Queen Bee Basket
I love bees! There is something about them that I've always liked not only in nature but in decor. I've implemented 'bee design' in some of my decor over the years ~ like this Honeycomb Pitcher ~ and it's always been a favorite in my sun room.
Some blogger friends are always inspiring me with their "Knock Off" posts and this time I joined in.
My inspiration was this Queen Bee Basket from Ballard Designs. This one retails for $79.00 but I made mine for free.
I already had a basket ~ I used this one for my bedroom when my youngest son was a baby to hold diapers and wipes for midnight changes and since he is now 10 (sniffle) I have just been using this basket for magazines and notebooks.
I already had chalk paints to change the color and I used my Cricut to cut out a vinyl bee and crown. I tried to stencil one but let's just say it's a good thing I had extra paint....I needed to paint over my feeble gold stencil attempt...it was sad to say the least!
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Supplies:
Cricut Machine
Cricut Cartridge Home Décor
Cricut Vinyl ~ white
Waverly Inspirations Chalk Paint in Pool and Celery (by Plaid)
Vintage Decor Paint Brush ~ Martha Stewart Crafts
Painter's Tape
Instructions:
Make sure your surface is clean and prep if necessary.
Tape off any area that you want to remain the base color.
For my basket the Pool was a little too baby blue-ish so I mixed it with the Celery in about a 6:1 ratio.
Paint basket with two coats of the color of your choice allowing to dry approximately 2 hours between coats.
Cut the bee and crown sizing as appropriate for your basket. I may redo this part and try my hand again at the stencil but for now there is a bee with a crown on my basket!
So now for more Knock Off inspiration!
Very cute! XO
Thank you, Christy! hugs
$79? Really? Wow! I love your version even better. Now looking around to check out some more of your bee decor!
Tami
Thanks so much, Tami! 🙂
Very sweet Mary Beth! I too am totally smitten with honey bees and bumble bees. They keep me company when I'm working hard at pulling weeds. [wink]
My boys think I'm a little off....when the bees buzz around me while I'm gardening I don't even flinch and for some reason they think I should go running into the hills 😉 I'm trying to show them that there's nothing to be afraid of....hopefully, it will sink in soon.
Thanks for stopping by ~ hugs, mb
Your bee basket turned out fantastic! My mother-in-law collects bee things because her maiden name is McBee. You have inspired me to make her something like this for her birthday this fall!
Thanks so much, Julie! That's so cute that your MIL likes bees ~ and with her maiden name I certainly don't blame her. 🙂
So much better than paying $79!!!! Great job!
Thank you, Jamie! I agree....$79 is a lot of cash for a basket....unless it was filled with chocolate and coffee...then, I might consider it. 😉 have a lovely week ~ hugs
That is SO pretty Mary Beth!! I love yours so much better!
Nancy
Thanks so much, Nancy! 🙂 hugs
Ooh. I love the new color of the basket. And the bee is so cute! I have that same basket and now I think I need to paint mine too! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much, Angie! I love basic baskets...you can do so much with them. I'll bet yours turns out beautifully.
Mary Beth that is beautiful! I so want one for my house!! You did a fantastic job 🙂
You're so sweet, Dria! Thanks for the encouragement.
hugs, mb
This came out so great. I love how easy this project is to make. Great Knock off.
Thanks so much, Vanessa, and yes...if it were any easier it would have made itself...which would be nice! 😉
Super pretty, Mary Beth! I love the color you painted the basket and more than that-- the BEE! So cute!
Thank you, Malia! I love that bee, too. 🙂 hugs