How To Fold a Furoshiki Easter Basket

Here's a nice alternative to the traditional Easter basket, a furoshiki folded into a basket. Wondering what a furoshiki is? A furoshiki is a traditional Japanese cloth used for wrapping and transporting items. But don't worry, you don't need one for this project. You just need a square piece of fabric.

Supplies:
Furoshiki or any piece of square fabric. Silk scarves work great for this project. You could also use bandannas, fabric napkins, or embroidered handkerchiefs.

One shallow bowl - any size/kind you want. The larger the bowl, the larger the piece of fabric you will need.

Click on directions for a larger view.

Recipe: Chai Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Lately I've been on a chai tea kick. It all started with an impulse buy at Costco. I purchased three cartons of chai condensed tea and have been drinking it everyday. I'm pretty sure I've gained some weight in the process as well. Impulse buys are rarely a good thing. However, one good thing came out of it; I was inspired to create a chai oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.

Chai Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:
3 Cup Oats
2 Cup Flour
1 1/2 tsp Cardamom
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Ginger - for less spicy cookies use 1/2 tsp
1 tsp Cloves - for less spicy cookies use 1/2 tsp
1 tsp Baking Soda
10 Grinds of pepper ( about 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon)
4 Tea bags of black tea
1 Cup of butter (2 sticks of butter)
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1 Cup sugar
2 Eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup raisins

1. Heat oven to 350 F
2. Beat together butter an sugars.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl mix all other ingredients except oats and raisins.
5. Add dry ingredients to butter/sugar mixture.
6. Mix in oats and raisins.
7. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 10 - 12 minutes until golden brown.

Makes about 4 dozen.

Easter Owl Gift Bag Printable

My Owl Barn and Jinjerup have teamed up to create an adorable owl gift set printable. The free printable includes a gift bag and owl bookmarks. I personally love that they made this set with owls instead of the traditional chicks or bunnies. It's something different but still says Easter. Visit Jinjerup to download the free owl gift set.

Upcycle Craft: Paper Gift Bags

Over the weekend I visited Kinokuyiya, one of my favorite bookstores. I was in search of some crafty inspiration and found it in the most unusual place. It wasn't a craft book that inspired me but instead a paper bag that the store places your purchase in. I've always found these kind of bags charming. Perhaps it's the simplicity of the bag or the feel of the paper that appeals to me. I'm not sure. I just know I like them and decided to make a few for myself.

Supplies:
Paper - Could be from catalogs, magazines, newspapers, maps, etc.
Pinking paper scissors
Glue stick

Decide where you want the front of your bag to be. Fold flaps back to center the image. Make sure flaps overlap in the back. There's no specific measurements for the folding since all paper and positioning of pictures will be different.

Glue the back flaps together. Gut the bag at the bottom to the length you want plus one extra inch. Fold up one inch, unfold. (refer to picture on right).

*Click on images for a larger view.

Fold corners into the fold you just made in the last step. Fold back up and glue in place (right picture).

Trim the top of the bag with pinking paper scissors. Done.

Kids Wall Decor Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Kids Wall Decor giveaway! I appreciate all your entries and positive comments. For those who did not win, I still have something for you. Stephanie is offering 15% off all her prints at Just Bunch Paintings which will be good for the next two weeks. It even applies to current sales in her store! Here's the 15% off code:

ZAKKA15

expires 4/18/11

Now on to the winner...

Congratulations to Paty who is the winner of the kids wall decor! Please email me with your mailing address and the 3 prints you would like. Thank you.