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!
Wow - these are the most beautiful and organic Easter eggs I've ever seen - whodda thunk it? Thanks for sharing this inspiration with us.
Posted by: tacomapat | April 06, 2012 at 12:07 PM
My mom did this when I was a kid, I keep meaning to do it w/my kids. Gorgeous!!
Posted by: anne | April 06, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Breathtaking! When I saw the photos.... I gasped! Amazing.
Posted by: tif | April 06, 2012 at 12:26 PM
These are beautiful! :-)
Posted by: Stefani | April 06, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Gorgeous!!
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 06, 2012 at 01:20 PM
So simple. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us today.
Posted by: Donna | April 06, 2012 at 01:39 PM
Do you have a favorite deviled egg recipe? I am planning to make some soon and could use suggestions.
Posted by: Annika | April 06, 2012 at 01:54 PM
The prettiest Easter eggs ever!
Posted by: Sara | April 06, 2012 at 01:54 PM
Those are beautiful. I have been egg dyeing this afternoon with some friends and some Austrian egg dye. I will try and remeber your method for next year :o)
Happy Easter
Posted by: sheila | April 06, 2012 at 02:12 PM
These are really beautiful. Makes me want to run out and buy a bunch of onions. Maybe I will...
Happy Easter Alicia and Andy
Posted by: Nancy | April 06, 2012 at 02:38 PM
Such a beautiful way to decorate! Lovely cut-outs and rich colours. We will have to try this :) Thank you for shaing this idea!!!
Posted by: Puddles n' Price | April 06, 2012 at 03:09 PM
Lovely idea. Happy Easter, Paulsons.
Posted by: Judith Norman | April 06, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Those are stunning. I love how natural they are. My new chicks are babies but next Easter I will have real colored eggs from my girls. Have a blessed Easter.
Posted by: Sunny Simple Life | April 06, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Those are great!
Posted by: Jill | April 06, 2012 at 06:22 PM
I almost wish I had onions in the house (another food sensitivity) just so I could peel them for this project.
I will think about it - maybe cry over the peeling of the skins.
Gorgeous eggs. Too pretty to eat.
Posted by: kathyh | April 06, 2012 at 06:28 PM
♥ They turned out beautifully...I've done onion skins for the past couple of years and love it...I will have to try using some herbs and such to see how this technique works...I'm wondering if I need to get white eggs, as we have 2 chickens now and get brown and a blue/green egg from them. I was hoping just to use those, but I don't think the contrast will be as striking.
Posted by: Martha | April 06, 2012 at 06:36 PM
Oh-so-beautiful! Love them!!!
Posted by: Sarah | April 06, 2012 at 06:38 PM
What in the…?! Those are beautiful and do not look possible to make. I agree with Melissa Crowe above, "I want to marry them."
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Kate Bratt | April 06, 2012 at 06:43 PM
Gorgeous, thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kathy | April 06, 2012 at 10:21 PM
These are beautiful! It seems a shame to break them open, but you're right - deviled eggs are oh soooo good.
Posted by: Jenny Scheuch | April 06, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Just gorgeous! Now if only I could find something to use under our snow! LOL!
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Captain Momma | April 06, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Must you hoard all the talent in the whole wide world, Alicia?!
Gourmet cooking, photography, knitting, sewing, crochet, all needle work, design, product development, and writing--enough already!
These are the loveliest eggs I've seen.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | April 06, 2012 at 11:08 PM
I love the way they've picked up the texture to the pantyhose...they look woven... Have a great Easter :o)
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | April 07, 2012 at 01:35 AM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Nancy Wethington | April 07, 2012 at 01:44 AM
The eggs are absolutely beautiful - will definitely try this.
Chris xx
Posted by: Chris | April 07, 2012 at 01:55 AM