quite some time :)

JD/ Jill said...

Great tutorial...first tutorial that I followed that had me wiping tears from my eyes! My hubby enjoyed it too. We both got our belly laughs for today...thanks for sharing...

SandeeNC said...

LOVE the chevron weave basket ( I would have added glitter and made a mess inside the holes! lol ) Thanks for visiting me today, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥

lostinpaper said...

Honestly Darnell you are just such a clever little chickie. What a fab fab tutorial and you have made it look sooo easy that I could (might) probably be able to do it. Thanks again for the amazing inspiration and the smiles that I always get when I'm reading your posts. Hugs T

Cestina said...

Such delicate and intricate work - despite your great tutorial I can't see myself trying it. I have enough trouble cutting dollshouse wallpaper in a straight line!

Thanks for visiting me....
A Happy Easter from a snowy Czech Republic
Cestina
#38

Anonymous said...

You're such a star, Darnell ... entertainment, fun and a brilliant tutorial on the wonderful 'weaving' technique, all in the same package! Anita :)

scrappymo! said...

Ooooo, how I love that tape...it is so easy to use...works great with glitter too!

Your cards are so pretty and I am going to show your stickeroos to Little Miss C. She is coming over on Friday and will be drawing tulips on her very first art journal page. She has oil pasteled, and rubbed and burnished, then she has painted over and now she has added paint using lego and perler bead frames as her stamps.
Next is some stamped text and then she gets to draw the tulips...those ones are lovely and airy! She sounded a wee bit anxious when she asked me if I had any pictures she could use for inspiration!!! teehee

Ali H said...

Loads of great fun stuff on your desk this week ! Thanks for the tutorial ! Have a very Happy Easter Ali #159

Anonymous said...

Can you imagine my surprise when I was in a little town, Eustis-FLA while visiting my mom, when I came upon a little shop called "My Favorite Things." Could it possibly be THE stamping company? Oh, yes, it was!! It was unbelievable! I got the Chevron dies that day, and you are making me happy the way you are using them!! I must get to using them- thanks for the inspiration, friend.

MagsB said...

This is a great tuurtorial, thank you for the inspiration!

Happy Easter/Passover/Sunday to you, too!

love Mags B x

Maisie Moonshine said...

Great tut Darnell, thanks. Your Easter makes are great fun, thanks for sharing. Hope you have a Happy Easter too. MMx #141

Barb King said...

Great idea for those chevron, I'm glad you did the photo tutorial, otherwise I would have been mystified as to how you did this. I do remember making weavings with gum wrappers back in the day. Have a great week and thanks for stopping my blog earlier. xx Barb

Sonia Y said...

Darnell,this is so cute!! Clever use of chevrons!! I love that you made a tutorial too....thank you xx

Lisa Richards said...

Thanks for the tutorial! Happy Easter, Passover or Plain Ol' Sunday to you, too!
Have a great WOYWW,
Lisa #173

Unknown said...

Nice tut! Thanks. Darling basket, actually that should be darling basket(s)! I, too, remember the gum wrapper chains. Kept mine in a shoe box, the thing was so long! What do you suppose the archeologists of future will think when they come across a fossilized one? Things that make ya go hmmmmm. Love spending a bit of my evening with you. You always give me a smile.
LuC

shirley-bee said...

Wow, I really like the colour arrangement you used!

Debs Willis said...

Love your big fat roll of sticky!! made me laugh, and I love your chevron basket too

happy woyww

Deb s#90

Angela said...

Darnell, the baskets rock! Your faux weaving technique is a necessary pin. Thank you for the tutorial.

Nan G said...

Fab tutorial! Who needs fame...you have us WOYWW ers! Oh yes, gum wrapper chains by the gazillion, girl! Yellow juicy fruit my preferred wrapper. :) Happy Easter and Happy WOYWW! Nan #115

Karen M said...

Love your gorgeous easter weave card Darnell and thankyou for your great tutorial:) Happy Easter to you and your wonderful family - hugs xx

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell, you just crack me up! As always I love reading your posts, it reminds me of watching I Love Lucy, never a dull moment!

Di said...

I thought I'd already commented here :( Must be losing the plot.

Thank you so much for showing how to do the chevrons Darnell! And that humungous roll of sticky stuff did make me giggle - slight miscalculation perhaps?

Hugs, Di xx

Andrea said...

belated woyww wishes and what a fab post again you do make me LOL that is some roll of sticky tape... massive or what !!!,the chevrons are ace and what pretty colours too a great tutorial as i would never have worked that out without the fab photos !I hope you have wonderful Easter weekend and thanks for making me smile off hoping before work best wishes until next week Andrea #64

mjbest said...

Fab tutorial. I am going to have to try this. I love your blog. You always inspire me.

Jean said...

Thanks for sharing how you made this ~ hope you have a wonderful Easter with the twinks!

Planetsusie said...

Hi Darnell - just popped over from Di's blog to check out your chevron tut! I love it, so thank you very very much for posting the piccies. I will have to have a go some time. As for the small roll of sticky stuff - you did make me laugh. I do the same and now have three lots of sticky white dot things to put on my pens. The one's I thought would be alright would probably fit onto the end of a dressmaking PIN!!! Oh well - it's good to know there are lots of us about out there.

Hugs to you and I really love the card.

Sue Pxxx