Last night Andy and I made some Easter eggs inspired by these pretty ones. I just clipped some tiny sprigs from our tangle of a yard, placed them on the raw eggs, took a square of pantyhose (if you do a dozen eggs it's best to have two pairs of pantyhose) and stretched it over the sprig and egg, then caught up all the edges of the pantyhose in a little rubberband. (You want to pull the pantyhose pretty tight, so the sprigs stay on the egg.) Then, in a big soup pot, we made a little bed of outer skins from about eight or nine yellow onions, placed all the eggs on the skins, covered them with more skins, then added a few tablespoons of vinegar and enough cold water just to cover it all. Brought it just up to a boil then let it simmer very gently, without rumbling the eggs, for about fifteen minutes. Took the pot off the heat and let it sit for another fifteen minutes. Took the eggs out (careful, they're hot), rinsed them in cold water, and unveiled them. Voila. Beautiful botanical eggs.
My favorites are the ones that picked up some color from the blue flowers that were laid on top of them. It's best if you use sprigs that are very delicate, with thin leaves so that they can really press down on the egg. It also helps if the egg is a bit wet, because then the leaves will stick better when you go to wrap them with the pantyhose. Anyway, I think they look pretty. And I am a deviled egg fiend so I might have to make some more. I might try making some other colors, too.
Happy Easter weekend, dear friends!





Those are so amazingly cool. I am not doing any eggs this year, but I'm bookmarking this for next year!
Posted by: Grace | April 06, 2012 at 09:17 AM
What beautiful eggs! Thanks for sharing the technique with us. Hoping you and Andy and the critters will all enjoy a beautiful Easter weekend, too!
Posted by: Kim | April 06, 2012 at 09:17 AM
Oh! Those are simply gorgeous! I love the idea of a completely natural Easter Egg display--it just somehow seems more 'Eastery' to me than fakely colored/dyed eggs!
Posted by: Anna at Victory Garden Yarn | April 06, 2012 at 09:19 AM
Stunning, especially the little blue flower!
Posted by: Carol | April 06, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Beyond Beautiful!!!
Posted by: Vanessa {a fanciful twist} | April 06, 2012 at 09:30 AM
WOW...these are stunning! Can't wait to give it a try!! Thanks for sharing!! ...Lisa :)
Posted by: Lisa | April 06, 2012 at 09:35 AM
I will definitely try this! So beautiful and natural.
Posted by: Cindy Pittman | April 06, 2012 at 09:35 AM
Those are amazingly beautiful! The onion skins gave them such a nice hue. Is it as terra cotta-y as it looks in the photos?
Posted by: MegsieMay | April 06, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Oh, so pretty! I used to do those with my kids when they were little.... Color is gorgeous, btw! I think I remember using onion skins for yellow, and red cabbage for blue:)
Posted by: Debra | April 06, 2012 at 09:58 AM
So cool, they look stunning. I will need to try this :)
Posted by: Shirley Rae | April 06, 2012 at 09:59 AM
Beautifully done.
My hubby is blowing the eggs out now for my son to dye, :)
This will be my first year dying eggs.
Amy
Posted by: vintage market place | April 06, 2012 at 10:05 AM
The eggs are beautiful!! I love the color. I would hate to crack them up, but I know it has to be done. Enjoy your deviled eggs. :-)
Posted by: Judi A. | April 06, 2012 at 10:08 AM
You guys are amazing! Have wonderful Easter!
Posted by: Patty | April 06, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Wow - looks fantastic, how clever of you! :-)
Posted by: tinajo | April 06, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Oh these are so sweet, I can't to try it out.
Posted by: Renaisy Daisy | April 06, 2012 at 10:20 AM
What a cool idea! They turned out great. So pretty.
Posted by: Melody | April 06, 2012 at 10:37 AM
So Beautiful, who would have thought that onion skins could make something so pretty.
Posted by: Spencer | April 06, 2012 at 10:49 AM
love, love, love, love, love, love, love this! will be stealing this idea promptly! :)
Posted by: Dana | April 06, 2012 at 10:51 AM
You could also dye them again in another color. You've got me thinking.
Posted by: Silly Goose | April 06, 2012 at 11:11 AM
These are fabulous! I've never seen anything quite so beautiful. I'll be doing this tonight with my little girls!
Posted by: Cassie | April 06, 2012 at 11:13 AM
So charming!
Posted by: Holly | April 06, 2012 at 11:35 AM
I want to marry them.
Posted by: Melissa Crowe | April 06, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Gorgeous! I went to buy a natural egg dying kit for my boys and realized it was $16 for three colors. I am doing this for sure!!
Posted by: Amanda | April 06, 2012 at 11:46 AM
I saw these on Martha the other day! She had a tip to paint the leaves with egg white to help them adhere to the shell. Very pretty!
Posted by: Katiegirl | April 06, 2012 at 12:02 PM
What a wonderful idea!!!!
STOLEN
Love Leanne xxx
Posted by: Leanne | April 06, 2012 at 12:05 PM