Rock Candy Sugar Egg

Hello friends,

I had an idea I wanted try. It was really only meant for a post on Instagram, but then I decided to photograph all the steps...so here we are.
As a kid, I was always enamored with Easter sugar eggs. You know the ones—with hole on one end and a tiny, magical scene tucked inside. I remember being given one as a child and loving it so much that it lived on my bedroom shelf until the day I left for college. Today, I’m finally bringing that bit of childhood magic back, but with a crafty twist! I’m creating my own 'everlasting' version using a paper mache egg from Hobby Lobby and a custom blend of Rock Candy Mix (regular and chunky) for that perfect crystalline look.

Here are some of the supplies I gathered before I started. 

This includes eggs (in the dish) that I colored with Speckled Egg paint earlier in the month for another project.

I went to Hobby Lobby to find paper mache eggs. I found exactly one left in the paper mache section of the store. This was not in the Easter Section.

I wanted the hole to be larger so I cut it. It would probably be wise to draw a pattern first but I just went for it! Because the paper covering separates when you cut into the egg, I needed to wrap something over the edge. 

I chose to use Teabag Paper (purchased on Amazon). I tore it into a few small pieces and used Collage Medium to apply it to the egg, then wrapped each piece to the inside. I set the egg aside to dry completely before painting.

Here it is painted - my new edge worked! I know the pink on the inside looks bold pink but that is just the shadow. In person, it is not so bold!

Cut a small piece of heavy chipboard for the "floor".

Then use hot glue to secure it to the egg.

Add your painted Salvaged Rabbit.

I made a mix of Rock Candy to cover the outside of the egg.

You could use it as is or color the Rock Candy with Alcohol Ink (I used Aqua).  Just a few drops and strir with a craft stick.

Pour it out onto a deli sheet to dry.

Once dry, I returned it to the cup. On a separate deli sheet I squeezed out a quarter sized puddle of Glossy Accents. I used my finger to spread the Glossy Accents onto the egg, then used the cup to shake the Rock Candy mix onto the glue. NOTE: I covered all of the egg except for the small part on the back where the egg would rest while drying. Once dry, I turned the egg over and added more Glossy Accents and Rock Candy to the "bald spot". 

I added a bit of COllage Medium to the chipboard base then added vintage easter grass. Set aside to dry.

Working on my Studio Mat + silicone mat, I created a few cards with Distress Ink and water.

Then I cut leaves using a favorite die - Skeleton Leaves.

I added a bit of more Glossy Accents to random places on the leaves and sprinkled Chunky Rock Candy over the top. 

I added a few of the leave to the egg with hot glue. I also added a bow to the top. The tails of the bow will be folded and tucked under (as you will see in the main photo at the end).

Remember the eggs? This is how I colored them. I put eggs into a small snack size bag then squirted some Speckled Egg Distress Paint into the bag and squished it around until coated. I squeezed the eggs out onto a paper plate (so they don't roll away) to dry. Once dry, splatter with Scorched Timber.

I also made the little adornment with a Memo Pin + Quote Flair + wood plug. Make the hole in the wood plug with an awl, then push the memo pin into the hole (with a dot of hot glue). Add the Quote Flair to the top of the Memo Pin.

Add the Eggs and the Quote Flair to the egg.

I made the flowers in the background using the end of a small paintbrush.

Add the vintage trim with Collage Medium. 

The vintage flowers at the top were added with hot glue.

Hope this inspires you to make something for Easter. I love that this can be enjoyed year after year, just like the sugar egg I had as a child.

Now carry on,

paula

The Best is Yet to Come

Hello Friends,

I’m excited to share a new idea-ology project blooming with springtime florals. My inspiration for this panel actually came from a beautiful fabric bag created by my friend Richele Christensen. She used a Palette Orange fabric called Botanical—a long-time favorite of mine—and I couldn't get the print out of my head. I decided to translate Richele’s textile vision into a paper version, bringing a bit of her "fabric side" over to the paper side of the Palette.

I started with a large Etcetera Panel as my base. I used Collage Medium to cover the panel with a sheet of the Palette Orange Botanical print (12 x 12"). I added Collage Medium over the top to seal the paper.

Once dry, I added crayon to the edges of the panel.

I chose two pieces of coordinating ephemera from the Palette Ephemera pack. I stitched the edges on the machine. Since I used cream thread, I decided to ink the thread with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

On the ends that were not stitched, I tore through the paper and also inked the torn edges. I always spritz the inked edges with water to make the ink wick into the paper. Dry with a heat tool before gluing to the panel.

I used Scor-tape to add the ephemera to the panel.

Next up, is the house shape from an Etcetera Facade pack. I left the pop out center in place and covered the entire front of the shape with a sheet of Backdrop paper that I thought really worked with the Botanical paper (Backdrops 4 - Neutral pack). 

I added multiple strips of Design Tape Trims to the house shape for decoration.

I did add Collage Medium over the tape to permanently secure it to the surface. Then set it aside to dry.

I chose a favorite Paper Doll from the groups pack and colored it with Distress Crayons in Saltwater Taffy, Aged Mahogany, Faded Jeans, and Rustic Wilderness. I used a Detailer Water Brush to add a plaid pattern to the mans pants.

I also combined an Optical Lens and a Date Dial with a bit of Collage Medium. Once dry, I tied string around the stem to cover the number that was upside down (with the stem on the left).

Now combine the house shape, the Optical Lens and the Paper Doll. I used three double-stacks of foam squares on the back of the Paper Dolls so they above the Optical Lens.

I also used 3D foam squares to add the house shape Facade to the panel covering the gap between the ephemera. 

Now I need a sentiment - I combined a Quote Chip Label and a Label Frame. Then I decided to use my cutting knife to shove shredded cheesecloth into the crack between label and the frame for added texture. I also needed to add a bingo chip to the back on the right side so it will sit level with the house shape.

Once I added the label to the panel, I added vintage buttons to the right end. No I didn't stitch them on. I collect vintage buttons with the thread still in them - they are like gold to me! So all I had to do was glue them in place and let them dry.

I also created a small collage of Palette ephemera in the top right corner. Just stuff I liked and thought would bring out the green in the paper. I did add thin foam squares under the butterfly so it sits slightly above the collage.

I guess I forgot to mention the vintage lace that run along the brown ephemera. It was just a piece that I had in my stash and thought it looked good with the theme.

Love this little cluster!

You can see that vintage lace much better here,

I hope you liked this one. The colors and vintage vibe are right in my wheelhouse so this makes me very happy. And we all could use a little reminder of good things to come, right?

Now carry on,

paula

Palette Yellow Panel

Hello Friends,

Hello friends! 

I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing a new Display Panel I created for the Simon Says Stamp blog. The catalyst for todays project was the beautiful Palette Yellow paper; the golden tones are the perfect foundation for this vintage-inspired mixed media panel. The warmth of the paper creates such a glow beneath the layers of Collage Paper, crayon work and paint splatters. 

Head over to the Simon Says Stamp blog to see the full reveal!

Now Carry On,

Paula