Happy April! It’s Easter time and you’re in need of a cute DIY basket inspired by the one-and-only Minnie Mouse. I chose to represent her blue polka dot outfit for those Springtime feels. This project can be done by kids who are able to operate a hot glue gun. I recommend ages 8+ with adult supervision.
Here are the supplies you’ll need. I found my basket at Michael’s. It’s a wooden basket that has flat vertical slats. Go for a basket that is flat sided and has a handle that can more-or-less stand up on its own.
| Supply List: | Appx Cost: |
|---|---|
| White Wooden Basket with Handle | $6.30 |
| 9×12″ Foam Sheet | $0.80 |
| Assorted Yellow and White Paper Flowers | $5 |
| Red Acrylic Paint– matte | $1 |
| Yellow Acrylic Paint-matte | $1 |
| White Acrylic Paint– matte | $1 |
| Turquoise Blue Acrylic Paint– matte | $1 |
| Black Acrylic Paint– matte | $1 |
| Rhinestone Brads or any little round accent | $3 |
| A Larger Round Mug/Cup | $0 |
| A Glass or Cup | $0 |
| Scrap Construction Paper/Paper | $0 |
| *Approximate Cost of Supplies | $20.10+tax |
| Tool List: | Appx Cost: |
|---|---|
| Hot Glue Gun + Glue | $10 |
| Paint Brush | $0.80 |
| Pencil | $0 |
| Tape | $1 |
| *Approximate Cost of Supplies | $12.30+tax |
Instructions:
If your basket is as big as mine, you’re going to need a big mug to get the right proportion for the ears. If you have a small basket, make sure you choose a cup that is appropriate for the size.
Tip: You can try out different sizes by cutting out various sized circles from scrap paper and holding it up on your handle.
Trace around your cup on the edge of the Foam Piece. Measure the size of your handle–my handle was flat, so I measured the width of it and doubled that number.
Then, mark the distance on top of where you drew your first circle. We’ll call that your Handle Distance. The mug in the picture shows my measurement. Feel free to scroll down to check what they look like when they’re cut out.
Do the same thing right next to your first circle. To avoid readjusting your foam, make sure you’ve lined up the circles and the hat. More on that next.
Next to your second circle, draw a little hat. The way you do that is to draw a rectangle that would suit the size of your basket–a little wider than your circles and about the same height–then draw a shallow curve on the outer long side. The curve should be on the outside, closest to the edge of the foam piece. Mark the same handle distance as the circles.
Tip: I curved the sides of my rectangle to make it more cartoony.
Fold the foam piece over in the center of your handle distance. Cut out your shapes keeping the actual fold in tact.
Tip: I used tape to hold down the edge as I cut.
Unfold your shapes and paint your ears black on both sides.
Paint the hat red and the handle distance black on both sides.
Make a template!
Using a piece of scrap paper and a cup that’s smaller than your ear circles, make a polka dot pattern template.
Cut out your circles and tape or secure it onto your basket.
Use a pencil to draw your circles, moving the template over as needed to finish around your basket.
Let’s Paint!
Painting the sides was a bit tricky and time consuming. If you’re in a rush, I’d say you could glue on circles of paper or foam instead of painting them.
Start painting the blue background. Be careful not to paint inside the circles you drew.
Paint your circles white. Follow that up with painting the handle black, the top rim–inside and out–baby pink. You can make pink by mixing your red and white paint. If you did a good job painting the blue, you might not have to paint your circles white.
Finally, paint the bottom rim yellow. It doesn’t have to be perfect. We’re covering most of it with flowers.
The Final Touches
Dot some hot glue onto the handle distance portion of the ear. Make sure you’re even so the front and back of the ear lines up. If you’re good-to-go, glue the front and back of the ear together. Do this for both ears.
In the same fashion, hot glue the hat, placing it in front of the left ear. Glue the hat to the front of the ear. Top off your hat with a white paper flower with a rhinestone brad in the center. Or just use a sequin, rhinestone, or button. Just a little accent.
Add the paper flowers to the bottom rim with hot glue.
Create a hidden Mickey with the flowers. Glue to the top right of your rim on the front of the basket. I used the rhinestone brads here, but feel free to use whatever accent like I mentioned before.
Et Voilà! You Made It!
Congrats! I hope you liked this project.
May this bring a little magic to your homes as Easter approaches. This isn’t the easiest Level 1 project, again I’d say it’s good for ages 8+ with supervision. I’m glad I got to share it with you. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!
Thanks to everyone who made it til the end! Let us know if you made this Minnie-inspired Easter basket by tagging us on Instagram!! If you can’t make it right now, there’s always next year. Or hey, just for fun when you can!
All images on this website were taken by and belong to Main Street D.I.Y. If you wish to share an image, please give credit where credit is due! Send the people our way!
Main Street DIY 