Four fresh ways to decorate your eggs
By Laurie Posted on April 1st, 2009 in Featured, Living Green
Although the ol’ dip n’ dye is a standby that we’re all pretty familiar with, why not try adding a twist to your tradition this Easter holiday by trying some new techniques?
We already told you great steps to keeping it free of chemicals in Dyeing eggs au naturale, and here are four more ideas on how to add some fresh fun when you colour this week.
Colour with crayons
All you need is crayons, your dyes, and your boiled eggs, and you’re ready to go.
Use the crayons to (gently) draw designs on the eggs. The dyes will enhance the colours, and create new effects. When we were young, we were keen on drawing with white crayons only, leaving the drawn parts empty, resulting in a swirling canvas.
Pick up the paint
Feeling pretty crafty? Try painting instead. More experienced kids, teens (and parents) can do their own designs, but splashes and splatters of colour also create a pretty effect. Use paint brushes for details, and sponges for smudges (Psst: use the empty carton to squirt your paints in as the perfect palette.)
Go Ukrainian
Pysanky are Ukrainian Easter eggs, but instead of giving you a detailed explanation of the process, we’ve found a fabulous site, instead. Check out Learn Psyanky, for step-by-step instructions, where to buy your gear, tips, techniques, and more! We highly recommend this site for anyone interesting in the craft (at Easter or not).
Add some oil
Before you dye your eggs, combine 1 tablespoon of oil with the vinegar and choice of food colouring (try our natural dyes). Add enough water to make the liquid deep enough to cover an egg. Swirl the mixture (so the oil briefly distributes), then add the egg, immediately taking it out. Pat dry, and add to another colour, following the same method. Keep going if you’d like. This creates a swirling, subtle effect.
Other ideas include using elastics and masking tape to create white spots and lines, and using markers to add effects after the dye dries.
Do you have a favourite dye method? Tell us about it!
Image courtesy of here
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