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I had a severe case of spring fever today. It was an open the windows, go outside, stop and smell the flowers, kind of day. This morning we took Maggie for a walk in the Rhodie garden. Every time I go, there are more Rhodies coming in to bloom in luscious colors that I have never seen before. In addition to the Rhodies, there are many other flowering plants that have bolted in to bloom.
I found an article from the Food Network website on dyeing eggs with natural dyes. Normally, I would have put it out of my mind because I would have no one to share the activity. BUT, now I have Steph and M & M to share my crazy ideas. So this morning after breakfast, I cooked up several dye concoctions: spinach, red cabbage, paprika, pomegranate juice and cranberry juice. Each had to be boiled with vinegar for 20 minutes and then strained and cooled. Here are the red cabbage and paprika mixtures:
This afternoon my invitees showed up and we arranged hard cooked eggs in bowls and poured the concoctions over. We then put them in the fridge to give them a nice long time to take the color. I was so busy orchestrating the activity that I forgot to take pictures!!
Then the four of us went back to the Rhodie Gardens to feed the ducks and enjoy the beautiful day some more. There is a Japanese Maple that takes my breath away. The colors go from deep red at the bottom and gradate to a softer value at the top. We found a carefully made nest with several eggs along the path. I am afraid that it was made too close to the humans and has been abandoned.
Tonight I took the eggs out of the dye bath and here they are. I think they are quite beautiful. Tomorrow, I will deliver these to M & M.
Left to right: cranberry juice mixed with red cabbage (the cranberry didn’t work on its own), spinach, paprika, paprika mixed with cranberry, pomegranate juice, red cabbage.
Oh, almost forgot to mention that Sharon Rexroad, one of my frequent blog visitors, was the first to see the acronym for the Second Tuesday at Somebody’s House – STASH! So she is getting a little something in the mail.
WOW!! I love that the red cabbage dyed the eggs blue!! The wonders of nature hey!
Although I shudder to admit it, I saw that Martha show about using silk fabrics to dye eggs. She also used white vinegar which is needed to ‘set’ the color.
Red onions make a great magenta, too. Great eggs, Gerrie!
Earlier in the week one of Martha Stewart’s assistants demo-ed dyeing eggs with silk fabrics on the show. Her great-aunt sends each family member a packet of squares cut from silk ties, squares of white sheeting-type fabric, and twist ties. Wrap the silk around the fresh egg, cover with the white sheet, twist it tightly at the top and secure with the twist tie, then place it into the water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. The silk pattern transfers exactly onto the egg wherever it is tight, then the gathers transfer at the top of the egg. Some of the silks can be used up to five times. I thought you might like to try this if you have any appropriate scraps, or Mr. C. has any sacrificial ties lying about. Have a Good Friday!
wow. those are stunning! save one for me!
Wow – this is totally cool – I’m going to have to try it!
Your eggs almost appear to be made of marble….they are gorgeous.
If you won’t be my grandma, how ’bout letting me buy the house next door to you? Perhaps some of that creativity would rub off….and I’d love to walk in the Rhodie garden!
Those eggs turned out beautifully! The colors are so much softer and more complex than commercial egg dye colors.
Hi Gerrie
I’m so looking forward to my surprise! My last name, however, is RexROAD, so I hope whatever you mail gets to me.
Sharon
Can you be my grandma?
Awesome eggs! I love the red cabbage blue. I was just talking to a friend this morning about dying FABRIC with natural colors. She also suggested turmeric or saffron and then wanted to try red beets and walnut husks, since she has a tree in her yard. I need to get off my butt and dye some eggs with my kids…
Hi Gerrie!
Try tumeric for a beautiful yellow dye. I am a big fan of you and your daughters and the wonderful creativity in you family. I am also so envious of your workshop with Jane Dunnewold. Have a wonderful Spring. I am 200 miles up the Columbia from you in Richland, Wa.
Cheers,
Jeannie