More Hand Made Picnic Baskets from Boxes and Other Things

The Picnic Party 11

Picnic on the River 

by Henry John Yeend King

Picnic Set-Up  in South Australia

photograph by John Hay

I realize it is winter in Australia, but it is not to early to get things ready in anticipation of summer activities. I don't know how many times I wish I had spent the winter more productively, getting ready for summer, to save preparation time, so that I might have more hours to actually enjoy some summer leisure. 

In this post, and the previous one, you'll see some ways to use ordinary cardboard boxes for picnic baskets.

Some of us in the northern hemisphere have already been through a hot spell, but are hoping to prolong the summer and enjoy more activities.

This is the box I have been working on recently, to change it to a memorable picnic basket. The beauty of doing this, is that very small boxes can be used to pack individual or couples picnics, and the box can be given away to the recipient of the meal.  I have used a large cardboard box here, which would be appropriate for  a family.

This one began as a very plain cardboard box, which probably everyone is familiar with.

I've laid out all the materials needed to cover this box. I would suggest, with any large box, to use wrapping paper that comes on a roll, as it covers the large boxes more easily, without using small pieces. However, in this case I am using scrapbook papers that I got in a packet for $5.00 at Walmart, and I am going to fold and cut and glue them on the box in various places.

Lay the flaps of the box open on the white side of the scrapbook paper and draw around them with a pencil. Cut out and apply with white glue. I won't be covering the inside of the box, because it will just have a tea towel inside of it where the food will be packed. 

Swirl white glue all around the areas to be pasted and brush evenly with a sponge brush before applying the papers.

Using whole sheets of paper, cover the top of the box, and wrap around to the bottom, if it will reach. These two papers are applied in opposite ways to give it a climbing rose effect. You will have to first lay your papers on the box and look at them in several different positions before deciding what look you like best.

If the cardboard shows through on the corners, cut thin strips of paper and fold them over that corner to give it an even finish.

With clear packing tape, secure two long lengths of wired ribbon on to the bottom of the box, in several places.  Here you see the paper strips glued to cover the edges.  You'll have to wrap your ribbon around the box first and tie it in a big bow to determine the length to cut, before you tape the pieces down.

Using the tied ribbon as handles, lift the box and take it to your location. Happy memories!