Friday, March 22, 2013

DYE EASTER EGGS FROM PLANTS

I came across this while I was looking for recipes, the other day.  Marilyn misunderstood me (she's right-Marilyn), we do not dye our Easter Eggs.  I  thought this might be of interest to some of you.  This s how to dye Easter eggs from plants.

Plants for Colors

Blue-red cabbage head (shredded), blueberry fruit (pale grey blue), red onion skin, iris, (blue flower parts only), pansy flowers, violet flowers.

Brown-flowering quince bark, walnut hulls, ground paprika, bark of the scarlet maple.

Green-flowering crab apple (leaves and bark), iris flower, blue and yellow pansy flowers mixed, black oak bark shredded.  Using alum as mordant makes a beautiful green.

Orange-yellow onion skins, dried sassafras root, bedstraw roots and oats.

Red-crab apple flowers, cranberry fruit, red peony petals, red tulip flowers, beet roots.

Tan-coffee (stewed as a strong drink), tea leaves (stewed strong), red maple bark (rosy tan)

Yellow-ground apple tree bark, buttercup weed flower, forsythia flower, whiteskin onion, yellow tulip flowers, yellow pansy flowers, ground tumeric with vinegar.

Make sure eggs are hard boiled.  Chop or shred coursely one or more cups of fresh material or two or more cups dried material such as bark, roots and spices.  Put dye items in muslin bag tied at top.

Glass, enamel or stainless steel dye pots should be used.  Don't use copper or aluminum.

Add 4 cups of rain water or tap water, if it is not too hard.  Simmer dye items for 30-90 minutes.  Add 1 tbsp white vinegar to set dye.

Eggs that are precooked have a lighter color than raw eggs that are put into the dye for 20 minutes.  Turn eggs very often.  Dry on paper  towel. 

Old Order Mennonite  eggs, on Easter, show that Jesus has risen and it is time to rejoice.  It also shows that Jesus is solid, we can count on Him at all times.  Candy, we make in egg shape, is in honor of Jesus.

Grandmother Olive, Martha and her family and myself and my family wish you all a Happy Easter. 

Be With God,
Jean

7 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

I already had something planned for here and Jean asked me if I could change it to put this on. I did. What I had on here will be on two weeks from today.. We hope you like todays post.

Marilyn

Vickie said...

I do like it. Very interesting.
Would it be correct that Old Order Mennonites celebrate Palm Sunday also?

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Vickie,
Yes, they do. I will have to ask Jean if they pass out Palms, but they do have celebrate Palm Sunday.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

Our spinning guild has dyed wool with these natural dyes, and one time someone brought in beautiful eggs dyed with onion skins. They had a leaf pattern on them, but I can't remember how it was done. Some how a real leaf that was very lacy was attached to the egg before it was put in the dye bath, and the leaf pattern remained a very light color while the rest of the egg was dark. It had the effect that a stencil was used to make the design.

We had our Friday Tuna Burgers tonight for dinner, and I made the Blessing Pie yesterday. The pie was very good, (and very sweet). Everyone enjoyed it. ~Doreen

annie said...

Happy Easter Jean, God Bless Your Family! And you as well Marilyn.

It has been years since I have dyed eggs, this was very interesting, I might try it!

New York State Of Mind said...

Hello Doreen,
That egg sounds very interesting. Will tell Jean you had the Tuna Buns and made the pie. Glad everyone enjoyed them.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Happy Easter to you Annie and God Bless You and Yours. Thank you for the compliments.

Hope you enjoy dying the eggs. I haven't done it in years, either.

Marilyn