Flower basket or canoe? | Redstone Willows

<!--[if gte mso 10]>

<![endif]-->

I have just had an interesting morning making a 'basket' for flowers. It is to be suspended from a wrought iron archway at the entrance to a Church. A friend's son is getting married in a few weeks. When they first asked me about this they said that they wanted a canoe shaped basket, which did bring the word 'challenge' to mind. We discussed what they wanted and they rejected my suggestion of chicken wire scrunched up around oasis. They wanted to give something back to the Church flower ladies - the basket was to be left behind. I had been mulling the project over for a while and talking to friends for inspiration. I settled on fitching rods together, centrally, then at either side before thinning the rods out and pulling it all together with a willow tie on each end. This was based on Isoble Edge's suggestion. It left plenty of space for the flowers to be pushed into the oasis.

As this was a very personal gift my friend accepted my offer of letting her help gladly. What surprised me was how quickly we completed the whole thing. Within 90 minutes the basket was ready and we had managed to have cups of tea each! There was not much weaving to be honest but I did expect it to take longer to get the spacing right and securing everything. Sometimes a bit of tweaking is needed. Not today! It all worked out perfectly for the purpose!

I must remember to tell them to add some wire, well secured at each end to secure to the arch. I had wanted to fold back the tips to make a handle of sorts to hang it from, but the lady wanted it wispy! If on the day they remember to take a photo of the basket with its floweres and ribbons I shall post that. It may not be high on their list of priorities though!

What do you think?