This weaving could just as easily be done with construction paper or even recycled old art work. But bright spring colors, a few simple watercolor techniques, and freshly painted Easter egg shapes make this paper weaving project really shine!

Drawing Easter eggs…

Okay, we’re not painting real Easter eggs here but drawing and painting Easter egg shapes on paper. These egg shapes can be any size, or a variety of sizes, even better. This watercolor technique requires plenty of water so it will work best on watercolor paper or even card stock.

Start by sketching the egg shape in pencil. Remember, eggs aren’t perfect ovals. One end tends to be heavier and a bit flatter. Sketch lightly!

Painting Easter eggs…

You’ll be using two different watercolor techniques here; one to create the dappled, dotted look of the egg itself and one for creating the textured look of the woven strips. Let’s start with the egg. The technique you’ll be using here is called wet on wet watercolor. That means before adding any color at all you’ll paint the entire egg shape with plain water. Then when you add abrish full of color to your Easter egg shape the color will bloom and spread in a totally wonderful way. The wet on wet watercolor technique produces a lighter value of color just because there is more water on the page and less paint. It’s a perfect recipe for pastel, Easter egg-y colors!

When you’re done painting but the paper is still wet take a few pinches of Kosher salt, the course stuff, and sprinkle it into the wettest areas of paint. Now you’re done. Don’t touch it till it’s dry. Brush the dry salt off and revel little areas of “crystallization” where the salt absorbed the paint. This technique is perfect for making a speckled egg effect.

If your kiddos enjoy these watercolor effects check out this post for nine watercolor techniques perfect for kids to try!

Creating texture with watercolors…

The paper strips used for this weaving could be made from anything; old art work, magazine pages, or plain construction paper. But the technique we used to create the textured strips for weaving is just as simple and just as fun as the wet on wet technique and produces really unique results. Choose any colors you like using lots of color and lots of water. After painting a small section lay a bit of plastic cling wrap down right in the paint and keep on painting surrounding areas. Leave the cling wrap till the paint is dry and the paint will pool around anywhere the plastic touches the paper resulting in a super interesting texture. Remove when dry and save the cling wrap for your next art project!

When your textured watercolor painting is dry chop it into strips about 1/2 inch wide. I purchased this lightweight little paper cutter for jobs just like this one! It doesn’t have the old fashioned “guillotine” blade so my kids can safely use it- which they love!

Preparing your painted Easter egg for weaving…

Cut your Easter egg out and turn the painting over. Use pencil to mark a section in the middle in which you will be weaving. It doesn’t take a ton of room to look nice but you do want enough space to weave at least four or so strips. Make two horizontal lines there. Then mark vertical line between those horizontal lines. These will be the lines that actually get cut. (The horizontal lines just mark the beginning and end of the cuts.) We used an x-acto knife but if your kids are too young for that fold your Easter egg painting in half and use scissors to cut those lines!

Beginning to weave…

Because the two papers being used are so beautiful and interesting it only takes a few strips of weaving for these painted Easter eggs to be real show stoppers. If you painted on cardstock the weaving process will be a tad bit easier as well. As your child establishes that under over pattern the thickness of tag board allows your child to both push and pull the paper strip.

Weaving is a skill that can be tricky to learn at first. If your child has never down a weaving of any kind check out this post for a fifteen minute intro to weaving project that will get your kiddo started on the right foot. Consider this a trial run that will ease the frustration of all future weaving projects. Once they get “it” they really get it!

Finishing your painted Easter egg weaving…

How you display these is totally up to you. One egg mounted on paper- beautiful. A variety of sizes together- beautiful.

I love the leaving the uneven edges of the woven strips hanging out. For some reason, I think it’s charming. If your child likes a more finished look cut those strips off and secure ends with a dot of glue. No matter how you choose to finish these their charm will shine through- they’re too cute not to!

More spring creativity….

If you’re craving more spring related creative fun check out these posts.

Use these seven free pages of sketchbook prompts that celebrate spring coming our way!

Try three different ways of decorating Easter eggs using washable markers!

These little woven paper baskets are another great way to emphasize weaving skills and are perfect for a few Easter treats!

These stand up Easter egg templates are free to print and a great place to practice patterning.

Three blank templates for Easter egg holders allow your kiddos to add their own details to a bunny, a chick, and a flower to hold their own Easter eggs.