04.03
2011

Some More Easter Decorating, Egg Tutorial, Thank You Fifi, and The Final Four
I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. The first Final Four game is about to start so I am going to try to type this as quickly as possible!
I still have a few more projects I want to do for Easter but in case I don’t get to them figured I would show you what we have done so far. The best part of this year’s decorating is that the only thing I bought was some spray paint and the supplies for the moss letters (you can see a tutorial for those by clicking here). Everything else was free! I had planned on either having a robin’s egg blue or a pink for an accent color but seeing how I went pretty overboard with the pink for Valentine’s Day decided to just stick with neutrals for now. I still may add in some blue though.

 

  You can see what all of these topiaries looked like before in this post.
 

 
I saw these eggs last year on The OC Cottage and thought they were really pretty. I made a bunch this year and a have them hanging from the branches in our living room and dining room. I plan on embellishing them when I get a chance but for now they are just covered in the book pages. I am not really sure how they are supposed to be made but this is how I did it. And the best part was I already had all of the supplies so they were free!
Here’s what you need:
Brush
Bowl
Water
Mod Podge
Plastic Easter Eggs 
Book Pages (or I am sure newspaper would work as well)
(and if you want to hang them string and a glue gun)
1) Rip up the book pages 
(you can actually rip them up even smaller once you are applying them)

2) Soak the paper in the water. I just put it all in there and start working.

3) Now start wrapping the eggs.

4) Get the whole eggs wrapped. It’s okay if you can see the egg color. 
Once the paper dries you won’t be able to.

5). Now just dab some Mod Podge on and brush it over the egg. 
I dabbed some on each side to get enough to properly cover it.

After that I let them dry overnight and then put a dab of hot glue on the top of them and glued some string onto it and then hung them from my branches. I plan on embellishing them at some point here soon but for now they are just plain. 
I was so excited to receive an e-mail from the Fabulous Fifi saying that she had featured us on her blog earlier today! I am so so so excited and so incredibly honored. She is planning on coming here this fall and I am still pinching myself over that thought. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out her new book, it is absolutely loaded with breathtaking pictures:
Well, the game is about to start so I had better get this posted.  As many of your now our lives pretty much revolve around basketball here and of course the Final Four is the most exciting part of basketball season. Jon actually got to play in a Final Four back when he was at Carolina. It is pretty exciting to have a team from our conference, VCU, in it this year and the team they are playing, Butler, has a kid who played for Jon’s dad last year so it’s a bit hard knowing who to cheer for. This year, we will also be watching the women’s Final Four tomorrow night and cheering for the sake of my brother. Yes, you read that right. Haha. It is rather ironic, really. My brother, Jason, is the baby of the family and the only boy (If you have been reading this blog for a while you probably know him from the sarcastic comments he often leaves on my posts). 
We all grew up playing sports and played basketball very seriously (regular season, summer leagues, AAU, etc.)  You would think therefore, that he would have a nice healthy respect for women’s sports but instead he has always absolutely loved mocking them. Somehow while at Notre Dame he ended up becoming a practice player for their women’s basketball team. If you don’t know him that might not seem that funny but if you do you would see just how hilarious a thought that was. So, over the past two years he has had to change his tone from mocking women’s sports to having a healthy dose of respect for them. And now, “his” team is headed to the Final Four.  He is a talented writer (he won an huge award his freshman year at Notre Dame for another piece he did) and wrote a pretty entertaining post on his blog that you might want to read. He wanted me to make sure I mentioned he was on a “creative hiatus” until the end of the semester when he graduates and that is why he has a serious lack of posts. He does have some pretty funny ones from last summer though that you might enjoy like this one on Lillie’s departure from our month long stay in New Hampshire last summer (please note many of his parenting claims on my part are 100% sarcastic!), or his take on being a coach at basketball summer camp, or even the Crotty family Olympics (which I sadly missed).
If you haven’t already entered our baby guessing contest please feel free to scroll down and enter! Especially if you have any name ideas!
Well, I will be back Monday morning with a post for Poppies at Play Parade of Homes! See you then!
P.S. I wrote this earlier and then forgot to his post – whoops!
Hanging Branch Tutorial
Moss Letters Tutorial and Some Fun with Textures
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57 thoughts on “Some More Easter Decorating, Egg Tutorial, Thank You Fifi, and The Final Four”

  1. Oh my goodness – how stunning! I'm in love with the egg topiary, the moss balls and letters. Forget it, I love it all!! Gorgeous!

  4. It all looks so pretty! I really like the neutral tones. BTW, you have to tell me where you got those adorable mini cloches on your table? I love them! Thanks for sharing!
    Jen
    Scissors & Spatulas

  5. Love this post!! You are sooooo creative! Great photos! Great mirror is these pics…would love to find one just like it or similar. If you have time, could you post where you purchased it? Anyway…love the pics!!! Kay

  7. The photos of your home are so beautiful…and I have to proudly say that some of things you have up, I have up, too!!! (like the rabbit silhouette and the decoupaged eggs)…seriously, that makes me feel like I've done something right decorating-wise!!!!! You are always an inspiration…

  8. absolutely brilliant decorations. i love them all… did you make the He Is Risen print in the picture frame?

    i would love to have something like that… so if you didn't make it.. where can i find? 🙂 maybe i need to do a few diy projects here soon!

  9. YAY! I saw the post on you today! Awesome you deserve it! I am so happy to be back and visiting everyone. You are so talented and I love you style. So creative. I have the same chandelier that you have! I love it! Fifi, will be visiting us too! We need to chat and catch up! Hugs lulu

  11. Saw you on Fifi's blog today, yes you deserve the recognition, you are very talented!! I admire your restraint in decorating and how you do it all while being a mom and wife. Congrats Jen!

  12. Jennifer, thank you so much for showing all the sides of your gorgeous room. You have such talent. I don't think I ever realized that you have that gorgeous damask wall paper in your dining room. It is absolutely lovely as is everything you touch! Have a great week!

  13. Thanks everyone!

    Jennifer – my sister got them for me a few years ago from Pottery Barn. I don't think they have them anymore =(

    Kay – not sure which one you are referring to so I will answer for them both. They are actually both from Restoration Hardware. I got the big one in our dining room at a huge discount. It was the floor model and they will selling it already on sale and it has a little chip in the side so I got it even more discounted. I was so excited because I had been wanting it for forever but it was way out of my price range. I got the one above the mantel for my birthday this year and it also is from Restoration Hardware.

    Jenna – yes, I did make it. I actually had planned on putting the PDF on here for people to download but I wasn't completely happy with how it turned out. Am going to hopefully play around with it a bit more this week and then will include a free download option in a future post.

  14. WOW the room is beautiful!!! I would love to have my living room look like this, but I'm fear my little boys would never keep it clean. I too love the He is Risen print. I have just been talking to my husband about trying to find or make something similar. I hope to see it in a future post.

  15. Wow love all the Easter Joy! Your brother sounds like a character! We are just going to bed after watching our hockey team (Canucks) loose!
    Have a great Final Four & I am off to see Fifis & your bro's blogs!

  18. I saw your feature today on Fifi's blog. Congratulations! You are most deserving of it. You are so very talented, creative and your home is just stunning. Love the Easter egg tee and your neutral theme. It's very pretty and elegant.

  21. Lovely decorations. I'm trying, but the all elegant look just doesn't work for me, colors keep sneaking in ;-). I have two more names for you Nicolette ( I prefer the one 'l' spelling) or maybe Rosalyn. Have a wonderful Sunday – maks.

  22. Hi, I recently found your blog, and I am in awe of the talent the Lord has given you for decorating your home! Beautiful!!!
    Also, I had to laugh when I went through some of your archives and realized your husband coaches for William and Mary. My dad was an assistant coach there back in the very early 80's, maybe even late 70's!!(Parkhill was the head coach, and my dad actually coached the Parkhill brothers.) I enjoyed reading how your lives are centered around the game, because that is how I grew up also. God bless the wives of coaches! My mom, like you, took us to all my dad's games, (although when we were little he coached in PA.) It was such a rare, and fun, fun, fun childhood growing up around the players, games, travelling, the other staff, etc. I find it so interesting, that most of the coaches I know have had three girls as their children, including my own father. 🙂
    My life still revolves around the game with my own children now, and there is something special in my heart that only a family member of a coach can truly understand!!
    Anyways, I could go on and on, but I just wanted to let you know that reading about your lives brought back so much nostalgia, memories, and a joy in my heart of those exciting and fun days of growing up a coach's daughter!
    Again, your home is lovely and I can see so much love in every beautiful thing you have created!
    God Bless You!

  24. Hey Jennifer…do you ever do any consulting? (like from e-mailed pics? If so, what do you charge? I would LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE for you to help me or give ideas …. Thanks..Kay

  25. I love all of your spring decor! I couldn't help but notice the "He has Risen". It might be my favorite detail.

    I also like reading about your family and life–We're huge basketball fans in our house and March Madness is one of our favorite times of year.

    I can't wait to find out what you name the new little one 🙂

  28. Loving the decorations as usual! I really am going to make one of those moss covered words. I just can't decide on what word I should use. Hmmm….

  29. ergh!!!!! has anyone else tried this? the wet paper is not sticking to my plastic egg! i even tried some modpodge on first and still it is not sticking. are my pages too thick I wonder? my hands are sticking together but my paper eggs are not!

  30. an egg tree is on my easter check list yearly and I still don't have one..thanks for the tips, Ava and I will do try this tomorrow after school! and a big CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS out to you…you deserve every inch of fame. hugs.

  31. Hi Jennifer! Love the post and the egg tree and wreath post. Great easy ideas! As you may remember, I live in Richmond and actually graduated from VCU so we were all pulling for VCU to win. They did a great job! Anyway, I was wondering what type of branches you have in all your urns? Do you buy them or are they just from outside? Thanks…Angie

  32. Anonymous – what a small world! It is so much fun growing up in basketball family, isn't it? Lillie LOVES all of the boys and talks non-stop about them at home and already has a major crush on one of them – uh-oh! Haha!

    Hayden's Grandma Darcey – It isn't really something I can do a tutorial for but as mentioned I do plan on offering it as a free download once I play around with it some more.

    Kristincita – hmmmm, that's weird. Mine didn't have any trouble sticking to the eggs. What kind of paper did you use? I just used the pages right out of a book I had that I knew I would never read again. I think newspaper would work even easier. I wouldn't recommend anything thick. I also didn't use the mod podge until the wet paper was already all over the egg. Not sure what to tell you.

    Angie – you must have had so much fun watching VCU's run! I know we did! My branches are all from outside. I drag Lillie out whenever I need some new ones for a project and collect a whole bunch and the pick through them once we get them inside to see what works. Unfortunately she manages to think the rest are for her to play with!

  33. Oh and Kay, by any chance did you send me an e-mail? I am SLOWLY making my way through e-mails (still have a ways to go) but have several regarding that issue and have been saving those for last as I am still deciding on a few things.

  34. Yes! I sent you an email. Just let me know your decision. Would love your help! Thanks! Kay

  35. Oh my gosh, I so love your beautiful blog. I love everything about it. You are so talented and gifted. Your home is a beautiful mix of old and new. It truly looks like a home! Continued success and good luck with the new wee one! May God continue to bless you! Thanks for sharing. BTW, Lillie is absolutely gorgeous!

  36. You inspire me! I love your beautiful blog and etsy shop…..you have inspired me while I tackle my 4200 sq ft victorian! I also have a daughter about the same age as Lillie so I enjoy seeing her room and photos…please don't stop…I am also a customer, I LOVE my silhouette shirts….Thank you for making my blog days awesome…

  37. Adorable. Creative. Genius.

    I am having a spring craft linky party and giveaway on my blog this Friday. I would love for you to showcase this wonderful project.

    Details are on my blog today.

  39. Beautiful home. Beautiful blog. Beautiful ideas. I just discovered your blog through Jones Design Co. I'm so glad I did! Thank you for sharing a little of your life!

  42. All of your decorations speak to me of such simplicity and elegance! Just lovely! Thank you for sharing them with us. Also for sharing that picture of your georgeous brother! Isn't he the handsome one. Take care, VBg

  43. Just discovered your blog…and let me tell you I am DROOLING! Love what I can see of the "He has Risen" print ~ do you sell those? Thanks for the tutorial, my daughter and I are going to do those today!

  44. Gorgeous eggs. I love the idea of using the old books because it gives Easter a vintage look which I LOVE!! I will definitely use the idea with my nieces next week during Spring Break. Thanks for sharing!

  46. Where did you find the urn you put the branches in with the eggs? I love the wallpaper in dining room. Do you remember what it is called? Can't wait for more seasonal ideas.

  47. The urn is from a store called the Horned Puffin in Florence, SC. I have had it for close to five years now. The wallpaper I ordered from American Blinds online and have tried to look up the name of it for several people but can't seem to find it anymore. Not sure if I am just not looking in the right spot or if it has been discontinued.

  49. I know that this was written last year, but I just saw one of your photos on pinterest. Is there any chance that you can post a close up of your "He is Risen" frame? We're all curious to see what it says!

    Thanks!

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