A few weeks ago, I felt inspired to experiment using natural dye to colour some large white duck eggs in preparation for Easter. It was during February half term while I was balancing – (trying to balance), a very sickly toddler suffering a vicious ear infection, with caring for two kids at home full time (and by home I mean at my mum’s cottage away from all the familiarities and conveniences of our own home). It was an exhausting week full of sleeplessness and constant nurturing and soothing, and these little eggs are one of the happiest memories I have of it because, let’s face it, double ear infections and school holidays are not a happy combination. And because deep down, I love working on creative projects that are not within the mediums of creativity that come more instinctively to me.
I love how these eggs turned out; so soft and delicate in their finish. And I shall be making some more next week with the children while they are home with me again, in anticipation of Easter. Although I’m hoping this school break we will be sickness free!
Heres how I made them:
Make a hole in each end of the eggs and blow them first to empty them.
Prepare 3 bowls with natural dye: I used beetroot vinegar for the pink eggs, red cabbage, (boil the cabbage for 20 mins in water with 3 tablespoons of vinegar, strain, reserving the resulting blue liquid for soaking), for the blue eggs and onion skins for the yellow ones – boil 6 yellow onion skins with the eggs in water with 3 tablespoons of vinegar.
I kept the eggs in the coloured liquids for around 30 mins to 1.5 hours turning them every so often, and that was it. When I removed them I left them to dry in an empty egg carton. So simple and quite satisfying and a fun project to do with little ones.
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