MAKING HAY WITH MARIANNE: NATURAL EASTER EGG DYES
Whenever we need practical, friendly — and environmentally friendly — advice we ask Marianne, superstar organic farmer and Dripping Springs sage. Rather than keep her wisdom all to ourselves, we asked her if we could share her answers and maybe even have an ongoing series for the Babble. She said "yes, as long as I have the answer." And so continues "Making Hay with Marianne", quick, practical answers for home and garden questions. As a farmer, spring is her crazy busy season so we may not get answers to all questions, and we won't tie her down to a schedule, but if you have a home and garden question for Marianne, send it to driptips@gmail.com.
Dear Marianne: We want to do a natural Easter egg dye this year. Any suggestions?
Marianne: I love natural Easter egg dyes. They result in beautiful hues and tones of natural colors. By far, the best dye material is a bag of yellow (and red) onion skins. They produce a pretty amber color with lots of variation and marbling. Red beets result in a light pink, fresh spinach results in a pale grey-green. Experiment!
Here's how:
1. Use white eggs, they show the dye color better.
2. Put onion skins in a pan of water to cover about 3-4 inches, enough to cover your eggs when submerged. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit overnight if possible (the longer it sits, the darker the dye).
3. For pretty decorations snip bits of nice-shaped leaves and small flowers. Dip the pieces in water and lay flat on the egg. Wrap with a piece of pantyhose or sheer cloth. Tie the fabric to secure it around the egg (twist tie, string or rubber band).
4. Place wrapped eggs in the pan of onion skin dye, arranged in one layer, using the onion skins to keep the eggs apart. Bring pan to a boil and quickly reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, let them cool and unwrap the eggs.
6. You can use the dye over and over again till done, then you can water a plant outside with it.
Previous Making Hay With Marianne:
What To Do With Empty Plastic Vinegar Jugs
Natural dye Easter eggs made from vinegar and yellow onion skin, spinach, and beets create egg magic. Photograph by Melanie Cambron.
Dear Marianne: We want to do a natural Easter egg dye this year. Any suggestions?
Marianne: I love natural Easter egg dyes. They result in beautiful hues and tones of natural colors. By far, the best dye material is a bag of yellow (and red) onion skins. They produce a pretty amber color with lots of variation and marbling. Red beets result in a light pink, fresh spinach results in a pale grey-green. Experiment!
Here's how:
1. Use white eggs, they show the dye color better.
2. Put onion skins in a pan of water to cover about 3-4 inches, enough to cover your eggs when submerged. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit overnight if possible (the longer it sits, the darker the dye).
3. For pretty decorations snip bits of nice-shaped leaves and small flowers. Dip the pieces in water and lay flat on the egg. Wrap with a piece of pantyhose or sheer cloth. Tie the fabric to secure it around the egg (twist tie, string or rubber band).
4. Place wrapped eggs in the pan of onion skin dye, arranged in one layer, using the onion skins to keep the eggs apart. Bring pan to a boil and quickly reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, let them cool and unwrap the eggs.
6. You can use the dye over and over again till done, then you can water a plant outside with it.
Previous Making Hay With Marianne:
What To Do With Empty Plastic Vinegar Jugs
Natural dye Easter eggs made from vinegar and yellow onion skin, spinach, and beets create egg magic. Photograph by Melanie Cambron.
Posted by DSBabble.com at Wednesday, March 31, 2010 8:36 PM 
Categories: making hay with marianne
Tags: dripping springs texas natural easter egg dye
Categories: making hay with marianne
Tags: dripping springs texas natural easter egg dye
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