Decorating Easter Eggs (page 2 of 3)

Coloring the Eggs

Most of the eggs in this project have been given a base coat of color before the design is added. Eggs can be colored with various mediums.

1. Dyeing with commercial dyes is one of the easiest ways. Dyes requiring boiling should not be used on blown eggs. Cold-water dyes are suitable for dyeing both blown and hard-boiled eggs. To dye your eggs, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Allow the eggs to dry completely before you begin decorating them.

2. Eggs can also be painted with artist's acrylic paints. Before you start, it is best to paint your egg with artist's gesso to give a smooth, clean surface on which to paint. Apply 2 coats of paint, allowing the paint to dry thoroughly between coats.

3. You can also experiment with dyes made from vegetable matter, such as onionskins (which produce a yellow dye), beets or spinach. Different teas also produce interesting hues. The amount of organic matter used determines the intensity of the color. Cover the organic material with water and add a small amount of malt vinegar to "set" the color. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and allow to cool thoroughly before adding blown or hard-boiled eggs.

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• Gifts Kids Can Make
• Keep kids busy with fun crafts they can make for a special someone.
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• An Easter Meal With Kid Appeal
• Celebrate the holiday with a menu you can take outdoors.
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• The Power of Play
• Games and puzzles offer kids an array of cool benefits.
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• 7 Ways to Create a Happy Household
• Learn how you can boost your children's emotional well-being.
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• More Easter Fun
• Your guide to an easy and elegant holiday.
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“ Take a small step to control clutter in your kitchen (and help the environment!). Buy cloth bags and use them when you go food shopping to cut down on the bags you bring home, and eventually dispose of. ”

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