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| Decorating eggs is a fun-filled springtime tradition that's been passed down through generations. With a few common household items and an adventuresome attitude, it's easy to go beyond the standard dyed eggs to make truly colorful creations that will add a dash of personal style to your springtime décor. |
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Materials
- One dozen eggs
- Large boiling pot with water
- Acrylic craft paint (spring colors like blue, yellow, green, pink)
- Corrugated cardboard such as a light bulb package or box flap
- Wax paper or aluminum foil
- Cotton string (about 12")
- Several rubber bands of various widths
- Plastic bubble wrap
- Fine-tipped paint brush
- One sponge
- Newspaper
- Scissors
- Glitter, sequins or lace (optional)
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Egg Preparation
Place room temperature eggs in a large pan and fill it with cold water (about 1" over the eggs). Bring to a boil and immediately turn off heat. Let stand for 25 minutes. Remove eggs, rinse with cold water and dry before decorating.
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Simple But Unique Decorations
Use these techniques to create base designs for your eggs. Then, customize them with paint accents or by applying glitter, sequins or lace with craft glue.
Spots or Circles:
Cut a 4" square of bubble wrap; coat it with acrylic paint and gently roll an egg across the painted surface. To create narrow rows of spots in different colors, paint the surface of your bubble wrap with lines of varying colors. Add layers of colors by rolling the egg over different bubble wraps painted with a few colors.
Stripes:
Wrapping rubber bands around a hard-boiled egg is an easy way to accurately hand-paint stripes of different colors and widths. Place two rubber bands around your egg, then paint in between the two. When you remove them, you'll have a perfect stripe every time. (Egg 1)
Another technique is to coat the ridged side of a piece of corrugated cardboard with acrylic paint and gently roll an egg across it. Use green paint and roll an egg lengthwise on the cardboard to create a field of flower stems. Then, use your brush or the head of a pencil eraser or thumbtack to paint blossoms on top of the stems. (Egg 6)
Abstract eggs: Use your eggs as an abstract painting canvas (Eggs 2 and 3):
- Cut a 6" square of wax paper or aluminum foil, crumple it, flatten it and then coat it with paint.
- Place your egg in the middle and gently wrap the paper around it.
- Let it dry then repeat with other colors. The wrinkled lines will create a marble-like pattern across the egg.
Dipping a piece of string in acrylic paint and running it across the egg in random patterns achieve another abstract effect. (Egg 4) Use several colors, but allow paint to dry between each color application. Make lines of different widths by alternating between light and heavy paint applications.
A sponge also can produce an abstract egg. (Eggs 5 and 7) Cut several small pieces of sponge, dip each one in a different color and dab onto an egg in various patterns.
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Display Your Decorations
After decorating, protect your eggs with a light coat or two of clear varnish or clear spray acrylic. Then, showcase your masterpieces by placing them in a clear bowl or wicker basket with a layer of plastic grass. Also, don't eat your eggs if you decorate them with anything other than food coloring! |
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| If you like this article, you might also like
Spring is in the Air
Easy Living Tips for Spring Holidays
Funny Bunny Ties
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