Create Custom Paper-Wrapped Easter Egg Boxes

Whether filled with tiny treats or displayed en masse in a basket, German papier mache eggs are one of our all-time Easter favorites. Let's create our own by covering plain German paper egg boxes with fancy Italian papers and a finishing of pretty Dresden trim. With our template and a little patience, it's possible to make a truly unique set of eggs to use year after year. Completed egg boxes measure about 4-1/2" x 3" x 3".

Supplies:

Egg Boxes

Fancy Papers (1 sheet covers 1 egg if centering specific design elements. 1 sheet covers 2 eggs if using small pattern papers with no specific design placement)

Dresden Borders DFW44 or DFW32

Mod Podge (Matte finish)

Clear-drying Craft Glue (like Aleene's Tacky Glue)

Scissors (long blade and detail)

Small Flat Paint Brush

Scotch Tape

Aluminum Foil to work over

Computer, Printer and Printer Paper

Template: Click here to download a free pdf of our Paper-Wrapped Egg Box Template. (Print at "Actual Size.")

Step 1: Print out template, determine design placement and print template onto back of decorative paper.

To cover 1 egg box requires 2 sections of paper, one for each egg half.

Print out the template. Be sure to print at "Actual Size." The template measures 7" tall x just under 5-5/8" wide.

Hold the template and paper up to light to determine design placement. Cut out the desired section of design in a rectangle shape (measuring about 8" tall x 6-1/2" wide).

Place the paper with the design face down in the desired position and use Scotch tape to tape along the entire leading edge.

Pass paper through printer again in order to print the template on the back of the decorative paper. Be sure to print at "Actual Size" again to ensure the printing on the decorative paper matches with the first printing.

If you're concerned about printing incorrectly, try the above steps first with a blank piece of paper as a test run to feel comfortable with the printer settings and procedure.

Repeat above steps to create 2 sections of decorative paper printed with the template on the back.

For both pieces, cut out the egg shape along the outermost cut line. We prefer long blade scissors for cutting the outline.

Next use small blade scissors to cut along the radial lines. Small and sharp paper scissors work best here to avoid any tearing of the paper.

Step 2: Test fit paper to top of egg box.

Gather one paper piece and the half of the egg that does not have the inner liner band. Set aside other paper piece and other half of the egg -- we'll work on those later.

At the fold lines, fold back the paper strips labeled 1, 2 and 3. Test fit the paper over the egg by centering the paper. Get an idea for how the strips lay along the contour of the egg and overlap each other by pressing some of the strips against the egg.

Step 3: Glue paper to egg at center and begin glueing strips labeled 1.

Hold paper in place with strips labeled 1, 2, and 3 hooked along edge of egg. Un-hook strips along one side of the egg to allow for a light amount of Mod Podge to be brushed on the top of the egg in the area where the center uncut area of the paper will adhere. Press gently to adhere paper to egg. Un-hook strips.

Keeping glue on just the back of the paper, brush a small amount of Mod Podge on one of the strips labeled 1 up to the fold line. (There are two strips on each side labeled 1. You can choose either "1" to begin with.)

Working from center to edge, smooth strip against egg contour leaving end free.

Working on same side, apply Mod Podge to 2nd strip labeled 1. Smooth strip against the egg in the same manner. The 2nd strip will overlap the 1st slightly.

Step 4: On opposite side of egg, glue strips labeled 1.

Working on the opposite side of the egg, glue the strips labeled 1 in the same manner. The decorative paper is now securely placed on the egg.

Step 5: Continue glueing strips.

Working toward the top of the egg, continue glueing, smoothing and overlapping strips until reaching the strips labeled 2.

Repeat on the opposite side until reaching the strips labeled 2.

Step 6: Glue, smooth and overlap strips labeled 2.

Glue down strips labeled 2. Depending on your strip glueing thus far, one of the strips labeled 2 will seem like the "top" strip.

Step 7: Glue remaining strips up to the strips labeled 3.

We've now developed out technique of glue, smooth, overlap and apply it to both sides as we work up to the strips labeled 3.

Step 8: Glue strips labeled 3.

Just as we previously glued the strips labeled 2, glue, smooth and overlap the strips labeled 3.

Step 9: Begin glueing strip ends to inside of egg.

Apply glue to the first strip labeled 1 we worked with earlier. This will be the strip that does not overlap any other strips but is overlapped itself on both sides. Closely fold the strip end around the edge of the egg and adhere it to the inside.

Working again toward the strips labeled 2, continue glueing and overlapping the pieces. Take care to maintain a tight edge along the edge of the egg.

Repeat glueing and overlapping on the opposite side.

Step 10: Glue and overlap strips labeled 2 then repeat technique for rest of egg.

Glue down the strips labeled 2. Repeat the technique, working down each side to the strips labeled 3. Glue down the strips labeled 3.

Inside glueing is complete and the first half of the egg is done!

Step 11: Glue decorative paper to second half of egg.

Now we will work on the second half of the egg. Because this half has a liner, we use the centermost line on the template for alignment.

Apply glue to the center of the decorative paper. Center the egg and adhere it to the paper.

Step 12: Glue and smooth strips labeled 1. Then glue strips up to strips labeled 2.

Using the same technique as before, apply glue up to the fold line, then smooth and overlap the strips labeled 1 on each side of the egg. On this egg half, glue the strips up to the egg's edge and leave the strip ends free.

Continue applying strips and work toward the strips labeled 2, just like before.

Step 13: Glue and overlap strips labeled 2

Glue down strips labeled 2. Once again, one of the strips labeled 2 will seem like the "top" strip.

Step 14: Repeat technique to glue remaining strips.

Use the same technique as before the glue the remaining strips up to the strips labeled 3. The glue down the strips labeled 3.

Step 15: Contour each strip along the egg's edge to form a fitted ridge..

Use your fingernail to contour each strip along the edge of the egg. By pressing the paper along the edge, we create a fitted ridge.

Step 16: Trim ends of strips.

Use detail scissors to trim each strip end to about 3/8".

Step 17: Adhere strip ends to liner closely along edge ridge contour

Apply a small amount of Mod Podge under the first strip labeled 1 (as before, this is the strip that does not overlap any other strips but is overlapped itself).

Working one by one, apply glue under each strip end and adhere them closely along the edge ridge contour. Ideally, a very tight and angled ridge will be maintained all the way around.

Step 18: Apply a Dresden border along the egg's liner.

To cover up our strip ends, cut a length of Dresden border measuring about 12-3/8".

Apply clear-drying craft glue to the back of the strip. Smooth glue with a q-tip or finger to ensure all-over coverage.

Begin border placement at the split in the egg's liner. Glue trim in place at least 1/8" below the edge of the liner and covering the cut paper ends. Take care to apply the border smoothly. A smooth border plus leaving 1/8" of the liner free allows the egg box to open and close more easily.

Step 19: Trim away excess Dresden border.

To finish this egg half, trim away any excess Dresden border to avoid any bulky overlap. Let trim dry completely then enjoy your creation!

A Word About Choosing Papers and Dresdens:

Dresdens:

Elevate your eggs by matching Dresden trims to elements in the papers. Many Italian papers have golden highlights that look especially elegant when paired with Gold or Antique Gold borders. Alternatively, choose a colorful border to coordinate with an overall color theme or a particularly colorful element in the paper.

Papers:

With hundreds of paper choices, the sky really is the limit when it comes to customizing your eggs. If you need a little inspiration, consider one of the patterns we chose as detailed below. We created 9 different styles that all mix well and kept our palette mostly light and bright. Links are provided for each paper.

For the Birds: Paper IPT808

Flowers Forever: Papers IPF006 and IPF005

Go for Bold: Papers IPT323-GR and IPR322-GR

Fabulous Florentines: Papers IPF020 and IPR237

Speckled Spectacles: Papers IPF059 and IPF042

Tips and Notes:

-- When applying Mod Podge to paper strips, use a light hand and work with the Matte formula. We want to keep our glue work neat and keep it contained to the back of the paper. Any Mod Podge that makes it's way to the decorative side of the paper can be quickly dabbed up with a swipe of the finger. We don't seal the surface of the eggs in this project, so tight glue work is important.

-- When smoothing strips along the contour of the egg, be mindful of where the paper naturally wants to lay. Press and smooth the strips out from the center and notice how each strip will want to follow a certain line. Each strip will overlap the next slightly differently. Some overlap more, and some less -- as is the nature of an asymmetrical shape like an egg.

-- When working on steps that involve the egg liner, take care to keep work tight against the liner and egg edge. The egg box opens and closes thanks to this liner and bulking it up will make opening and closing more difficult. If you do have difficulty opening and closing the egg, give it a chance and ease the halves together. Repeated gentle use will make this easier.

-- As mentioned before, if you're intimidated by printing the template onto the back of the decorative paper, do a test run with blank paper to get your settings dialed in. If you're using a paper design that does not have a distinct pattern and you're not concerned with centering any elements (like a speckled style or a small and all-over Florentine) you can cut an 8-1/2" x 11" piece right out of the paper and send it through your printer.

-- As always, have fun!

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