Have you seen those cute little burlap carrots being sold with the Easter décor in the craft stores right now? You know what I am talking about right? I would show you a picture but I can’t because even as precious as they are, I just couldn’t bring myself to pony up 5 dollars on two fake vegetables. Oh, but I tried.
More than once I put them in my cart and gave them a buggy ride around the store. But ultimately in the end, the cost of what I really needed began to add up and the carrots got cut from the shopping list.
Now don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to pass myself off as a sensible person by any means.
It’s just that, I have a problem buying things that I’m pretty sure I can make on my own. Some of you know what I’m talking about.
It’s the DIY gene of insanity some of us are infected with.
So this week instead of the drapes I should be sewing for my blank windows, I’m thinking about cute Easter décor carrots.
Sorry neighbors, the show must go on for one more week. haha. Anyway, I got a little carried away making burlap carrots, painted carrots, napkin rings, a whimsical center piece, and door wreath.
I was basically having fun exploring lots of ideas and one thing led to the other. My favorite was the napkin rings so I will go through the steps to create that for you today.
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Let’s Start with The Basic Carrot Shape
Supplies
- Foam insulation board
- Acrylic paint
- Wire
- Utility knife
I often use foam insulation board instead of Styrofoam. Foam insulation board can be purchased at your local home improvement store for a fraction of the cost of the Styrofoam you get from the craft store.
At the Home Depot by me you can buy it in small 2×2 project sizes.
I drew on the foam sheet a basic carrot shape and then cut it out with a utility knife.
Then I used the knife to trim down the corner edges till the carrot was roughly a rounded carrot shape.
It makes a small mess so if you are sitting on your couch and watching TV at the same time you may want to keep a bucket and vacuum handy.
I am not saying that is what I did; I am just saying if someone were to carve carrots in their family room while watching reality TV those items would help.
Of course I only work in the most appropriate of places (Honey)
.
After I had it close to the final shape, I used some sand paper to smooth it a little. It doesn’t take much. Don’t forget to round the top a little.
There you have it: a carrot shape. At this point you can paint them or wrap them in burlap or Paint them.
I experimented with lots of sizes and cut some tiny ones to make into napkin rings and some giant ones to make into a door hanging.
Now the Easter Napkin Ring
For these I skipped the burlap because the carrots came out cute just by painting them. I started by painting my carrots orange first then I went back and used a knife to make indented lines into the foam. This was to help give it some carrot texture.
After I added some texture, I added some yellow and white paint. I mostly added white with just a smidge of yellow. I used more orange paint to blend it together. Brushing the paint in horizontal strokes works well. Sometimes I used a small brush to make some small line strokes but it really didn’t add that much. You don’t need to get detailed, it is going to look like a carrot regardless once you add a green top. I set the carrot on a wire into more of the foam insulation. It helped to set up the carrots to dry. After they were painted, I brushed on some water based poly. Again, probably not necessary but I had it on hand so I used it.
Don’t laugh at my big giant carrot. It has a purpose.
The kids said to me this week, “It’s not that we mind this whole blog thing, but why couldn’t it be a food blog? At least then we would have something to eat!” This said from my second son as his hand is firmly shoved down a bag of Doritos.
YEP, he went there!
That’s ok kid, I can make food. Would you like some carrots?
Napkin Ring Construction
Next I took 3 of the small carrots and hot glued them together.
Keep in mind that hot glue melts Styrofoam and foam insulation so use it sparingly.
Loop some green tulle and fix it with hot glue. I did the same with the sheer green ribbon. Now glue the tulle and ribbon to the top of the carrots.
Glued a long piece of ribbon to the back of the carrots.
At this point, all that is left to do is to place it on your napkin and wrap the ribbon around the back and back around. I secured it with a bow on the front. Easy breezy.
Tuck in your silverware and its ready for your table.
What do you think?
Happy Creating!
Incase you want to know, the bunny plates I picked up this year at Marshall’s. The best part is they are melamine so the are very light weight and will be easy to store in the off season.
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I feel like a bunny, smiling my face off cause those carrots are so irresistible! I love the insulation foam idea, stro is a mess, rough and expensive! It cuts horribly to boot! Going to try this out for sure….around a wreath on my door. I love to decorate for Easter as I adore bunnies. My ex started it of by buying me a large porcelain bunny which I named Mike Gilhouly. No idea why! Lol.
These are seriously cute! I will feature these tomorrow at Home Sweet Home!
Thank you so much Sherry!
Very cute. What is the big carrot for? Door decor perhaps
Aww, those napkin rings are so cute! I’m super excited for Spring and Easter this year. Thanks for sharing your ideas with the Wednesday Showcase!
Good Morning!! I wanted to let you know that your post has been selected as a Feature for the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Party! Stop by this morning to see your post linked up and grab your Featured Button too! 🙂
Thank you so much!!!
These are so cute, and I love your bunny plate! I love everything with bunnies!
Jenny your carrots are so clever and creative! They truly make the tablescape. I would love for you to share this gem on Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
Those turned out way cute!
So clever and they look like the real thing!
This is such a cute idea! You are very clever to have thought of this!
Wow, how adorable and creative! Pinning!!
Thank you so much Pinky
Fantastic! Very creative and they look great. I also love the idea that you can make these whatever size you want or need for your projects!
Thank You Chloe 🙂
These are just too clever and cute! Love your table setting! Visiting from Something to Talk About
Thank you some much for stopping over Amy. I’m glad you like them.
Absolutely charming! How fun all those carrots look drying on their wires. And my son would’ve said the same thing, with his hand in a bag of doritos as well!
I’m very curious to see what you are going to do with the big carrot! When are you going to share that with us?
Your Easter table looks lovely…what a score those little bunny plates were. I love Marshalls!
Wishing you a fantastic Monday…Lynn
Hi Lynn! Thanks for the mother of boys understanding 😉 It’s hard to keep them out of blog stories when they daily give me so much material. lol
You are not the only to ask about the monster carrots. I have to admit that I am laughing to myself because I didn’t think anyone would really notice to those. I am going to put them on the blog this week. Thank you for the comment love and wishing a great day too
Oh your willpower paid off wonderfully! My hubby actually bought me some of those (MORE than $5) carrots as a gift so I know how great they are to have BUT…to have the creativity and DIY skills that you do obviously resulted in so many more fabulous carrots and a variety of nicer décor items! Loved seeing this and have pinned!
That is so sweet of your husband! He sounds awesome and congratulations on scoring those crazy cute carrots!
But, you give me too much credit on the will power. My name and will power are not often used together in a sentence. Sadly, I have a basement full of nonsense to prove it. lol I think on that day it was just a case of being out of cash and I was forced to go home and use what I had on hand.
Thank you for your kind words and the pin. Have wonderful day-Jenny
The carrots are just darling and they add such a whimsical touch to your table.
You are so sweet Kitty. Thank you
Very clever! I am a carrot nut, I just love to use them for Easter and spring, what a great idea!
That is so funny. I have never heard anyone say they are a carrot nut 🙂 I am glad you liked them. Thanks for the love!
I just love this! Very creative!!
Thank you so much!
Thanks! Now I can add styrofoam shavings to the drywall dust that is covering my house. I seriously need to make some of these though!
haha. I am glad to help 🙂 I was just talking to another DIYer and decided I needed to start a Facebook group for us DIY/crafter chicks and call it “So what do you do to trash your house this weekend?” lol
Have wonderful week. 🙂
I am loving your table and those adorable napkin rings!! They’re too flipping cute!
Thank you so much Christine for popping over. I’m glad you like them.
I hope you have a wonderful week- Jenny
These are absolutely awesome. Very creative idea.
Thank you so much Catherine!
Jenny, These are soooo adorable! Love the way you made them, they really turned out great. Appreciate you sharing your project with us for Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinned and tweeted to share! Have a great week.
~Laurie
Hi Laurie, I hope you are having a fabulous week! 🙂 Thank you for the comment love.
Very clever and realistic…..love it.
Thank you Ruth. I hope you have a wonderful week. -Jenny
Jenny, these carrots are absolutely so charming and delightful…a perfect touch for an Easter table setting! I love everything about this project!
Hey there friend! thank you Michelle ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Jenny, this is the cutest napkin ring ever. So creative. I bet your boys think you are the coolet mom. Thanks for sharing on Your Inspired Design Link Party #25.
Thanks Carol. ♥ I don’t know if my boys really think I am the coolest mom ever. I am sure if you asked them, you would get a different answer even though I do like to tell them I am (often). Their response is somewhere in-between eye rolls and all out laughter. One day they will see the light! lol
Hi I just popped over from the party and these are just adorable and so creative 🙂 Pinning!
Thanks so much Dawn!
These turned out really nice, the effort you put into replicating a carrot’s look is impressive!
Thanks Jenn. It really wasn’t that hard since carrots are sort of simple and naturally irregular in shape. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I really do appreciate it ♥
I love your creativity! I think the table looks marvelous set with these little carrots and bunny plates! So cute and clever. You have to come link these up at Welcome Home Wednesdays. Party is open!
Thank you Erin. Funny you stopped by because I had just recently discovered your blog and you were already on my list of places to go back to! 😉
Love this place setting!! Too cute! The carrots you made are awesome; they look so real!! They look especially sweet paired with the bunny plate!! This is definitely going on my future projects list!
These are seriously adorable and I am so impressed with your creativity!
Shelley
awww thank you Shelley. You are so sweet.