Naturally dyeing Easter Eggs

Adreana and I went searching on pinterest for what we wanted to do this year with our Easter eggs. There were many wonderful ideas but the ones that caught our eyes was: Dyeing eggs with Natural products. So after reading MANY blogs and Martha stewart we set on our own experiment! It was sooo much fun that even though the blog world really doesn't need another post I just couldn't help sharing our experience! 

 

Oh and Adreana has a great little book club that has been reading the Kirsten American Girl books that are set in the 1800s. We have also been studying early American History so this was even more interesting because it would give us an idea of what they had to do for pretty colors.

 

 

My first thing was I didn't want to spend money so I wanted us to use what we had on hand. With that in mind we used a lot of things that weren't in the lists of egg dyeing but were in the fabric dyeing lists when we researched for history and some that were in our pantry and fridge so they worked.

 

Here is what we used:

*Curry powder

*Yellow Onion skins

*Pomegranate (skin and seeds)

*Beets

*Avocado (skin and seed)

*Paprika

*Achiote and azafran flowers

*Cinnamon Sticks

*Chamomile

 

 

How we prepared the "baths":

Following instructions we found online we brewed the onion skins, pomegranates, beets and avocado for 30 minutes. The rest we boiled water and brewed then like you would a tea. We added vinegar to all of them because it was suggested to help the dye set.

 

 

We added some eggs while the brews where boiling and then some after we had strained them. Some like the avocado I chose not to strain at all. Some eggs we left in the mixture for 30 min like most blogs suggested and some we decided to leave over night like Martha Stewart suggested. This year it was all about experimenting and history. For next time we are pretty sure we will be using graphs and more math and science.

 

 

Our results:

 

The length of time really did make a difference for most of them. Also as was obvious the straining made a huge difference. I think we didn't boil the beets long enough because the color is nothing what was to be expected.

My favorite the avocado. I am pretty sure  there was some sort of reaction because the color is not what one would think off. Adreana's favorite was the curry. I haven't checked the bottle but I suspect food coloring. It was way bright! 

 

From left to right"

Top: Pomegranate - Onion Skins - achiote/azafran - beet - avocado - cinnamon

 

Middle: The second line is the same except with different times in the dye.

 

Bottom: chamomile - onion skin (least amount of time) - Paprika - curry - avocado - curry

 

I don't think the paprika was noticeable and probably won't use it again. The avocado is purple and although the first beat was kind of rosy the beet we left in all night was brown. The cinnamon that was in all night is a real pretty color.

 

 After we had started doing our eggs I wondered if the results would be the same as with fabric so Adreana and I decided to give it a try.

 

 

 I wish the picture was better. It doesn't do justice to the small differences in color of the cinnamon, chamomile and paprika. They are like a tea color but in different tones. This sure was fun and for now it is serving as a garland in our fireplace. I really need to figure out what to do with these swatches.

Left to right:

Top - chamomile, paprika, cinnamon, no dye

Bottom: curry, onion skin, achiote and pomegranate (this one is my favorite)

 

Easter dresses

Our family is in the middle of a dispute over Easter dresses. Jorge wants one that she has in her closet the he picked out last year. Adreana wants one she picked out while Abuelo Leon was here and I want one I found at Target. I lost. Mine is to be returned at Target soon, but I just had to take pictures of her with it. I am pretty sure Jorge will lose too but he can be more convincing than I am, and I actually also like the dress he picked. Jorge and Adreana both hated mine.

 

When I asked her to put it on for the pictures. She began pouting so we took her pick for pictures also. We still have to take pictures of Jorge's pick but it is soon to come. 

 You can see more of my photoshoot in my photography blog.

I am still editing more from this shoot. She picked what we would take and lots of her poses. We sure had fun.

Adreana made a layout!

I could have put it in the layout blog but she wanted you all to see it so we decided this was a better place for it :)!

Credits all from digital scrapbook place
Just for Journaling element and Beyond the birds by Lauren Bavin
Who's who in the Zoo by Meryl Bartho
All Boy Mega Kit by DSP designers

Love letter?

I don't know what to say except that he is cute! Actually I was pretty surprised when we saw the note he brought home. He didn't think much of it and I won't make a big deal about it either... but I couldn't resist adding this to my blog.

The conversation had nothing to do with the note. We had it about a month ago but I decided this page would be the perfect place to write it down. It all started while we were watching Lion King and at the end it is all lovey dovey. I asked them what they wanted in their future spouse. I was expecting something funny but instead Adreana looked apalled at the thought and Benjamin told me he hadn't ever thought about it. I thought the conversation was over... to my surprise at breakfast about a week after that he gave me a very precise list of what he was looking for in his wife. You could tell he had thought about it. He gave me about 2 more reasons that I didn't jot down so I forgot. I love his reasons. The second part of the conversation happened a few days after that. We were all trying so hard not to laugh. I hope he doesn't change his mind. I pray for this wife of his often so I know God has someone special just for him...:)

Oh and before I forget I thought we should compare the list with my brothers list at around 12: 1.Blonde, 2. knows how to make chocolate cake and pancakes... So glad he did change his mind about the blonde and picked a kind and loving dark haired beauty! She is an excellent cook though, so I am sure he is getting a few pancakes and maybe some cake.

Powder Puff Derby

A's cars for this year. Benjamin decided he didn't want to enter a car in the open category this year so Adreana asked that the extra car be made to look like a popsicle. I really wanted to glitter it up but she is against. She did tell me recently I can so be on the look out for a sparkly popsicle!

 

The Iphone 9 was Jorge's and A's idea. J decided to see if he could make it play music and he did by adding a shuffle ipod to the back and attaching it to some speakers. No it didn't make sound while it was speeding away but it sure was cool to look at. Adreana picked all the apps herself and she even came up with an AHG one. They won most imaginative design and 2nd place in her division. Very fun!

Daddy Daughter Dance 2013