“Spongeware”-Look Decorated Easter Eggs
04/02/2021
When Easter is near, eggs of all colors and designs brighten our homes. We like to try a variety of egg-decorating techniques, from the easy commercial dyes in a tablet to experimenting with natural dyes that we concoct with onion skins, tea and berries.
Many of the artistic memories live on in egg cartons stored away in the “Easter” box. They last because we blow out the contents of raw eggs and clean them before we decorate. Like ornaments on a Christmas tree, the kid-decorated eggs come out annually. Full of memories, they’re lovely hanging from blossoming spring branches.
This year’s decorating technique is inspired by enduring spongeware pottery, popular in our country for centuries. The speckled look is super-easy to create, and it’s fun for the whole family to do together. Color the eggs first in soft colors if you wish, or keep them natural, and then just dab, dab, dab a cheerful palette of non-toxic paints here and there with a sponge.
Here’s the stuff you need:
–several eggs, blown (see below) or hard-boiled
–non-toxic acrylic paint in favorite colors
–recycled plastic lids or paper plates, one for each color
–pieces of sponge, one for each color
–spring-type clothespins or clips for sponge handles
–egg cups
–newspaper
Here’s the fun:
1. Working on a newspaper-covered surface, place an egg in an egg cup. Clip a sponge piece to a clothespin, and squeeze a puddle of paint onto a lid or plate.
2. Dip the sponge lightly in paint. Dab onto a piece of newspaper a few times, then lightly dab all over the top half of the egg. Let dry. Turn egg over and repeat on bottom half. Repeat with additional colors and eggs.
3. Hang decorated hollowed eggs from branches, or display them in a pretty bowl. If using boiled eggs, keep refrigerated until served.
HOW TO BLOW OUT CONTENTS OF AN EGG
Poke a small hole with a large safety pin at each end of a washed raw egg. Carefully wiggle the pin or a toothpick into one of the holes to break the yolk. Place a drinking straw over the hole on top, and blow through the straw, collecting the contents of the egg in a small dish. Rinse out the empty shell and let dry completely before decorating.
STORAGE
Clean egg cartons make good containers for neat stacking in a storage bin in your home.
Share with friends!
You might also like:
“Character” Egg-Decorating For Families
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Well, for many families at this time of year, there’s no doubt. Eggs rule! While the kids are busy mixing, dipping and dying Easter eggs, rescue a few from the frenzy and decorate them together to fit each child’s personality, interest or something special you share…
Decorate Easter Eggs With Natural Dyes And Designs
Bring back the past by dying your Easter eggs the way it used to be done – with natural items straight from the kitchen and garden.Here’s what you’ll need:–Hard-boiled eggs or blown eggs (see below for how to blow eggs)–Nontoxic, safe food items such as blueberries or red cabbage leaves for blue, walnut shells, tea…
Make Paper Strip Hearts
The heart shape is a traditional and enduring symbol of love when celebrating Valentine’s Day. Why not display a beautiful heart with creativity in your home starting this week with this easy to make eye-catching version using easy to cut paper strips and a stapler? That’s all you need to make memories, while you craft…
Grow Paperwhites Indoors
You don’t need warm weather to enjoy a fun gardening project this month. Grow paperwhites indoors and watch them bloom! Plant several in a variety of small flowerpots or vases you have stashed away from last summer. Enjoy the cheerful white blooms in your home, and share with others on Valentine’s Day. You’ll need:–1 paperwhite…
Ice Decanters Make Parties Magical
Planning an outdoor winter party? On a budget? Fill an easy-to-freeze ice decanter with a fruit bevearage for your next neighborhood party and get ready for the ooh’s and ah’s when friends see the icy wonder. It’s a frozen party asset that won’t break the bank. Easy, fun, magical and guaranteed to be cold! Here’s…
Grow Green Indoors and Get a Jump on Spring
As winter comes to an end, there’s nothing like seeing and smelling fresh, green plants peeking out from the earth. Create that feeling indoors to get a jump on spring with these easy and gratifying “grow green” sprouting activities. Make it super easy by growing wheat berry or rye grass seed in a clear jar…
Ice Cakes for Winter Birthday Fun
Last month during our preholiday, subzero cold snap, the daily temperatures in Minnesota were so miserable that not even my most jovial friends could crack a smile through the numbing wind chill. With my husband’s birthday right in the middle of the worst of days, the cold weather inadvertently became the inspiration for an unusual…
Heart-y Family Living for Valentine’s Day
When Valentine’s Day is around the corner, thoughts naturally turn to heart-shaped candies and cards. It’s also an ideal time to nudge one another to take a closer look at how we care for our hearts.Our health care systems encourage us to be mindful about living heart-healthy lives, especially during February, which is American Heart…
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
DONNA ERICKSON
