How to Make Sentimental Easter Eggs

Easter is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about easy-to-do spring decor ideas. Sentimental eggs that tell a story are a great way to add interest to the season. Creating a decoration that you can display every year is a meaningful way to enjoy a happy memory, and reusing something worn and weathered is a great way to honor the environment too.

Why maKE sentimental eggs?

Last year I created these pretty floral eggs with a vintage pillowcase that has a story. This particular pillowcase was part of a set of vintage sheets my mother chose for me when I was a child. When my children were small I hired a seamstress to design clothing using some of my hand-me-down vintage sheet sets (don't worry, I will blog about that soon because they were awesome!). But this time I made eggs instead.

This particular pink and green pillowcase above was an outlier that I was mixing in here and there with my other linens. I used it for many years and always took great care of its delicate nature, however, as expected over time it wore very thin. One day, my washing machine completely shredded it and I was sad because it reminded me of my mother. So instead of throwing it in the garbage, I wondered what I could do to preserve it. I decided since Easter was my favorite holiday, that I'd try to create a few decorative eggs so that I could enjoy this childhood memory every year going forward. The samples I created tell a story, so they are now the first set of what I am calling my Story Eggs.

the BEST FABRIC FOR MAKING story eggs

I used floral, vintage sheets from my childhood, but you can also use any scrap of sentimental fabric you can find. Maybe it is a small clipping from your grandmother’s wedding dress or a cutting from your child’s favorite cotton onesie. I would recommend hunting for thin cotton as it's much easier to work with. For reference, thin, vintage pillowcases are the perfect texture and work very well.

Estate sales and thrift shops are great places to hunt for fun and fabulous vintage cloth. You don't need much fabric for this project so if you go to a fabric shop ask if they have quilting squares, as that's another great source that won’t cost a lot. If you’ve never heard of Spoonflower, they also have the option to order an 8”x8” square swatch for just $5 with any pattern you choose, and better yet you can even upload your own pattern designs and create your own custom fabrics. Imagine uploading your child’s artwork, creating a pattern, and having spoonflower print it on fabric. I’ll put a link at the bottom for you to see what I am talking about. I have also included more links for pillowcases and trims at the bottom of this post. Use your imagination and gather what works best for you to create your own memorable Story Eggs.

WHAT TYPE OF EGGs SHOULD I USE?

I don't like to use real eggs because they are hard to work with and they can crack and spoil over time. I also don't recommend plastic eggs because they aren’t substantial enough. Instead, I recommend using an assortment of really nice wooden eggs.

Here I used very inexpensive white wooden eggs, but you can also order brown wooden eggs. And I also found a collection of white, brown, and pale green wooden eggs which closely resemble the chicken eggs I buy from my neighbor.

Creating a Story Egg with your own sentimental vintage fabric is an easy and fun DIY project that is sure to reignite happy memories. Even children can create these eggs using the simple directions below. With just a few supplies and your creativity, you can make beautiful eggs that will make your Easter and Spring celebrations even more special. When finished, pop them into a child’s easter basket, or present them as a housewarming gift in a simple pottery bowl as I did. They can just be little decorations complimenting your larger Easter Table Ensemble or let the creation of your Story Eggs be an “egg painting alternative” for a family gathering. Either way, I hope these eggs spark many sentimental conversations. Whether your creations are used to decorate for the holiday, become a new family craft, or are given as gifts, try to come up with a new Story Egg idea each year so that this can become a cherished part of your traditions.

To create a story egg you will need:

SUPPLIES:
Fabric Scissor
Small Paint Brushes
White wooden eggs
Mod Podge (Matte Finish)
Fabric

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:
Brown wooden eggs
White, brown, and pale green wooden eggs
Mod Podge (Gloss Finish)

Pink Vintage Inspired Pillowcases
Blue and Green Vintage Inspired Pillowcases
Purple Floral Inspired Pillowcases
Rick Rack Trim various colors
Egg Cups for drying
Translucent Bags

CREATE YOUR OWN FABRIC WITH SPOONFLOWER:
Spoonflower Custom Fabric Squares

FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

Step 1: Prep wooden eggs

With a slightly damp cloth, clean your wooden eggs to make sure they are free of any dust and debris.

Step 2: Cut fabric designs and patterns into small pieces

Use a fabric scissor to cut around your designs and patterns, breaking them into small portions. Smaller sections, not larger than 2” work best. I simply cut around each flower and stem.

Step 3: Decoupage your eggs

Break out a roll of paper towels to cover your work surface, then use a small paint brush and a small amount of decoupage glue (I use Mod Podge) on the egg (only in the area you'll be adhering your first piece). Then place the piece on that glue. Let dry.

Once you've gone around the entire egg and placed all of your pieces, you are ready to paint Mod Podge over all the fabric pieces and all bare egg surfaces as well. If you choose a matte finish they will dry like mine. A gloss finish is another option. All links are below.

Step 4: Dry your Eggs

This is a great time to pull out your mini egg cups or deviled egg dishes if you have some. The eggs need a place to dry so they do not roll around. You can also use the underside of an egg carton.

Step 5: Display or Package Your Story Eggs

Once your eggs are completely dry, find a pretty bowl or basket for display. If your eggs are created from a sentimental fabric you may want to place each one into a special little translucent bag as I did below and give them to members of your family. You may also choose to add painted polka dots, stripes, or a wedding date or name to complete the memory. This is completely optional.

I’d love to see your Story Eggs or hear about other ways you’ve made sentimental eggs from things you love. If you are enjoying my blog, please share it with friends and subscribe here so you can read the next one.

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How to choose flowers that have sentimental meaning

The Meaning of Flowers

Long before I opened Studio Sprig in 2016, I owned a freelance design business called Kim Bensing Design where I told sentimental romance stories through book-like wedding invitations. Because of my background in conceptual advertising, the captivating stories about my engaged couples were what I was after. I interviewed them extensively before I even began the design work. I loved this aspect of my job. I really enjoyed getting to know their backstory, and what message they wanted to relay to their guests with their invitations.

So in 2012, my first daughter Kate was graduating 6th grade and I wanted to buy her some flowers. But I didn’t want them to be just any pre-made, handheld bouquet wrapped in plastic. I wanted them to be especially meaningful to reflect how ultra special she was to me. So I went to a florist near me and asked them to tie up a few specific blooms & sprigs for my daughter to hold at her ceremony. This is four years before I knew anything about the floral industry, local growers, seasonal flowers, or pesticides. I did, however, know about plastic wrap, and I knew I did not want that! When I arrived, I was strictly interested in the meaning of the flowers and I asked for their help. And because I needed a card to explain the flowers, I also designed and attached a simple little one that illustrated the meaning of each flower in the bouquet and why I chose it. I hoped that she’d keep this forever but I am not sure she could actually find that card today, as she’s now 22 and a very busy graduate student. But through that small, ribbon-tied bouquet and a little tiny card, my undying love was conveyed that day, and it was the catalyst that propelled me to launch the Bucks County, boutique floral art studio; Studio Sprig, four years later.

Choosing Sentimental Flowers for Arrangements and Bouquets

Here is a short list of some of the flowers I chose for Kate’s bouquet above, to the best of my limited 2011 knowledge, and again because I can’t find the card!!! I hope you get the idea.

The focal flower is Stock & it is a symbol of a happy life, lasting beauty, and contented existence. It also smells AMAZING!!
The purple Aster symbolizes love, wisdom & faith.
The scattered Baby’s breath symbolizes everlasting love.
I am sure there were a few more sprigs tucked in, but I can’t see them in this photo, so sorry.

This topic of “the meaning behind something” has always fascinated me so here is a little flower history for you.

Floriography: The Language of Flowers

Floriography, the language of flowers, has been practiced in traditional cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa for thousands of years. Strong interest in floriography soared in Victorian England and in the United States during the 19th century. Gifts of blooms, plants, and specific floral arrangements were used to send a coded message to the recipient, allowing the sender to express feelings which - and I love this part - could not be spoken aloud in Victorian society. A popular book entitled Le Langage des fleurs by Charlotte de la Tour was published in France in 1819. Here, Charlotte offered 300 meanings for particular flowers to provide assistance in making bouquets. Victorians often exchanged small "talking bouquets", called nosegays or tussie-mussies, which could be worn or carried as a fashion accessory.* I always love this because I carried a tussie-mussie filled with roses, hydrangea, and herbs for my wedding in 1998, having absolutely no real understanding of why I chose one except that I loved Jane Austen.

If you are unfamiliar with the illustrations of Kate Greenaway, take a look at her gorgeous 19th-century children’s books including the one linked below.

I hope you have enjoyed learning the meaning behind the meaning of flowers. Below please see the short list of some popular blooms and their symbolisms as well as a few current and not-so-current resources I discovered. You can click on the image and it will take you to where you can buy it. Have fun the next time you create a bouquet from your own garden or pop into your local flower shop or farmer’s market, and be sure to request specifics based on what they will mean to your recipient. Remember to always attach a small card to explain!

Helpful Links to learn more about meaningful flowers

I have included a link for the french edition of Le Langage des fleurs if you would like to add it to your collection. There are also more current options which I will include below. Most notably the gorgeous books authored by Shane Connolly. Enjoy.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Floriography Sources

Shane Connolly of the UK is a renowned designer who designs for England’s royalty. Shane exemplifies the idea of discovering how florals can relate to the concept of your event. His beautiful website is worth browsing. Here are 6 of his published books that would be worth reading.

The Secret Language of Flowers: Rediscovering Traditional Meanings

Language of Flowers

Wedding Flowers

A Year in Flowers

Table Flowers: Over 50 Arrangements for Simple, Special and Spectacular Occasions

Discovering the Meaning of Flowers

Please comment to share some other interesting floral symbolisms or stories you’ve enjoyed or created. Include images!

A short list of popular flowers, herbs and their symbolisms:

~ Zinnia / friendship, & daily remembrance
~ Rose / love & passion
~ Peony / love, honor & goodwill
~ Dahlia / commitment & kindness
~ Tulip / passion & deep love
~ Carnation / love
~ Calla Lily / life & fertility
~ Gerber Daisy / cheerfulness & celebration
~ Orchid / thoughtfulness & charm
~ Gardenia / trust, hope & peace
~ Sunflowers / loyalty & admiration
~ Hydrangea / gratitude, grace & beauty
~ Rosemary / remembrance
~ Sage / wisdom & immortality
~ Thyme / courage & activity

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Learn: Read a book about the meaning of flowers
Create: Design a handheld tussie-mussie and assemble with a note
Inspire: Share your creation with a friend

I hope you enjoyed this Inspiration. Please leave comments below. I’d love to hear about your cool floral combinations. I’m always here to help you with your creative journey. Please sign up to receive blog post notifications and follow Studio Sprig on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I look forward to connecting. If you’re a blogger, what’s your favorite SEO Tool? I’ve had much keyword success with RankIQ. Learn more here. - Kim

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*source: Wikpedia
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