Get ready for your family Easter dinner and brighten your table with this fanciful take on placeholders: photo transfer eggshell topiaries. Instead of using written cards, gather copies of family photos and transfer them onto blown-out dyed eggs. You’ll need time to dry between steps but the cute – and personalized – outcome is well worth your crafting effort.

Your family photos should be printed onto plain paper – not “photo” paper – either on an inkjet or laser printer (color copies will also work). Using Photoshop or other photo editing software, crop the images to size first then copy and paste 1/2 inch apart onto a new U.S. Letter document to save paper. Be sure the prints are fully dry before proceeding with the photo transfer process.

After much experimentation with various transfer methods, Omni-Gel was the clear winner for the photo transfer medium onto the non-porous eggshell. It’s available online and at most craft stores (look for it where the varnish, Mod Podge and craft glues are displayed). 

The mini flower pots can be painted with really inexpensive acrylic craft paint. For this project, paint used was on sale at Michael’s for $.59 per 2 fluid ounce bottle. 

What you’ll need:

  • eggs at room temperature (extra large will give you more “canvas”)
  • craft knife
  • straightened out paper clip  
  • Paas Easter egg dye
  • small paint brush
  • Mod Podge Gloss-Lustré
  • mini terra cotta flower pots
  • acrylic artist paint in spring colors
  • 1 in. x 1 1/2 in. plain paper copies of family photos 
  • scissors
  • Omni-Gel
  • small bowl with water (for photo transfer step)
  • craft styrofoam block (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick)
  • moss
  • pipe cleaners, cut down to 4 inches length (you’ll need two per topiary)
  • glue gun and glue sticks
  • green floral stem wrap tape
  • polyester or satin ribbon, cut into 12 inch strips (you’ll need one per topiary)
  • decorative mini chicks or rabbits

Instructions:

  1. Use a craft knife to carefully make a small hole (about 1/16th of an inch) on top of the egg twisting the knife to “drill”. Repeat on the bottom of the egg but this time making the hole at least 1/8th of an inch. Stick the paper clip in the hole, poking the yolk to break. To make it easier to blow out, swirl the clip around the inside of the egg to scramble. Blow the egg out. Rinse well. 
  2. Prepare the dye according to instructions and dye eggshells. Allow to dry well.
  3. Paint mini pots. Allow to dry. To seal and add a bit of shine, brush on a coat of Mod Podge. Set aside and allow to dry. 
  4. Prepare photos for transfer following the “Use as Transfer Medium” instructions on the back of the Omni-Gel bottle. Set aside and allow to dry. 
  5. Paint the dyed eggshells with a coat of Mod Podge to seal dye. Cutoff a chunk of styrofoam and place toothpicks into it to use as a drying rack for the eggshells. Allow to dry fully.
  6. Using a craft knife, cut styrofoam down to fit inside the pots so it sits flush with the inside of the rim.
  7. Brush a thin coat of Omni-Gel onto an eggshell and immediately, but carefully, place a transfer down over it. Using your fingers, gently smooth the transfer into place making sure all edges are staying down. Allow to dry. Once dry, seal with a thin coat of Mod Podge and allow to dry again. Repeat until all eggshells have the photos transferred onto them.
  8. Stick two pipe cleaners in through the bottom hole of an eggshell, pushing them in gently until they reach the inside top. Using the glue gun, secure the pipe cleaners in place at the base of the eggshell. Allow to set.
  9. Cut a 10” strip of floral tape. Starting at the base of the eggshell, wrap the tape around the pipe cleaners by slowly twirling the eggshell while gently pulling and stretching the tape down the length of the pipe cleaners. Trim excess tape.
  10. Gently push the “stem” of the eggshell into the center of a styrofoam prepared pot. Tear off enough moss to cover the styrofoam around the stem. Using a glue gun, quickly, but carefully, place several beads of glue on the styrofoam and push the moss firmly down onto the glue.
  11. Place a bead of glue in the center of a strip of ribbon. Secure it to the back of the eggshell where it meets the stem. Gently tie a bow in front and trim ends to desired length.
  12. Finish by gluing or sticking a decorative baby chick into the moss.