ASK MARTHA\Don't be chicken when emptying eggs for decorating.

Byline: Martha Stewart 

Q: What is the best way to empty eggs without breaking them, so the shells can be decorated for Easter?

- Amy Keeler, Brownsville, Pa.

A: To empty the contents of eggs without breaking or cracking the shells, I use the "blow out" method.

You'll need the following materials: a very large needle, such as an upholsterer's needle, a 2-ounce-size baby's ear syringe (available at most drugstores), a bowl and some water.

Here's how to do it:

1. Use the needle to poke a hole in each end of an uncooked egg, making one hole slightly larger than the other.

2. Hold the egg over the bowl and then place the tip of the syringe atop the smaller hole. Squeeze the syringe to press air through the egg. The air will blow the contents of the egg into the bowl.

3. Use the same syringe to insert some cool water into the empty egg. Shake the water around inside the shell and then blow the water out with the syringe. You will be left with a clean, empty egg that is ready to decorate.

If you are merely coloring the eggs, it is better to dye them before blowing them out. The weight - and the absence of holes into which the color can seep - will make the dying process easier.

You may also want to try making colored hard-boiled eggs. Here is a method I learned from my grandmother, which produces beautiful marbleized eggs that resemble the Italian marble eggs sold as paperweights.

All you need are eggs (brown, white and Araucana blue, if you can find them), onion skins (yellow, white and red), cheesecloth and some string. The colored onion skins dye the eggs wonderful shades of mottled brown.

1. Cut the cheesecloth into 7-inch squares. Put a piece on the palm of one hand. Put one layer of onion skins on top on the cheesecloth. Overlap skins so no cheesecloth shows.

2. Put the uncooked egg in the center of the onion skins. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth and twist the cheesecloth tightly around the egg so that the egg is completely covered with onion skins. Secure with a piece of string.

3. Do as many eggs as desired, then place the eggs in a large kettle, cover with cold water and bring to a slow boil.

4. Boil for 12 minutes, stirring gently. Allow the eggs to cool in the liquid before unwrapping them.

Q: I need help in purchasing new cookie sheets. There are so many - and each manufacturer claims something different. What do you recommend?

- Toni Krupa, North Olmsted, Ohio 

A: I recently purchased insulated cookie sheets that work extremely well for baking cookies. These sideless sheets are made from aluminum alloy and have an insulated core.

Several manufacturers make such sheets, and they are available at most good cookware stores.

I like to bake cookies atop parchment paper that I cut to fit my sheets. The paper eliminates the need to spray or butter the pans and makes cleanup easier.

Also available are synthetic sheets that act as nonstick liners for cookie sheets. These are nice because they enable you to roll and cut very large cookies - which can be difficult to move - right on top of the baking sheets.

The 17-by-20-inch washable liners, which can be cut to size, can be ordered through Seattle-based Sur La Table for $6.95 apiece, $10.95 for two plus tax and shipping. Call [phone] to order or to request a catalog.

Q: I have beautiful silk ties, woolen three-piece suits and colorful twill slacks that belonged to my father, who recently passed away. I would like to make a special keepsake from the fabrics for my sisters and brothers.

Any imaginative ideas for sewing such a treasure?

- Shari Scwartz, Farmington Hills, Mich.

A: What a wonderful project to create mementos for your family from your father's elegant clothing!

I think you should make patchwork crazy-quilt fabric and then fashion the fabric into pillows for each of your siblings.

Look through quilting books for inspiration. Crazy quilts traditionally use silk and wool fabrics and lots of silk-thread embroidery for decoration. If you want to use just wool fabrics, cut the wool into squares and then quilt the squares.

Most of this can be done with a sewing machine.