These cute and whimsical Easter cards are a snap to make! This is a great project for kids -- they love the fact that they get to color their skin! Send one to Thumb-bunny Special this Easter and you'll be sure to brighten their day.

WHAT YOU NEED:
- kids washable, fat tipped, markers (like Crayola)
- black, fine point, felt-tip pen
- white typing/computer paper
- colored paper
- white card stock
- glue stick
- scissors

STEP-BY-STEP:
Color the end of your thumb (tip to joint) with the marker using a circular motion. Once completely wet with ink, press firmly to paper. To make chicks - use one thumb print per chick. To make bunnies - use one thumb print for the body and a pinky print for the head. Draw details using the felt-tip pen. Add other embellishments using markers or colored paper. Be sure to wash and dry your thumb before changing colors!

Once thumb print design is completed, cut out and mat on colored paper. Cut card stock to 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" (half a full 8-1/2" x 11" sheet) and fold in half to measure 5-1/2" x 4-1/4." Glue matted thumbprint design to front of card. Write Easter message on the inside.

Have fun with a play on words to create a personal card -- "You're Thumb-bunny Special" and "Thumb-bunny Loves You" are just a few of the phrases you can write on your cards.

WHAT YOU NEED:
- paper plates (three per mask)
- pink construction paper
- scissors
- glue
- whole punch
- ribbon, string or rubber bands
- markers, crayons or colored pencils

STEP-BY-STEP:
Preparation -- Depending on the ages of the children making the mask the preparation can be done by an adult or the child.

Cut the bottom third off one plate (end of mask/ plate should be between their nose and mouth) in a rounded V shape.

Cut ear shapes from the middle portion of remaining two plates. Cut the same shape - only slightly smaller from the pink construction paper. Cut a small triangle nose from pink construction paper.

Punch two holes on the right and left side of the mask - place holes so they are slightly below and above the top and bottom of their ear. For small children you may need to trim the sides of the mask/plate to fit their head. Punch eye holes in the appropriate location for each child using a punch or tip of scissors

Assembly -- Glue together the ears - pink on top of white - and glue to top inside edge of mask. Use a piece of tape to help secure each ear while glue dries. If time is short, consider stapling ears to top of mask. Glue nose to bottom center of mask. Draw eyes and whiskers. Tie ribbon, string, rubber bands through side holes to create ear loops.

WHAT YOU NEED:
- pine wood cutout of bunny (click here for pattern)
- drill w/ 3/8" bit
- sand paper
- white craft paint
- paint brush
- white felt
- pink make-up or chalk
- one white 1-inch pompom
- fine tipped black Sharpie
- craft glue
(shredded pink easter grass for display only)

STEP-BY-STEP:
Cut out bunny using pattern provided and jig-saw. Drill shallow holes in the top where you want the ears to be. Lightly sand surface, removing all rough edges left by saw and drill. Paint entire surface white, and allow to dry completely.

Using the fine tipped Sharpie, draw on face - eyes, nose, mouth. Draw "stitch" lines around the edge of the body - 1/8" from the edge and about 1/8" in length. See picture to left for additional help. Cut two ears from felt. Using a Q-tip or eye shadow applicator lightly and sparingly apply pink make-up or chalk to the center of the ear for color. Do the same on the bunnies face for cheeks. Glue ears (fold the bottoms slightly in half) in pre-drilled ear holes. Glue pompom tail to back of bunny close to base. Allow all glue to dry completely.

WHAT YOU NEED: - 1 package of 6 - 3" Styrofoam balls - assorted scraps of spring fabrics - straight pins (3-4/ball) - scissors or rotary cutter If purchasing fabrics for this project, 1/8 yard will cover at least two 3" balls.

STEP-BY-STEP:
Cut (or rip) fabric into 1" wide strips. If scraps are short in length, consider sewing them together (end to end) with a scant 1/4" seam to create one long strip. Secure one end of fabric strip to Styrofoam ball with straight pin. Evenly wrap ball with fabric, covering Styrofoam completely. Secure new lengths of fabric with straight pins or overlap fabric 1-2 inches. To finish, fold raw end of fabric strip to inside of ball and secure with a straight pin.

WHAT YOU NEED:
- 1 large package Jell-O (8 serving size)
- 1-1/4 cup boiling water
- Jell-O Bean Mold
- Vegetable cooking spray or vegetable oil.

Recipe from Jell-O.

STEP-BY-STEP:
Boil water. While water is coming to a boil, spray mold with cooking spray or using a paper towel, coat mold with vegetable oil. Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water completely.

Pour hot Jell-O into mold. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2/3 cup mayonnaise, divided 4 large hard-cooked eggs, chopped 1 celery rib, diced 4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives 1 tablespoon minced sweet onion 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 12 very thin white or wheat sandwich bread slices, lightly toasted 1 cup firmly packed fresh spinach* Garnish: whole fresh chives *Substitute fresh arugula for the spinach if you prefer its spicy bite.

Stir together 1/3 cup mayonnaise and next 7 ingredients.

Spread remaining 1/3 cup mayonnaise evenly over 1 side of each bread slice. Spread 4 bread slices, mayonnaise side up, evenly with half of egg salad. Top evenly with half of spinach and 4 bread slices. Repeat procedure with remaining egg salad, spinach, and bread slices. Cut each sandwich into quarters; garnish, if desired.

Egg Salad:
Omit the bread, spinach, and 1/3 cup mayonnaise.

Sweet-Pickle Egg Salad Club:
Omit bacon and chives. Add 2 tablespoons instant potato flakes and 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish; proceed with recipe as directed.

Shrimp-Egg Salad Club:
Omit bacon. Add 2/3 cup finely chopped boiled shrimp, 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind, and 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper. Proceed with recipe as directed.

Egg Salad Tip:
If your favorite egg salad recipe seems a little wet, stir in 2 tablespoons of instant potato flakes.