French Découpage Eggs

I am taking a little break from my grandbaby bloggy break to show you my most recent project…French découpage eggs! It’s something I have been wanting to try since I tried my hand with sheet music at Christmas. And I have to say that I am pretty pleased with the result.

Here is how they started out…a package of plastic eggs from Dollar Tree, an old French-English dictionary from Goodwill for $2.50 and a left-over supply of Mod Podge. I work with the matte finish to add the paper and add two final coats of the luster finish to give them a little shine. It’s a water-based product, so if it has gotten a little thick, you can add a little water to thin it down. I should add that the eggs have a little plastic hinge that protrudes and had to be cut off with a knife before I started.

And here is how they turned out! I used the method that I described in my sheet music ornament post for two of them, using small strips added individually. For the château egg, I used one picture to cover the entire egg. You can see it in the photo above.

I will give you a closer look at each of them. It’s hard to make them perfect, but the imperfection is part of the beauty to me. I will tell you a secret for making them smoother, though. I let the first coat of the two final coats of Mod Podge dry for about 30 minutes, then I dry it with the hair dryer on low for a minute or so. Afterward, it is slightly tacky to the touch. Next I gently take it in my hands and press it all over, sealing the overlaps and smoothing it.Then I add the final coat. It really gives a more finished look to the egg.

I used the dictionary to create this one. Hmmm…I think I will find an old French paperback for my next one. A little too much English showed up. However, I added the words Joyeuses Pâques…Happy Easter…to give it a little more frenchy flavor.

This one is my first attempt at using one drawing to cover the entire egg. I cut the picture in a rectangle a little wider and longer than the egg and then cut in at intervals from the top and the bottom, leaving the center one-third intact. I smoothed and overlapped these sections as I worked in the Mod Podge. Next time, I think  I would make the cuts a little narrower, but I was trying to save as much as I could of the original appearance of the château drawing.

Of course, our co-host Baby Kitty had to check out the work. Don’t you love the little silver nest cup? It was a gift from my sweet friend Pat. What a pleasant surprise to find it in my mailbox at the end of my first week of helping with my little grandson…a fun but tiring time. The little crowned bird came from Michaels and was half price at $2.49…a real steal!
And I had to add this one…my Notre-Dame Cathedral egg made with some Parisian inspired wrapping paper that I found for half-price at Hobby Lobby! It is also made with one drawing covering the entire egg. I think this one is my favorite. Click here to see more things that I have done with the paper.

And here’s a final look at my frenchy Easter eggs! What do you think? I have a few more Spring tricks up my sleeve, but I had better hurry! And now…if you will excuse me…I am back to grandmothering…the best job I have ever had! Please forgive me if I am slow to visit. A little someone keeps demanding my attention!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my French découpage eggs!  Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!

Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Jill at French Cupboard for Voilà! French Inspiration on Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!