YOUR PLACE BRUSH UP YOUR EASTER SKILLS.

Byline: - Jaime Spangrude

Easter is just around the corner, which means you should be putting the final touches on the kids' baskets and have the eggs ready to be hidden for the annual hunt. If you're having a hard time hopping to it, here are some suggestions for adding fun to your festivities.

EASTER 101: Tune in to ``The Carol Duvall Show'' on HGTV every morning this week to get ideas from the arts-and-crafts guru and her guests. Their demonstrations will teach viewers how to make extraordinary Easter creations by painting eggs, creating cards, baking cakes and cookies, and weaving baskets. ``The Carol Duvall Show'' airs at 9 a.m. weekdays on HGTV.

MARSHMALLOW MADNESS: Kids don't have to wait until springtime to enjoy those sugary, sticky Peeps marshmallows. WHAM-O has come out with its latest fun toy, the Marshmallow Peeps Marshmallow Maker, which will allow families to make their own chewy chicks all year long. In a matter of minutes, kids can hatch their own Peeps in shapes including chicks, bunnies, stars, hearts and eggs. They also have the choice of coloring their creations pink or yellow. The toy is easy to use and is intended for children ages 5 and older. The Marshmallow Peeps Marshmallow Maker is available at Toys ``R'' Us stores for $14.99.

CRAFTY IDEAS: DIY (Do It Yourself) Network is at it again. The new TV series ``Embellish This!'' is great for those viewers looking to revamp, redo or re-create items around their home. Host Dena Fishbein, pictured, gives tips on painting and decorating everything from picture frames to lampshades while keeping spending at a minimum. ``Embellish This!'' premieres at 2:30 p.m. today on DIY.

OPEN HOUSE: Take a guided tour of the lush botanic garden and greenhouse, get answers to your gardening questions and learn about exotic flowers and plants at California State University, Northridge, Extension's free open house, 9 to 11 a.m. today on the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. For more information, call [phone].

A WORK OF ART: Rose Lladro will be at Macy's West at the Promenade Mall in Woodland Hills from 1 to 3 p.m. today offering design tips and signing Lladro family porcelain sculptures. The Lladro family are world-renowned Spanish designers of porcelain art.

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(1) no caption (Lladro family porcelain sculpture)

(2) Dena Fishbein

(3) no caption (Marshmallow Peeps Marshmallow Maker)