focus | doilies

Happy Friday! Today I’ve got three projects all featuring doilies to end the week.

Yes, I believe my favorite non-scrapbooking item that I use are doilies. I buy them frequently – most often from the cake section of my local craft store. Oh, sometimes I get lucky and I score some pretty or fancy ones someplace random or at a party shop… but for the bulk of my usage it is plain standard doilies from Michaels.

That said, the craft industry has stepped it up many notches with all kinds of fabulous doily products. Here are some of my favorites:

Paper Cottage is a new line from Basic Grey – and I was thrilled to see a lot of lacy, doily inspired elements in it. Today I’m going to focus on that line + doilies from my doily drawer (yep, I have a drawer) and see what I come up with.


Using a doily as a mat is an excellent thing! Here I’ve made a card with a core’dinations cardstock base, and let my heart shaped doily frame up my sentiment sticker and other  details. I do love a good 5min or less card! The doily adds texture, contrast, frames things up, and is an interesting layer as well.

Here’s another card with Paper Cottage. This time I edged with Victorian Velvet distress ink – including coloring my doily. You can totally color ‘boring’ white doilies all kinds of colors! Mists, inks – just be gentle and let them dry before handling them.

I absolutely adore them in my scrapbook layouts as well. Here are some ways you tend to see me use them on my pages:

  • As base for journaling
  • tucked under a patterned paper, just edge peeking out
  • base for title
  • under corner of photo to add accent detail
  • folded around edge so 1/2 or 1/3 or other % of doily shows
  • as added layer of paper
  • to accent/enhance/help another element stand out

In short, you will mostly see a doily as more of a base layer or in a small amount as a finishing touch. Don’t be afraid to cut them apart either! I do this sometimes with small ones to make a scalloped effect.

Another thing I want to bring up is that while I made a layout about tea (what could be more doily-deserving?!) – it doesn’t have to be about something super feminine, especially if you pick a simple doily, grunge it up with ink or paint, or just use a little bit more for texture than actual doily look.

For the record, I’m loving the doily elements (oh yes, there are some) in this new line from Basic Grey. So much to like! Secret tip? I’ll be giving away a collection pack VERY soon so do stay tuned!

Today’s post sponsored by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Scrapbooking

I strongly endorse all things Shimelle, especially when it comes to crafting. This self-paced class available at 2peas is loaded with inspiration:

 Are you drowning in a sea of scrapbook supplies and a plethora of photos, but wish things just came together easily? Then The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Scrapbooking is just what you need: your guide to life, the universe and pretty paper! Join Garden Girl Shimelle Laine for this self-paced workshop you can use any time. Over five chapters, she’ll share forty-two brand new scrapbook pages and easy-to-follow advice on choosing supplies, designing pages, embellishing your work and writing your memories. Each chapter includes a printable PDF and coordinating video, plus the guide’s bonus reference section includes sketches, supply lists and other handy hints. Designed for scrapping at home or at a crop, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Scrapbooking reminds you: Don’t Panic – get crafting!

To register or find more information, click here.

23 thoughts on “focus | doilies”

  1. That seems like a very usefull book for the beginner-scrapper! I love doilies and I would really like to use them more. Thank you for showing some of the possibilities!

  5. Totally love this! I fell in love with doilies from one of your classes and I’ve been using them every since! I love to have them poking out from behind borders or pictures. I love the look that they give! Plus, they’re so versatile and can be misted or inked to add a dash of color!

  7. Oh ghosh, May, I just bought a pack of doilies at Mike’s yesterday! Great minds??

    Ha ha, actually you got me into them during the Double Take class. And I’m not looking back. Love them. They take me back to the “fancy pieces” my Grandma had on every piece of furniture in her home. And then, in ours, in my childhood. AND Valentines at school. Doilies are a great little extra!!!

  8. I have two little doilies I’ve been hoarding… but I’m going to drag them out and use them. And visit the doily section of Mike’s!

  9. I am having fun with doilies. I bought two packages at Mike’s recently for a rosette challenge and ended up not using them. So out come my Distress Inks and Stains…woohoo. Love your Victorian Velvet doily.

  14. I have been picking up doilies lately because I love the idea of scrapping with them. Do you have any tips for using the actually crocheted doilies? Also I love what I have seen of Shimelle. She truly makes me smile. Her Hitchhiker’s class is on my want to list.

  16. I love doilies and have that Tim Holtz die as well as one from sizzix. Ihave found doilies at my local Dollar Tree store and stocked up on them there.

  19. Doilies make me feel really girlie! I often use them with my black and white layouts.

  20. I also adore doilies….I look for them in thrift stores and yard sales, too. Your ideas will be added to my arsenal. I love Camp Scrap. Unfortunately, I have been buried under an avalanche of summer company, so I have not had any time to play….just entertaining and then cleaning and prepping for the next round of guests. But, soon summer will be over, and I’ll have time to implement the wonderful ideas you’ve shared. Thank you so much, May. I know how much time this takes. Your generosity is very touching.

  21. I love the doily decos and will now plan to use some on the next birthday card I have coming up in August. Thanks for the inspiration!

  22. I’ve been collecting doilies for some time now.
    Thanks for the great ideas on how to use them.

Comments are closed.