Hey Amy!

I have had a few requests from my readers for Easter egg decorating ideas.  I have made them in different ways throughout the years but my favorites always go back to using everything and anything I can find in my home.  My favorites are listed below.

First you should decide if you want to use just shells or hard boiled eggs.  Some of the methods below require one or the other so check first before you get started.  To blow an egg, first shake it to break up the yolk.  Use a small pin to make a hole in the top and bottom of the egg.  Blow until the egg is empty.  Have some patience if it’s your first time.  If you are boiling, use the perfect method.

Dye:

You can use PAAS or another brand for convenience but I use food coloring paste (pick some up in the cake decorating aisle).  Use one cup boiled water mixed with 1/4 c. cider vinegar.  Drop in a dab of paste.  Stir until it is dissolved.  Dip in eggs for a solid color design.  Grab the center of a paper towel or toilet tissue roll and cut them into several small stands for egg drying.

You can make many designs on the eggs.  Using simple household items you can be very creative.

1. The simplest of all is to dip half of the egg and then flip it over to dip the other half.  You can also dip from side to side.
2. Using rubber bands, wrap them around the egg in different angles.  If you are using a flat band, make sure the sides are flat if you want an even pattern.  Once the bands are in place, dip in one color.  Once dry, remove the bands and you have what I think to be a psychedelic plaid.
3. Grab some various size of round stickers.  Place them firmly all over the egg in a random pattern.  Dip the egg, allow it to dry, and remove the stickers.  You have a polka dot egg.
4. Create outlines of bunnies, ducks, stars, hearts, whatever you love and cut them out.  Once you have dyed your eggs, paste these designs onto the eggs.
5. Instead of dipping the eggs, grab a sponge and sponge paint them.

Crayons:

This idea requires boiling the eggs.  Once you have, remove one egg at a time and allow it to cool for a five minutes.  Leave the others in the water until your ready to decorate them so they remain warm.  Hold the egg on a paper towel so your hands are protected from the heat.  Grab your crayons (the heat of the egg melts the wax onto the shell) and draw away!  Be gentle when rotating the egg so you don’t smear your design.  I would let it set for at least 40 minutes.

Spray Glue:

I enjoy using spray adhesive.  It’s simple and easy.  Spray the entire egg and dip it into colored sand or attach sequins.  They will shimmer and shine!

Strings:

I loved doing decoupage as a child.  This design uses those skills.  Take a blown egg and paint the entire area with mod podge.  Then use embroidery floss or colored string and press the string all over the egg in any design that blows your hair back.  Brush a second coat over the string and insert a wooden skewer into the egg.  Put skewer in tall glass and allow egg to dry.  Remove egg from skewer and enjoy!

Paint Brushes and Magic Markers:

If you are a closet artiste, paint brushes and magic markers along with your skills and vision create beautiful eggs.

Glue Gun:

No decorating post would be complete without the glue gun.  Decorate your blown eggs with ribbons, buttons, crepe paper, anything you can find in your home.  How about M & M’s glued on your eggs?

Once your eggs are decorated, you will want to display them in your home.  My childhood friend Shelly gave me the best idea.  Decorate a flower pot with trim, bric-a-brac, whatever your style is.  Plant some grass in it or pick up some cat grass and replant it into your pot.  Hide your decorated eggs inside the grass.  It makes for a perfect center piece on your Easter table.

These are just a few ideas to get your Easter-Egg-Decorating-Mind going.  I look forward to hearing from you on what you used to decorate your eggs.  Happy Easter!

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