Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A Botanical Easter!


Here's the "How To " for these beautiful botanical imprinted Easter eggs. Tuck them into centerpieces , Easter grass, planted baskets or pots for a very naturally elegant look.



Here are the supplies you'll need to start.
  • Large pot of boiling water
  • A big bowl full of onion skins from the grocery store. Call ahead and have them saved for you.
  • A pair of panty hose cut into squares large enough to pull tightly around the eggs.
  • Kitchen twine or tiny rubber bands. Scissors.
  • Freshly cut leaves from your garden. Fern, rose, strawberry and columbine work well.
  • Vinegar
  • As many pre hard boiled eggs that you'll be decorating. Free of any cracks after boiling.


Begin by slowly adding onion skins to boiling water, pushing them down into the water as you go. The onion skins will act as a cushion for the eggs while they are dying. The skins will need to steep on low for at least 30 minutes to reach the rich terra cotta color. At this point add a dash of vinegar to the water.



Place the leaf face down on the egg.


Gently place the nylon square over the top of the leaf and pull all four corners around until you have totally covered the egg and bind with twine or a rubber band. This must be very tight and secure.


Once all the eggs are ready to go , gently place them in the onion skins and water. Keeping the dye on a low temperature, simmer the eggs for approx. 20 minutes. Lift out with a spoon and check for a rich terra cotta color.



Set on paper towels, snip off the binding and remove the nylon stocking. Yes, the eggs will be very hot!


After the eggs have cooled, polish them with a drop of olive oil and a soft cloth. Beautiful, don't you think!
  • Tip: No need to refrigerate the eggs after this process.

Join us for a Botanical Dyed Eggs Workshop and Planted Basket "How To". Visit
shopbotanicals.com for details. Click on "Good things to come".

Monday, March 15, 2010

A warm welcome!




Yes, It's Springtime. My very favorite time of year. To me, the most welcoming place of your home begins at the entrance. If a front door could speak it would be saying." Come on in, I'm so glad you're here!"


Pots of Flowers, trailing ivy , ferns and topiaries lead the way. As if we didn't know Spring is here, this sign with a tiny pot of primroses says it all. And yes people who love to garden do live here!

We welcome you to the next Spring Boutique. Details on shopbotanicals.com Click on Good Things to Come!


HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Going Green with Botanicals


St. Patricks Day is just around the corner and I was inspired by all the flowers in the hues of greens and white and soft yellow.


Creating Planted Baskets with Daffodils, Primroses, Shamrocks and Moss create an Irish Centerpiece.


A welcoming sign on the front door designed from a recycled door panel.



Can you believe these vivid green flowers are Carnations! Fabulous with these white Lizzy and Snapdragons. These are going in my house!


A whimsical "Cheers" on a Vintage French Terra Cotta Garden relic!


Getting ready for my next blog. Planting wheat grass for a very green Easter. What would life be without a Greenhouse sign!

All this and more are available at shopbotanicals.com

Happy St. Patricks Day!