I enjoy shopping at thrift stores in my area, and looking around at the various items they have for sale. Sometimes I will come across really great items that I can use with my projects, or things that I can upcycle into something different. I also like to browse the items they have available and get inspiration for different things I can create myself.

A few weeks ago I was at one of those stores, and I saw this really great metal basket. When I went back to grab and purchase it, someone had already bought it. Talk about a bummer!

Well to my surprise my sweet friend Paula, who I met in Delaware, had bought it and gifted it to me! I was so disappointed that someone had bought it before I got to it, so when she gave the basket to me I was so delighted, and thought that it was so cool she did that! Thank you again Paula!

With Easter almost here, I upcycled this metal basket into an Easter basket. The first thing I did was paint the rectangle sign piece on the front of it with white Apple Barrel paint. Once it was completely covered I took my handy heat gun and dried it, then applied a second coat and dried that as well.

 

I decided to stencil some words onto the sign, so I grabbed an alphabet stencil that I bought at Dollar Tree. Using a piece of colored chalk, I stenciled on the words Bunny Bait. The reason I used chalk to stencil instead of a pen or pencil is because the chalk absorbs into the paint. Using pen or pencil and then painting over it leaves marks that show through the paint. Not only does the chalk absorb into the paint, if there’s any residue after you are finished painting, you can wipe it off easily with a damp rag or paper towel.

After I finished stenciling the words onto the sign, I took black Apple Barrel paint and painted over the letters carefully.  The letters might be a tiny bit crooked, but that’s ok it adds character and charm!

While the paint dried, I grabbed a couple small wooded bunny and carrot  shapes I bought at Dollar Tree and painted them. I also painted cute little designs on the bunnies after I painted them white. Then I hot glued them onto the sign. They definitely added an extra cute detail to my project!

 

I LOVE the buffalo check design. I knew that some buffalo check ribbon would be perfect for this craft. I grabbed some ribbon and weaved it around the top rim of the basket, hot gluing it into place in the front. I also made a bow with it, and attached the bow to the front. I felt that it needed a pop of bright color in that area so I made a bow out of orange ribbon, and added it onto the buffalo check one.

 

 

This upcycled thrift store basket is such a perfect Easter decor piece! I have it sitting out in my living room, and I put a few cute items inside it. I hope I have given you some crafty Easter decor inspiration, and I look forward to seeing your beautiful Easter creations! Please feel free to share your projects in my Facebook group:

The Passionate Painted Lady Creative Community

Also, check out my Printables section here on the website! There are free printables available for download. Enjoy!