Weekend decorating?

Eggs that it is.....

Here are some easy ideas for sprucing up your egg decorating this Easter.

Lace dyed eggs – Martha Stewart

This Easter, take hard-boiled eggs to new heights by embellishing them with lacy patterns. Once the eggs are dyed and dry, pile them in a large bowl to use them as a centerpiece.

Tools and Materials

* Eggs

* Standard egg dye

* Rubber bands

* Inexpensive lace trimmings or scraps from a worn tablecloth or curtains

* Scissors

* Foam board fitted with flathead pins

How-To

1. Cut lace into strips long enough to wrap around eggs and still have extra to form a sash for holding.

2. Wrap eggs, securing lace with rubber bands. Dye eggs according to dye package instructions.

3. Lift out, cut off rubber bands, and unwrap lace. Let dry on foam board fitted with flat head pins.

Glitter Sticker Eggs

I got this inspiration from MS as well, but her directions were a bit much for me. I would use standard hard boiled eggs and add glittered stickers to them - there are so many great stickers options out there this would be an easy project for anyone to do!

Tissue Paper Eggs – Martha Stewart

Tools and Materials

*Tissue paper

* Crafter's punch

* Tweezers

* optional Decoupage gel

* Paint brush

How-To

1. Fold tissue paper four times.
2. Punch tissue paper with crafter's punch.
3. Separate layers of flower with tweezers or fingers.
4. Paint a thin layer of decoupage gel onto egg.
5. Pick up punched-out shape with paintbrush. Starting from the middle of the punch-out and working outward, gloss over punch-out using paintbrush with thin layer of decoupage gel.
6. Place egg on drying rack

Ribbon Eggs – Better Homes and Gardens

Narrow ribbons and rickrack make instant egg decorations (just adhere with glue). For even easier decorating, look for self-adhesive fabric tape in pretty colors and fun patterns -- a great find from scrap booking supply stores.

Tea Dyed Eggs
These are really different and lovely to look at. It takes a while to dye them but I think they are worth it!

How to:

1. Wash the eggs in warm soapy water to make sure there aren't any oils or soil on the egg to interfere with coloring. Hard-boil the eggs.
2. Make the dye mix. Pour 1 cup boiling water over at least 2 tea bags and steep for 15 minutes. Squeeze out the tea bags to remove all of the dye and set aside. Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to the mix and allow cooling to room temperature.
3. Different teas can be used in different bowls for variety.
4. Gently add eggs to the desired bowls. Make sure each egg has room so that liquid touches all sides.
5. Allow the eggs to float in the tea bowls for at least 1 hour.
6. Lift the eggs out of the bowl and check the coloring on the eggs. Return to the solution if the desired color is not achieved.
7. Carefully remove the egg from solution and lay out to dry. Make sure not to let the eggs touch, an empty egg carton works great here. Try not to touch the eggs until they've had a chance to dry.

Glitter Eggs
These have to be my favorite of all decorating styles – I love them in soft pastel colors.

Materials:
* Eggs

* Powdered glitter in multiple colours

* Bowls and spoons

* Paintbrush

* Craft glue

How to 1. Blow the yolk and white out of the egg.

2. Brush craft glue onto egg.

3. Gently set egg in bowl of glitter and spoon the glitter over the egg, covering the entire surface.

4. Remove from the bowl and set on waxed paper to dry

So pull up chair, get the kitchen table all set up and enjoy a day filled with decorating!

Get your sweet on....

As with Christmas, there is only one other time of the year that pigging out on sweets in acceptable – Valentines Day! Here are some mouth watering sweets for your sweetheart.

As always, William Sonoma can not be beat for tantalizing treats. Just like at Christmas time, WS is another great spot for treats on Valentines Day.

Here are a few sure to tickle your sweet spot!

Sweet Pies

Pure edible nostalgia, our heart-shaped treats recall the whoopee pies we all loved as kids – but with a decidedly sophisticated twist. The sweet valentines come to us from a bakery in Maine that uses local butter and free-range eggs to make the individual rich, moist red-velvet cakes.

Filled with creamy butter cream in three delicious flavors – chocolate, raspberry and classic vanilla – they arrive in a ribbon-tied box. 19.2 oz. Set of 12, four of each flavor. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Double Cherry Pops, Set of 15

Clusters of ripe cherries were the inspiration for these whimsical double lollipops, a favorite in European confectionery shops. Grown-up sweethearts can share one as a prelude to a kiss, while younger lollipop lovers will find it fun to break the twin pops in half and make a wish. Bursting with cherry flavor, the charming Dutch sweets come individually wrapped, ready for Valentine’s Day celebrations. 7.1 oz. Set of 15 pairs. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

I love how they are double ended – clever – no….brilliant!

Message Cookies, Set of 9 Made with equal measures of love, skill and premium ingredients that include dark Valrhona chocolate, our heart-shaped chocolate butter cookies from Sweet Guy Cookies will charm your valentine. The cookies are prepared, rolled and cut by hand, then decorated in green, pink, aqua and orange and yellow icing, each stamped with the words “Kiss Me,” “Cute,” “Love” or “Flirt.” The 2 1/2" x 2" cookies arrive in a reusable tin. 7 oz. Set of nine. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

How about these rich and delectable hearts?
24K Smore Heart – from Neiman Marcus

Marshmallow with graham cracker hearts soaked in chocolate – yummy!

Martha’s Mini Heart Cakes – who could not fall in love with the decadent version of the classic sweetheart candy! Lip Smackers

Ingredients
3 packages (3 ounces each) red gelatin (pick your fav flavor!)
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
Pink icing

Directions
1. Place all the red gelatin in a large bowl. Pour in 3 cups boiling water; stir to dissolve gelatin, about 3 minutes. In another bowl, sprinkle 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin over 3 cups cold water. Let gelatin sit to absorb water, then stir to combine. Pour clear gelatin into red gelatin, and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

2. Dip lip-shaped cookie cutter into hot water, then cut out shapes from set gelatin. To make it easier to remove "lips" from pan, place bottom of pan in hot water for 5 to 8 seconds, then remove the cutouts with a thin spatula. Pipe outline of lips using pink decorating icing.

Meringue Kisses

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup each pink, purple, and red melting wafers
1 -1 ½ tsp. vegetable shortening (divided)

Directions
1.Heat oven to 200°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper. In large bowl, combine egg whites, sugar, and salt. Place bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, and whisk constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture feels warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.

2. Remove bowl from water bath. With mixer on high speed, beat egg-white mixture until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Spoon meringue into a large bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 1-1/2-inch-size kisses onto baking sheets lined with wax paper. Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven, but leave in meringues until completely cool, about 1 hour.

3. Place melting wafers in 3 separate bowls, with 1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening in each. Microwave 30 seconds, stir, and microwave 30 seconds more, until melted. Line counter with wax paper. Dip cooled kisses into melted wafers, place on wax paper, and cool completely.

And to wash it all down…….

French Kiss

Ingredients:
1 part vodka1 part Chambord1 part dark cream de cacao 1 1/2 parts half and half

Directions:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain.

Cheers to a decadent night!

Holiday treats

Christmas Treats by Maevelicious

Looking for some tastey treats for your Holiday table - here are a few guaranteed to tantalize you and your guests.

Martha Stewart’s Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Serve this showy dessert this holiday season. Christmas Tree Cakes are laden with snowy frosting and sprinkled with sanding sugar. Save some sugar to create beds of "snow" for serving. This are beautiful – check her website for the recipe – they are made using waffle cones in order to get the tree shape! BRILLIANT!!!

William Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark

Introduced a decade ago, and a favorite ever since this bark is the best. An original Williams-Sonoma recipe, the nostalgic handmade treat continues a proud tradition of artisanal candymaking. Often copied but never matched in quality or flavor, the confection derives its inimitable taste from custom-blended Guittard premium chocolate and natural oil of peppermint that’s triple-distilled to extract the cool, clean flavor of fresh mint. Master candymakers pour melted semisweet chocolate onto a confectioner’s table, then add a layer of creamy white chocolate. The bark is finished with a snowfall of crisp handmade peppermint candy bits – an inspired contrast to the rich, velvety smoothness of the world-class chocolate. I also love (and keep) each of my tins – I can’t wait to get another this year!

William Sonoma Handcrafted Marshmallows

Individually wrapped to preserve their freshness, these classic light-as-air marshmallows are just right for floating in a cup of hot chocolate or dipping into melted chocolate. Making marshmallows this good takes plenty of time: Confectioners begin by cooking whisked egg whites and syrup together in copper kettles; for the chocolate flavor, premium Guittard cocoa is added. Then the airy mixture is poured onto marble slabs to cool and set before its hand cut into cubes. Vanilla and chocolate.

William Sonoma Peppermint Snow

As festive as a holiday snowfall, these red-and-white peppermint bits add seasonal color and crunch to homemade treats. Artisanal confectioners craft the candy entirely by hand, right down to the striped detailing. I would top a wonderful bowl of ice cream with these or sprinkle them all over my holiday cupcakes – the options are endless!

Horchow Chocolates in a Dome

Delight them with chocolates placed on an edible base and enclosed in a container resembling a snow globe. These unique 6-oz. confections are from Golda & I Chocolatiers- almost too lovely to eat……I said almost!

Red Envelope’s Modern Gingerbread House

Every bit as edible as the traditional one, this isn't your grandma's gingerbread house. Red Envelope gave the classic holiday treat a mid-century makeover, complete with garage and rock garden. A unique gift and sure-fire conversation piece, it comes assembled and ready to enjoy. Once unwrapped, it should be eaten within 30 days. Left as decoration, it will keep for up to 12 months. Love it – now I wonder if you could find someone to do a custom gingerbread of your own house – that would be awesome!!!

Lump of Coal in Felt Bag Crate and Barrel Exclusive. Even if they've been nice, kids (and adults) will get a kick out of finding this licorice hard candy in their stocking.

Marks and Spencer Here are some great Christmas cakes from the master of holiday food – unfortunately their not in Canada anymore.

TREATS only.....

Show off your ghoulish side this Halloween with devilish treats and ultra-cool dinner and dessert ideas – both spooky AND fun!

Halloween is one of the most entertaining holidays to decorate for. Some people keep it simple, while others go all out and make their homes a spooktastic creation.

Pottery Barn carries an array of bone, skull and spider accessories that can set the tone – or for a classier look, their baroque salad plates do the trick. For devilish treats check out William Sonoma and Horchow both of which will tempt you.

But nothing beats Martha Stewart – every Halloween she seems to steal the show. Her selection of Halloween treats is unbelievable! This year her website includes a recipe of what I think is one of the most spectacular cakes…. bootiful… with delicately whipped ghost atop a dreamy white frosting! I can’t wait to indulge! Her cupcake and cake stencils are fun and the boonilla shakes are great for kids. Looking for something a little more adult? Martha’s goulish petit fours mashed potatoes are a special addition to the ordinary meals! Happy trick or in this case.....treating!

What a treat…..

I have to say that Pottery Barn Kids has the best selection of Halloween costumes out there! Every year they have a new lineup and every year it gets better. This year kids will enjoy going door-to-door as a hamburger, hot dog or my daughter’s favorite, french fries!

And an outfit is just not complete without a matching bag, their puffy treat bags are just the finishing touch your looking for.

Martha Stewart has some great kid bags as well in her craft line. The candy corn pom poms, window clings and finger puppets are great treats for around the house or in a loot bag!

Also check out babystyle.com for some sweet infant costumes – the peacock one is exceptional! Wrapables.com is another great place to find unique Halloween items like these cute place card holders. While in Asia last fall I came across some beautiful felt carriers and bags I thought were worthy of reference – the intricate designs are really special.

Who knew felt could be so pretty!