Egg-stra Special Easter Eggs

Oh Martha! She's got some of the most creative ideas! Last year I stumbled upon her instructions for Silk -Tie Easter Eggs and I decided to try it out on hollowed out eggs. This way they won't spoil, and they turned out so cool! With careful packing (thank you Hubby!) they survived our move to Southern California. Today I made several more to add to my display. I'm thinking that this will be an ongoing Easter Tradition.

*Tip: Silk items can be purchased at a second-hand store. I got mine for $2.00 a piece at Goodwill. Double check labels to make sure you're using 100% silk.

What you'll need:
small or medium eggs
A long thin nail
Something to tap in the nail (I used a mallet)
A Glass or Enamel Pot (I use a metal stockpot and they come out just fine.)
A ceramic plate or smaller pan lid, slightly smaller than the diameter of the pot you are using. (This will keep the hollowed eggs from bobbing above the water.)

Silk ties, blouses, or boxers, cut into pieces large enough to cover an egg

White sheets (or pillow cases, tablecloths, or in my case the hubby's old white T-Shirt) cut to cover silk wrapped eggs

Twist ties or string

3 tablespoons of white vinegar

Warm water

Vegetable oil

Paper towels

Tongs or spoon

How to hollow eggs

*Prepare for a few cracked eggs. I've never done a dozen without cracking a few. :)

• Wash and dry raw eggs.
• Keep the egg in the carton and place the tip of the nail onto the top of the egg. Tap (very lightly) with a hammer or mallet, piercing a small hole in the top of the egg.
• Twist the nail into the egg and flip so that the egg is on top of the nail. Run the nail into the egg several times to help break up the yolk. Flip the egg and do this again on the other side.
• Place your lips on one end of the egg and blow out the yolk (over the sink or into a bowl)
• Rinse with warm water and set aside.

Dyeing the eggs

• Wrap an egg with silk, print side facing in. If the piece is not large enough to cover the entire egg it will still work. Gather ends of the silk and tie off. It will kind of look like a little package.
• Place wrapped egg into the center of a piece of white cloth. Gather the ends of the cloth and tie off.
• Place a few eggs (enough that they aren't over crowded) into your pot. Fill pot with enough water to cover eggs completely. Add three tablespoons of white vinegar and place a ceramic plate or lid carefully over the eggs to hold them underwater.

• Bring water to a low boil, turn heat down, and simmer for 20 minutes
• Remove eggs from water with tongs or spoon and let cool.
• Remove cloth from cooled eggs and blow out the water. You may have to re-pierce holes to do this. If you want your eggs to be shiny wipe with vegetable oil.