It's a good thing...

Since I've been sick and resigned to the couch this week, I've watched more than my fair share of television. I'd thought I'd share a terrific idea with those of you that probably had better things going on this week!

Tuesday, on Martha, Jackie Manzolillo (she's married now and has another last name that I can't remember and the Martha Stewart website hasn't updated) shared a recipe for putting designs on to Easter eggs with printed silk fabric. This is the second time Jackie has shared this with Martha audiences. The first time she used silk ties and this week she used silk scarves.

Jackie stated on the show that this was a recipe used by her grandmother and other family from Germany. It was the method they used when she was growing up. Germans are famous the world over for their holiday celebration methods.

Silk Tie Easter Eggs

From:
Martha
The Martha Stewart Show

*******
Materials and Tools:

Small- to medium-size raw eggs
Glass or enamel pot
Silk ties, blouses, or boxers, cut into pieces large enough to cover an egg
White sheets (or pillowcases or old tablecloths), cut into pieces to cover silk-wrapped eggs
Twist ties
3 tablespoons of white vinegar
Warm water
Vegetable oil
Paper towels
Tongs or spoon

******

How-To:

1. Cut silk into a square (or a piece) large enough to wrap around a raw egg.

2. Wrap a raw egg with a piece of silk, making sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg. Silk can still be used if it doesn't fit perfectly around egg.

3. Place the silk-wrapped egg in a piece of white sheet, pillowcase, or old tablecloth and secure tightly with a twist-tie.

4. Place the egg(s) in an enamel or glass pot. Fill pot with water to cover eggs completely. Then, add three tablespoons of white vinegar.

5. Bring water to a boil, turn heat down, and simmer for 20 minutes (longer if you don't plan on eating the eggs).

6. Remove eggs from water with tongs or spoon and let cool.

7. Remove silk from cooled egg.

8. For shiny eggs, wipe with vegetable oil after completing step 7.

******

Resources:

Silk goods such as ties, blouses, and boxers can be purchased at rummage sales or thrift stores. Silk can be reused on eggs.

******

Now, I'll add on some of my own thoughts.

• This would be a great time to go through your husband's or sons ties and get rid of some of those "too stained" or "to hideous" to wear jobs. The same thing goes for your closet - out with those silk scarves that you've never worn and aren't likely to.



• Pick some prints with unusual designs or bright colors. They transfer unbelievably well!


• You can line up smaller designs just right on the egg and they will carry over perfectly,so test out a few of these.


• DON'T coat the eggs with oil if you want to eat the eggs. Use an edible wax coating if you must have shiny eggs. You can pick this up at some craft stores or rub the eggs lightly with wax paper.


• Use this method as a lead in to learning more about German or Eastern European culture. Kids love hands-on learning lessons!


• Don't forget about reusing the egg cartons while you have so many readily available. I did a post about ideas for them in December.

How much better can you get? No stained fingers, no stained table or counter, no finding play clothes for the kids to dye in, and you can potentially recycle old clothing! This truly IS a good thing...

The photos used in this post were taken by Jean Mac, not Martha Stewart, Inc. Hopefully I won't get sued for anything!