Peaceful Wishes Pinecone Basket

It’s the first of the month and time for a new template reveal from Clear & Simple Stamps. Each month, CSS shares a brand new, free template on its website. For this month, Sue has created an easy to assemble small basket, perfect for all sorts of things. You can find the template here. You'll want to make sure to download it soon so you can try it out for a chance to win some blog candy (details later in my post).

Before I get to my sample using the template, I want to fill you in on the special deals going on this month at CSS. First, the Stamp of the Month is Fall Studio, available now. You can use the code DTBlog1109 for a $1 discount on this fun set. And, November’s featured Copic marker bundle is the Copic Trio Set: Yellow Green 1 (YG01, YG03, YG07). You can combine the Copic Marker Bundle with the SOTM for the bargain price of $26 - that's a $15 stamp set and $15 Copic Marker Trio set combined at a $4 reduction in price - you won't find a better bundle anywhere! (HINT HINT...it will will be $25 if using the DTBlog $1 Discount too)

Now, here’s my take on this month’s template. I made a fall basket featuring one of the new sets for November, Peaceful Pines. This set will be available with the full release on November 15. My basket is made of kraft paper and lined with a festive striped patterned paper. To get the two-toned look, I simply attached the patterned paper piece to the matching kraft basket base, then scored the template as directed, folding and assembling so that the patterned paper was on the inside of the basket.

The handle is also made of kraft cardstock. I attached a strip of grosgrain ribbon that coordinates with the patterned paper along the center of the handle. The tag uses images from the Peaceful Pines set. I added a button-embellished bow to the top of the tag, then secured it to the handle. The basket is filled with a trio of glittery pinecones that I picked up in the holiday home décor section at the craft store.

Here's how to win some blog candy--this month's Stamp of the Month set, Fall Studio--for trying out the latest template. All you have to do is create a Basket of Thanks using the template and put a link to your project in the comment section of the CSS blog. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, November 4th. For more creative ideas using this template, check out what the rest of the CSS DT has created. Here’s where you can find them:

CSS Blog
Beth Matson
Jen Tapler
Kim Howard
Maria Levine
Neva McMullen
Robyn Weatherspoon
Sue Berker

Materials Used:
Peaceful stamp set, ScorPal, ScorTape (Clear & Simple Stamps); Kraft and Very Vanilla cardstock, tag punch (Stampin’ Up!); Rich Cocoa ink (Memento); Scarlet Jewel and Ripe Avocado inks, Scarlet Jewel cardstock, Scarlet Jewel grosgrain ribbon, Scarlet Jewel button, twine (Papertrey Ink)