Sunday, February 11, 2018

Something old is new again with a picnic basket...

 Last week was busy and very negative.  Luckily, Saturday started out with a visit from our neighbors.  I made a bunch of hors d'oeuvres and we enjoyed good company and several games of pool.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  A relaxed evening with some wonderful friends.  

Sunday was project day.  I had no pressing matters, so I began my picnic basket project.  I'm  a sucker for picnic baskets.  I found this one at a garage sale for $8.  There hasn't been time, until now, to give it some tender loving care.  The inside was caked with hot glue and a piece of elastic stapled to the top.  When it was new, I'm sure it had a fabric liner and the elastic held silverware.

 It all had to go.  I used pliers to pull out the staples and a razor to remove the glue.  Then I gave everything a light sanding.
After sanding the top and cleaning the basket, I took the food grade mineral oil I use on my butcher block counter top and gave the whole basket a coat.  It soaked in like crazy.  You can see the difference in the photos.  
The next half of the project will be to find some material to line the inside and matching elastic to hold glasses and utensils.  I think I have the right fabric in my stash.  I would also like to find some dishes and napkins to match the whole thing.  Maybe even a matching blanket.  
I now have three fabulous picnic baskets.  The top one is perfect for a romantic picnic with two.  It is very intricate and I also gave it a good coat of food safe mineral oil.  Hopefully, that will keep it in tip top condition.

The middle one has a Danish theme and is perfect for four. I have matching water bottles, napkins, and plates inside. It is great when I take the three nieces on our adventures.   

The basket on the bottom is going to be my super deluxe let's feed everyone in the country version.   I will keep you updated on it's progress.  

Despite a rotten week, the company of good friends and the thought of future fun times with others has lifted my spirits.  I hope to find a few more baskets.  One day, I will give one to each of my nieces and nephew, so they can remember the fun times and carry on the picnic tradition.  Right now, I am excited at the prospect that my baskets will be in the perfect condition when warmer weather comes.  

Do you go on picnics?  Do you have any picnic baskets?  What is your favorite picnic memory? 

8 comments:

  1. Wow! That looks great. Nicely done. I have 2 - 1 similar to the top one but not as fancy and 1 like the bottom. I use mine for stitching projects 😊

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  2. I'm sorry you had such a rotten week!
    Nice job on the baskets! Your nieces will have such good memories of picnics, I'm sure! We don't do picnics often, but they do look like so much fun! The down side of working outside all day...Seems like we're always anxious to get inside out of the heat and away from the bugs when it's picnic season here!

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  3. Love your basket find. I looked for a long time with no success to find just the right picnic basket for meeting friends at any of the many wineries around here, since most encourage you to bring your own food or snacks. One day, helping our daughter look for something in their basement storage area, I found the perfect one - and she gave it to me on the spot.

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  4. I took a basket I got for 50 cents and use it as a toy box. I like to hide it occasionally and make a game out of finding it when youngsters visit.

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  5. I really like your basket(s). The idea of a picnic for 2 or 4 or 6 sounds wonderful. Someday when the snowy season is gone! Glad you found a project to make you smile. Friends are good therapy too.

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  6. You have worked hard on that basket.

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  7. I don't go on picnics, I guess I'm not really a picnic kind of person. I love your baskets, though. I think maybe you could fit Ella in your new one.

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  8. I love your picnic baskets. I have always gone on picnics. I just think it is such a fun thing to do, and make a blah day into a completely nice one. I never thought about getting one, yours are just beautiful.

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