A Rhinestone a Day Takes the Blah Away

I am always down to do something out of my comfort zone.  When my friend gave me free reign to decorate a basket as a gift to her future sister-in-law, I ran to Hobby Lobby before she had a chance to finish asking.  The basket would be part of a Hindu ceremony known as a chandlo.  It is basically a short ceremony that announces that a couple can be wed.  The groom's side brings gifts for the bride -- which might include a sari and/or an outfit, jewelry and anything else they'd like to gift the bride-to-be -- as well as snacks for the bride-to-be's family.  I had to decorate a large basket for the bride and six small bins for the family. 

I wasn't going to write a blog post about the basket I made, but I searched the ends of the internet for some idea of what I was supposed to be doing exactly and it seems no one ever really posts pictures of the baskets they've been given or the baskets they've made.  How sad is that?  So today I am going to put an end to the silence that is these baskets.  Especially because I find that my Hindu friends require a lot of baskets for various ceremonies, events, gifts, etc.  And these baskets deserve to be seen! This is, of course, my version of a basket that could be used for these types of events.  At the end of the day, it's just a pretty basket.  IMO.  :)

The basket I was given to use was just a plain, flat basket, so I gussied it up with some gold spray paint.  I am a big believer in gold spray paint.  In fact, I always have a can on hand just in case I feel something needs some gold spray paint lovin'.  Hobby Lobby sells mini cans that are perfect for small craft projects.
 

I wanted to keep it within the same color scheme of the outfits that were going to be in the baskets:  red, blue and green.  So I basically blinged it out with red, blue, green and clear rhinestones.  I am of the mindset that the more rhinestones the better.  I think the world would be a better place if everyone would just use more rhinestones.  Am I right??  Am I right??  Inside joke.  Sorry.

And, of course, I added some ribbon. Because ribbon makes everything prettier. I ended up switching out the ribbon color at the last minute from the pic above so I don't have a pic of the 'before' with the color I used. I am never afraid to rip everything off and start over again if I feel like something isn't quite right.  And I did that quite a few times. 

Since I would have to wait until the day of the chandlo to assemble the baskets, I pre-cut the wrapping that would go around the basket.  I'll just say really quickly that I hate cellophane.  I try to avoid using it at all costs for no other reason except I cannot use it.  Every time I've tried making a basket, I end up ripping the cellophane or there is a big whole in it because my basket is too big and my cellophane is too small.  I hate cellophane.  Or cellophane hates me.  Either way, for the basket I used tulle.  Tulle is the greatest fabric ever invented.  I use it for everything I possibly can.  Tulle calls my name and I always answer.  Love it.

To save time, I decided to eliminate any potential problems by making my bows ahead of time.  I have been in love with fascinators lately, so I used that as my inspiration.  I simply made the bows and attached pins to them that would be attached to the outside once I assembled the baskets, then I added peacock feathers to the outside.  I scored some peacock feathers that had a red tint to them which fit my color scheme which made Pintobean a very happy crafter. 

The rest of the basket making process had to be finished the day off the chandlo, so I don't have pics of that process.  Actually, I forgot to take pictures of it until we were walking out the door with it, which is one reason why these pics are terrible.  But, what to do?  Here is the final product. 

And I love it.  Love the sheerness of the tulle.  Love the feathers.  Love the ribbon.  Love the rhinestone on the bow.  Love all the rhinestones. Love it. Here is a close up with the red sari.... I added a few more rhinestones at the last minute.

And here is another shot of it.  I couldn't stop taking pics because I knew I'd never see it again. 

And here is a pic of one of the snack bins from the back of my car.  Of course, it coordinated.  See the red-ish peacock feather?  So pretty!

And another shot. Last one, I promise. 

So, there it is.  Now I have to think of how I will decorate the baskets for the engagement ceremony.  That is, if I get the job.