An Eggcellent Idea...

Using real eggshells in your spring decor is a beautiful way to perk up your home. They look lovely resting in a basket, bowl, or in a nest of twigs. I love to use them as fillers in tall vases. You can dye the eggs pastel Easter colors, make them all robin's egg blue, or use brown eggs with no dye for a natural look. Here's a crash course on egg-blowing 101:

• Dye eggs first
• Let the eggs come to room temperature
• Pierce the long ends of eggs with a long needle or cake tester
• Swish the needle inside the egg to break up the yolk
• Choose an end and blow out the contents*
• Once the contents are out, rinse the egg out with water several times.
• Place shells in microwave on high for 15-30 seconds.

*You can use a small drinking straw, turkey baster, ear bulb syringe, or your mouth!
(Warning, if you blow with your mouth, you will become lightheaded!) Also, I'm not even going to warn you about Salmonella, since you are a smart bunch and know not to go around ingesting raw eggs!

This process is somewhat tedious and may seem like it's not worth it, but once the eggs are finished you can keep them forever! Store them in an egg carton for next year.