Merrie May

Since last Saturday was May Day, I thought I'd delve into its history a little. "Chapter IV: May Day" in The Original Girls Handy Book (a reprint of a book published in 1887), had a few things to say about "a very pretty custom observed in Merrie England of fastening bunches of flowering shrubs and branches upon the doors of neighbors." The author writes of the (then) surviving tradition in New England, of "hanging upon the door-knobs of friends spring-offerings in the shape of small baskets filled with flowers." The historical influences end there since my "May Day basket" is a paper cone with a fun, scrapbook-inspired look. Usually I carefully plan the supplies I'll use for a project in advance, but for this I tried to use any and every supply I had on hand. I started with a kraft paper base and added from there.The colorful printed papers are various designs from K & Company, except for the tiny pink heart print which I posted here. Other elements include; spun cotton mushroom, velvet millinery leaf, paper flowers, vintage buttons, Blumchen butterflies, white paper doily, ruffle sewn from crepe paper, colored brads, iridescent glitter, beaded trim and ribbon.The top of the cone is finished off with pink tinsel trim and a ruffle made from old sheet music. The inside is lined with light blue paper, finished with scallop edge scissors.Once it was finished I treated myself to some pink ranunculus, which always remind me of this place near home.