Creative Easter egg ideas

An estimated 200 million eggs will be purchased for Easter celebrations in the United States this year. As a project for the American Egg Board (the “incredible edible egg” folks), HGTV interior designer Sabrina Soto is offering egg decorating tips.

“Eggs are like a blank canvas — the decorating possibilities are endless, and you don’t have to stick to a standard store-bought kit,” says Soto. “In addition to dyeing eggs in beautiful colors, dress them up with items already sitting in your kitchen or closet, like scraps of ribbon, buttons, glitter or even confetti.”

Before you get started, though, there’s a bit of preparation required. Start with clean, cool, hard-boiled eggs. Make sure everyone washes their hands in hot, soapy water before and after handling eggs. This protects the eggshell from any oils on hands that may prevent dye from adhering. Make use of accessories like an egg dipper, which can be found in egg coloring kits, to hold onto the eggs while coloring them. This accessory helps little hands dip it into the dye securely.

A pencil eraser dipped in acrylic paint makes perfect polka dots.

Here are a few more ideas from Soto to get your egg decorating work started:

Experiment: When using an egg coloring kit, vary the color of egg dye by adding different ingredients to the color tablet. For ultra-vibrant colored eggs, add vinegar. Looking for more traditional colored eggs? Use lemon juice. To embrace the pastel colors of spring, just use water.

Perfect polka: Use the eraser end of a pencil to paint perfect polka dots on the egg. Just dip the eraser into acrylic craft paint and dab onto the egg. Make different patterns and use different colors to create designs.

Tattoo décor: Kids often have temporary tattoos lying around. Apply those same tattoos to eggs for a professional and easy look that kids will love.

Sabrina Soto offers creative ideas for Easter decorations.

Ribbon wrap: Tie a pretty ribbon around a dyed egg. Mix colors and patterns for fun visual interest. Adorn with craft or fabric flowers, or even buttons. For a more rustic look, use natural fibers such as hemp or twine with dried flowers in place of the ribbons.

Doodle designs: Eggs don’t have to be dyed to look special. Get a thin Sharpie marker and doodle away. Create designs and patterns around the egg. Paisley and flowers are simple to make. Start with a leaf or a daisy shape and keep building off that design until the egg is fully decorated!

Visit the Incredible Egg on Pinterest.com for more ideas and showcase your unique egg design in the “Easter Eggs-travaganza Sweepstakes.” The grand prize winner will receive a gift card valued at $1,000.