Oops....

Confession:  I do not particularly like to make rib baskets.  I do make them from time to time, but they just aren't my favorite style to make - my fingers always end up sore and I'm extremely OCD about the two sides being mirror images of each other.  

2 years ago at a thrift store I found a set of antique embroidery hoops.  The wood was worn and smooth from years of use.  I knew immediately they would make a good rim and handle for an egg basket.  

Everything went along quite smoothly until I took the basket outside to stain.  All my baskets get a good shake to remove the excess stain - if I don't do this, the stain will pool and create an uneven color.  I'm not gentle when I do this either - I whip the baskets back and forth several times to flick the excess stain into the yard. 

Picture this:  I'm holding this basket by the handle (antique embroidery hoop), raise it over my head to swing and the basket goes flying through the yard.  I'm still holding onto the handle!  The sound effect:  ARGH!  

Hours and hours went into this basket.  I was SO pleased with how it turned out and now I have a basket and a handle.

This has been sitting for a year while I've calmed down and thought of a solution for the problem.  I sure wasn't going to throw it away!

Solution:  Make-do patch.  If you've followed me for sometime, you know that I like antique baskets that have minor wear to them.  Hmm, can I make this into one of those baskets?  Using the drill, I created a rectangle - one hole on each corner of the rectangle.  Threaded through the holes, I used rusty wire to first create an "X" holding the basket and handle together and then wrapped the wire around the "X" several times.

This side you can see my wire stitching.  The other side was much more difficult - the handle broke off behind the god's eye.  I ended up cutting the inside of the god's eye (cringe) so I had room to work.  I need to find some glue (cringe again) to glue the god's eye back together.  Unless you are looking closely the glue won't be seen. 

I'm extremely happy with how my make-do patches turned out - glad I mulled over different ideas on how to fix the problem. 

Speaking of baskets, I am giving away a basket on my 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets blog - if you click HERE it will take you to the giveaway link.  You have until the end of June to sign up. 

~Ann