CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- NATURALLY DYED EASTER EGGS

Are you planning to dye Easter eggs? Since Easter falls two weeks before Earth Day this year, why not celebrate both holiday with naturally dyed eggs? All you need are some fruits, vegetables, spices, and white vinegar. Follow the recipes below, removing fruits and vegetables and allowing dye bath to cool before soaking the eggs in the bath. Soak the eggs anywhere from a few minutes to overnight for an array of hues. If you’re not using blown eggs, for longer soaking times, soak the eggs in the refrigerator. 

Here are some color recipes to get your started, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other spices, fruits, vegetables, and herbal teas.

Yellow: Simmer 1/2 cup of cut-up carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons vinegar.

Orange: simmer the skins of 6 yellow onions in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Add 3 teaspoons of vinegar.

Red-Orange: Stir 2 tablespoons paprika into a cup of boiling water. Add 2 teaspoons vinegar.

Pink: Cut up a beet into chunks. Add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar.

Blue: Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks. Add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar.

Lavendar: Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

COOKING WITH CLORIS: EASTER EGG SALAD

Got Easter eggs? Cloris says, don’t let those decorated eggs go to waste. As long as they weren’t left at room temperature for more than two hours, they’re fine to eat. Just make sure you do so within five days. Try her Easter Egg Salad. It’s yummy! -- AP

EASTER EGG SALAD
Ingredients:
8 hard-boiled eggs
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/8 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon paprika

Peel eggs and chop. Mix in remaining ingredients. Chill before serving.


Cloris surprised me with the Parmesan cheese. Do you add something special to your egg salad? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- EASTER EGG PLACE CARD HOLDER

Peter Cottontail is on the way. So for the next several Mondays, I’ll be showcasing Easter egg crafts. But these are not crafts made from real eggs. I never saw the sense in spending hours to decorate real eggs, only to have them cracked open and eaten. It’s like all those reality TV baking shows that showcase wedding cakes that sell for thousands of dollars. The cakes are beautiful, and I really admire the artistry, but give me a break! Five grand for something that’s going to get cut up and devoured? Some people obviously have too much money. I can think of many other uses for five grand.

So here at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers you’ll find Easter eggs that will last from year to year. Make a dozen or so and toss them into a basket or bowl for a centerpiece. But first today, directions for making an Easter egg place card holder.

Don’t need place card holders? Just make the button covered Easter eggs.

EASTER EGG PLACE CARD HOLDER

Materials:
1-7/8” x 2-1/2” Styrofoam egg
3/4” wood spool
1-1/4” paper clip
2” length of 1/4” wood dowel
acrylic paint (your choice of color(s)
assorted small pastel and white buttons
tacky glue
paint brush
colored paper for name card

1. Paint the spool as desired. Allow to dry.

2. Glue one end of the dowel into the spool and the other end into the bottom center of the egg. Glue the paper clip into the top center of the egg, leaving 3/4” extending out the top. Allow glue to dry.

3. Glue assorted small buttons to egg.

4.  Print out guests’ names on colored paper. Trim to approximately 1” x 2”. Insert into paper clip.