Moss Covered Basket

I have been seeing moss covered baskets everywhere this spring…at home and crafting stores, hardware stores and even at the grocery store. They are very pretty but even the plain ones carry a hefty price tag of at least $20. I thought I would try to make one myself using some household items and inexpensive materials.  I used an apple juice bottle and natural elements to create my rustic spring basket. The reused bottle created such an interesting shape for my basket. Because the inside is plastic, it would be easy to put a planter inside without worrying water damage. At first glance, I don’t think anyone would know that it was once a plastic bottle filled with apple juice.

Materials

• 64 ounce juice or water bottle
• Moss cloth (available at craft stores – don’t forget to use a 40% off coupon!)
• Thin twigs
• Decorative vine with flowers
• Natural filler (I used decorative Excelsior but any natural filler will work)
• Decorative bird (I purchased one at the dollar store)
• Glue gun

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the label from the bottle. Don’t worry about cleaning any glue residue because the entire bottle will be covered with moss.

Step 2: Cut out the center front and back of the bottle with scissors. Leave the top, sides and bottom part of the bottle so it resembles a basket as shown above.

Step 3: Cut a piece of the moss cloth the size to wrap around the entire bottom part of the bottle.

Step 4: Using a glue gun, add glue to the moss, a few inches at a time, and attach to the bottom part of the bottle.

Step 5: Cut a piece of moss the size of the handle and attach with glue gun.

Step 6: Wrap the moss around the mouth of the bottle. Repeat on the other side and on the inside of the handle.

Step 7: Glue loose pieces of moss around the basket to fill in the holes.

Step 8: Using the glue gun, attach vines and twigs to the moss covered basket.

Step 9: Fill the basket with natural fibers and a cute little bird to finish your design. This can be also be used as a spring decoration even after Easter is over.