By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

I love a homespun chic cake decoration for Easter and these take the cake (see how I did that)! 

1. Robin’s Egg Cake

What to do: Frost your cake using a frosting tinted robin’s egg blue. Cover your surface with paper towels (trust me, this gets messy). In a small bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons vanilla extract. Dip a clean paint brush into the cocoa mixture and tap off any extra. Holding the brush in one hand, tap it against the other hand over the cake to create a splatter effect. You can also flick the bristles with your index finger toward the cake. Decorate with purchased malted eggs. 

2. Peep Show Cake

What to do: Frost a two tiered cake with a pale yellow frosting. On the lower tier, pipe rosettes around the sides of the cake only. On the second tier, place peeps around the perimeter. PRO TIP: Leave the peeps joined as they come packaged as they are easier to shape around the cake. Save one peep for the top! 

3. Jelly Bean Tower Cake (with pom poms natch)

What to do: Frost 3 different tube cakes with a thick layer of tinted frosting.  Then, painstakingly, add jelly beans to cover the cakes. Top with pom poms (optional). 

4. Malted Vanilla Cake

What to do: Frost the cake with a copper tinted frosting. Place a mound of store bought cotton candy on the top of the cake and top with malted Easter eggs. 
Get the Vanilla Malted Cake recipe HERE.
Photography by Chia Chong

5. Pink Cloud Sprinkle Cake

What to do: Frost a sprinkle cake with an egg white frosting and sprinkle with Spring Break Sprinkles. 

Need a refresher on how to frost a layer cake? Watch my video HERE. 

by Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

The word applique used to scare me, then I did it (crudely) a couple of times and now it’s my go to for immediate sewing gratification. I’ll wear this Spring inspired bistro apron all year…as soon as I can rip it off one Ms. Bunny Ragsdale. 

Ingredients:
1 bistro apron (I used white)
A few scraps of fabric (gingham and polka dot preferably)
Patterns made of card stock (flower, pistil and leaf )
1 pair scissors
Colorful thread (I used green)
Basic sewing machine (you can also do this by hand)

What to do:
Step 01
Use your stencils and trace onto the fabric scraps. Make a few of each, and cut out.

Step 02
To machine applique you don’t need a fancy machine, just a basic machine capable of doing a zigzag stitch.

Stitch around the perimeter of your applique pieces using a tight zigzag stitch on your sewing machine, or alternatively, stitch by hand using a blanket stitch. Change your thread colour as you go to match (or contrast if you like) with each applique piece. When stitching curves and corners, put the needle down into the fabric on the opposite side to the way you are going to turn, then lift the foot and pivot the fabric.

I stitched the centers/pistils onto every flower first, then pinned them into the placement I wanted on the apron. Then starting sewing!!

Step 03
Apron up and serve your best smile with Easter dinner!

Other fun applique projects:
DIY Watermelon Napkins
Triple Scoop Ice Cream Appliqued Kite (perfect to decorate a nursery)

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

An Easter lunch table is the perfect time to have a little fun. I love this table for so many reasons, from the gingham chair cushions to the papier mache bunnies! What I love most? Dessert on the table in the form of jelly beans! 

Jelly Bean and Bunny Easter Tablescape
serves 4

What you need: 
Adorable hand-sewn gingham cushions

3 Papier Mache Bunnies (lavender, pink and a certain shade of orange) for the center of the table
Get the HOW TO HERE! 

Pink glassware, vintage bunny pressed glass dishes, white plates, flatware, torn gingham fabric napkins and JELLY BEANS!!!!!

Bunny costume with festive Easter hat (optional)

Happy Easter!!

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

Handmade papier mache bunnies painted lavender, pink and orange are the perfect centerpiece for an Easter luncheon table because actual bunnies hopping is typically never a good decision.

Ingredients:
Scissors
Cardboard
Masking Tape
White Glue
Water
Joint-Compound
Latex Glove
Paint
Paintbrush
Newspaper ( Half the paper cut into 1″x5″ strips, half left for filling)
Marker

What to do:

Bunny Body
Step 01: Create a form

With your cardboard, use a marker to sketch out your bunny’s body. You’ll want to draw the main body, cutting slits about half way down the top of the head, up the front legs, and down the middle back. Create three more forms to fit in those slits creating a 3-D bunny form.

Make sure to trace these forms before assembly if planning on making more than one!

Use masking tape to seal the form in place and to add extra support. Your bunny should stand on its own, if not add more masking tape to level her up!

Step 02: Fill in form

Using one half of the newspaper, bunch up and tape onto your form. Once you see the form looking more like a bunny, use the masking tape to completely cover the newspaper and round off any hard edges.

Step 03: Paper Mache Time!

In a large mixing bowl; mix equal parts white glue, joint compound, and water. Make sure to wear gloves and mix together. Once fully mixed, take your newspaper strips and dip into the mixture and place onto your form. Continue until entirely covered. Let dry overnight and repeat.

Your mixture may need to be mixed up a few times as the joint compound will settle on the bottom of the bowl.

Bunny Ears
Step 1: Create a form

Take any extra cardboard and draw out an ear for your bunny. Create a line a crease up the middle and a small triangle at the bottom. This will help your bunny ear look realistic with a curve and also fit onto her head!

Using your masking tape, fix your ears to the bunny body. Use extra tape to ensure they’re firm and won’t move. Tape around the entire ear.

Step 2: Paper Mache Time!

Using the same mixture as with the body, cover your ears completely. I also took advantage of the dry body to add another layer of paper mache to the whole body.

Step 3: Finishing Touches!
When you’re satisfied with the bunny’s look and she is completely dry, mix up some paint and give her at least two coats. I painted mine three times, added some handmade pom poms for a nose and tail and paper whiskers for the perfect finish!