EASTER EGGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 13, 1 April 1893, Page 310

EASTER EGGS.

The eggs are prepared by making a pin hole in each end, placing one end at the mouth and blowing with sufficient force to eject the contents through the opposite aperture. Of course this performance requires great care in order to avoid breaking the egg, and when the shell is empty, it is then ready for decoration. With the pen and brush they may be made to represent faces of varying expressions, from the trusting sweetness of babyhood to the serenity and calm of old age.

A piece of tarlatan or sheer muslin is pasted on the shell, covering the portion that is to be the back of the head. This makes a good foundation for fastening on the cap or fancy hat that usually ornaments the head. For one having the face of a young girl, make the cap of the palest of blue surah, shirred far enough in from the edge to form a full cascade-like frill about the face and a deep cape at the neck. The edges are bordered all round with fine lace, and the ties of ribbon are arranged in a stiff bow under the chin.

One with the face of an old lady may have a cap of white surah, with a full cascade of lace falling carelessly about the face, the edges of the cap being gathered all round. A full bow of lavender ribbon is placed directly on top, and a similar bow appears to tie the cap under the chin. A Marie Stuart collar of deep lace forms a soft and dainty rest for each head, and under it may be fastened a circular-shaped jewel case, a pen-wiper, or any other suitable article. Some exceedingly funny faces may be depicted on the shells, and a clown’s cap, a nightcap, or any odd-shaped hat may be glued on.

Another way is to paste a small gilt star over each hole in the shell; then sketch with pen and ink, or paint with oil or water colouis, small landscapes, butterflies, birds, flowers, a squirrel eating an acorn or whatever one wishes on them. If one does not wish to take time to paint a design, use transfer pictures.

Children generally prefer the eggs coloured ; if no poisonous dyes are used, the eggs may be boiled hard and eaten. Saffron will colour yellow, beet juice red, and the water that the outside layers of onions have been boiled in a yellow bronze. Anyone handy with pencil or brush might make a little pin-money by preparing eggs in different ways and showing them to dealers in such goods in their own towns a few weeks before Easter.

Anothei odd ‘ Easter egg ’ is made by painting a face (a child’s is prettiest for this) on a shell, and set it in the heart of a full-blown rose. The rose may be made of silk, muslin, or. paper ; it is surrounded by leaves, and above it ’ rises a soft pretty bud, the stems of which are tied together by ribbon the colour of the rose. The shell is emptied of its contents, and all of it may be used or only a part of the shell will do. If a paper rose is used the petals may be pasted carefully on the shell.