Sunday, April 12, 2009

Natural Dyed Easter Eggs


There are so many lovely ways to dye Easter eggs! I love the natural look of these eggs that I found at long ago on a website that no longer exists. I took a walk around my garden and found a few crocus and dwarf iris blooms and also cut some fronds of Italian parsley.  Then I collected all the red and yellow onion skins I could find. You can see the pattern of the parsley leaf in the egg above.


I held the bits of flower or parsley in place on each egg and carefully placed onion skins around each one. I wasn't too careful to make sure the entire egg was covered with onion skin. Then I wrapped each 'package' with cut sections of old nylon panty hose and tied them with kitchen string. (Next time I will use white muslin or cheese cloth as the color from the stockings dyed onto the eggs too).

Then, I filled a large pan with water, just to cover the eggs, added a large splash of vinegar (maybe 1/4 cup) to the pot to help the colors set.  The water was brought to a boil, then lowered.  I simmered them in the water for about 15-20 minutes.  I removed them from the hot water and put them into a bowl of ice water for about 5 minutes.  Then I removed the wrapping.


I was delighted with the results!  Each member of the family will have a small glass basket of eggs at their place setting today!

17 comments:

Karynefoodaddict said...

good idea! very nice result!

Carol said...

Very pretty! They came out so nice and your table with look beautiful with each of the glass baskets!

Happy Easter, Susan, to you and your family!

Martha said...

I've been wanting to try that -- perhaps next year.

Happy Easter

Martha

A Grain of Salt said...

How clever, Susan. And they look lovely in the glass baskets.

Suzy said...

Really cool eggs Susan! I remember my grandmother telling me the things they used to use to dye eggs in the "old days". Onion skins was one of them! I'd love to try these too.

La Table De Nana said...

We are so funny in trying out similar things:) Yours worked much better! They are glorious!
I tried the silk tie ones.. turns out they were faux silk ties..My eggs stayed the same:(

Happy Easter!

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Very pretty Susan! I love how you put them in glass baskets to incorporate them in your table setting.

Happy Easter, Susan, to you and your family!

Marsha said...

How fun it is to come back and catch up reading your wonderful posts! I loved each and every one...the devilish chicks (too cute), the birthday cake (sounds like a wonderful cake for a birthday tradition) and these beautiful eggs. How perfectly creative and you are right...they have such a natural look. I love how they displayed for easter dinner in those cute baskets as well.
Wishing you and your family belated Easter greetings.

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Susan, I love the look of your eggs ~ I remember Sunset Magazine doing something very similar when I was a newlywed (long time ago!) I've never tried it this way, but you've provided great inspiration, and beautifully photographed, as always.

Thank you, and I hope you and your (growing family) :) are enjoying a wonderful Easter celebration. xo~m.

Annie said...

Very lovely, Susan, I've been away and its so nice to come back at Easter time to see all the pretty and creative ideas!

Foley said...

Susan - they turned out beautiful, I love your little glass baskets! Wht a great way to decorate your place settings!

Cynthia said...

Happy Easter, Susan ... They eggs are gorgeous ... I love the earthiness and natural look of your eggs.

Joyce said...

Interesting!
Joyce

Cathy said...

Your Easter eggs are beautiful, Susan, and what a lovely gift for your family. I love the subtle earth tones.

Marjorie Savill Linthwaite said...

Savouring Time in the Kitchen,

Happy Easter,

Marjorie.

Marysol said...

What a beautiful effect you achieved on those Easter eggs. One of these days I'll remember to try that technique.

Kathleen said...

They look beautiful..what an interesting technique. Your table looks so pretty..hats off to you! :)