Easter eggs galore: Take a crack at colorful crafts

Looking or fresh ideas for Easter decorations and crafts? Try these small projects from the April edition of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Nesting instincts

Turn a handful of dyed eggs and a few bunches of carnations into a perky spring centerpiece. Fill a medium-size footed bowl with a few inches of water. Nestle dyed eggs in a smaller bowl and set in the center of the footed bowl (prop bowl on a dish if necessary). Cut carnation stems about 2 or 3 inches long and pack the blooms around the bowl of eggs.

Plant an egg

Delicate eggshells make precious pots for tiny plants such as coleus seedlings or small succulents or colorful miniature African violets. The eggshell pots can be cracked apart later and the seedlings transplanted.

1. Hold an extra-large or jumbo egg on its side. Tap the pointed end firmly with a table knife to just break through the shell; turn it slightly and tap again to remove the "cap." Use or discard the contents and rinse the shell.

2. Create a drainage hole by carefully pushing the point of a small knife through the bottom of the shell.

3. Gently remove about half the soil from around the roots of a small plant. Ease the roots and remaining soil into the shell; add a small amount of soil to cover the roots.

Band mates

To create graphic stripes on dyed eggs, wrap eggs with wide rubber bands (the ones often found on broccoli at the supermarket) before dunking them in dye.

Tip: Wash rubber bands well between uses to avoid transferring dye.

Door prize

A tumble of pastel eggs makes a cheery welcome at the front door. Wrap styrofoam egg shapes (available at craft supply stores) with strips of crepe paper, attaching ends with glue or a small straight pin. Embellish with ribbon secured with small straight pins, leaving a long end for tying. Gather eggs at varying heights and tie ribbons together. Hang from a removable adhesive hook or wreath hanger. Add a ribbon bow.

Tip: Cut your own crepe paper strips from folded sheets. Crepe paper, $1.50/pkg., ps-stores.com

Crate expectations

Treat the Easter hostess to a little pampering. Fill an empty egg carton with fizzy bath balls, cover the carton top with pretty paper, and tie with ribbon.

More Easter crafts

Send an Easter e-card, download egg-theme desktop wallpapers for your computer, and find more easy crafts to try at BHG.com/easterideas.