Easter Egg & Chick

Skill Level: None required

Egg measures approximately 6" high; Chick measures approximately 10" tall.

MATERIALS:

EGG: Cotton "SOUTH MAID®", Art. D54: One 300-yard ball No. 465 Pastels or J. & P. COATS® "Knit-Cro-Sheen®", Art. A64: Two 150-yard balls No. 165 Pastels; CHICK: Cotton "SOUTH MAID®", Art. D54: One 350-yard ball No. 421 Goldenrod.

Additional Materials: Commercial fabric stiffener; 1 large balloon for egg and 1 medium balloon for chick; orange, yellow and pink felt; two 1/2" black pompoms; 3-4 yellow feathers; white dimensional paint; hot glue gun and sticks; scissors; large bowl; custard cup; chalk.

INSTRUCTIONS:

EGG-Balloon: Blow up large balloon to measure 31" around the height and 29" around the width; knot end securely. Tie the end of the pastels thread to the knot of the balloon and wrap thread around the balloon criss-crossing in all directions and using all of the thread. Secure thread end at the knot, leaving a length for hanging.

Stiffen: Hold wrapped balloon over a large bowl and pour stiffener over the balloon. Repeat until all threads are thoroughly saturated. Gently smooth away excess stiffener with hands. Hang balloon over bowl to catch drips; allow to dry completely, approximately 24-48 hours. Burst balloon with a sharp point and remove from the thread bubble.

Shape: Press wider end of balloon gently over inverted custard cup to form bottom of egg, allowing it to sit. Mark a random zigzag with chalk 5"-6" up from table and cut along this line (top of egg can be made into a basket, candy bowl or discarded).

CHICK: Blow up medium balloon to measure 28" around the height and 24" around the width. Wrap with goldenrod thread, stiffen, and shape bottom same as for egg; do not cut. Cut two 1 1/2" diameter circles from pink felt for cheeks and a 1 1/2" wide at the top x 1 1/2" long triangle from orange felt for beak; glue in place. Glue pompoms in place for eyes; add eye highlights with paint and allow dry. Glue feathers to top of head. Cut wings and feet from felt. Glue feet to bottom front of chick; glue wings to the sides so they will extend above the egg.

Designed by Barbara Swanson.