LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A total copycat? Not "eggs"actly.



When I received this issue of Country Living last spring, I knew I would be
using the gorgeous cover photo as inspiration
somehow the following year.

Everything about that image appealed to me—
the earthiness of the dyed eggs, the soft white elements,
the serenely sophisticated style.

a few months ago, I decided to pull this magazine
 back out and plan my strategy.

As I began collecting the various pieces needed to
re-create the Country Living vignette, I found I was lacking
two things—the proper dish to hold the eggs and
a bird figurine that I didn't mind painting.


A visit to one of my favorite flea markets proved to be quite productive.
I found this pretty ceramic piece and the cute little vintage,
 plastic birds for a mere buck each.

The colors were not what I wanted, but the styles were
  "eggs"actly what I had in mind.   ; )


With a tiny repair, to replace the missing beak of one of the birds, and a good coat
of my favorite white spray paint—KRYLON's Fusion in
 Dover White—both flea-market finds were ready to be put into service.


Next, I selected four silver-plated forks from my stash of mismatched goods
and four white English ironstone dessert plates.


I thought these vintage Boopie glasses—pieces inherited from
my grandmother—would make a nice addition.


The pretty cross-stitched linens were another fabulous deal
I found them at an estate sale a few years ago...
 for a grand total of twenty-five cents!


None of the walls in the cottage are blue, so I had to come up with something else
that I felt would be the perfect backdrop for my spring vignette.

And you know where I go when I need that "perfect something"!
Yep, you guessed it...the barn.

That's where this fantastic, old, chippy-paint door has been
stored—amid all the other wonderful architectural pieces
awaiting their day in the sun.


Once I had gathered the flowers and leaves from around the farm
and concocted the homemade dyes, it was time to get down to creating
 the part of this vignette that makes it so impressive. 

Of course, the beautiful, dyed eggs are really the showstopper here!


Since my tulips have not bloomed yet, I had to make a quick stop
at the local supermarket—meaning forty minutes away for me—
to find these lovely, white beauties.


I'm actually quite pleased with the end result of this copycat challenge.


And I learned a lot about making my own natural dyes...
as well as, the best ways to use the materials from nature
to embellish the eggs being dyed.


I also discovered a number of things NOT to do!


My eggs are certainly not perfect.

But for my very first attempt, I think they're terrific.


I wonder how many eggs the folks at Country Living
had to prepare to come up with the flawless masterpieces
that graced that magazine cover?   ; )


If you would like to know how to create pretty spring eggs like these, 
be sure to stop back by in a few days.  I would love to share some special tips that will make
your experience a little less "trial and error" than mine was.   ; )


Linking to:
Debbiedoo's Copycat Party


Tammy's Anything Goes
Kathleen's White Wednesday
The Style Sisters' Centerpiece Wednesdays
Patti and Paula's What's It Wednesday
Jill's Voila Party
Shannon and Dean's Diy Link Party
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays

47 comments:

  1. This turned out beautifully, Liz! You even got the colors of the eggs down! I love it all and the eggs are definitely the centerpiece of this vignette.

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  2. WOW WOW WOW...knock knock, I think I hear Country living knocking. I LOVE your copy cat, it is gorgeous. So glad you joined in. Sorry it was later...please go visit some of the other gals so they get over here too to see what an amazing job you did. Thank you so much for joining me.

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  3. wow they look just like the magazine...what a beautiful job on those colors and design...

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  4. Looks amazing.Love those eggs.And that store is the perfect back drop.I would love that one in my home.

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  5. Looks wonderful ! Awesome job ! Have a good day !

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  6. Great issue !!! I have that one too!!! The eggs are amazing you did a fantastic job!!!Wish I had the patience for a project like that!!!I invite to visit my blog as well...Blessings Lori

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  7. That is drop dead gorgeous, I think its perfection.

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  8. WOW! Beautiful job! I loved that magazine cover. It was fun to see you replicate it so perfectly.

    Judy

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  9. Beautiful! I get that magazine too and I agree the cover was so well done. You did a great job!

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  10. Liz the whole thing is a winner. You did a wonderful job!!

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  11. Thats Amazing! Beautiful!

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  12. I don't see any flaws in your eggs, I think 'ya nailed theirs great! But don't nail them something inside might come out. Or did you blow them out?

    ~Bliss~

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  13. this is fabulous! great job! Thanks for linking up to centerpiece Wednesday and sharing this idea.
    Karin

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  14. You did such a beautiful job with your version of the vignette...I like it better. Love that chippy door and your eggs are so pretty. Great job Liz!!

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  15. Those eggs are STUNNING! I'll be watching for your how-to post, but doubt I'll have the patience. I think I'll be using my footed bowl with the beaded eggs a friend makes and has given me for Christmas every year for the past 8 years.
    Your bird statuette is also fabulous - much nicer than the magazine's, I must say!
    You're now on my frequent blog list (I don't have one of my own but read dozens every day).
    Bravo to you!!!

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  16. Awesome Job!They are beautiful and how great to find almost matching birds.I myself loved those eggs~Cheers Kim

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  17. Great Job !!!! even your Ironstone plates and Napkins look like a perfect duplication.

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  18. Oh!!!! Your eggs are so beautiful in such pretty hues. I have to say you did a great job stagingthis vignette and your photos are wonderful. I really enjoyed browsing:-)

    PS: I think this turned out better than the magazine!

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  19. Beautiful vignette!
    ... awesome copycat :)

    Greetings from Australia♥

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  20. You nailed it !!! I had to keep looking back at the magazine as your eggs were such a great match ... even better. Great job.
    Audrey Z @ Timeless Treasures.

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  21. What a grand copy cat! Lovely. Thanx for sharing. Tiffany

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  22. You're hired!!! That is just fabulous...I love everything about it and the eggs are beautiful. Country Living needs to hire you!!!

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  23. Gorgeous vignette....the eggs are just beautiful!!!
    Fabulous copycat!!!
    ~Des

    PS. I am now following you on Google....hope you will
    follow me back :o)

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  24. Are you kidding? Your eggs are definitely divine!!!! Love the way you repainted flea market pieces! So sweet!

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  25. Your eggs are breathtaking...Blessings, Becky

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  26. Wow, so impressive! You really did a great job and the eggs are terrific!
    Karee

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  27. I'll be back later for TTT..:)

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  28. Wow, that was spot on perfect! Your eggs are gorgeous! I can't wait to see how your did the eggs!

    Carol

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  29. Your copycat is absolutely gorgeous, and your eggs are so lovely.

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  30. Your patience and perseverance paid off because you did a fabulous job on this re-creation!

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  31. Those are the most beautiful decorated eggs I have EVER seen! Wow, Liz! Beautiful.

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  32. Wow, you did amazing! I think that I like your "imperfect" eggs even better. Wonderful job!

    Blessings, Grace

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  33. Wow, you did amazing! I think that I like your "imperfect" eggs even better. Wonderful job!

    Blessings, Grace

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  34. Those eggs are amazingly beautiful--thanks for sharing.

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  35. A perfect copycat, ... no, even better!!!
    You did great! Thanks for linking.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  36. its always so soothing looking at beautful pictures~

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  37. Oh My! This is amazing -- you did a fabulous copy.

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  38. Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a copy as good as this! Amazing!!! Can't wait to hear about dying the eggs.

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  39. Beautiful! I think yours might be a little prettier than the Country Living version. :D

    Sami

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  40. My goodness this is just stunning ! I am in awe : )

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Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to comment.