Easter Egg Bling

MY STORY

     I love when I can combine my Decorate To Celebrate challenges with being a design team member for the Buckle Boutique.  Both of these sites have creative inspiration with products and projects DECORATE TO CELEBRATE The Buckle Boutique.  And now The Buckle Boutique has reduced the prices for their rhinestone sheets so it is the best time to check them out.

    I decided to bling up some Easter eggs for a fun centerpiece.  Would also make a fun gift to bring to your Easter dinner hostess.

YOUR TURN

   Since I like to work ahead, I found these great eggs at Michaels.  They are dyeable and I was thrilled to find them.  You will also need some coordinating napkins/guest towels (mine were from Bed Bath & Beyond), rhinestone sticker sheets from THE BUCKLE BOUTIQUE, Mod Podge, foam brush, a basket, paper filler, twine, flowers.  My color palette was determined by the napkins I found so use whatever colors work best for you.

    Some different ideas to bling up your eggs:

A)  Cut your napkin into thin strips.  Apply Modge Podge to your egg -- be careful.  Use a thin layer and work slowly.  Once the napkin is wet, it could rip while applying.  Cover the egg as desired.  Once dry, apply Mod Podge over the total egg and let dry again.  Then add strips of coordinating rhinestones.  You can also add a larger piece of the rhinestones down the middle and place some of the napkin on either side.

B)  These examples used just the sticker sheets.  I cut up in random shapes and applied.  The rhinestone sticker sheets from THE BUCKLE BOUTIQUE are so easy to work with.  They adhere to anything and are easy to cut.  And even using the smallest,thinnest pieces they are still easy to peel the backing away.

C)  I like creating some eggs with 3D elements.  The first one I call the nest egg.  Wrap the twine around the egg, leaving an oval opening.  Cut out a bird from one of the napkin designs and apply.  Don't glue the entire piece down so it sticks up above the egg.  Add a little bling to the tail.

     The other 3D egg is what I refer to as the Koi egg.  Once I started working with this particular napkin, it felt Asian to me.  Cut out strips of the napkin, leaving a long tail that go past the bottom of the egg.  Once dry, apply another coat of Mod Podge over the entire egg -- but do not apply any to the "tails".  Apply strips of rhinestones to the tails and add a blingy eye.

D)  You can also use bits of the napkin to create a design and add some rhinestones to add bling and dimension.

   For the basket, fill with paper.  I added a little bling to a burlap flower and applied.

  And that's it.  A fun presentation for your Easter dinner table.  This concept can also be used for the holidays -- there are tons of blank ornaments out there so you are only limited by your imagination!

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Decorate To Celebrate Design Team Challenge - "Not Your Kid's Easter Basket!"

MY STORY

     In addition to being with family, nothing says Easter to me as much as yellow Peeps, jellybeans and solid chocolate bunnies.

     However, many of my friends are trying to shy away from the sweets whether for medical reasons or no appropriate points plus value on the Weight Watchers plan! :)

     I have come up with an alternative to the "sweet" Easter basket, although I do think this is still very sweet but kinder to your teeth and waistline.

     This basket was made for my friend who loves gardening and birds.

YOUR TURN

     When you start shopping for supplies, (I know me too I already have tons) I find it easier to have a theme or a color palette in mind.  For this basket, I concentrated on garden/birds and mostly the blue/green/cream family.  I gathered up what I thought looked good together and a bonus is that they were all on sale!  Oh happy day.

     
     Before you start gluing anything down, play around with your elements.  Similar to flower arranging, you want to create different heights, figure out your focal pieces, make sure it looks good from every angle, etc.  I added different size styrofoam at the bottom of the basket to create different planes.  

     Start adding your tallest elements....these old fashioned eggs come on wire sticks so some of them I cut so they were not all the same height (in addition to having different sizes of styrofoam).

    To keep with my bird/gardening theme, I loved these unfinished wood plant stakes.  Using spray ink, cover your plant stake.  Let dry between coats for a deeper color.  Also spray ink your little cut out bird (more  on him later).

     I also found pretty stickers and loved that the theme and the color were in line with my basket.  Adhere the sticker to your plant stake once it is dry.

     Once you have added all your elements use plastic grass and fill in all your holes.  I love the grass I found at Michaels...it was not as "plastic" as the drugstore type and came in a pretty cream color.

   I always get a little craft high when I find a product I had never heard of and can use in my project.  Waverly makes these soap petals.  So not only do they add a nice finishing touch around the basket, but they smell beautifully and my gardening friend can peel off a petal and wash her hands after a long day digging in the soil.

     Now back to our little bird friend.....adhere him to the front of your basket.

     And you are done!  These ideas can be used with any theme or for any occasion.  Think about Christmas for the holidays or soups and hot chocolate for the fall.  And when you hit the sales at the right time, you can create a custom gift to give (or keep for yourself!!) for not a lot of money.

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"  Lucy Van Pelt, "Peanuts"

Decorate To Celebrate Challenge "Easter Baskets Pt 1"....A Tub of Goodies

MY STORY

     As my family continues to grow up, the old school Easter baskets with the green grass are just not as appealing to the 'tweens' I love to give little Easter goodies to.

     I found this small vintage-looking washtub at my dollar store.  And with just a little Washi tape, silk flowers and chocolates, I think this is a "sweet" alternative for an Easter basket.  And the best part is that you don't need to worry about watering your flowers.

     Just a couple of supplies and you're done.

YOUR TURN

     What you will need (and two pipe cleaners as an optional last step):

     1.  Start applying Washi tape as desired. HINT:  I lay mine out very lightly and kind of uneven to start with and then once I like the design, I will clean it up and make it straighter.  I liked the rustic part of this tub so I chose not to cover that part up.  NOTE:  This will work on any container you have around -- a flower pot, old china cup, etc.

     2.  Start cutting your silk flowers off the stem.  HINT:  Make sure you are cutting different lengths so you have interest.  Just like regular flower arranging.  Start placing in the piece of styrofoam you have chosen.  Make sure, since your tub is circular, that all the flowers are facing out.

     3.  Fill the spaces with your desired candies.  I love the dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses, maybe I just love the purple wrapping.  The candy becomes your "soil".

     4.  An optional step, if you just don't want to get away from the basket approach, tie together two pipe cleaners and then wrap around your handles for a basket approach.

    I love this little container because you can reuse it in many ways.  Change out the flowers on a seasonal basis.  The washi tape comes off easily so you can use it to fit any decor.

    Some Easter basket humor.  Enjoy the season!