Beautified Dollar Store Basket

Have you seen these at your Dollar Tree?  I instantly knew it had possibilities.  I needed a basket by the front door for my new puppy's leash and baggies. This color wasn't exactly what I wanted, so I experimented a little bit. 

This is my basket now!

How did I do it?

Step 1:   I took the basket and stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut.

(If you get the darker brown basket, you'll be able to skip this step...that color was gone when I went back to buy it)

The stain looked nice, but I wasn't done.

Step 2:   I took some black paint and brushed it on and then wiped it off.

Step 3:   I then took some light gray paint and watered it down. I brushed it into the crevasses and wiped it off.

Step 4:   For the liner, I honestly had dimensions and then had to adjust as I went.  So, unfortunately I don't have the exact dimensions for my finished liner. 
These were my original dimensions and all include a 1/4 inch seam allowance for either side.

Bottom rectangle (7 x 2.75 (includes 1/4 seam allowance)
Back ( 7 bottom x 8.75 top x 11 Height)
Rounded front (16 top x 11 bottom x 11 Height)

Step 5:  I sewed the Back and rounded front first and then sewed to the bottom.  Might not have been the best way, but it ended up working out just fine.

Step 6:  I cut a 4.75 slit on the back panel to fit over the handle and sewed it so it wouldn't fray.

Step 7:  I then painted a scrap wood rectangle and drilled 2 holes on either side and inserted wire to attach it to the basket (attach before putting the liner on)

My tag is blank because I can't decide if I should have it say "DOG" or have it say my pups name "CARLY".  What do you think?




Here it is hanging from my Headboard/Coat rack.

Little by little this wall is getting done (:

Thanks for stopping by!

(PS. CONSIDER PICKING UP THE GREEN BASKET FOR A CHRISTMAS PROJECT )