Wednesday 1 April 2015

PAPIER-MACHE EASTER EGGS

Beautiful Easter shoot by Green Wedding Shoes.
See their work Here:

I like papier-mâché and used to have a collection of Easter egg boxes. I've no idea how or why I began to collect them, like so many things I have, they just happened. And then they just disappeared, probably during one of many moves in either a pre clear out, or a mislaid box. I used to give and receive them filled with chocolates, and tied with a ribbon. I don't miss them, but I wish I would have owned a camera and photographed them, and I hope that wherever that they are, they found a good home.


A charming Easter egg box

Papier-mâché boxes and eggs always remind me of both Easter and Alice in Wonderland.  Our cottage is adorned with several Alice vignettes. One of my Grandmothers was named Alice and I was given the name as one of mine too, after her.


Mad March Hare from Graham & Green Here: 
Alice cloth ornament from Alice's Shop in Oxford. Here:
Although the Easter egg boxes are gone, I have a small collection of hand painted papier-mâché boxes from Kashmir in which I keep pieces of jewellery on my dressing table.



This box is quite large and the lid is painted in
an exquisite pattern of  mille fleurs.
I keep another collection in it - Miracle jewellery.

This little papier-mâché rabbit came from a shop in one of the
fairy tale cottages in Carmel by the Sea, 20 years ago.
I love the cat shaped box, adorned with bright flowers.

As March ends you would expect Spring to be in full bloom, but it is not so here. I have seen no Deer in the woods, and few Hares, being mad or not. We have had very high winds (we do live on a hill) and rain with hail. It is a bitter biting wind as if the Snow Queen has grabbed hold of you with icy fingers and a sharp nail has pierced your skin.
 
Kelly McMorris, Snow Queen book cover,
for Stephen Player's Fantasy Illustration class
Published: February 02, 2013
Her website: Here:
 
This weekend is a Bank Holiday in England. The church school behind our cottage is very quiet without the children, and the cats have been playing in the wild woods of the church amongst the daffodils and primroses.  This time of year I like to wander in the gardens of English Country houses and ruined abbeys where you feel as if you may at any moment come upon a Mad Tea Party or you could have your own. Alas, I think that the Easter Bunny may even need to don a long tweed coat and a rain hat prior to bringing children their treats.
 
The Mad Tea Party Alice illustration by John Tenniel.
The March Hare is wearing straw in his ears, a sign of madness!
 
Even in this weather, and whatever that we believe,  this is a time for rejoicing in the life that is beginning all around us, and giving thanks for each day we are here to see it.
 
I think I will wrap up warm and venture out to see if I can find some March Hares and then curl up by the fire with a book and the cats. Oh, and chocolate. That diet will just have to wait for a few more weeks until the sun comes back.

 
I love this painting, but do not know who created it.
Please leave me a comment if you do!

38 comments:

  1. Oh Leanne, your header is SO MAGNIFICENT! As we have been having unusually warmer weather (we are in the midwest of the USA), today is windy, a little cooler, and your cottage life sounds snug and cozy to me! Our cottage is sweet and I just finished my décor today. I am happy with my Peter Rabbit theme!

    What lovely photos you share of the fun and anticipation of a new season. I am so glad I caught your new post! LOVE, Anita

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    1. Anita, It is wonderful to hear from you! I so miss reading your blog, but wait in anticipation of that book! Thank you for the kind comment re my header. I'd love to see some pictures of your Peter rabbit theme. Hopefully on pinterest. x

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  2. Such a beautifully illustrated post! Reading this was like a tiny holiday from the driving snow here in the prairies, where we are for EASTER. We're missing the blossoms of home but the four little grandchildren make up for it.
    I have a collection of paper mâché eggs, collected decades ago when we first lived in Europe. I love to take them out and arrange them in various bowls.

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    1. It's so great to hear from you! I cannot believe that you still had snow in the prairies (another of my favourite places by the way) at the beginning of April. Weather sure is changing. I envy you that you manged to keep ahold of your paper mâché eggs! They must look wonderful. x

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  3. I love that rabbit head. It's really whimsical! I'm glad it's warm here in Texas and I hope the warmth will reach you soon. I'm looking at your sidebar and I'm a new black cat owner. I just got my little Gigie in February. Glad to be part of the fan club! :) Happy Easter!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    1. Lovely to hear from you Caroline! and welcome to the 'black cat club'! I bet Gigie is adorable. x

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  4. That's something missing in my cat collection a paper maché cat ! I wished I could also go outside and walk around a little bit, but spring is on strike and Brussels sits in the rain !

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    1. Gattina, I hope that you have plenty of sun in Brussels by now and tnhat one day the right paper mâché cat will find it's way to your collection! x

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  5. Lovely tea party, with them enjoying it.

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    1. Thanks Bob, nothing I share though can match the brilliance of your wildlife photos. x

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  6. Hello LeeAnn,

    Papier mâché is such a curious material. One would think that it would be quite fragile but, in reality, it is robust and strong. We have a papier-mâché table which we inherited and, together with its complementary chair, it always attracts attention and disbelief in equal measure. It us difficult to think of something so decorative yet practical being made essentially from paper.

    Such a pity that you can no longer trace your papier mâché Easter eggs. We can well imagine them being beautiful containers for smaller eggs or chocolates. The perfect Eastertide gift. But, your boxes from Kashmir are delightful and beautifully decorated. Perfect for storing your tiny treasures.

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    1. Jane and lance, I agree it is funny just how robust that paper mâché is! x

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  7. Such lovely work! You are more patient than I would be.

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  8. Hello LeeAnn,
    What a lovely Easter post, I am now feeling very curious as to what your miracle jewellery is! We are having an Easter tea party, so wish us warmer weather on Sunday. Have a Happy Easter. Jane xx

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    1. I hope you got nice weather for Easter. The Miracle jewels will come out in view in the next post I think. x

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  9. Hello LeeAnn,

    Such a lovely post and how wonderful the paper mâché eggs and March Hare are - I too love Alice in Wonderland.
    Also adore your gorgeous header - the cottage with Mrs Black and cat are so cute.
    Happy Easter weekend
    Carolyn

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  10. I just saw you enjoy Narnia, we watched the movie last night.

    hugs
    Carolyn

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    1. Carolyn, thank you for both messages! I think bears and Alice go together - I always think of them in an enchanted childhood. Yes, I adore Narnia, I keep looking at the back of my old wardrobe, just in case! x

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  11. Dearest LeeAnn,
    Lovely post and quite surprising to read that you too have papier mâché boxes from Kashmir. My husband has been there and I have imported for a couple of years, before the trouble of all those killings..., for my business. Oh, how often I wish we had good cameras back than for capturing certain beautiful pieces but we can only vaguely remember them. I bet you did have a beautiful collection of Easter Eggs and those I do love very much. There is so much import from China but it lacks the charm that we remember from years past.
    Lovely reading and I'm wishing you and yours a very Happy Easter!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Mariette, I know just what youo mean a bout the cameras, I have many regrets that the 60s and 70s flew by inall their colour and beauty and I had no camera! I hope you enjoyed Easter too. x

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  12. Hi LeeAnn,

    What a beautiul Easter wedding shoot! Such sparkling colours and sweet looking rabbit. Love your new header. It suits your blog!

    Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!

    Madelief x

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    1. Madelief, Thank you! The header is based upon an old fairy tale illustration from a book from my childhood which I loved. x

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  13. Paper mache boxes, very pretty and bunnies too - I don't usually have ornaments but would make an exception for your lucky white rabbit. I think your header is magical, perfect for your blog.

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    1. Betty, Thank you for the kind comment re the header for the blog. It has taken us a few years to find what was right for us, glad that you like it. I have far too many ornaments but I do pass on a lot through our shop. x

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  14. Gorgeous post , I love your collection of Bunnies and your pictures what a lovely treat xxx
    Hugs Lynn xxx

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  15. So many beautiful things! Thank you for sharing!

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  16. Everything on this post is sweet and spring-y and gorgeous!

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  17. Fabulous collection of Bunnies, thanks LeeAnn.

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  18. I have one of those papier mache eggs - I wonder if you can still buy them. I think it was given to me years ago.

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    1. Oh - I am envious! I have seen a few available but not as they once were. Hang on to yours! x

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  19. Leeanne, this is so strange; your post just came up on my blogroll today, April 29....but this is from April 1! I wonder why I'm just barely getting it! Delightful, however! I hope you are having a grand April and now we're ready for MAY!!!

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    1. Hello! Thank you so much for leaving me a comment. Ha ha! I feel that the Spring pixies are afoot here .... I hope the book is coming along nicely for you. x

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  20. The painting is by Lionel Percy Smythe.

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