TEDDY BEAR BASKET

by Kay Hance

Materials:

• Brown grocery bag
• Tacky glue
• 12" piece of wire (18 gauge)
• 10" square of fleece
• Red thread
• Fabric bow (Christmas)
• 1 piece red or green tissue paper
• Assorted candies
• 1/4" red ribbon

Instructions:

From a brown grocery bag, cut a strip 11" x 4 1/2". Starting at one end, measure up 2 1/2" four times and draw lines (see diagram). The portion left will be a glue flap. Crease at each line. Make a cut 1 1/4" up at each crease. Fold down 3/4" at opposite edge to inside and glue. Fold up bottom sections, make into box shape and glue flap and bottom. Set aside........

Place fleece between two pieces of brown paper bag and trace bear pattern and a square 2 1/2" x 2 1/2". With red thread and a medium to long stitch length, sew on the traced lines through all thicknesses. Cut out both pieces with pinking shears 1/4" from stitching. Glue square on the section with the flap. Be sure the cut edge is even with the bottom of the box. Glue the bear to the opposite side. Cut a wire 12" long and twist/wrap with 1/4" red ribbon. Secure each end with hot glue. Attach "handle" to inside of basket at the middle.

Make a bow and place it on the front of the bear.

Cut one sheet of red or green tissue paper in half and stick it in the little "box" loosely. Fill with wrapped candies and a small candy cane. Tie a bow at the top of the handle.