Tuestorial: Silk Dye Eggs

If you are looking for a fun and different way to decorate your Easter eggs this year, I have your answer! Dying eggs with silk creates detailed and fun designs that you will be proud to display. Bonus: less mess and clean up than traditional methods!

Ready to rock n' roll

Materials Needed:

• Silk from old men’s ties (can always be found at thrift stores for a dollar or less!), scarves or FabMo/S.C.R.A.P. finds
• Plain white/off-white scrap fabric
• Eggs
• 1 cup vinegar
• Large pot
• Scissors
• Twist ties (rubber bands are a no-no since they don’t like boiling water)

Step 1:

Make sure your eggs are room temperature. If you are using a men’s tie, cut off all lining so you are just using the silk. Dark colors and bold patterns work best for this method. Grab several different designs to play with!

Only the best for this egg

Step 2:

Roll the “good side” of the silk you selected around an egg (any folds or lines around the egg will show). Make sure it’s as secure around the egg as possible. Cut off any access fabric around the egg and tie as tight as possible with a twist tie.

Ready for it's steam bath

Step 3:

Take your plain white fabric and repeat step 2 around the silk. This helps keep the silk fabric as close to the egg as possible and from any colors bleeding into the water onto other eggs. Essentially, it prevents egg dying disasters.

You still get the vinegar smell!

Bathing Beauties 

Step 4:

Fill your pot with water and add 1 cup of vinegar. Gently place your wrapped eggs in the water, making sure they are completely submerged. Turn your burner on to high and keep covered for 20 minutes. You want the eggs in boiling water for the majority of that time.

Egg Dumplings!

Test run showing the design and some folds

Step 5:

Once the 20 minutes are up, remove the eggs with tongs and place on a towel. Let them cool for 20-30 minutes before handling. Once cool, gently unwrap the twist ties to reveal your masterpiece. Some dyes can rub off easily so be careful not to handle your eggs too much before they completely dry. Unfortunately, the only down side to this method is you can’t eat the eggs. But who would want to after seeing how pretty they turn out to be?

Happy Easter!

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Tuestorial: Flocking!

It sounds like a taboo word, but this fun technique just screams spring. Flocking is the process of depositing many small fiber particles (called flock) onto a surface with adhesive. It creates a “fuzzy” or velvet texture to use on cards, name placeholders or Easter baskets.

I basically keep Martha Stewart Crafts in business

Materials Needed:

• Martha Stewart Crafts Flocking Transfer Kit 

(awesome deal here: http://craftysteals.com/shop/martha-stewart-crafts-flocking-transfer-kit/)

OR

• Flocking powder
• Glue pen
• Card stock

Transfer design selected

Glue pen and flocking color ready to go

Step 1:

Choose a pattern and color from the transfer kit or use your glue pen to design your own (in this example, someone’s name for a placeholder).

If you are new to this technique, I highly recommend starting with the transfer kit. Not only is it the least expensive option and comes with everything you need, but it’s much easier to use than the individual flocking colors. The only down side is you don’t have the freedom to create your own design (but it still comes with an awesome selection of designs!).

Rub, rub, rub

Viola! From flocking color sheet to your card stock

Step 2:
The transfer kit comes with a wooden stick to apply the pattern to the paper. The pattern has an adhesive backing you apply first. This will ensure all those bits of flocking really hold.

Glue pen writin'

Use a lot of flocking then shake it off!

If you are using your own design, pour your choice of flocking powder over the glue (be generous!). Then shake off the extra (like glitter!).

Ready to roll

Step 3:

Enjoy and use it for your Easter festivities!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!