Since ancient times the egg has been seen as a powerful good luck token, a gift that brings the promise of good health, fortune, new life, and fertility, and the exchange of eggs at Easter is an old and very symbolic tradition. Decorated Easter eggs are an impressive gift with minimal cost and offer creative fun while spending quality time with family.
Decorated Easter Eggs
Decorated eggs instantly bring to mind images of Easter and spring. They bring magic to simple spring arrangements for any table during the Easter holiday season. The following examples are timeless and classic:
The Classic Look of Delft Eggs
Blue and white patterned eggs look fresh and chic; the design is made by sticking small squares of masking tape and then stippling on color using a stencil brush: (See Photo #1 below)
Materials:
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Hard-boiled white eggs
- Stencil brush
- Blue stencil paint
- Paper towels
Consider the size of checks you want, and cut several pieces of masking tape to desired size squares. You may stencil a character on the egg before masking the checks in place for an added festive motif.
- Place the squares in checkerboard fashion on the entire egg, leaving the ends free.
- Dip the stencil brush into the paint and dab off excess on paper towel; apply paint with a dabbing motion or a subtle stippled effect.
- Remove the masking tape once the paint has dried.
Prepare a half dozen or so of these stylish eggs and place in a ceramic bowl or blue wicker basket with a blue and white linen hand towel for a tasteful ensemble.
Spring Time Favorites: Leaf-Stenciled Eggs
New leaves and eggs are a very powerful symbol of spring, and when they’re combined, they make an exquisite decoration. The eggs are dyed first in varying shades of green, dark leaf green and softer shades of green, such as moss, and then they are stenciled using a combination of blue-greens and mossy greens. The overall result is coordinated yet full of variety. (See Photo #2 below)
Materials:
- Cold-water fabric dye prepared per instructions
- Glass jar or bowl
- Blown white egg
- Metal spoon
- Paper towels
- All-purpose glue
- Small fern leaves
- Stencil brush
- Stencil paint
- Lower the blown egg into the prepared dye, when it has reached the desired color take it out with the spoon and let it dry on paper towels.
- When the egg is thoroughly dry, place a thin layer of glue on the back of the leaf and smooth the leaf onto the egg.
- Dip the tip of the stencil brush into the paint and dab off the excess on paper towels. Lightly apply a thin film of paint using a stippling motion, giving a speckled effect, which allows the dyed basecoat to show through.
- When the paint is dry, carefully peel off the leaf.
A breathtaking result emerges from these leaf-stenciled eggs; arrange this striking assortment in a Delft pottery bowl or a woven basket with some fresh ferns and fancy foliage for a remarkable presentation.
Traditional European Engraved Eggs
Engraved eggs are charming but simplistic. The eggs are engraved by scratching the dyed shells to reveal the egg’s true color underneath. (See photo #3 below)
Material:
- Simple egg dye
- A metal spoon
- A pin or exacto knife
- Paper towels
- Dye the eggs per directions, leaving the eggs in the dye until they are heavily colored. Remove with the spoon and let dry on paper towels.
- Start with a simple design, such as a name and date, progress to a more intricate design with practice. An effective way to develop a design is to work in sections, either in rings or in long lines dividing the egg’s design into front and back.
- Gently scratch through the dye, revealing the design in the natural shell color, working in small sections is best.
These distinctive style eggs offer originality, authenticity, and personality; place them in a bowl or basket with multicolored feathers for a truly unique centerpiece.
