shamrock

In the middle of our crazy bedroom switcharoo project, we stopped for a quick, green little snack in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

The inspiration came from the plastic mesh bag that grapefruit and onions are sold in. After the kids inhaled four giant grapefruit, I was wondering if I could possibly make something out this sack before I tossed it. The result was a quick little basket perfect for taming that treasure at the end of the rainbow (or at least a rainbow of fruit flavors.)

Want to make one?

For this project you’ll need:

shamrock.4

As always though … rock what ya got.

Trace and cut out the outline of a small cup or jar on a scrap piece of paper …

March 2011 BLOG2

… then place paper against the bottom of the glass, wrap the mesh tightly around the sides and trim away the extra mesh. You should have just enough length at the bottom to fold into the middle to make the bottom of the basket.

Carefully add a ring of hot glue to the paper base and carefully fold the mesh into towards the center. Again … carefully.

March 2011 BLOG3

Trim the top edge to make it flat and run a small bead of glue down the back seam of the mesh to close the side seems. When glue has set, carefully remove basket from the mold.

My kids liked the look of a handle Easter basket style so I added a narrow strip of mesh with a dot of glue on each side to the smaller one. A quick coat of spray paint …

March 2011 BLOG4

…  and my pot of gold was done. Drying time was only an hour.

(And I’m already thinking ahead to Easter and picturing a table setting with these little baskets painted white and filled with small pastel Cadbury Robins Eggs. Yum!)

At the last minute I added a quick shamrock out of felt. No biggie.

shamrock.3

So there you go!

Some recycling magic and yummy treat that even St. Patrick would like.

Now that’s my kind of green.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Author

106 Comments

  1. Kelli @ RTSM

    These are so fun! I always have a few mess ups any time I make a fun snack too…those are the ones mom gets to eat:)

  2. Those are so colorful and cute. Plus, Jello just reminds me of Utah (in a good way, of course 🙂 ).

  3. Caroline @ Atelier Caroline

    You almost could convince me to buy Jello. Almost. I guess the French genes cannot come to terms with it. But this gives me an idea for something else 🙂

  4. They are adorable! Just imagine teasing your guests/kids about the colourful chickens that laid these eggs!

  5. These look great! Where did you find these egg molds?

    • Anonymous

      I have found them in any grocery store that would sell jello.

  6. Nike@ChooseToThrive

    KC,

    I added a link in the post to the Kraft store where you can buy the Jello molds. HTH!

  7. Julie in Perth Western Australia

    P'haps you could join the broken ones together with some whipped cream BUT only if you don't want to eat them yourself 😉
    They sure would brighten up the table at Easter.

    • Anonymous

      Stand peeps in between the halves of the broken ones – something HAD to be trying to get out! More sugar to much on from the table display.

    • I plan on making these! They are so cute! I'll probably have many broken ones as I should be on Worst Cooks, but the idea of putting Peeps by them is a great way to cover my Oops! Thanks.

    • Anonymous

      Made Jell-o eggs back in the mid 90's. Took them to Easter Dinner. My Father about went thru the roof when the nieces and nephews came running in and took them off the platter with their fingers. Said that's how you are suppose to eat themm. It took him a few mins. before he tried one.

  8. Allison @ Alli 'n Son

    These are awesome! So festive.

    I'd love to have you share your recipe on Sweet Tooth Friday. I hope to see you there! http://alli-n-son.com/2011/04/21/quick-no-rise-chocolate-cinnamon-rolls/

  9. Bright Shadows

    Omg they look so pretty and good to eat, so textured too!

  10. Rachelle@atticgals.blogspot.com

    We have been making jello eggs for years, but never stripped. How fun! Can't wait to give these a try. My kids will FLIP!

  11. Sara @ Mom Endeavors

    These are SOOO fantastic!! I absolutely love them! I'm so hoping to get time to try them tomorrow!!! Thanks so much for sharing! (I just stumbled them to StumbleUpon) 🙂

  12. Michelle@Somedaycrafts

    I'm loving these! I wish I had the molds! My kids would think these are the BOMB!!!! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.

  13. Wow, these are so cool! I actually have those same molds (hand me downs from my mom) but have never used them! In fact, I'm glad I came across your post b/c I didn't know how to use them! I didn't realize you poured the jello in the hole! Haha! I think I'll have to pull these out this weekend and make some for Easter. Thanks!
    Jen

  14. Jen @ My Own Road

    brilliant and beautiful as always Nike! They look too good to eat

  15. Chad and Mary Beth

    Love this. WIsh I had the molds in time. Will make it next year for sure
    Found you from Tatertots & Jello

    🙂
    Mary Beth
    http://www.nothingbutcountry.com

  16. craftytexasgirls

    Come make these for me! They are adorable!
    🙂 crafty texas girls

  17. Dee Dee's Delights

    I am having a special sunday Easter Linky buffet Any Easter recipe accepted no limit to what you like to submit. I am taking submissions till saturday. http://deedeesdelights.blogspot.com/p/special-easter-sunday-buffet.html

    I love it if you add this!

  18. MamaClucks

    These are so beautiful and bring a smile to my face!! Thanks for sharing!!

  19. This is seriously the coolest Jello I've ever seen. Awesome!!

  20. Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING

    We are hosting a linky for "EASTER Cookies & Treats" on THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS and we would love for you to link up your awesome recipe!

    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-25.html

  21. Love the rainbows. thank you for sharing.Happy Easter.

  22. detodounlolo

    This is just wondwerful!!! really cool idea! Too bad I discovered it today and tomorrow is Easter Sunday : ( but I´ll definitely try them next year!
    BTW, Happy Easter

  23. detodounlolo

    One more thing, I´´m writing about these super fun eggs on my blog. Hope you don´t mind

  24. The Ericksens

    Love this, I am totally going to try making these.
    Thanks

  25. I♥naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes

    These are SO cute and look so yummy! Happy Easter!

  26. Purple Froggie Clay Stuff

    Those eggs are so awesome!! I'm your newest follower over from Under The Table and Dreaming's link party.

    Hope you have a wonderful Easter!

    Cindy

  27. {nifty thrifty things}

    That looks like so much fun! Love it!
    I would love for you to link this up to my linky party @ {nifty thrifty sunday}!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}

  28. What a great idea. I have never seen such a plastic form.

  29. These are going on my To-Do list for next Easter! I wonder if you could buy sphere molds and make Christmas Ornaments.

    Please stop and see my entry for Tatertots and Jello

    Teresa
    http://creativecowgirl.co/

  30. Awesome!!!That is sooo cool. I’m your newest follower from Creative Bloggers Hop. Please follow http://sweetcalifornialiving.blogspot.com/

  31. Amanda K @ Every Creative Endeavor

    Now these are awesome! What a great idea – I have never seen this before but I love it.

  32. {nifty thrifty things}

    Thank you so much again for stopping by and linking up with {nifty thrifty sunday}!
    I hope to see you again tomorrow!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

  33. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming

    Nike – these are so cool looking! Thanks again for linking to the Sunday Showcase – I greatly appreciate it. I have featured these too! Hope you have a fabulous week ~ Stephanie Lynn

  34. Miss cuisine

    A pretty fun recipe. I am impressed with the beautiful results, congratulations. I put forward on my French blog with a link to this article.

  35. Uptowngirl

    question, do you make the layers and then let them set for 4 hours before adding another layer? or just do 'em all at one time? (Maybe this is a silly question, but I DO like to make sure I'm doing things right.)

  36. j hachtel

    i have the same question aboutt the time between layers 😉

  37. Nike@ChooseToThrive

    Uptowngirl & j hachtel – I let each layer rest 20 minutes before adding the next one. Hope that helps!

  38. Anonymous

    I couldn't find the jello molds on the link provided? Maybe they'll have more closer to Easter?

  39. Nike@ChooseToThrive

    As of Jan. 14th 2012 – The Kraft store no longer sells the Jell-o molds and have made buying any molds dang near impossible. The few molds they do still carry are now buried on an obscure website: https://apfco.com/secure/w1381/products.cfm?category=001 . Hopefully they'll bring these back in time for Easter. If they do, I'll post a new link. If not, I see these molds pop up periodically on eBay — good luck!

    • Anonymous

      Are you able to use straight jello with no additives (dairy allergies)

  40. Anonymous

    Just wondering — do you have to let each layer gel for awhile before adding the next color? Or can you add all your colors (in layers) at once?

  41. cutekittypunk

    COOL. I'M SO glad, sorry caps on, that we crossed paths, or rather that i crossed your path. You rock Sister!

  42. donna mikasa

    The molds appear to be back in the Kraft store. You just pay for standard shipping.

  43. Anonymous

    Doesn't the cooking spray make the jello eggs taste different or greasy? Never tried this before. Awesome idea though!

  44. You should only refrigerate each layer about 15 minutes before adding the next. This way, they will stick together.

  45. Just stopping by with congratulations! This post was in the top 5 most popular posts for February on Fun Family Crafts! Thanks for sharing your creativity! If you would like to see the post and grab a TOP 5 button, you can get one here http://funfamilycrafts.com/february-2012-top-posts/ Thanks!

    • Not at all but they are a little bit slippery, which I just use a paper towel to wipe off. I also heard, but haven't tried, that you can not use the cooking spray, and just run warm water over the mould and the eggs just pop out. Hope this helps!

  46. Anonymous

    Does the cooking spray effect the taste of the jello?

  47. Just stopping by to let you know that I've featured your craft on Family Fun Crafts! You can see it here:
    http://funfamilycrafts.com/rainbow-eggs/

    If you have other kid friendly crafts, I'd love it if you would submit them. 🙂 If you would like to display a
    featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above.

  48. Anonymous

    Safeway has the mold for free when you buy 3 large boxes of jello. At least here in WA!

  49. Anonymous

    Have made Jello eggs for years and they're always a hit for all ages. I take them to potlucks cut in half and put in a cupcake liner. Makes for an easy grab. I am going to add Rainbow Eggs to my collections!!

  50. How many eggs were you able to make from the recipe you said you used? Just trying to figure out what I can get from a recipe. Thanks

  51. I love the eggs. I'm going to make some with Addi and Averie( my grandkids) when i go to Texas in May!

  52. Those are so wonderful and someone already said it: …they made me smile!

  53. 8d004864-776b-11e1-9497-000f20980440

    Yes…how many eggs do 5 colors (one box each) of jello make?

    • I haven't made these yet, but according to the Kraft (Jello) site, one 6 oz box of Jello fills one mold (6 eggs). So I figure if you make 6 3-oz boxes (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) that would fill 3 molds (18 eggs). I have two molds and I'm just planning on making 5 boxes (leaving out either yellow or orange) and having some left over for my "sample" bowl. Hope this helps.

    • Whoops, didn't pay attention to the fact that the Kraft recipe I was looking at was for Jello Jiggler eggs, which are made with a lot less water than regular jello. The mold holds about 1.5 cups jello. For the rainbow jello recipe referenced, you're making 10 cups of jello (just under 1.5 cups liquid per 3 oz box of jello). So that would fill close to 7 6-egg jello molds! Yikes! I ended up buying 5 6 oz boxes of jello (could only get 5 colors in the large size) so will be trying this with 2 egg molds plus a bundt.

  54. whostoletheshow

    Cooking spray is gross. Instead, just run some hot water on the molds to loosen them up. They'll pop right out.

  55. Anonymous

    Can this be made with diet jello? Has anyone tried it?

  56. Anonymous

    Let me get this straight before i start this project, you put a layer in and let that one set then add another layer and let that one set,etc…correct??

    • Ashley Fenton

      yes but only for 15 minutes or so – this way each layer will stick together

  57. Just stopping by with congratulations AGAIN! Your project was in the top 5 most popular posts for March on Fun Family Crafts! Thanks for sharing your creativity and we hope you'll submit more. If you would like to see the post and grab a TOP 5 button, you can see it here http://funfamilycrafts.com/march-2012-top-posts/ Thanks!

  58. Cynthia http://cyncerely.blogspot.ca/

    this is PRICELESS! 🙂 awesome AWESOME idea! thank you SO much for sharing!

  59. These are AWESOME!! I am going to attempt them.. But how do you get them to be different colors?? Do you have to refrigerate each layer at a time before adding the next one?

  60. Those are super! I'm not sure where to get those moulds in the UK, but I am sure Hobbycraft will have something similar. If not I'll just use my heart/teddy bear moulds, after all stripy jelly (jello) works in any cute shape!

  61. These are so cute!!! I have been experimenting with "jello" a lot lately and it's so easy to make it yourself with 100% juice!
    check out my blog post!
    http://lifesprinkledwithglitter.blogspot.com/2012/02/homemade-jello-orange-smiles.html
    Thanks for the idea!
    I found you on pinterest!

  62. Anonymous

    Do you make these like the other cake type jello is done with whipped cream and yogurt? Or is it just jello layered?

  63. fabulous! i did not have the molds and just emptied real egg shells, washed them, then filled them back up with the jello. then tomorrow the kids can peel the shell off. we'll see how it turns out.

  64. THESE ARE FANTASTIC!!! I just pinned them to my "Rainbow" pinterest page. Just signed up to follow your blog…it's great:)

  65. Lady Behind The Curtain

    I thought you should know, I found your pictures and recipe on a Turkish website. The only credit she gives you is at the bottom of the post in small letters is the word "photo" with no mention of your website. She did the same to me. I told her that was NOT good enough. Here is the link. http://www.sihirliyemektarifleri.com/gokkusagi-yumurta-joleler/
    —Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain—

  66. Thanks for the directions on how to safely make these. I know people who tried to say to make them in eggs that you fill for hunting on Easter…which are not food safe. They were looking at your idea which is so cute and trying to do it with eggs that were never meant for this type of mold. I will be making them for my grandchildren for Easter. I think I will try them without the spray. Has anyone else done that? I was concerned that they would be greasy and I have such picky eaters.

  67. The link does not work for the molds.. super cool idea

    • Try here: https://apfco.com/secure/w1381/product_description.cfm?product=KW1381-6

  68. Janine Eshelbrenner

    Super cool! I can't wait to include them in my Easter sweets roundup on Monday!

  69. sewcreativeblog

    I LOVE this Easter project! Who wouldn't love to come home from their Easter Egg Hunt to rainbow jello Easter Eggs?

    I featured it on my blog in my Weekly Inspiration: Easter Projects post. I'd love for you to stop by and take a look if you have a moment.

    http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/weekly-inspiration-easter-projects/

    Best Wishes,

    Crystal

  70. lauraincucina

    Che spettacolo!!!! Bellissimi!! saluti dall'Italia Laura

  71. Do you need to have the yogurt/cream layer in between? Is that what helps them stick? Or could I just do rainbow colors of JUST jello? Thank you!

    • Michelle,
      I alternated layers of plain jello and jello+sour cream whisked in. If you follow the recipe link in the post, you'll find the exact measurements. Hope that helps!

    • Thanks Nike – I'm just wondering if you HAVE to alternate. I would like to make it with JUST jello layers but wondering if they would'nt stick as well without the cream layer

  72. Meu Cantinho

    Ola, estou apaixonada pelos ovos de pascoa pois ficaram lindos, mais gostaria de ajuda, moro no Rio de Janeiro(Brasil) e neste site que você indicou não entregam no Brasil, você pode me ajudar a compra-los?
    meu e-mail é mae_micaela@hotmail.com
    Muito Obrigada
    Luiza

  73. traderslostart

    The link for the molds doesn't work. 🙁

  74. Carol Garcia

    What a fantastic recipe! …Thanks for the easy guide.

  75. crystal elainea

    I just made these this morning, however I don't have molds so what I did was I got real eggs carefully put a small hole at both ends and blew the eggs out, then with a glue gun I sealed one hole and using a serenge filled them with jello. They are setting as I type. Just peel the shell from the jello…. Used the egg I blew out for breakfast this morning.