Go green with your spring décor by opting for fresh wheatgrass planters over the plastic Easter grass. Use thrifted teacups for a kitschy look to spruce up your table setting or windowsill. Soak wheat berries (found at health food stores) in water for eight hours. Pour a half inch of sand in the bottom of the teacup, followed by an inch of potting soil and topped with a few tablespoons of the soaked wheat berries. Keep in a sunny place and water daily. Wheatgrass will grow about three inches in one week.
Easter Décor
By Kendra Smoot
Go green with your spring décor by opting for fresh wheatgrass planters over the plastic Easter grass. Use thrifted teacups for a kitschy look to spruce up your table setting or windowsill. Soak wheat berries (found at health food stores) in water for eight hours. Pour a half inch of sand in the bottom of the teacup, followed by an inch of potting soil and topped with a few tablespoons of the soaked wheat berries. Keep in a sunny place and water daily. Wheatgrass will grow about three inches in one week.
The spring season is all about renewal, so why not freshen up a tried-and-true recipe like strawberry shortcake? Upgrade this spring staple with a little chocolate. When greasing and flouring your pan, simply substitute cocoa powder for flour. Using a vegetable peeler, shave chocolate curls and sprinkle over strawberries and whipped cream.
Antsy to see blossoms in your yard? Bring some branches inside and trick them into thinking it's spring. Using shears, prune some branches with flower buds and cut a 1-inch opening on the bottom of the stems to boost water absorption. Trim small twigs and place branches in warm water in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Spray with water occasionally and once the blossoms have bloomed, enjoy them in a sunny area.
As if pancakes weren't delicious enough, Ebelskivers are a fluffy, filled version of the breakfast staple. Host an Easter brunch with these Danish treats and let guests pick their own fillings. Prepare sweet and savory combinations like pancetta with sage, raspberry filling with lemon syrup, caramel filling with chocolate syrup and cheddar filling with raspberry jam.
Who says dye is just for Easter eggs? Brighten up plain white napkins for your next spring lunch with fabric dye. Tie the tops of napkins together, and wet thoroughly with water. Prepare dye as package directs in a large bowl. Dip napkins in bowl and let sit in dye for 10 minutes. Dye will travel up wet napkin to create an ombre effect. Rinse napkins in water until dye runs out.
It's time for the Easter eggs of your childhood to grow up. Give this old-fashioned craft a grown up feel with modern patterns. Cut materials like lace, fishnet tights or cheesecloth into 4-inch squares and wrap around hard-boiled eggs using a twist-tie or rubber band to secure. Place on newspaper and spray paint lightly. Let dry and remove material to reveal your chic creations.
Perhaps your spring cleaning has inspired you to redecorate? This doily light pendant is a quick (not to mention affordable) way to freshen up any room. Find a vintage fabric doily at your local thrift store. Cover a large bowl in plastic wrap and lay the doily in the bowl. Use a brush to apply a coat of fabric stiffener, blotting the extra with a paper towel and let dry up to 24 hours. Apply a second coat and let dry. Punch a small hole in the top and string a light fixture through. Recommended: use with a 40 watt bulb and only under supervision.
