Need a little inspiration before your annual Easter egg dye-fest? We’ve got you covered. From intricate illustrations to treats that are way too awesome to eat, scroll down to see 12 designs that will blow you away.

photo: Jenna Johnson via Life Is For the Fun

1. Cascarones
These babies are a tradition in Mexico and are essentially the egg-y version of a piñata. Each one is beautifully decorated on the outside and filled with confetti or glitter. We love the ones spotted over at Etsy shop Life Is For the Fun.

photo: courtesy Ukrainian Easter Eggs 

2. Ornamental Eggs
Ukrainian Easter eggs are famous for their intricate designs, and this Etsy shop is filled with amazing creations. Shop owner Katya paints all of the ornaments herself in the classic Pysanka style. Look through all her creations here.

photo: Beth Ann Magnuson via The Nest at Windy Corner

3. Magically Marbled
These shiny orbs are hand blown and dyed by the owner of The Nest at Windy Corner. When you order one, you can choose between the color schemes available or one of your own choosing. Find out more about this groovy take on Easter here.

4. Royal Orbs
When it come to eggs, it doesn’t get more luxurious than Fabergé. The Imperial Lillies of the Valley Egg was an anniversary gift from Czar Nicholas to his wife. Yes, it’s decorated with diamonds and pearls, but we think the sweetest touch is the framed photos of himself and their two eldest daughters, Olga and Tatiana, that rise from the top. See more of these royal eggs over here.

photo: Karen Roe via Flickr

5. Have a Blast this Easter
This rocket ship took part in an egg-citing art exhibit during the 2013 Big Egg Hunt in London. The bright, fun illustrations are the work of Chris Martin, a.k.a the lead singer of Coldplay. Talk about a seriously hidden talent!

photo: David Luders via Flickr

6. LEGO My Egg-o
This might be our favorite find. Your LEGO fanatics can even build their own version with the instructions from master builder Dave Luders.
Click here to see how it’s done.

7. Not Quite a Cadbury
We had to add this chocolate egg to our list because it’s so much more than that (it’s actually cheesecake, yum!). Looking very reminiscent of a Cadbury egg, this treat doubles as a DIY and baking project for the fancy Easter enthusiast. Head over to Rasberri Cupcakes for the tutorial.

8. Eggs Over Ice
Fabergé eggs are infinitely famous for their excessive but beautiful decor. Made of rock crystal, platinum, and diamonds, the 19th century Winter Egg typically sits on a block of melting ice and holds a bouquet of spring flowers to symbolize happiness and renewed hope.

9. Brightly Beaded
These eggs are a relatively new art form of western-central Mexico, with a truly a unique result. Each bead is applied with beeswax into colorful symbols of the Huichol people. Check out all the great designs over at Huichol Arte.

10. Pretty as a Peacock
In 2010, this pretty egg was submitted by artist Li Shen to an auction at Open Fields School in New Hampshire. It had the necessary flair to garner enough proceeds towards a good cause—school education!

photo: courtesy Purl Soho

11. Cute Crochet
These adorable crochet eggs scream spring. Even better? You can make some of your own with this tutorial by Purl Soho .

11. A Pretty Package
These gems are a fun and inexpensive way to make Easter even prettier. You can recreate this project at home with a little newspaper, glitter, and ribbons. Check out how to complete this project over at Inspireco.

photo: Beth Shirk via bethandcompany

12. A Little Bit of Sugar
We bet you had one of these panoramic sugar eggs when you were a kid. Bring back the tradition with a gorgeous handmade version from confectioner Beth Shirk. Her Etsy shop 
bethandcompany offers different designs and styles, check them all out here!

Which one is your favorite? Share with us in a Comment below.

—Gabby Cullen & Katie Garcia

 

9 Instagrammable Spots for Crazy Cool Kid Pics

If you have to pose your precious babes in front of one more oak tree or babbling brook for a decent holiday card photo or gift for Granny and Gramps, you’re going to tear your hair out. And you have such lovely hair! Instead, up your insta-game and take advantage of LA’s coolest spots for killer photos that will totally wow. We’ve rounded up 9 kid-friendly street art gems to check out ASAP.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#lovewall
Hamilton creator, Lin Manuel Miranda, said it best, “Love is love is love is love is love.” Talk about the most perfect mural to pose your munchkins in front of for family photos, holiday gifts, or even cool prints blown up for the wall at home. Curtis Kulig’s “Love Wall” is located right outside Smashbox Studios in Culver City.

Smashbox Studios
8549 Higuera St.
Culver City

photo: Meghan Rose

#someoneyoulove
One of our favorite children’s book authors, Dallas Clayton (he wrote the amazing An Awesome Book of Thanks! and An Awesome Book of Love!) has painted a fabulous “Stand here and think of someone you love” mural in Silverlake.  So seriously, put the kiddos between the open arms and tell them to think of someone they love.  Then send that person this snap.  Maybe tucked into one of Clayton’s books…

Dangerbird Records
3801 Sunset Blvd.
Silverlake

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#dreambig
If you’re anything like us, for holiday gifts or at the end of the school year, you aimlessly troll the aisles of random craft stores and floral shops in desperate search of thank you gifts for your tykes’ teachers. Instead, why not shoot a gorgeous pic of your darling rugrats in front of Marisable Bazan’s “Dance of the Butterflies” mural emblazoned with the words “dream big.” After all, inspiring your kids to “dream big” is exactly what teachers do. Since the mural is conveniently located in the parking lot of John & Pete’s Fine Wine and Spirits, you could even grab your fave teacher a nice bottle of wine while you’re there too. So much better than an apple.

John & Pete’s Fine Wine and Spirits
621 N. La Cienega
West Hollywood

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#madeinla
We’ve all received the token baby in a basket, baby in a flower pot, baby with a crochet hat birth announcements. Snoozefest! Why not up your baby announcement game by posing LA’s newest (and tiniest) citizens in front of Cisco Home’s “Made in LA” mural. And if your pint-sized Angelenos are older, it’s still an uber cool photo spot to show off their hometown pride.

Cisco Home
8025 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#bleeding hearts
All you need is love—on a wall that is. For a totally funtastic photo that pops, swing by James Goldcrown’s colorful Love Wall/Bleeding Hearts mural at Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop on Abbot Kinney. Just imagine turning this photo into a Valentine for loved ones or your little’s classmates at school. Creative, personal and easy!

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop
1239 Abbot Kinney
Venice

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#angelwings
If you have eyeballs, chances are you’ve spotted some of artist Colette Miller’s Angel Wings murals around town. Part of her Global Angel Wings Project to “remind humanity that we’re all angels of this Earth”—yes, even your little devils—it’s become a game tracking down these winged wonders in hidden spots throughout the city. We especially love the angelic pair in the arts district downtown, with spots for two little angels of your own.

5th St. and Colyton St.
Downtown
(just around the corner from Urth Caffe)

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#mondrianwall
Got a pint-sized Picasso at home? Cruise over to the the Mondrian wall at Artist & Craftsman Supply on La Cienega. With vibrant primary colors as your backdrop, you’ll have no trouble nabbing a swell pic or two of your Cubist cutie-pies that will stand out in the crowd.

Artist & Craftsman Supply
1600 S. La Cienega
Los Angeles

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#pinkwall
Weho’s Paul Smith store is known for many things – chic clothes, attentive service and trendsetting fashion. But it’s the store’s infamous pink exterior that really takes center stage. With a flamingo-colored hue that makes anyone look model ready and oodles of negative space to perfectly frame your subject, it’s a smize-worthy backdrop for tots to show off those back-to-school clothes you’ve just spent your mortgage on. Be prepared though, this is one of the most Instagrammed spots in the country, so you’ll be competing for wall time with fashion bloggers and tourists.

Paul Smith
8221 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

#chrisuphues
Located in the alley behind Pygmy Hippo Shoppe on Beverly Blvd. is a beautiful burst of street art happiness by Chris Uphues. We ask you, how can even the most stubborn kiddo not smile for a photo with this as their backdrop! Full disclosure—like we said, the artwork is in an alley so you may have to crop out the dumpster nearby, but the pic will be perfection nonetheless.

Pygmy Hippo Shoppe
309 N. Stanley Ave.
Los Angeles

Any of your family’s favorite Instagram go-tos we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

–Jennifer O’Brien

Yarn Arts for Tots: Where to Get Knitting

Kids love creating with their own hands -— and they love doing what mom and dad do, too. Knitting and other fiber arts take and teach hand-eye coordination and patience, and teach the satisfaction of watching small amounts of hard work turn into something beautiful and useful. Is your kid ready to learn finger knitting, crocheting or knitting with needles? Here’s how to get started!

photo: by apicturebookmind via Flickr

When to Get Started

Kids might be ready to knit or crochet between seven and ten years old, depending on their dexterity, attention span and patience. As Keli Hanson from Knit Purl in NW Portland told us, writing with a pencil and knitting use similar fine motor skills, so children comfortable writing or drawing with some precision should be relatively comfortable working needles and yarn. This YouTube video has lots of helpful hints, as does the popular book Kids Knitting. Crocheting may be even easier to teach.

Finger Knitting

Finger knitting is a way to get kids into yarn art before they have the dexterity to handle needles or the patience to fix stitches that will inevitably slip. Weave yearn over and around your fingers to create loose swatches that can turn into scarves or a red carpet for your dolls’ fanciest runway events. Check out a simple video on finger knitting.

Getting Started

When teaching kids to knit, you’ll want to start with yarn that isn’t too fuzzy, so they can see their stitches clearly. Many people tend to get big needles, thinking they’ll be easier, but little hands need scaled-down needles and yarn. Wood needles hold onto yarn more readily than metal. Make sure your needles or hooks are on the short side.

The best place to start with the very basics — figuring out what you’ll need if you don’t have a stash of your own — is your favorite local yarn shop. We’ve never been to one of these knitter’s paradises that didn’t have a friendly staff ready to convert new knitters and crocheters. Here are just a few of our area’s yarn shops that offer yarn art and knitting classes for kids.

Happy stitching!

photo: Dublin Bay Knitting Company kids’ corner via Yelp

Dublin Bay Knitting Company
They love teaching kids to knit! There’s no age minimum at Dublin Bay, whose instructors have worked with yarn artists four years and older. Private lessons are available for $12 an hour, normally from noon-4 p.m. Call ahead at least a day or two in advance to reserve a time. Have a larger group? That can be accommodated, too. Just give a call to set it up.

1227 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR
503-223-3229
Online: dublinbay.net

Knitting Bee
Kids’ knitting circles with a dedicated instructor mean help just the way your little knitter needs it! Kids can learn from scratch, or get help with ongoing projects. Come to one session, or as many as you’d like. Pre-registration is required to hold your spot, at $15 for each 1.5-hour class.

10934 SW Barnes Rd.
Portland, OR
503-439-3316
Online: theknittingbee.com

Knit Purl
Children in Knit Purl’s Knitting Basics class have been accompanied by a parent or grandparent in the past — a great “Grownup and Me” date if you’re trying to learn about knitting yourself. Feel free to contact the store or the instructor with any questions.

1101 SW Alder
Portland, OR
503-227-2999
Online: knit-purl.com

Nitro Knitters
Nitro Knitters offers private lessons in their Beaverton store in Pacific Place Center, at $15 for half an hour (perfect for short attention spans), or $30 for an hour of one-on-one instruction.

10047 SW Nimbus Avenue
Beaverton, OR
503-372-9318
Online: nitroknitters.com

Northwest Wools
Northwest Wools supports knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and felting, and many sessions start with a “tour” of the yarn shop, the different types of yarn available, and the different fiber arts that kids can participate in. Most classes are held on a private or semi-private basis, including advanced techniques for kids who’ve already learned the cast-on, cast-off, knit-one-purl-two basics.

3524 SW Troy St.
Portland, OR
503-244-5024
Online: northwestwools.com

Rewear
Rewear can set up individual lessons for your kids in any type of yarn art you would like — one hour of individual lessons usually runs $20, or set up small classes for a group of siblings or friends.

3335 SE Washington St.
Portland, OR
503-939-5673
Online: rewearkids.com

photo: by Veronika Y. via Yelp

Starlight Knitting Society
Drop by anytime for personalized lessons and instruction. Lessons are $25-35 an hour depending on the instructor, but like many knitting shops, help is available for small questions on ongoing projects for no charge.

7028 SE 52nd Ave.
Portland, OR
503-777-1715
Online: starlightknittingsociety.com

Twisted
Twisted offers Learn to Knit classes just for kids, but they’ll often wait until they have a few requests to schedule one — so make a request! Classes are for up to four children ages eight and older, and are held in three one-hour sessions so everyone gets a chance to learn, practice, and thrive.

2310 NE Broadway
Portland, OR
503922-1150
Online: twistedpdx.com

Do you have a favorite yarn shop? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

5 Faves from Parent Hack’s Asha Dornfest

Asha Dornfest, founder and publisher of Parent Hacks and one of Portland’s Top Mom Bloggers , shared her favorite local family spots and of course some parenting hacks in 5 quick questions!

1.  What’s your favorite “escape hatch”—a way to put in some “me” time to recharge?

My new hobby is crochet. I taught myself to crochet precisely because my attention span has suffered since I had kids. What I didn’t expect: how satisfying and profoundly relaxing it is. Unlike reading, I can crochet for 10 minutes and feel refreshed. A bonus: I end up with a nifty handmade something for my trouble!

2.  What is your favorite pearl of wisdom for a frazzled new mom to find her happiness?

Call your friends. Leave the kids with your partner or a sitter and take yourself out to dinner. Take care of yourself. I know you’ve heard it before, but if you’re like me, you’ll brush off this advice for a little too long. Parenting is intense work. Give yourself some
time off, in whatever way feels good for you.

3. What are your family’s favorite trails and bike paths?

We love both the Japanese and Classical Chinese Gardens. When it comes to outings, we often find ourselves wading around near waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.

4.  What are a few of your favorite parks & places to visit with kids and around town?

OMSI, of course. They are continually coming up with new ways to engage kids and adults alike. The Avalon Theater on SE Belmont, with its nickel arcade games and prizes, is always fun on a rainy day. My favorite garden is Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in SE Portland. In May it’s a riot of color, but it’s lovely any time of year. Good spot for kids to jump over stepping stones and appreciate the birds in
the pond.

5.  Where do you like to catch a bite with the little one in tow?

Slappy Cakes (also on SE Belmont) is fun for brunch…make your own pancakes at a tabletop griddle! (Not great for grabby toddlers, but fun for older kids.) Favorite Chinese food: Shandong in NE Portland. And then there’s Potato Champion, one of the food carts on SE Hawthorne. Best fries ever.