Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tisket, Tasket, Berry Baskets


Imagine my delight when I came across three stacks of these vintage berry baskets or boxes that I bought at an estate sale a few years ago. I had put them away in my craft room and lost track of them. They still had the price tag on them. I paid a whopping dollar for 33 baskets!

They have such wonderful character--they've all been used. The metal rims have some rust. The wood has various degrees of staining. Some are warped, cracked and chipped. But, I was able to salvage most of them, using the aged features to create a really sweet bunch of baskets that can be used in all sorts of fun ways.



First, I mixed a grey paint wash using a couple of sample paints I already had. I lightly covered each with the wash. Because of the inconsistent grain of the wood and the random stains they'd acquired over the years, each basket took on a unique look. I love the character the flaws create.



After the boxes dried, I transferred vintage images from The Graphics Fairy onto each one, creating sets of three boxes--each set with its own theme: birds, French and insects.





Berry boxes are versatile enough to use in many different ways. They're great to hold craft supplies or small toys. They look great filled with fresh or dried flowers. They'd also make special hostess gifts.

I'm so berry glad I found these wonderful little baskets.

Make it a great day!
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28 comments:

  1. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesJune 13, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    I have a lot of these baskets, too, and never thought of decorating them like this...how wonderful!

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  2. c. JoyJune 13, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    Great find - both times! I thought I was the only one who did that. Love the finish you put on them.

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  3. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️June 13, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    Oh wow! Your berry boxes are beautiful. How did you do the transfers?

    Dee

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  4. Julie MarieJune 13, 2012 at 7:51 AM

    Oh my gosh, you lucky duck!... I have been scouring our thrift stores and garage sales for some of those!... I just posted about my love of berries and I need to find some of them... love them!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  5. PauletteJune 13, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Isn't it wonderful when you find, again, a treasure that you purchased and forgot about. Strawberry season is in full swing here in Wisconsin, but I like the treasures you put inside of your baskets better. Lovely redo/repurpose.

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  6. Danni@SiloHillFarmJune 13, 2012 at 8:19 AM

    What a great score and a fun use of something so inexpensive and simple. Love these!

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  7. Laurie @ Laurie's Little Bits of Creativity, etc.June 13, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    I'm in love with those baskets and the images you applied. I'm keeping my eyes open for some of these next time I go garage sale hopping. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Cottage and BroomeJune 13, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    Really lovely use of your berry baskets! I like the different stamps you used. Thanks for sharing, Laura

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  9. LindaJune 13, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    Oh wow Ann what a great buy...I remember my Gram having these kind...I wish I had them now..I love what you did with them...Don't you love the Graphics Fairy!!!
    Great job Ann!! :)

    XO

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  10. MaureenJune 13, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Great repurposing! I love that they have metal frames.

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  11. LVJune 13, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    Now your the clever one. That is a great use for those old boxes.

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  12. Erika @ HomesteadSimpleJune 14, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Those are sweet old berry boxes! I have never seen any before!? maybe I have but didn't realize or know what they were! I want some now haha...I'm going to be on the look out!

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  13. chateau chicJune 14, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    Ann, How cute are these!! I love what you've done with your berry baskets. I'm sure you will have so much fun using those is many different ways.
    Mary Alice

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  14. Sally Annie MagundyJune 14, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Oh! I love those vintage baskets - we picked up a few a couple of years ago at the Long Beach Antique Collectible Show and Swap Meet and I wish I had got more! Love your vignettes and what you've done with your baskets.

    Happy VTT!

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  15. Erica of Golden Egg VintageJune 14, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    Oh boy you found a treasure in these berry baskets!!! You can do so many things with them. Love em! :)
    Have fun!
    Erica :)

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  16. Sandy AngJune 14, 2012 at 7:48 PM

    Love their rustic country charm

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  17. Anna HanleyJune 14, 2012 at 11:56 PM

    What a deal! I love old baskets but these are great for almost any project. It is great how you have them displayed. Anna

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  18. Donna WilkesJune 17, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    Berry, berry beautiful boxes!!! Love the transfer images from G.P.! I am your newest Linky follower!

    Distressed Donna Down Home

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  19. heather @ new house, new home, new lifeJune 19, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    Wow - these are terrific! Thanks for linking up on the All Star Block Party.

    Question: What technique did you use to transfer the images?

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  20. Full Circle CreationsJune 19, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    So adorable! Great idea! Thanks for linking up to the All Star Block Party!

    Holly

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  21. UnknownJune 20, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Wow, you did a great job with them.

    Stopping by from the All Star Block Party. :)

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  22. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comJune 20, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    I just bought a stack of wooden berry baskets on clearance at Tractor Supply-now I am going to pull out the stamps! Thanks for a great idea!

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  23. UnknownJune 20, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Just wonderful! I am visiting from the All Star block party. It would be great if you could follow me back at http://lifeofblocks.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  24. cathy@my1929charmerJune 24, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    I love your berry baskets and what you have done with them. thanks so much for sharing at Sunday's Best, and you are being featured today!

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  25. melissa @ daisymaebelle.comJune 25, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Are you kidding!? The whole stack for one dollar?! That is amazing! I love them! I am your newest linky follower!

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  26. very merry vintage styleJune 26, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    These are gorgeous! Great finds. Your makeover is lovely! You're going to be featured on the link party this week. Stop by and grab a feature button when you have a chance!
    Mary

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  27. Julia @ Vintage with LacesJune 26, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    What a great find and fabulous deal! These baskets are wonderful and I love what you did with them.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  28. Honey at 2805July 1, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    What a lovely way to dress up a berry basket! Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday! Nice to "see" upi again!

    ReplyDelete

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