This Easter, take hard-boiled eggs to new heights by embellishing them with lacy patterns. All you need to make them is standard egg dye, rubber bands, and inexpensive lace trimmings from a fabric store. (You can also use scraps cut from a worn tablecloth or curtains.) Once the eggs are dyed and dry, pile them in a large bowl and use them as a centerpiece.
Cut lace into strips long enough to wrap around eggs and still have extra to form a sash for holding. Wrap eggs, securing lace with rubber bands. Dye eggs according to dye package instructions. Lift out, cut off rubber bands, and unwrap lace. Let dry on foam board fitted with flathead pins.
To create a great Easter display without a great deal of effort, limit your palette to one spring-inspired color, such as yellow.
Dye eggs, and group them in compotes on beds of raffia. Stand flowers in a matching hue nearby (daffodils are shown here). As a final touch, dye bits of raffia and use them to tie the flower stems.
Celebrate the new season with place cards that resemble tufts of grass. Cut a 3-by-4-inch rectangle from green card stock. On 1 short side, fold under 1 inch to create a base. Stamp or write a name on the place card. Using scissors, cut a series of grass blades, as shown, stopping about 1 inch from the bottom. To finish, make angled cuts along the top.
Make plain candlesticks sparkle with a coat of shimmery glitter. Buy inexpensive wooden candlesticks, or use a weathered pair you already own. Working in sections, brush craft glue onto the candlesticks, and dust with fine glitter (shake off excess). Let glue dry overnight. With a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of clear shellac over glitter, and let dry.
What was good for Christmas is even sweeter for Easter.
Fill glass food jars with bulk candy arranged in colorful layers. Or create an Easter basket effect by nestling a white-chocolate bunny or lamb in green paper "grass." Finish with ribbon and a tag, or attach a note to the lid using double-sided tape.
