Egg Decorating Basket Projects

Make your egg decorating an elegant affair this month, with pretty projects to do with friends or family. Start with simple wooden eggs and learn how to cover them in richly colored paper or sparkling glitter. Then, nest your lovely creations in sweet (and easy to make) doily baskets. Decorated wooden eggs make beautiful keepsakes or even gifts that can be enjoyed spring after spring.

Project 1: Doily Baskets

Delicate and dainty doily baskets are perfect for displaying a collection of beautifully decorated eggs on a table, mantel or anywhere you please. You may want to work on your baskets first, so they're ready and waiting when your eggs are complete.

Gather Your Materials: Use just three simple items to create your baskets: stitched fabric doilies, fabric stiffener (both available at fabric and craft stores) and a bowl to shape your basket. Use a bowl that's just a bit smaller than your doily. Print and take our handy Materials List with you when you're shopping for items.

Step 1: Soak the doilies in a bowl of fabric stiffener until lightly saturated.
Step 2: Line the bowl you want to shape your doily around with plastic wrap (either inside or outside is fine). Place the doily over the bottom or around the inside of the bowl to create your desired basket shape. As you smooth out and shape the doily, try to push out excess stiffener.
Step 3: Allow the doily to dry completely (approximately 2 hours), and then carefully peel away from the bowl.

Tip: You can personalize and decorate your baskets further after they're dry by threading ribbon through the holes around the top edge of the doily. Try thin silk ribbon in spring pastels like yellow, pink and green.

Tip: Create a soft, colorful nest for your eggs inside the doily basket by shredding extra decorative paper and crumpling together.

Project 2: Paper-covered Eggs
Also called "washi eggs" this traditional Japanese craft is perfect for adding an elegant and unique touch of spring to your home.

Gather Your Materials: This craft often uses real eggs that have been hollowed out, but we'll be keeping it simple with wooden eggs, available at many craft stores. The only other materials you'll need to cover your eggs are: origami or scrapbooking paper, paintbrushes and decoupage glue. Print our Materials List to be sure you have everything you need.

Step 1: Using a tape measure, mark the egg's length on your piece of decorative paper, adding a 1/4" to the measurement. Next, measure around the circumference of the egg and mark on the paper, adding 1/8" to the measurement. Cut out a rectangle of paper using these measurements.
Step 2: Fold the rectangle of paper in half lengthwise. Using your scissors, cut 1/4" wide strips along both sides of the fold. Be sure to stop 1/4" before you hit the fold. Your rectangle will now have a fringe-like appearance.
Step 3: Unfold the rectangle and wrap around your egg so the fringe is at the top and bottom of the egg. Using your brush, apply the decoupage glue where both sides of the paper meet to adhere to the egg.
Step 4: Start with just one piece of fringe and trim at an angle to create a pointed tip. Brush the trimmed strip with glue and press gently onto the egg, carefully smoothing out. Repeat this with every other piece of fringe all the way around the top and bottom of the egg. Use remaining pieces to fill in gaps and trim as necessary.
Step 5: Brush glue over the entire surface of the egg to seal and smooth out any bubbles.

Tip: The more eggs you do, the better you'll get at making them smooth. If some of your eggs don't turn out as smooth as you'd like, you can glue down extra pieces of decorative paper to cover up bubbles or bumps.

Project 3: Glitter Eggs

This sparkling spring craft is even easier than paper-covered eggs, and makes a fun activity for family and friends of all ages.

Gather Your Materials: You'll also be using wooden eggs for this craft. The only other items you'll need are: small sponge brushes, decoupage glue, glitter (a variety of spring-inspired colors), disposable containers and wax paper for drying. Fabric softener, bowls, doilies, plastic wrap.
Tip: Feel free to paint the eggs any color you desire prior to covering in glitter, in case a little bit of the wood peeks through. Simply paint eggs and let dry prior to your decorating party.

Step 1: Set up a decorating station by placing a small amount of decoupage glue in one disposable container and placing each glitter color in its own disposable container. Set out wax paper nearby for drying.
Step 2: Use the sponge brush to add a thin coating of decoupage glue all over the egg.
Step 3: Quickly roll the glue-covered egg in the glitter until completely coated. You can use small tongs or spoon glitter over the egg to help keep it off of your fingers.
Step 4: Place eggs on wax paper to dry for about an hour.

Tip: Get creative by coating half of your egg using one glitter color, and the other half in another.
Display your pretty eggs and baskets in your home throughout the spring season. You can also use them as table décor or gifts for the spring holiday next month.  This is explained very well at Home Made Simple

MORE FALL DECORATIONS

PUMPKIN PATCH

Orginal Design by Amanda Formaro

Scarecrows are synonymous with Autumn. This little guy is so adorable you just can't resist him! Paint several to give away as gifts, or make one just for yourself to keep in the kitchen.

What You Will Need:
glass jar
liner and shader brushes
Micron black craft pen
old toothbrush
acrylic matte spray
printable pattern
Acrylic Paint Colors (we used Delta Ceramcoat)
Antique White
AC Flesh
Pumpkin
Tangerine
Georgia Clay
Pink Quartz
Bonnie Blue
Trail Tan
Yellow
Dark Forest Green
White
Black

Craft Project Instructions:

Base coat surface with 2-3 coats of Antique White.
Trace pattern onto base coated surface.
Paint pumpkin with Pumpkin paint. Shade lines with Tangerine and Georgia Clay.
Paint face, hands and feet with AC Flesh. Paint nose with Georgia Clay and shade with Black. Draw on mouth eyes and stitches with Micron craft pen. Use ratty or scruffy brush to dot on cheeks with Pink Quartz.
Paint hat with Bonnie Blue. Mix a very small amount of black with Bonnie Blue to use for shading hat. Patches are Trail Tan, criss-cross with Georgia Clay.
Paint pumpkin stem and vines with Dark Forest Green.
Use fine liner brush with Yellow and Georgia Clay for straw around feet, hands and face.
Use Micron craft pen to draw on all stitches around hat and pumpkin.
Splatter completed surface with White and then with Black using the bristles of an old toothbrush.
Sign your work! Spray your completed project with 2-3 coats of acrylic spray sealer according to directions on can.

Tip: If you are painting on jars, prepare your surface by washing the jar, completely removing all labels and glue, then giving the jar a rinse in white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Allow the first coat of base to dry completely before attempting second coat!

SUNFLOWER JAR

what says summer into fall more than sunflowers? Bring that feeling into your home with this lovely sunflower design painted on a jar. You can use it as a sunny decoration for your kitchen, or easily turn it into a candle by adding a glass or clay pot candle holder to the mouth of the jar.


SUPPLIES
- empty glass jar, washed, dried, all labels removed
- white vinegar or rubbing alcohol
- paper towel or soft cloth
- pattern

TOOLS
- Liner, shader & scruffy brush
- Micron black craft pen
- Stylus
- Old toothbrush
- Acrylic matte spray
- Scrap strip of homespun material
- White craft glue


ACRYLIC PAINT COLORS:
White
Crocus Yellow
Yellow
Antique Gold
Autumn Brown
Dark Forest Green
Forest Green
Black


CRAFT PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS:

Base coat the surface of the jar with 1 coat of white. Allow to dry for 24 hours. If you don't, you risk peeling the paint off with your second coat. This rule does not apply when painting on pourous surfaces such as wood. Remember, the paint does not soak into the glass like it does on wood, therefore your drying time is increased!


Paint of second and third coat, allowing 20 minutes dry time in between coats. Allow third coat to dry for a couple of hours before moving on to the next step.


Trace the pattern onto base-coated surface. Paint petals with Crocus Yellow. Outline petals with Yellow, shade with Antique Gold.


Paint center of flower with Antique Gold, then use a scruffy brush to dab on Autumn Brown over the top of the Antique Gold, leave a little showing underneath in spots. Use a Stylus to dot Dark Forest Green in the center of the flower.


Use Forest Green to paint stems. Use scruffy brush and Forest Green to blend stems into the bottom of the design.


Use black Micron craft pen to draw lines around center of flower.


Dip the bristle tips of a toothbrush into some black paint that has been lightly thinned with a drop or two of water. Test your splattering ability on a piece of scrap paper before doing this on your jar. Hold toothbrush horizontally and drag your finger across the bristles, causing the paint to splatter spots wherever you aim it. When you are comfortable with this method, go ahead and splatter the entire surface of the jar with black paint. Clean out toothbrush and repeat this method with white paint. Let dry.


Dot white craft glue around the rim of the jar. Position strip of homespun material around the rim and tie in a knot or bow.


Sign your work! Spray completed project with 2-3 coats of acrylic spray sealer (matte) according to directions on can.


Hint: Small glass votive holders or small clay pots work great in the mouth of the jar. Place votive candle on holder and you are all set!

Scripture Survival Kit

Toothpick: to remember to pick out the good in others. Matt. 7:1

Rubberband: To remember to be flexible. God has it under control. Romans 8:28

Band Aid: To remember to mend hurt feelings. Yours or someone elses. Col. 3:12-14

Pencil: To remember to list your blessings daily Eph 1:3

Butterfinger: Cause we all slip sometimes, and it's okay. Gen. 50:15-21

Gum: So you can stick to it. With God you can accomplish anything. Phil. 4:13

Button: To remember to button your lip when needed. 1 Peter 3:10

Lifesaver: To remember that the Lord is there to help. Psalm 46:1

Mint: to remind you that you are worth one. (I use a peppermint patty) John 3:16-17

Candy Kiss: To remember that Love should be a part of everyday. 1 John 4:7

Snickers and Tissue: To remind us to be a light in someone elses day. Matt. 5:14-16

Puzzle Piece: To remember that without God we are not complete. Prov. 14:20

Tea Bag: To remember to relax and go over that list of blessings. 1 Thess. 5:18

These fun kits are made simply by adding all of the "ingredients", printing the list of items and their meaning and putting it all in a jar with a nice decorative jar topper. These are inexpensive kits, especially if you can recycle the jar from your kitchen (keep your eye open for nice jelly and relish jars at the store.

CHERISH THOSE MEMORIES

This is so easy to do, such a good craft project for you and your friends.

Type up this poem that is on the photo above, cut the whole in the bottom to show your photo of your child, then give them some finger paints, and let them put their hand prints on each side of the photo, as seen in the picture above, this is my grandson, and I have one of my granddaughter in pink. It is a picture worth a thousand words for sure, and it hangs proudly on my study wall.

Buy a cheap frame, and paint it in the pink or blue, give your parents this as a gift or just to have for your self when your child grows up. it is fun, it is inexpensive, and it a precious gift.

The Poem that is written, in case you cannot read it well enough in the photo;

You always clean the finger prints;

I leave upon the wall.

I seem to make a mess of things;

because I am so small.

The years will pass so quickly

I'll soon be grown like you;

and all my little fingerprints,

will surely fade from view.

So heres a special handprint

and picture of me too;

So you'll recall the very day,

I made it just for you.

Getting A Little Crafty

You know some times you just cannot find what you are looking for at any of the stores, it was that way for me, I was looking for some little lamp shades with roosters on them, I looked from Michigan to New York, to Tennessee, and found not one. So I decided to make my own decorations on plain ones. Now that was a challenge too, I could not find any little Roosters small enough to put on the mini shades, Finally after months of searching, I found these, and added a little ribbon aound them, to match, and got the effect I was looking for. My Country Cozy Kitchen. Really easy and simple to dress up any lamp shade you may want in your decor. Here the photos of them. My kitchen is done in Roosters and Hens, and I added a little strip on the end of one of my cupboards to match.

This all reminds me of how God does with us, he takes nothing and makes something he can be proud of, I seem to find everything I do or say has God in it some way, hope you enjoyed my crafts for today.