I genuinely think I just made the cutest Easter craft on the face of the earth.
It’s easy, it’s adorable, it’s actually practical – and the second I finished the first one, I immediately knew I had to make another. So naturally, I decided to recreate it in real time and show you exactly how it came together.
Because this is one of those projects where once you see it, you’re going to want to make one too.
Supplies Used
- An empty egg carton
- Acrylic paint (any colours you love – nothing fancy required)
- Paint brushes in a few different sizes
- Decorative napkins (Easter-themed or otherwise)
- Mod Podge
- Scissors
- A pencil (for sketching your name)
- A small detail brush (for lettering)
That’s it. Very low barrier, very high cuteness payoff.
Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!
Let’s Get Started!
This whole project started the way many good craft ideas do – half asleep, random burst of inspiration, immediately forgotten, then aggressively pursued the next morning.
I woke up, dug an egg carton out of the recycling, ran to the store for some cute napkins, and let the napkin design guide everything else – the colours, the vibe, all of it.
That’s honestly one of my favourite ways to craft. Instead of overplanning, you just pick something you love and build around it.
Step 1: Paint the Base
Start by painting the outside of your egg carton white.
You don’t need to be precious about this. I didn’t even bother painting deep inside the egg cups because… no one is going to look that closely. Once it’s filled with treats, those parts disappear anyway.
Let that dry, and then go back in and paint the inside whatever colour you want. For mine, I went with a soft pink.
Already at this point, it starts to feel like something.
Step 2: Add a Gingham Pattern
This is where it starts getting really cute.
Using a slightly lightened version of your base colour, paint diagonal lines across the sides of the carton. Then go in the opposite direction to create that criss-cross gingham effect.
Don’t stress about perfection here. Mine were very much not perfect, and that’s kind of the charm. It’s supposed to feel handmade and a little kitschy.
Once your lines are in, you can take a slightly darker version of the same colour and add a bit more depth where the lines overlap. This step isn’t strictly necessary, but it really helps sell the gingham look.
Step 3: Prep Your Napkins
If you’ve never crafted with napkins before, this is about to change your life.
Most decorative napkins have multiple layers, so you’ll want to peel them apart and keep only the top layer with the design. That’s the part you’ll use.
Then cut out whatever elements you want – bunnies, flowers, baskets, eggs, anything that fits your vibe.
This is honestly the most annoying part of the whole project. Peeling napkins is weirdly frustrating. But once it’s done, it’s smooth sailing.
Step 4: Attach Everything With Mod Podge
Now for the magic.
Brush a layer of Mod Podge onto your carton, place your cutouts, and then gently brush over top to seal them in.
At first, it will look milky and slightly terrifying. Trust the process – it dries clear.
You might also get some wrinkles in the napkin, but on a textured surface like an egg carton, it actually ends up looking intentional and adds to the charm.
Arrange your pieces however you like, overlap them a little, play with placement, and once you’re happy… commit. No overthinking.
Step 5: Add a Border
To pull everything together, go back in with your paint and add a simple border around the edges of the carton.
You can paint right up to the napkin edges, even slightly underneath where needed, just to make everything feel cohesive and finished.
This step makes a bigger difference than you’d expect.
Step 6: Add the Name
This is the final touch – and the one that makes it feel extra special.
Lightly sketch your name in pencil first. Even if you’re confident, it’s worth testing placement before committing with paint.
Then go over it with a small brush.
If you’re comfortable with calligraphy, go for it. If not, keep it simple – block letters, cursive, whatever feels doable. It’s going to look cute either way.
That’s a Wrap – The Finished Product!
I’ll be honest – halfway through, I wasn’t totally convinced about my colour choices.
But once everything came together, especially seeing both versions side by side, I was fully sold. They’re so cute. Like… aggressively cute.
They’re perfect for holding little Easter treats, they feel handmade in the best way, and they’re one of those crafts that looks way more complicated than it actually is.
And the best part is that every version will look completely different depending on the napkins and colours you choose.
So if you make one, don’t overthink it. Pick something you love, trust the process, and let it come together as you go.
There’s a very high chance you’ll end up wanting to make a second one immediately too.
I’d LOVE to see your creations. Tag me on Instagram: @thehappyevercrafter And if you’re looking for more Easter crafts? Check out this Easter sign!
And finally, your dad joke…
I’ve always wanted to look into why I procrastinate…
But I keep putting it off.
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