Eggs, Over Easy
I don't particularly think of myself as the crafty type. I gave up using a hot glue gun more than 20 years ago. I needlepoint, but only on car trips or while at the beach. Still, every now and then--usually around a holiday, I find myself inspired to make something. This spring while noodling around at my friend's, acquaintance's, er, design guru Eddie Ross's blog, I found the directions for making some simple, yet elegant, Easter eggs.
Begin by separating the napkins. Then cut the printed napkin into small (about one by one inch) diamond shapes. I found the easiest and quickest way to do this was to fold the napkin, cut a zig zag line, and then cut back again in the opposite direction. You will also want to cut a few triangles. I was able to complete three eggs from a single napkin this way.
Once your napkin is cut into diamonds, thinly apply the Mod Podge to the egg in sections.
Then, attach the diamond of paper to the egg and lightly coat the top of the paper with Mod Podge, smoothing out any wrinkles.
Tap down the edges, and apply the next diamond. I used the straight sides of triangles to edge the rims of the eggs. It would be easier to close the egg and do it as a solid form, but for some reason, I thought I wanted to be able to open my eggs. If you are using a toile or similar type design, I strongly recommend not trying to match up the design. Once the egg is covered in paper, lightly coat the entire egg (or the halves) in Mod Podge. This will provide a smoother finish. Set the egg aside to dry and begin the next egg or pour a glass of wine and watch Selling New York on HGTV.
Seriously, I finished a dozen eggs in about two hours. I love that they are a bit of a riff on transferware dishes, and I plan on using them in my Easter table setting, which I'll post about next week.
The eggs featured on Eddie's blog are lovely green-and-white graphic orbs, reminiscent of a Jonathan Adler print. Of course, I didn't want to copy Eddie, so since I collect Blue Willow, Canton, and blue Staffordshire, I decided to make my eggs blue and white.
This project is easy peasy, however, if you are a perfectionist, it can get a bit tedious. After about the third egg, I decided I was not a perfectionist, and that made the whole project a lot more fun!
You will need some Mod Podge, which is almost as much fun as hot glue but without the pain and cursing, a small soft paintbrush, and some plastic eggs. I found some white ones at Hobby Lobby, a dozen on sale for 35 cents! If you can't find white eggs, then I think pale pastels would work fine.
You will also need some sharp scissors and some beautiful paper cocktail napkins. As I am rather a fiend about cocktail napkins, I found what I needed in my napkin drawer. (Please, it's not hurting anyone.)
Gather your supplies and cover your work space with some newspaper or other protective covering.
Once your napkin is cut into diamonds, thinly apply the Mod Podge to the egg in sections.
Then, attach the diamond of paper to the egg and lightly coat the top of the paper with Mod Podge, smoothing out any wrinkles.
Tap down the edges, and apply the next diamond. I used the straight sides of triangles to edge the rims of the eggs. It would be easier to close the egg and do it as a solid form, but for some reason, I thought I wanted to be able to open my eggs. If you are using a toile or similar type design, I strongly recommend not trying to match up the design. Once the egg is covered in paper, lightly coat the entire egg (or the halves) in Mod Podge. This will provide a smoother finish. Set the egg aside to dry and begin the next egg or pour a glass of wine and watch Selling New York on HGTV.
Seriously, I finished a dozen eggs in about two hours. I love that they are a bit of a riff on transferware dishes, and I plan on using them in my Easter table setting, which I'll post about next week.
Happy weekend, everyone!
I'm linking up to Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays! and to At the Picket Fence Sister Saturday Easter Edition!
Your eggs look great!
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS!! How adorable!! I love all the easter decorations around your home too. So pretty!
ReplyDeletexo,
Tessa
Those are so cool!!!
ReplyDeleteThey turned out fabulous!! Martina
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh they are so chic!
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC
Very charming! And so many possibilities for the decoration. They would make a lovely gift, filled with treats.
ReplyDeleteI am totally blown away!!!!!! These are by far the prettiest Easter eggs I have seen all over blogworld (Marthas Stewarts included) I love these!!! They are sooo beautiful and then of course being a serious lover of blue and white...I am so going to try this. I hope I can do it as easily as you made it look, bookmarking it right now. Thank you soooooo much! Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteVery nice eggs but may I be nosey and ask where your bracelet is from? Absolutely lovely.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful and I may just have to try this. I love using mod podge. I am using it on something else now.
ReplyDeleteVery cool - love this! And, your cuff bracelet is pretty, too!
ReplyDeleteCan tell you just how much I love this??! They are fabutastic!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! Hey, did you see the blue and white bridal shower post that we did recently...used the same paper napkin as yours for dessert! ?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.classiccasualhome.com/2011/04/elegant-bridal-shower-part-ii.html
I think I could easily follow your instructions and it will be fun to pull the eggs out year after year! Thanks
Oh my gosh! These are sooo up my alley! Thanks for the instructions!!!
ReplyDeleteI made those last year out of Easter napkins. Easy project and so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI just love that you can co- ordinate these, with whatever colour or theme you are having for Easter. Just beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteYour eggs are so beautiful and I also love your cuff bracelet! Where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteYour blue and white eggs are gorgeous! I'm not particularly a crafter either, but I definitely will try these for next year.
ReplyDeleteActually, they'd be pretty year round. I'm late with my comments, but hope you had a nice Easter.
Thanks for the tutorial.
Babs
I had decided last year to mod-podge blue and white eggs this Easter, but the napkins I ended up buying at IKEA are not at all what I had in mind! Yours are perfect!!--exactly what I was aspiring to make... Where, oh where did you get those gorgeous napkins?! :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't remember where I found my napkins, other than the blue and white ones with lemons. Those were Caspari and I bought them at a local cooking supply shop. Occasionally, I have found some beautiful napkins at Tuesday Morning, too. Happy hunting!
ReplyDeleteTina was right....awesome post! She included one of mine, too...isn't she the sweetest? I'm a new follower. Hope you'll stop by sometime. Very excited to get to know your blog!
ReplyDeleteStacy
hi just found this post through enchanted home, this is so beautiful. i cant believe this is from napkins, you are really talented. I am also your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished mine and yes you're right they can get just a bit tedious! Worth it though for the finished article xx
ReplyDelete