A Party Favor Basket.....

We have our invitations, a sweet corsage for the new mommy which can be made in to a little piece of decor for baby's room, now we need some party favors! This nutty design was inspired by Lori, who is always making darling little nut cups. The idea was birthed, (pardon the pun), when seeing some of Lori's creations. I wanted to create something reminiscent of a frilly bassinet.
You know how some things seem like such a good idea at the beginning and not so much at the ending? This was one of those ideas. By, oh say, about the 20th cup I thought I'd go nuts! The party goers did go nuts over them, so all in all they were worth the effort. We filled these little darlings with pink and silver candies, strawberry malted milk balls and Hershey's kisses, yum!
To make these magical little baskets you will need lots of blue and yellow fluff:Touches of pink puff:And all this stuff:MATERIALS:

Large size nut cups
Pink, Blue, Yellow, and Green Crepe paper streamers
Iridescent pearl strands
White chenille stems
Pink, Blue, and Yellow thread
Needle
Scissors
Wire cutters
Hot glue and glue gun
Pink satin ribbon
Pink cupcake liners
Hole punch

*Punch a hole in each side of the nut cup just below the rim, evenly spaced apart for connecting handle.*Trim white chenille stem to 8" using wire cutters and insert ends into hole from the outside, bend end of stem up.*Repeat for other side of handle.*Bend ends over the rim of the nut cup as pictured below.*Cut a 30" strip of blue crepe paper streamer. Thread needle with matching thread and gather on edge.*Adjust ruffle to fit the edge of the nut cup and secure the end with a dab of hot glue.
*Slip ruffle around the handle and secure the other end over lapping the other end slightly.
*I found it easier to work from the bottom of the cup by slipping the cup onto the palm of my hand. *Using small amounts of hot glue, gently pull the ruffle over the edge of the nut cup, securing just below the cup rim.*Smooth down the ruffle and trim away any excess using the bottom of the up as a guide.*Cut a 30" strip of yellow crepe paper streamer and fold the streamer lengthwise leaving a 1/4" over hang. Tread a needle with matching thread and gather the folded edge.*Adjust the ruffle to fit the top edge of the nut cup and glue in place with the 1/4" over hang on the bottom and the shorter edge on the top.

*Gently pull the shorter ruffle up towards the top of the cup, creating a frill. Glue iridescent pearl strand around the gathered seam.*Tie two pink satin bows and hot glue them to the sides of the cup over the pearl strand where the handles meet the cup.*To create the pink carnation, go here for step-by-step instructions. You will need to scroll down in the post to that section.*Cut a 16" strip of green crepe paper streamer. Holding the streamer by one corner between the thumb and finger of one hand, use the other thumb and finger to begin to gently twist, pull, and stretch the streamer into a a tight twisted vine. Secure one end of the vine just inside the cup handle with hot glue. Twirl the vine around the handle, securing the shape with dabs of hot glue as needed along the handle, ending on the inside of the other handle, securing with hot glue, and trimming away any excess vine. *Hot glue the completed pink carnation to the handle.*Line the nut cup with a pink cup cake liner. This will protect the cup from food stains and can be discarded and replaced if these are kept for reuse.This darling little basket could also be used to decorate and Easter table, as a luncheon favor, or as a springtime table setting treat! In the next post I will show you a personalized banner for baby to use as party and nursery decor, so stay tuned!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy