eggs, moss, and birdcages

That pretty much sums up my Easter theme this year. Lots of eggs, a plethora of birdcages, with plenty of moss, twigs, and natural materials. Yesterday I showed you my moss table runner and moss-covered pots, and today some of my egg ideas.  And tomorrow, some easy and kid-friendly Easter cupcakes.

All of the silk tie eggs will be displayed in nests of moss tucked into my collection of birdcages.  The cages will be scattered around the kitchen, on the buffets, and down the length of the dining tables.

Additional hollowed-out eggs will be set in egg cups and filled with jelly beans or turned into mini flower vases, or even filled with wax for sweet little candles.  If you have a collection of egg cups but don’t want to go to the trouble of emptying out the eggs, use small citrus instead.

Cut a small lemon or orange in half, hollow out the flesh, and place in an egg cup, then fill with water and a small bouquet of flowers and you’re done!

Egg Shell Candy Cups, Votives, and Vases

Make a hole in the top (narrow end) of each egg with a straight or safety pin; carefully enlarge the holes, first with a pin and then with your fingers, until the top 1/4 of the shell is broken off.

Pour out the yolks and whites (through a strainer and into a bowl, if you want to use the egg for cooking) then gently clean the shells in warm soapy water.

Dye empty shells as you would usually color boiled eggs. Set upside down on newspaper or paper towels to dry.

For Candy Cups: When completely dry, place in egg cups and fill with jelly beans.

For Vases: Place in egg cups, fill half full with cool water and arrange small flower bouquets in each.

For Votives: Place dry shells back in their egg carton. Cut wire-core wicks into 4-inch lengths, slightly flatten one end and adhere to the bottom of eggshell with a drop of warm wax (wicks and wax may be found at craft stores). Using a funnel, fill shells with hot wax (may be colored with dye pellets to match colored eggs, if desired) and set aside to cool and harden completely.  Trim the wicks, set in egg cups, and light.