For the last few days, I’ve been wandering the net looking for fun Easter craft and baking ideas.  Getting ready for and celebrating the holidays is so much fun with little ones around!  I thought I’d share some of my favorite finds thus far with you, if for no other reason than to get you into the Easter spirit.

One more thing – if you haven’t yet discovered Pinterest, you should!  It’s a site that lets you organize and share things and ideas that you find on the web.  The beauty in Pinterest is that you can browse pinboards created by other people for specific ideas on recipes or decorating (for example), which is an effortless and fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.  For more of my favorite Easter craft and baking ideas (those not featured below), click my Pinterest link (the red “P”) in the right hand column of my webpage.  Happy Browsing!

Melted Crayon Eggs

Sourced from:  Disney Family Fun

When the most humble of art supplies meets the shell of a just-boiled egg, the crayon wax softens, and the colors swirl together in a magical way. The results are fast, fun, and gorgeous.

Materials

• white eggs
• tongs

• empty egg carton
• crayons

Instructions

1. Hard-boil white eggs. Remove them from the hot water with tongs or a slotted spoon, dry them, and rest them in an empty egg carton or on plastic bottle caps (an adult’s job).
2.  Color them with the crayons’ tips or remove the paper coverings and use the crayons’ sides. For a speckled effect, grate a crayon and sprinkle the bits over the eggs. The waxy eggs are very slippery, so take care when turning them to color the underside.
3. When you’re done coloring, leave them to dry for about an hour.

Naturally-Dyed Easter Eggs

Sourced From:  Better Homes and Gardens

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Jade Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Green-Yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Red-Orange
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Yellow
Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Brown-Gold
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Brown
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee.

Pink
Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

Chocolate-Dipped Easter Peeps

Sourced From:  Love From the Oven

For the how-to, click here.

Cereal Treat Easter Eggs

Sourced From:  In Katrina’s Kitchen

Ingredients:

·        ¼ c butter

·        10 oz bag of marshmallows

·        5 c cereal (I used Fruity Pebbles)

Directions:

1.   In a large pan melt butter using medium heat.

2.   Add marshmallows and stir until melted.

3.   Pour in the cereal and mix to incorporate.

4.   Spray plastic eggs with cooking spray. I found it was easiest to use eggs that split vertically. You could just use 1 or 2 eggs for this process as the cereal does not take long to take the shape of the egg.

5.   Spoon the cereal mixture into each half of the egg then close egg to form shape. Pop cereal out after about 10 seconds.