Trash to Treasure Picnic Basket
Are you looking for a fun, trash to treasure project that won’t take much time? Then you will love this picnic basket makeover!
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trash to treasure project
This picnic basket wasn’t exactly trash, although it should have been! The straps were hanging on by a thread and sections of the bottom were broken.
We have a local thrift store that takes donations even though they are a privately funded shop. The prices are amazing so I love to shop there. You can see another amazing find that I purchased there for next to nothing!
There is a video towards the bottom of the post if you prefer to watch this makeover!
Use the links below to purchase some of the supplies for this project! You are helping to support this blog and all the free tutorials we offer here! Thanks so much!😊
list of supplies:
- Fluff Chalk Mineral Paint
- Drop Cloth Chalk Mineral Paint
- chip brush
- Scrubby Soap
- Big Mama’s Butta
- E6000 Glue
- small clamps
- Thrifted Basket: shop your local thrift store!
- Faux Lavender Bunches
- Grainsack Fabric or ribbon
picnic basket upcycle
When I brought this dusty, broken but adorable picnic basket home, I repaired the straps. They were hanging on by a thread. E6000 is my go-to glue for repairs like this.
I added a dollop of glue behind each of the straps where they were attached. A squeeze clamp held it tightly overnight which was long enough for the glue to set.
The gingham check fabric was adorable but dry-rooted. My scissors came in handy to clip off the nylon thread that was used to attach the lining. Then the basket needed a good vacuuming! It was so dusty!
I wanted to lighten up the look of this picnic basket so I pulled out my light-colored paints. The first coat is Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint in Fluff. It’s a nice white. My chip brush was the perfect tool to apply the paint.
paint a picnic basket
When the first coat was dry, I used a dry brush technique to apply the slightly darker paint called Drop Cloth. I wanted to knock off some of the white and a dry brush technique is an easy way to do this. I didn’t coat it heavily – just enough to skim over the surface of the picnic basket.
faux grain sack stripe
Grain sacks are such a popular vintage farmhouse home decor piece. Finding and purchasing them can be pricey. And you certainly won’t find a grain sack striped picnic basket!
Let’s just paint a faux grain sack stripe on this vintage picnic basket! The stripe is already on the basket that I am using, but if your basket doesn’t have a design that you can follow, just use painter’s tape to mask off the area.
In The Navy chalk mineral paint is a gorgeous deep navy that looks perfect with the light neutral shades of white that I chose for this trash to treasure upcycle.
Dixie Belle | Suzanne’s Garden
The pleather straps on the picnic basket were dull. So I grabbed some brown shoe polish from my hubby’s shoe polishing basket in our bathroom and applied it to the strap. It darkened it just enough!
Then I used Big Mama’s Butta in Suzanne’s Garden for the entire basket. It brought the scent of spring into my craft room and office!
trash to treasure picnic basket
Doesn’t this basket look like it came from a high-end boutique?? It’s lovely hanging in my dining room but eventually, it will be hanging on our front door.
easy spring decor
I might even add a couple of tall cups with water for fresh flowers when the time is right. Can’t you see it filled with fresh zinnias from the garden?
more inspiring posts!
Here are more upcycling projects just for you! Click the image to head to the post!
I hope you enjoyed this project! I sure did 🙂 Start looking for a basket at your local thrift stores so that you can do this project for yourself. Easy projects like this are good for the soul 🙂
YouTube video
Here is a video for you – some of us like to watch the before and after take place before our eyes – you’ll enjoy this video, I am sure!
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The latest on Youtube:
Pin the image below to your home decor and upcycling boards! Just click the pin button at the top left corner!
This post is part of a blog hop I do with some of my thrifty blogging friends each month! Be sure to visit their posts to see the fun projects they have to share with us!
Thrift Store Decor Team
Pin It!
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This is a beautiful project. I would love to find one. I have been looking on Etsy.
I will begin my search again.
Pinned
Etsy is a great place to shop for vintage finds, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by!
It’s so fresh and pretty, especially with the lavender inside!
Thanks, Carlene! Hobby Lobby has the best faux plants!
Such a great project! Nothing beats a good thrift store or garbage find! Beautiful!
Pinned
Wow! That turned out great! Love the colors you chose. And love that you did a video for it also!
Thanks Pam! I’m trying to up my game over on YouTube!
I love the blue and white!!!!!!
How nice to have this for all the floral goodies:)
Blue and white are so classic! Thanks for stopping by Maria!
I love how you pay attention to every detail! I think adding some shine to the pleather and the painted stripe really took this transformation to the next level. I also like that this piece is versatile. The lavender is really pretty for springs but I can totally see that basket full of summer, fall or even Christmas décor. Thanks for sharing, Cindy!
Great ideas Stacey! It would look amazing with any seasonal florals and I’m excited to see other blooms in it. Unless of course, I sell it! 😊
Oh, how I love this! I have a picnic basket that needs an update. You have inspired me, friend!!
Yay!! Grab some paint and paint away my friend!
Loved the basket recycle! I watched it on YouTube the other day. So cute for the front door.
Thanks Lynn! I’m looking forward to spring and hanging it on my front door!
This is awesome! Well done, my friend.
Thank you, my sweet friend! So glad you stopped by!
First , I love that you painted that basket and second, I love that you filled it with flowers!! Also I love all the links you shared from other blogs.
If it was antique like your gorgeous baskets, I don’t think I could have painted it! Thanks for stopping by!
Cindy, I love how you painted the basket. All things are made new with paint! This picnic basket is absolutely darling with the lavender in it too. Love it!
Paint is the best, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by Tammy!
Love the basket’s new life as a vase! What a sweet find.
Thank you, Marie! I appreciate your encouragement 🙂
This is darling, I love it painted white with the beautiful lavender, perfect for Spring. It feels more like summer here, we’re in the 90’s today, crazy!
The 90’s?? That is amazing! We are getting snow tomorrow!
Cindy,
The coordinating colors really make the difference on this picnic basket. It just wouldn’t be the same otherwise. Very beautiful. It makes me want to go paint a basket. 🙂
pinned!
gail
Me too Gail! I’m on the lookout for more baskets to paint 🙂
Great find, Cindy and great makeover. I’ve never painted a basket, now I want to try.
Yay for being inspired! Have fun searching for a basket to paint!
Oh, Cindy, that is so cool! Love the “grain sack” stripe!!! But I also LOVE your chicken wire doors. They make such a fun backdrop for all kinds of seasonal decor.
Aren’t those doors awesome? They are over 100 years old and I got them for free because the glass was missing! Thanks Diane!
You did a wonderful job of updating this purse with paint. It looks wonderful displaying Lavender.
Thanks, Paula! I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
I love this upcycle! I love using paint to breathe new life into thrifted finds. You did a lovely job and styled it beautifully. Found you over at Marty’s inspire me Tuesday. Have a great day. XO- MaryJo @ Masterpiecesofmyife
Thank you MaryJo! Isn’t paint amazing? I’m so glad you stopped by today!
Cindy I love what you did to completely change this basket. I am always amazed at what a little paint will do to update and bring something back to life. Pinning for later inspiration.
Thanks, Sonya! Paint is such an amazing thing!😊 So glad you stopped by today!
Cindy! Your basket is beautiful!! Absorption perfect for Spring! I love how a little paint can completely transform just about anything!!
Me too – paint is the best! 😊 So glad you stopped by today!
Wow, Cindy, you really made this little basket get a new life! I love how the Dixie Belle paint gives it a spring look, and you styled it so well with the lavender stems. Pinned!
Thank you, Crissy, for pinning! I appreciate it 🥰
Cindy, your basket is beautiful! It is amazing what a little paint can do! It looks so lovely with the lavender. Pinned!
Paint is one of my favorite workshop supplies! I could paint just about anything 🥰
The power of paint is great. Love the updated look with the lavendar.
It is! Seriously, one of my favorite makeover supplies! Thanks for stopping by Rosemary😊
Cindy,
I absolutely love the shape of this basket and how the paint treatment turned out. It is so charming used as a wall hanging. I adore the table it is on.
Thanks, Christy! The table was gifted to us by a close family friend. It’s at least 100 years old and is one of our favorite pieces😊 Thank you for stopping by!
I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing on Fabulous Friday Link Party. We sure appreciate you. Hugs and blessings to you.
Thanks, Renae!
Hi Cindy! I was so excited to see your basket and how well it turned out because I’m painting a basket to use on my front door this weekend! I was getting tired of circular wreaths and wanted something different! The lavender was a great choice! Take care, Donna
Isn’t it fun to think outside of the box? Have fun working on your basket Donna, and thanks for stopping by 😊
What a great project!! I love how the basket turned out and SO CUTE for spring!!
Thanks Rachel! It’s a little glimpse of what is to come – and I am looking forward to it!
Oh my golly I want to find one of these something terrible! Keeping my eyes open. Thank you for sharing it at Farmhouse Friday. Featuring it this week! Looking forward to your next link! Pinned
Woohoo for finding baskets to paint! I hope you find one soon Cindy – you will make it beautiful!
Hi Cindy, I wanted to let you know I’ll be featuring this charming post on my blog tomorrow for Feature Friday! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Omgoodness, this just made my day Cecillia! Thanks so much 🙂