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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Its My Birthday and I'll Play If I Want to....

I am still 12...That never changes.  Well, the six year old mentality runs amok once in a while, but I don't intend to get old.

So far, Walter brought home breakfast from Mc Donalds.  I got a card from him with an Amazon gift certificate and the promise to let me pick something out at the gem show.  My favorite kind of gifts.  Books and stones.

The other "so far" is finishing this basket this morning.  I know it's not beautiful, but I like it.  It's my first try at paper basket making. I hope to get better as I make more.

Information on how to do this jumped out at me a couple of days ago on the net.  It was strange.  Once I saw the one video on U Tube, I started looking around and found more info...The first one was a Russian site on how to make the weavers. Then one of the European needlework blogs that I have been following for about a year had an entry about it yesterday.  Strange.

It seems that this is the thing to be doing in the eastern European countries right now.

http://makkirequ.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-08-21T00:31:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=7&by-date=false&m=0

I found this blog.  I can't read it but it translates with Bing.  They are even holding days in the part where people get together to weave these baskets.

On the same blog there is all kinds of jewelry and even furniture made out of this!

The more I looked,the more I wanted to try it.  So....I grabbed the latest issue of "Traditional Homes" magazine and went to work.  Making the reeds from magazine pages is hard at first, but it gets easier as you go. It makes for a very sturdy basket.

The basket that you see is the whole issue.  Each page is cut into 4 lengthwise strips and rolled on a size 1 knitting needle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFpl1Lgh3Rg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This is a Russian site that shows you how to do it. 
On the side bar of this page there are a lot of other videos showing how different people do them. 

Anything that you would twine with round reed, you can twine with the magazine pages.  The weight and strength of the finished basket is almost the same as a reed basket, or at least it would be with a lot of experience making them.  I ran onto photos of some that had been dyed and looked just like reed baskets.


The ultimate paper baskets are made by this man in Korea.  He is a third generation basket maker and is fascinating just to watch. If you don't go to any of the other sites, do look at this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRV3v9eAWqs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Thank you for all of the kind words about Mookie.  I am sure that he is somewhere grinning ear to ear over the attention.

This is the day of the peyote stitch lesson, so the rest of the afternoon will be devoted to beads.  That's also play for me.

Tomorrow I will go back to serious mini work.

See you then.

19 comments:

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

Happy birthday! Every day should be play day. That basket looks like a great way to recycle. I'll have to check out some of your links after work. I hope you are totally enjoying the day. Great gifts BTW!

Lucille said...

That's interesting, Casey. I will take a look at it! Thank you. Your basket looks beautiful!

Phyllisa said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY! Have a really good one!
I shall search out these videos on basket making.
Phyllisa

Lucille said...

Casey, I forgot to wish you Happy Birthday. You are one year younger than you will be next year. That's how I like to look at it. Have a wonderful day!

Minteriors said...

The best of birthday wishes, Casey! I was so sorry to learn of Mookies's passing. Warmest hugs.

Kim C said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Those paper baskets are stunning.

www.minimalarkey.blogspot.co.uk

Giac said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY!
I wish you all the best and tons of presents!
I love the basket! It looks lovely and has a great rustic quality.
Big birthday hug!
Giac

Kristen/Kris/Penny Doll said...

Casey my dear Happy Birthday and all the best. I hope you have a great day. And remember your only as old as you feel... our whatever number you feel people. Lol. Have a wonderful day, u deserve it!
Kris

Troy said...

Happy B-Day! Hope it's a good one.

Kelli said...

Your family is in my thoughts, there are still moments I find myself grieving the loss of my boy yet. Think it helps to know he is indeed looking down, and I hope in a happier healthier place... Wishing you all continued good memories! We will all miss the updates on Mookie's antics.

Dale Fluty said...

Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a great day full of surprises and joy.

Dale

Rosamargarita said...

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS!!!

mcddiss said...

esa cesta es muy chula, creo que has hecho un gran trabajo

besitos

Mari

cristina said...

feliz cumpleaños Casey !!!!!!!! :D


Marilyn D. said...

Casey: Happy xxth anniversary of your 39th birthday! - Marilyn from Canada

Marilyn D. said...

Casey: Happy xxth anniversary of your 39th birthday! - Marilyn from Canada

Fabiola said...

Happy Birthday!!
Bye Faby

Unknown said...

To late, but Happy birthday, Casey. Your basket is wonderful.
Hugs from Craftland

Heidianna said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Casey!