Traditional Rainbow

An oldie, but a goodie...

To make the traditional rainbow egg:

1) Dye half yellow.

2) Dye the other half red/pink.

3) Dye HALF of the yellow section blue.

4) Dye HALF of the pink section blue.

Yes, you can totally alter this and play around with the colors.  Try adding additional "stripes" as well.  I will warn you this one takes some patience and a steady hand - you can't just dunk this one in the dye and walk away! :)

TIE Dye Eggs

After watching Martha do this for years, I finally tried it out.  These aren't the best photos, but they are the real deal pics from my house.

First, you have to find a bunch of silk ties to cut up (Salvation Army, Goodwill, ask friends).

Cut the ties up - you need squares of just the silk design part, discard the rest.  You should be able to get enough silk from each tie to do 2-3 eggs at least.

Face the good side of the tie fabric IN and wrap around the egg. Secure with a rubber band or tie tight with string.

I don't have a good shot of this here, but if you want to do multiple eggs, also wrap with a piece of muslin or cotton (like an old sheet cut up). This is what you see in boiling pot photo.

Boil for about 15 minutes.

Again, I don't eat the eggs.

Once cooled, cross your fingers and unwrap! 

Be ready for the design to transfer in its own way. It won't be an even transfer - but it is really cool.

Martha says 20 minutes and you can eat the eggs: http://www.marthastewart.com/269788/silk-tie-easter-eggs

Paper Reinforcements

Since you can use pretty much any kind of sticker on dry eggs before you dye them, try paper reinforcement stickers (you know...the ones that look like little Cheerios).  The all plasticy ones work better than the paper ones, if you can find them.  One pack of reinforcements is PLENTY, trust me.

Dimensional Fabric Paint

Once you are done dying your eggs, you can use dimensional fabric paint to add decorations.  I'm sort of a mini-dot fan, but you can add whatever you want (words, squiggles, spirals, etc).

Make sure your egg is good and dry before using the paint.  If not, the paint won't adhere.  If you try to dye it AFTER you add the paint, be prepared for the paint to likely come off.

If the tip of your paint bottle nozzle gets clogged, sort of pull the tip off (lean it to one side), use a straight pin to get the clog out, and replace the tip.

A lot of people ask me if it's OK to eat the eggs after doing this.  I have no idea.  I rarely eat any eggs I color... sorry.  If you aren't sure - then don't.

Masking Tape

Masking tape works on eggs, too.  The edges will be a little fuzzier than electrical tape, but it depends on what look you are going for (and, often what you happen to have around the house).  This example is pretty tame, but you can cut out letters, shapes, and more.  I once did a landscape image on an egg with different "layers" of mountains and such.  You have to really think backwards - but it works!

Alphabet Stickers (and other tips for lettering)

Alphabet stickers can be found in the scrapbooking section of your craft store (among other places).  Stick them on the egg and rub hard to get them adhered as best you can. The stickers will usually hold up to one or two "dunks" of colors.  You can pre-dye (and dry) the egg before the stickers as well.

Other lettering Ideas:

• White crayons
• Those funky clear crayons that come in the Paas dye kits
• Cut letters out of electrical tape or masking tape

Dinosaur Eggs!

Dinosaur Eggs!

1. Boil your eggs and let them cool.

2. Lightly tap on the counter to make a bunch of little cracks. Some people whack them with a spoon.

3. Using one plastic bag per egg, put some food coloring in each bag.

4. Put one egg in each bag and SEAL or if you are using those weirdo folding sandwich bags, use a twist tie to be safe.

5. Sort of lightly smoosh the bag around to distribute the food coloring.

6. Let sit for a minimum of 30 min.

7. Rinse with water.

8. If you want, you can help set the color with a little pour of vinegar over them.

9. Peel!

We tried them ourselves, of course.

This was the first time EVER that none of my eggs cracked.

Will, resident egg cracker

All bundled up with dye (food coloring).

Keep 'em in the fridge.

Alternative version - using traditional egg dye kits.

This one involves one egg per bowl, and then leaving the bowl in the refrigerator for a few hours. I'm not that patient.