This was an eggtremely time consuming project to do, but it was also very rewarding, and even fun. I want to warn you though, don't paper mache it alone. I was having a great time until I hit that part and I posted on Facebook:
"I began to paper mache today...and I was reminded of this quote from White Christmas: 'Miss Haynes, if you're ever under a falling building and somebody runs
up and offers to pick you up and carry you to safety, don't think,
don't pause, don't hesitate for a moment, just spit in his eye.' If
someone ever asks me to paper mache again, that's my answer." To which a dear friend responded: "It’s
going to be great when it’s done! Don’t forget to post! And you’ll
forget all this trouble by next year- it’s like having a baby." And guess what? She was absolutely right. I had such joy when the thing was finished, and not because it was done, but because it actually turned out alright. And I gave birth to it. But I still recommend that you get help with the paper mache part.
Supplies you will need:
- a tall corrugated cardboard box (preferably at least 6 feet tall)
- a large square sheet of cardboard for the middle "shelf"
- small cardboard mailing boxes
- a broom handle (optional, but it will lend support to the structure)
- a gallon jug full of sand (optional) if you want to weight the bottom
- square sheet of plywood or chipboard as the base
- wood screws of 1 1/2 " and shorter
- screw drive and either a hammer and large nails or a drill to make your pilot holes with
- box cutter and extra blades (cardboard will dull blades quickly)
- a long straight edge like a metal yard stick
- lots of newspaper (you can use other materials like paper towels or construction paper
- flour and water OR white glue and water
- 1 can white spray paint primer (unless you use paper towels or light colored paper for your mache layers)
- 2 cans of the color spray paint you want to make your egg
- 1 can of spray sealer if you egg is going to be outside
- 2 packages of permanent self adhesive colored paper for a Cricut. One assorted (for the polka dots on the egg) and the other all the same color (for the zigzag around the egg's center). You can also paint these on if you have time and want to save money
- Clear vinyl (the heaviest gauge Joanne Fabrics, or whatever store you use, has)
- I also purchased some green turf at Joanne's (using a 40% off coupon) for the grass in the empty tomb scene
- The rest of the items you can make yourself or purchase online and print yourself. The links are below
Cut and Prepare the Cardboard for the Structure
Use your yardstick to mark off the strips of cardboard. I made mine 2.5 inches wide, but I probably should have gone with 3 or 4 inches wide. I think there were at least 6 feet in length.
To cut my round circles, I used the hole in the yardstick to anchor it to the center of the cardboard. Then I put my pencil on the 15" mark on the stick and moved it all the way around until I had a circle. You could also use a piece of string cut to the length of 1/2 the diameter of the cirlce you want, attach it to the center of the square piece of cardboard and attach a pencil to the other end and run it around in a circle. Use the box cutter to cut them out.
I added the second set of strips on top of the first. I intentionally left one strip out because I wanted to put a "window" in the top 1/2 of the egg. I ended up adding a strip in the bottom half so there was something to paper mache over. I also used a small round circle of cardboard over top of the strips to help them pull up in a round shape (see second picture below).
I also ran a broom handle up through the boxes to give it additional stability. I cut X's in each box to allow the handle to pass through.
This was not a perfect egg. The first cardboard circle probably should have been a little lower. The second one was not necessary. I was originally going to put the window up by that shelf. Once the "tower" of boxes was built, I brought the sides up and anchored them on the exposed broom handle. However, it really was not a good idea as I explain below.
This was a great way to anchor the strips of cardboard, but it made for a lopsided egg. Instead, I should have put a circle of cardboard on the broom handle and then anchored the strips all around it. I ended up having to put a circle of cardboard over the top of the whole thing (see 2 pictures down).
I had to put the circle of cardboard on top so I could get somewhat of an egg shape. I ended up using screws to get it to stay in place. And some duct tape.
You can see how the top piece of cardboard is screwed down. I also had to slit it all the way around to get to curve over the top of the egg. |
It took so long that I only put one layer of mache on. The brown paper gave it more durability though.
Painting
Since I used newsprint I spray painted it with white primer before using my yellow paint. My sister told me it would make the color "pop," and she was right.
One can of primer...you will still see some newsprint. That is the "window" that you see outlined in blue masking tape.
Decorating
Now it was time to decorate the egg. We used a Cricut to cut the circles and zigzag pieces out of adhesive paper.
Stabilizing and Finishing
The final detail we added was a yellow plastic tablecloth. I simply pulled it around the egg and tied it in the back. Details on what I put inside the window are below this picture. The "R" was part of the egg scavenger hunt the kids did. There were eggs on yard sticks hidden all over town on people's lawns. Each had a letter which you put together to spell out a phrase (He is risen).
The Window:
I wanted to put a scene in the egg that would show children what Easter is really all about. I thought a large egg would draw their attention and then they would see the scene. My hope was that they would ask their parents about it.
Another idea I had for the egg was to leave it outside during Easter week and advertise the giant egg for families to come see. Someone would have had to take it in and out though, and this wasn't practical. So we put it in the church lobby after the event. Our church runs a preschool and everyday that week all of the children wanted to look inside of the egg. So it was a great opportunity for the preschool teachers to share the message of Easter.I made the scene of the empty tomb and the risen Christ. The tomb and Jesus came from Catholic Icing (I cut the halos off of the figures that had them). I added Christmas lights I had with an external battery pack and switch. They weren't really bright enough, but I love how they lit up the inside of the empty tomb.
The "V" shape slits |
"V" Slits I cut in the plastic Film |
It turned out absolutely beautiful! I understand the point where you think, "I'm never doing this again!" and then the euphoria when it's done and you forget that initial despair of "WHY did I agree to this?!!!" lol Great job, Joan! And congratulations on your blog "Top 50" position. I often come here for inspiration!
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