STYROFOAM brand foam crafts

Spring Thyme Rabbit

Rich color and unique textures add genuine folk art appeal to this springtime lady. Simply apply instant papier mâché over foam shapes to get the look.
   Completion Time - 
2-4 hours
   Designer - 
Rebekah Meier

Materials

STYROFOAM Brand Foam
  • Egg, 3"
  • Cone, 6" x 3"
Other Materials
  • Acrylic paints: ivory; pink; antique gold;
  • fleshtone; brown; rose; dk. orange (persimmon)
  • Brown antiquing gel
  • Artist's gesso
  • Satin-finish spray varnish
  • Instant papier mâché, white
  • Woolfelt, ivory, 1/4 yd.
  • Lace trim, ivory, 1/4" x 1/4 yd.
  • Button, ivory, 1/4"
  • Pearl bead, ivory, 4mm
  • Animal eyes, 8mm, two
  • Tiny silk floral sprig
  • Floral wire, 18-gauge, 6" length
  • Pink chalk or powdered blush

Tools

  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Round toothpicks, four
  • Craft stick
  • Paintbrushes: wide flat; small flat; small round;
  • liner; small stencil
  • Disposable palette
  • Disposable bowl and spoon
  • Water basin
  • Paper towels
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters
  • Sewing needle and ivory button thread
  • Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
  • Thick, white craft glue
  • Optional: Sewing machine and ivory thread

Instructions

  • 1. Using photo as guide, insert two toothpicks close togetherinto lower side of wide end of foam egg so head will rest at aslight angle on top of foam cone; adjust placement as needed.Glue and insert opposite toothpick ends into top of cone. Useglue gun to apply thin bead of glue where egg meets cone foradded strength; let dry completely.
  • 2. Shape facial features. For eye sockets, use thumbs to makeslight depressions on both sides of head near narrow end ofegg. Use pencil to indent Y-shaped nose and mouth lines as shown.
  • 3. Follow manufacturer's instructions to mix 1/2 pound papiermâché in disposable bowl. Apply thin layer of mixture torabbit's head and body, retaining facial features. Repeat asneeded for good coverage of foam. Use thumb and finger toshape ruffled edge around body base, pushing up slightly on papier mâché.
  • 4. Press two nickel-sized balls of papier mâché into 1/2" x2" ears, shaping as shown in photo. Insert one toothpick intobottom edge of each ear, leaving 1/2" of toothpick exposed.Insert opposite toothpick ends into top of head. Add a smallamount of papier mâché around base of each ear to bond them to head.
  • 5. For arms, roll two quarter-sized balls of papier mâchéinto 1/2" x 2" logs. Insert wire ends 1" deep into center ofeach arm. Let dry completely.
  • 6. Use craft stick to smooth rabbit surface, including earsand arms. Let dry completely. Note: Depending on humidity andother conditions, papier mâché may take three to four daysto dry completely.
  • 7. When rabbit is completely dry, use wide brush to apply onecoat gesso to body and arms. Let dry completely.
  • 8. Paint rabbit head and arms ivory. Paint body below neck dk.orange to create dress. Let dry. Use small round brush topaint pink five-petaled flowers onto dress. Use brush handleto dot each flower center antique gold.
  • 9. Use liner brush to paint brown mouth and nose lines. Mixsmall amount rose paint with water to create a wash; use smallflat brush to "blush" cheeks and ear centers with mixture.
  • 10. Use stencil brush to dry brush small amount of fleshtoneinto each eye socket. To dry brush, dip bristles into paintand rub off onto paper towel until almost no paint remains.Apply paint to surface in circular motion, creating shadowedeffect. Use pencil tip to poke small hole into each eyesocket; glue animal eyes into holes.
  • 11. Thin small amount of antiquing gel with very small amountof water. Follow manufacturer's instructions to applyantiquing gel to entire rabbit; wipe away excess. Let dry.Spray rabbit with one coat varnish.
  • 12. Cut patterns from woolfelt. For jacket, hand or machinestitch seams from wrist to waist on each side; turn right sideout. Slit center front of coat as indicated, using scissors toshape curved lower edges as shown. Cut 1/4"-long slit oneither side of neck opening along folded edge.
  • 13. Use glue gun to glue lace around rabbit's neck; trimexcess. Glue pearl bead to center of wool flower; apply pinkchalk or blush to wool. Set aside flower.
  • 14. Place arms into jacket sleeves and bend around front ofrabbit. Use glue gun to glue jacket to body, shaping lapels asshown. Glue lace around end of each jacket sleeve.
  • 15. Glue wool flower to right side of jacket front. Glue andinsert flower sprig into rabbit's left arm.If you enjoyed this project, look here for more inspiring ideas:Hats Off to Easter!Hunny Bunny15-Minute Faux Paper Eggs