Easter on parade

Basket

To make:
1. From Bristol board and gift wrap, cut 1 piece each , 40 x 30 cm (15-3/4 x 11-7/8 inches). Paste gift wrap, wrong side down, onto board. Let dry. Trace 1 basket and 1 handle pattern onto Bristol board side; cut out. Roll basket into cone so straight side edges overlap 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches), then glue or staple along overlap.
2. If desired, punch hole at dot in centre of each scallop; thread narrow strip of paper or ribbon through holes, overlap ends and glue. At opposite sides of basket, glue or staple handle ends, approx 2 cm (3/4 inch), down inside. With scissor edge, curl several narrow strips of paper or ribbon; glue end of each to outside at handle end. Trace 2 or 3 leaves and 1 small circle onto Bristol board or craft foam; cut out. Pinch edge of small doily into "petals, " Glue circle onto centre of doily, then glue leaves and doily over paper-strip ends.

Easter Eggs

You need:
Eggs
White vinegar
Acrylic paints in desired colours
Fine-tip artist's paintbrush
Acrylic spray varnish (optional)
Small pieces of clean sponge
Peel-and-stick reinforcements (for 3-ring-paper holes) and dots (both optional and available at stationery stores)
Florist's wire (optional)
Large bowl(s), darning needle, paper towels

To make:
1. With darning needle, make hole in each end of egg; blow contents out into bowl. Moisten paper towels with vinegar and wipe eggs clean; let dry. If desired, string blown eggs onto wire while decorating and suspend over large bowl(s) until dry.
2. Using brush, paint eggs with light colour; let dry, then decorate. Polka-dot eggs: With paintbrush, dab on dots of contrasting colour(s) OR stick reinforcers or dots all over egg. With contrasting colour, sponge-paint holes in reinforcers or spaces between dots; let dry. Peel off reinforcers or dots. Spongepainted eggs: Lightly sponge-paint 1 or 2 contrasting colours over base colour; let dry between coats.
3. If desired, spray-varnish eggs to seal.