It's All in the Presentation

Here's a cute little paper basket I came across this evening on Dee Jackson's Stampin cuz I Luv 2 blog. She made them by the hundreds last year and sold them to the point where she had to stop taking orders. She credits Michelle Fischer who originally posted the directions on Split Coast Stampers. I thank them both.

The basket is made with two 3-1/2 by 10-1/2 inch strips of cardstock, each scored at 3-1/2 and 7 inches. Holes are punched in the sides for the ribbon that holds the basket together. I used Ponderosa Pine eyelets and 3/8-inch natural twill ribbon from the White Daisy Ribbon Rounds collection. The handle on my basket is 1-3/8 by 10 inches. It's connected to the basket with eyelets. I covered my Desert Sand basket with paper from the Everlasting paper packet. To decorate the sides, I stamped four tags and four sets of Holly from the Vintage Christmas set. I plopped a cellophane bag of chocolates in the basket for the photo. Were this was I was actually going to put in it, I'd change out the ribbon to something that coordinates better with my paper choice.

I didn't start the day out so hot, waking up exhausted from coughing half the night and with a very sore throat. I went in to work at 10:15, feeling better after being up for a while. By the time 5 o'clock rolled around, I was really feeling rotten. Swallowing my dinner was almost impossible. After taking a couple aspirin, I curled up on the sofa with a pillow and a blanket so that I could be in the same room and spend some time with Bjorn and Mathias before it was time for them to go to bed. I swear plain old aspirin are the miracle drugs. By the time it was bedtime for the little guys, I was perky enough to read a book, say prayers, and then retreat to Kathi's Corner for a little papercrafting. A couple more aspirin before bed, and I may get a decent night's rest. This bug is hanging on, and it's annoying. I'm not whining, so I hope it doesn't sound that way. There's nothing I dislike more than people who sit around talking about their aches and pains! I think I got that trait from my dad. He was not healthy for the last 10 years of his life. You'd ask him how he felt. He'd say, "Great!" You'd ask him if he'd been to the doctor, he's say "Yup," and then change the subject to current events, politics, his farm, the weather, anything but his problems. I think that's why he lived as long as he did. I hope I'm just like him when it comes to attitude.

Besides, if I going to complain about something, it should be the weather! It was 14 below this morning! On the bright side, I like the snow. It makes everything look clean again, and a white Christmas is absolutely necessary. There would be no other reason to live in this frigid tundra called Minnesota! Later . . .