DIY Bike Basket and Streamers

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My little Dax will be turning 4 in a few weeks and he is getting a new Cars 2 bike. Samantha got a new bike last summer, but I decided to spruce hers up a bit so she wouldn't feel left out. I looked online for a basket and handlebar streamers and found a plastic princess set for $14. I also found just streamers for $7. I have always loved the old fashioned wooden bike baskets, but those suckers are expensive!

This basket is adorable, but it is $39 from REI!

Here is my frugal (A.K.A. cheap) version that cost around $5. 

I found the hanging wall basket, zip ties and pinwheels at Dollar Tree. Total = $3

I found the skinny ribbon on sale at Michael's for 3/$1. I have a ton of ribbon at home, but I wanted the colors to match the design of the bike. I also grabbed a tiny can of pink spray paint, which I used my 40% off coupon on. Total = $2.

The streamers were insanely easy!

First, cut your ribbon to the desired length. Make sure it isn't too long or else it will get stuck in the tires!

I used 3 strands of each of the 4 colors on each streamer.

Burn the ends or fray check.

Wrap the zip tie around the center of the bunch of ribbon and pull. I added a bit of hot glue for extra security.

Tip: use a smaller zip tie. I used a large one first, but it poked too far out of the handle bar. A smaller zip tie will pop into the handle bar so it is flush.

Secure the streamer with a bit of hot glue.

How easy is that???

Next, I made the basket.

I spray painted the basket on the patio, and also painted the bike seat while I was at it. The seat was white before. Who makes an outdoor bike seat white?? Apply at least 2 coats and let it dry for a few hours.

When the paint was dry I hot glued a bundle of ribbon to the basket and covered it with a big pink flower from my stash (Michael's has all their flowers on sale this week for 50% off). I added the little pinwheels to each side of the basket so they will spin as the bike goes forward. To do this I just laced the stems through the basket weaving and secured them with some hot glue.

Ta-da! Samantha's bike looks super-fancy and it cost less than shipping would have been if I had ordered a basket.

 I'm crossing my fingers that it will be nice enough for the kids to ride their bikes this weekend.

~Macy

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