Paper Easter Baskets

Easter is almost here! Here's a fun craft project to do this time of year. (And a great activity for your kids as well...and very inexpensive too.)

Start with a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock. Any color or pattern will do. Fold it into thirds.

Next, fold it into thirds going the other way. (If you really want to, you can first measure the fold lines with a ruler... so make a line every 4 inches in both directions.)

When you open it up you should have 9 squares.

Cut the sides just until you hit the center square.

If you're confused, then just look at the picture and make 4 cuts like this. (I hope you're not confused...we just started!)

Next, bring up the sides and glue them to the center squares. (Or you can use a stapler, or tape, but I prefer hot glue.)

Just a dab of hot glue will do. Make sure you keep that angle as shown above when you glue it.

After you glue both sides, it should look like this.

Now you will want to make a handle. Cut a strip from another 12 x 12 piece of cardstock that's about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in width. (I cut mine extra wide because I knew I would be trimming the edges with a decorative border.)

If you have a border puncher, now is the time to use it. (Oh how I love my Martha Stewart Punchers.)

Did I mention how much I love my Martha Stewart Punchers? (I got all these from Marshalls and TJ Maxx for around $3 each!! They are normally $15 at the craft store!)

Glue the handle onto the inside of the basket.

Glue the other side on.

And there you have it. So easy. So cheap. So fast. (And so bright too...)