Easter Gifts: Story Eggs
We have been reading Eggs for the Hunting, by Reg Down, which we got from A Toy Garden. I was inspired by Reg’s drawings in the book and I wondered if I could emulate them on some wooden eggs (also from A Toy Garden) to make my own story eggs. I had seen story eggs made by Mama West Wind who writes at Chocolate Eyes, and they were so beautiful I had to try to make some myself. (You can find a full tutorial by Chris Willow how to do this here at Rhythm of the Home.)
This seemed the perfect time to try the wood-burner for the first time. Plus, I had this nifty, super-dandy lathe thingy that Ian bought me for Christmas to try out, so a little project was born.
My first wood-burning attempt. I dig it! I used the pointiest tip and was pleased with the results.
I painted the flowers with some watercolor paints. I liked being able to see the wooden egg, so I left the natural wood.
Emboldened by my first success, I tried one of Reg’s designs on this large wooden egg. This was trickier. It felt important not to mess it up. I just worked slowly and took lots of deep breaths while using the wood-burner.
Then I painted it with Stockmar watercolors. The illustration I was emulating is in black and white, so the colors here are my interpretation.
I finished it with a nice coat of beeswax furniture polish.
My Tiptoes Lightly isn’t perfect, but I think she’s a fine first attempt. I hope to make more of these story eggs before Easter comes. My kids haven’t seen this egg yet and I’d love to have two finished for their Easter baskets.
Since we had some smaller wooden eggs, too, I let the boys paint them.
What fun things are you doing to enjoy Easter?
April 4, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Your woodburned eggs turned out beautifully! I love the clamp thingy you have to hold them, that would make it easier.
April 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Thanks, Kelly!
April 4, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Beautiful! Both of them, but I really love the Tiptoes egg. Love the top detail and the contrasting colors. We are in love with this book as well. The boys would love a Tiptoes egg, I’ll have to make one for us!
April 9, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Thank you for the inspiration, Becca. I hope to make more of these. Finding time is always the trick.
April 5, 2012 at 1:45 am
What a wonderful idea. They look really good. Be good for an Egg hunt too as they wouldn’t melt.
April 5, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Absolutely gorgeous! I’m so glad that you shared photos of them.
April 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Thank you, Katharine!
April 5, 2012 at 5:35 pm
I did this too, but your eggs are much more more detailed. They are gorgeous!!!!!
If you want to see the ones I made, here is the link: http://mybloglittleacorns.blogspot.com/2011/03/tiptoes-lightly-story-eggs.html
Thank you for all your wonderful ideas and inspirations!
April 9, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Karen, your eggs are so wonderful! I love them. Thank you for sharing your link!
April 6, 2012 at 12:43 am
Incredibly beautiful! You did an amazing job!
April 9, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Thanks so much, Julia!
April 11, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Hi Sara – lovely! Tiptoes says she likes her picture especially. Can I snitch a photo or two for the albums on the website?
April 12, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Sure, Reg. Please do!
April 29, 2012 at 9:52 am
They are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing this with our Spring Carnival. 🙂 I featured your post here: http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/all-year-round-week-eight-7-spring.html
May 4, 2012 at 8:44 am
Thank you, SunnyMama! I think your Spring Carnival is great. <3