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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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I'd like to get some nicer baskets. Most of mine are from thrift stores and are perfectly adequate for setting out smallish collections of things around the learning room and generally strewing, but my reading baskets... All the baskets are rounded-ish shaped so my stacks of books don't fit quite right, and some aren't made for my constant arranging and picking up and lugging from bedside to couch to chair.
Can you suggest some nice baskets? I know I can go to Michael's with a coupon, but is there another source for a nice basket? What is your favorite source? Can you find nice baskets on ebay or something (I think the frugal part of me wants to believe I can find something used and thus not spend as much...but maybe I should just make the investment here...) I'm tired of my books all being permanently bent after being in the basket.
I know you ladies have got the basket thing covered...so I can't wait to hear your sources.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Lori Forum Pro
Joined: Sept 10 2008 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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I wonder if you could "dress up" some plastic tubs with cloth liners/ribbon ties...my problem with books in baskets is that they catch on the weaving and rip, so I'm more likely to put them in something with a liner or a tub instead of a basket.
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Bridget Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 1:57pm | IP Logged
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Square baskets are very hard to find used, primarily because they are the best shape for so many uses. I'd keep looking, but you may just want to use the Michaels coupon.
I use the plastic dish tubs too for books. They work well. I never thought of putting a pretty towel or liner in them! Linens you can find easily in the thrift stores!
__________________ God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 2:06pm | IP Logged
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Wooden peach crates are wonderful.And I've done well at Target...
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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PDyer Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 25 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 2:11pm | IP Logged
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From Target - I bought the largest for my re-do of our back door closet. They have several different sizes, and they're probably on clearance by now...
__________________ Patty
Mom of ds (7/96) and dd (9/01) and two angels (8/95 and 6/08)
Life at Home
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Tami Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 27 2006
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 2:15pm | IP Logged
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I"m getting ready to make a couple of these slip-covered crates mainly for my files, but I bet they'd work for books, too!
And have you looked at Ikea for baskets? That's where I get my heavy-duty ones.
__________________ God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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Lori Forum Pro
Joined: Sept 10 2008 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 2:19pm | IP Logged
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Tami, that's genius! Just what I was thinking of when I mentioned the tubs...and you can do it with crates, too, apparently! Awesome! Thank you for that link!
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CrunchyMom Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 2:51pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
Wooden peach crates are wonderful.And I've done well at Target... |
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Where do you find peach crates? The ones with stamping and such have such nice character!
We got the wooden crates from Michael's years ago, and my husband sanded them and coated them with --oh, phooey, whatever it is when you don't stain wood but cover it with a "clear" coat. Anyway, they look nicer now than just the plain unfinished ones. The are the storage under a window seat in our living room.
Crates would also be nice for the books because you can stack them on their side a couple high like bookcases but they would still be portable and able to function like a basket.
__________________ Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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BeckyC Forum Newbie
Joined: Aug 08 2008
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 9:00pm | IP Logged
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I was looking for baskets in the fall for our books and I found a nice basket similar to the one pictured above at JoAnn Fabrics. I was able to use my 40% off coupon too!
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 12 2009 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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Hmmmm...well, I haven't looked at Target in a while. I guess I'll check there soon. Thanks ladies.
I have a number of dishpans that hold books here, too. In fact, nothing beats 'em during the summer when I'm planning. I have a favorite set of baskets from Michael's - all bought with my coupons - that are rectangular and have a nice cotton liner. These are my go-to baskets for books for the kids, but I don't have enough for me.
I'd like to find one, maybe two larger baskets - ones that would hold two stacks of books laying down side by side inside of them...Michael's is right next to Target here...perhaps I'll check them both out soon.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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crusermom Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 09 2007 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 7:06am | IP Logged
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Well, if you would like some nice baskets that are well made and much cheaper than Longaberger (sp?) - I have ordered some from a basket making company called Petersboro.
Peterboro Baskets
They have sales and sometimes free shipping. I have been very happy with what I ordered.
Mary
__________________ Mary
Army wife and Crusermom to 8 wonderful children!
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 7:19am | IP Logged
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Do you have a HomeGoods nearby? They have all kinds of lovely baskets and other pretty storage bins. Also, World Market has a huge selection. Sometimes Trader Joe has baskets as well.
Peace,
Nancy
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 7:55am | IP Logged
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crusermom wrote:
Well, if you would like some nice baskets that are well made and much cheaper than Longaberger (sp?) - I have ordered some from a basket making company called Petersboro.
peterborobasket.com
They have sales and sometimes free shipping. I have been very happy with what I ordered.
Mary |
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Mary - Can you check your link? I really want to take a look at these baskets, but I think your link might be broken.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mary Chris Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 27 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 8:09am | IP Logged
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I tried to hyper-link to the Peterboro Baskets and could not make it work either. Here is the website I found, www.peterborobasket.com. Make sure you check out the 24/7 tent sale, it looked like they had some great deals there.
__________________ Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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crusermom Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 09 2007 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 8:09am | IP Logged
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I was so proud of my link!! I had never done that before!
The website is :
peterborobasket.com
I guess type it in the old fashioned way. Not sure how to fix the link. WILL have to try to figure that one out!
Mary
__________________ Mary
Army wife and Crusermom to 8 wonderful children!
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kristina Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 24 2005 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer,
Longaberger baskets are very nice, albeit costly. When my older children were toddlers who napped, I found several on eBay at a fraction of the cost and built a small collection bit by bit. I even paid for them by selling my unused items or treasures I stumbled upon on clearance at TJ Maxx or thrift stores and such. I preferred the unstained/natural baskets which were discontinued and were being sold by many consultants who no longer needed to display them at their basket shows.
I use the cake baskets and market baskets for books and small games. They are very sturdy and even with my four 'typical' boys (and their gentle sister), none have broken handles or splints - which has really surprised me. I can't say the same for the cheap wicker baskets, I think I have thrown out three broken wicker baskets in as many months!
I do have a couple of less costly wicker baskets, though, that had wire woven through and they have survived well. One was from eBay for $5 plus shipping and another was from Home Goods, I think.
If you follow the Longaberger links, you will discover how pricey they are. Out of curiousity, I just did a search for "Longaberger Market Basket" on eBay and then clicked completed items. I found that even with the liner and protectors, several have gone less than half price of just a basket. I hope that link worked.. you just have to scan past all of the listings for liners and inexpensive accessories to get to the sold baskets.
Blessings,
__________________ kristina
yesterthoughts
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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crusermom wrote:
Well, if you would like some nice baskets that are well made and much cheaper than Longaberger (sp?) - I have ordered some from a basket making company called Petersboro.
Peterboro Baskets
They have sales and sometimes free shipping. I have been very happy with what I ordered.
Mary |
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Mary, I fixed your link . These are exactly the baskets I was looking for. Their 24/7 sale is nice and that coupled with their current 10%off coupon (valid through Jan 15) and free shipping makes them right up my alley. I was looking for just a couple of nicer baskets to have around for my book baskets, and these are perfect!!! I love their large baskets! Thank you so much, Mary!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 4:11pm | IP Logged
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I have the small square storage basket from Peterboro and it's very pretty, sturdy, and useful. My small glue guns and their glue sticks live in it. The shape fits very easily into a cabinet.
Peace,
Nancy
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crusermom Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 09 2007 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 6:59pm | IP Logged
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10 percent off! I might need to get a few more myself. Thanks.
Mary
__________________ Mary
Army wife and Crusermom to 8 wonderful children!
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Kristie 4 Forum All-Star
Joined: June 20 2006 Location: Canada
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Posted: Jan 13 2009 at 11:03pm | IP Logged
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Hey, thanks so much for the link for making the crate liners. I use the green bins from the supermarket (the ones that you use instead of bags) for our books because baskets have such a very short life here (most of mine haven't held up well) and the good ones can be so pricey. But they always look so ugly in the sitting room...now I have an answer.
__________________ Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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