NEMO FROM A PLASTIC EASTER EGG

I made this for as part Eggcellent Upcycling competition that starts May 1st at Craftster where you make something creative out of plastic Easter Eggs. I tried to take pictures as a I went for a how-to, but as I basically figured it out and tweaked it as I went along, there are some instructions without pictures. He can be used soley for decoration and possibly play for older children over 3 as the 9001 craft glue is pretty sturdy (if you were going to make for children under 3, I would recommend painting the eyes on to avoid a choking hazard). The egg still opens up, so you could place something inside him and use him as a party favor or even a make and take project at a Nemo themed birthday party, or to hold a special treat; for now, mine is perched on the lid off of laundry soap and holding jewelry findings.

Items used:

• 1 large orange plastic easter egg
• 1 square each black and orange felt
• 2 large googly eyes
• 9001 Craft Glue
• Scissors
• Black fabric paint
• White acrylic or fabric paint
• Red fabric paint (for the lips)
• Glitter fabric paint (to paint the lines on the fins)
• Popsicle stick (optional)

Cut out 2 of each of the following from the square of orange felt

- Small under developed side fin - Regular side fin - Tail - Top fin (not pictured in top picture) Paint lines on each of the fins with the glitter fabric paint and allow them to dry. Lay one each of the fins on the edge of the black fabric and cut around about 1/4 inch from the edge on each. Put glue on the top edge of one of each of the fins Put the glued fin edge on the black piece of felt allowing 1/4 inch to peek over the top. Apply glue to the rest of the fin excep for 1/4 inch at the bottom of each and glue the side together Bend the unglued edges away from each other Apply glue to the bent edge on each fin and glue the fin to the bottom half of the egg. On the top half of the egg, apply black fabric paint around the egde and allow it to dry. Then take white paint and apply it directly above where the black paint was applied as indicated below. I didn't have any white fabric paint, only acrylic paint, so I put a dap on a piece of cardboard and used at popsicle stick to apply a line of white.

After the layer of white paint is dry, paint a line of black next to the edge.

Repeat the black, white, black painting sequence on the bottom of the egg near where the tail is attached.

Next place a dab of glue on each googly eye, then apply it to the top of the egg

Draw lips on the top of the egg down about 1/2 in and centered between the eyes and allow to dry, then outline with black (the red blends into the orange to much unless you ouline the lips with black).