How to Make Easter Eggs from Recycled Magazines

Fill a decorative Easter basket with these eggs made from recycled magazine pages and other items commonly found around your house. Attach ribbons to them and hang them from trees. Fasten them to grapevine wreaths for a festive door adornment. Use them to make garlands, centerpieces or give them away as custom handmade gifts. These eggs are so attractive and fun to create that you may find yourself seeking reasons to make more.

Things You Will Need:

Small oval balloons
Several colorful magazine pages
Flour
Water
Paintbrush or sponge

Instructions

Rip several magazine pages into thin strips about 1/8 -inch thick and two or three inches long. Tear several more magazine pages into small squares, about the size of a postage stamp. The pieces do not have to be perfect squares, nor do they all need to be the same size. Ripping the pages into a variety of slightly different shapes and sizes will add interest to the eggs and provide a unique, interesting artisan appearance. You may wish to compile pieces that contain similar colors or you can use a rainbow of hues if that is more appealing to you. Separate the strips of magazine pages from the squares.

Blow up as many balloons as you wish to make eggs and tie the ends. Inflate the balloons so that they are the size and shape of an actual egg.

Mix one part flour with four parts water in a medium pan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for about three minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Spread out newspaper pages, an old tablecloth or a plastic tarp to protect your work area. Begin dipping the strips of magazine pages into the flour mixture one at a time. Remove excess paste with your fingers and spread the strip onto the balloon. Repeat, covering each balloon with a layer of paper strips. Allow the balloons to dry completely. Apply a total of three or four layers of paper to the balloon, letting them dry between layers.

Cover with another layer of paste. Decorate the eggs by covering them with the smaller squares of paper you originally tore. Once the balloons are completely dry and the paper is hardened, use a pin to pop the balloons.

Use shredded magazine pages to make Easter grass for your baskets and fill the baskets with your collection of eggs for a lovely, green Easter decoration.

Alternatively, you can use a larger oval shaped balloon to make an Easter egg piñata. Follow the instructions as directed. When the egg is completely dry and hardened, hook a length of wire --such as a straightened clothing hanger-- into the top of the egg so that you can hang the piñata. Cut out a hole near the top that is large enough to fill the egg with candy and toys. Once you have filled the piñata, cover the hole with glued-on pieces of torn magazine pages and enjoy.

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