Hello, everyone! Yes, I am still on my blogging break but wanted to share a little Easter project with you before Easter has come and gone. I want to first thank you guys for your emails and comments, and a few phone calls too. I had completely shut down emotionally for a point a few months ago. I tried to live life like usual, I tried to blog like usual, but when I wasn't responding to comments and emails like usual, you guys noticed. I have learned some important things over the past few months and weeks. The most importantly is trust your instincts. I know we hear this over and over again. Don't ever push them to the side, they're there for a reason. Thank you, dear readers, for sharing your personal stories with me and for opening up your lives like a storybook to help me. I feel like I know so many of you and wish I could have you all as my neighbors so we could sit in the backyard and talk.
Over the years, I've discovered that projects that include pictures of loved ones quickly become my favorites and continue to be so year after year. There's something to be said about making something so personal. In keeping with the spirit of creating something with particular meaning to myself and my family, I set about making a simple Easter project that could be cherished for years to come and hopefully, at least I'd like to think that they'll be past onto the next generation.I needed a special gift for my grandma for Easter... how the idea of the project came about. This is a picture of her parents on their wedding day.... Lily of the Valley was my great- grandfather's favorite flower. I remembered being told that years ago. He liked the biblical meaning behind them. So a sprig or two of these simple flowers seemed fitting for the eggs.
Again, her parents years later on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in the 1940's. Ahhh, to relive those times!
I decided to use wooden eggs. I like that there's some weight to them and had them on hand, but there's an array of different egg shapes from styrofoam, plastic or papier måché in any craft store. When it comes to covering your egg, you're limited only by your imagination.... paper to decoupage, paint, fabric and lace strips and glitter. I like the look of gilded eggs because there's a patina to them, like they've been around for years already. As you can see above, there are cracks and parts on the egg where the gold leaf never touched. And who says you have to cover your eggs... there's so many beautiful eggs out there. If you find eggs pretty enough, you can skip this step and go right ahead to resizing your family photo and embellishing your egg. For this step, I kept mine simple with barely there flowers, paper doilies that have been dyed to a pretty pink, crepe paper and ribbons in muted colors so the pictures could do the talking. Of course, you could do more of less depending upon your taste.
I chose mostly old photos to use on my eggs, but you could certainly use current photos. In fact, I have plans to make a few more with my children on.
Right now, they're piled in an old urn in my family waiting to be put into baskets and given as Easter gifts very soon! I hope by now, you're feeling spring wherever you may be! Thanks for stopping by and most importantly, thank you for your friendship.
Hey Gabrielle,
I hope you don't mind my saying, but that great-grandfather of yours was one good-looking paisan!
Jill
Posted by: Jill | April 12, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Gab
these are just amazing....
Im taking a small blogger break too. trying to get lide back on track before i go back full on..
hugs
Posted by: tabitha | April 12, 2011 at 03:26 PM
Do you know HOW MANY TIMES I have thought of you lately?
Your ears must have been ringing.
So glad to see that you have been enjoying making these treasures. They look true and dear to your beautiful ♥.
I've been shopping all over the place for Easter. I'm in charge of the dessert table. Having so much fun with it all. Cute little projects that you might like.
Email me if you want some pics Ok?
Love you Gabrielle. Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
Love Me
xoxoxoxo
Posted by: claudie | April 12, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Love those eggs and I hope you come back soon.
Lori
Posted by: lori oles | April 13, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Beautiful eggs, and idea. So nice to see a post from you, hope things are going ok for you. We all have our ups and downs, I know I have certainly had my share! Take care of your sweet self and that precious family! Amy
Posted by: amy boelter | April 14, 2011 at 06:35 AM
Beautiful eggs, Gabrielle! I'm so glad you've returned to blogging. I've missed seeing your lovely home, adorable family, and beautiful artistic creations.
Blessings to you ♥
Posted by: Wendy | April 14, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Your grandmother will adore these, I just know! I have missed you!
Posted by: Katsui Jewelry | April 16, 2011 at 11:40 PM