a green (and sometimes blue) life: a merry doily christmas

Numbers for the Christmas Ornament Swap with whilethechildrensleep and hollymade are adding up. If you are hesitant about joining the swap due to what you consider a lack of creative skills I suggest a visit to these blogs and a little trip to spotlight (or your local craft store). I went to spotlight today and there are lots of things that you could use that would be beautiful yet easy to make.

So I went on a mission to find some doily ornament (p)inspiration. If you haven't heard of pinterest you are missing out on hours of eye candy. I find its the best place to search for craft tutorials. But I digress.

I've liked doilies for a while now, although I think I used to think them grandmaish. I've realised its the way you use them that takes them from fuddy duddy (spelling?) to creative and beautiful. If you are interested in finding doilies your local opp shop is the best place. The $2 shop sells paper ones these days. I know. I have a supply of paper ones from my MIL. They are many years old.

Ideas and tutorials

(click on the links below the piccies)

Stiffened Doilies

from: marthastewart.com

This sounds easy and I've wanted to do this for some time.

How-To:

1. Lay textile doilies on a covered surface. With a foam brush or roller, coat both sides of doilies with undiluted fabric stiffener until just saturated. Let dry overnight.

2. Press with an iron.

3. Hang from thread or monofilament.

Wooden birds with decoupaged doilies
and aged with a dark patina.