Follow along and learn how to create a really fun farmhouse style basket using those trusty paint can stir sticks!

SUPPLIES

• 2" Flat Brush (ADB03-K)

• paper towels
• scissors
• brown burlap
• assorted brushes
• -hot glue gun with clear glue gun sticks
• exacto knife
• #1 flat bristle brush
• paint sticks
• 8" wooden embroidery hoop
• 6" wooden embroidery hoop
• foam board
• wooden apples

INSTRUCTIONS

1. You will need 16 paint stir sticks. I used the inside ring of the 6-inch embroidery hoop as the base of the bushel basket. I hot glued each paint stick individually to the inside of the hoop leaving a slight gap in between each paint stick. You want to tilt the paint sticks out slightly, otherwise, your basket will be straight up and down. This may be tricky, just use lots of hot glue and hold the sticks in place until they are completely dry.

2. Once I glued all of the paint sticks to the bottom hoop, I repeated the process on the top. I placed the 8-inch embroidery hoop around the paint stick handles, positioning it a few inches below the end of the sticks (refer to photo) and hot glued the hoop in place. Remember, this is a rustic design!

3. Using the exacto knife, cut a piece of foam board to fit within the bottom opening and glue it inside the basket.

4. Once the bushel basket is completely assembled and the glue has set, it's time to paint it. I painted the entire surface using the 2" Home Decor Flat brush and one coat of Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint 2 oz in Relic. This is a beautiful, dark gray color.

5. To add a distressed look to the basket, I added a light dry brushing of Americana Decor Chalky Paint 2 oz in Primitive around the edges and front of the basket. This light gray color breaks up the darker gray and adds a rustic, distressed look. Use the flat bristle brush dry and remove most of the paint onto a paper towel before drybrushing on your surface.

6. I added a piece of burlap inside the paint sticks bushel basket then placed wooden apples inside, positioning them to almost spill out from the top. Simply by changing the contents, (pumpkins, nuts, holiday ornaments, etc.) you can create decor for any season.

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