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Thursday, October 1, 2009

dear doilies

I never know what to do with all of the doilies I've collected over the years. I used them on just about every surface in my college days, but for far too long they've been tucked away in a little suitcase. It's not like I haven't seen some fantastic and totally inspiring ideas...
*the doily bowl
*the frozen doily snowflake
*Country Living's ideas
*amazing creations with Apartment Therapy
*Amanda's chair in her new book: Handmade Home

But it wasn't until I was sprucing up my studio (tour coming soon!) that I remembered Resurrection Fern's hoop doilies. (Margie really is the doily/crochet queen!) It was so simple and obvious... my favorite kind of making. I got so excited that I stayed up way too late gently tugging and pulling to get the pattern just right in my quilting and embroidery hoops. I used double sided tape all around the inside of the hoops to keep the loose ends controlled, but still in tact.

I'm really pleased to have this lovely handwork, steeped in history and tradition, above my sewing table. I'm also happy that, at least, four little doilies finally get to come out of the their hiding spot to be honored and celebrated.


Do you have a favorite collectible?

p.s. dare you to say "dear doily" 5 times fast!
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22 comments:

  1. A Life So PeachyOctober 1, 2009 at 2:03 AM

    lovely!

    I am working on some embroidery hoops to put up as a collection, maybe I will throw a doily in the mix- they look great!

    Jess
    xx

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  2. Sonia / COZY MEMORIESOctober 1, 2009 at 3:15 AM

    This corner looks absolutely perfect, the most heavenly place to create, you made it sublime, my friend. Margie is such a high inspiration, you're right ! oxoxo big hugs oxoxo

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  3. CitricSugarOctober 1, 2009 at 3:20 AM

    So clever! I collect pyrex but only in blue and orange. I don't think it's likely to display well in an embroidery hoop, though. :-)

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  4. PhiliyOctober 1, 2009 at 4:38 AM

    I love your pin board made out of an old sack...brilliant!

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  5. UnknownOctober 1, 2009 at 5:25 AM

    I would love to have such a beautiful collection of Doilies, such a wounder display and lovely craft room to work in and be inspired by.

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  6. eralamagaOctober 1, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    Really nice!!!

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  7. LinaOctober 1, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Hi Maya, I'm a long time reader, but (not so often commenter!).I have long been a doily fan also - and have amassed quite a collection. I like how you have displayed yours. I recently made some cushion covers with mine (http://www.flickr.com/photos/linaloo/3769939308/)and will be adding some to a skirt I'm currently making. There's also a great Martha tutorial on using starch to make a winter snowflake display with them!

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  8. DevenOctober 1, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    Beautiful! It makes me want to frame my grandmother's crocheted table topper. Big? Yes. But, it would look lovely in my liveing room!

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  9. JessicaOctober 1, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    I adore doilies and I have collected a lot. However being that I'm 22 I don't think that using them as table liners really suits my style (not to mention my husband is not a fan of them). I'm glad to see more ideas to use them. I just found a few palm sized ones, so I think I'm going to make a headband!

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  10. Christine ChitnisOctober 1, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    Wow...gorgeous. I love this take on the whole fabric covered embroidery hoop trend. Your sewing area looks amazing!

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  11. NH KathyOctober 1, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    A few years ago I had several of my grandmothers doilies framed for each of my childre. I have one on either side of my fireplace. Grandma was never with out the crochet hook flying along in her hands. Maybe I will do a few more on the embroidery hoops for my craft room too.
    Kathy

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  12. The Creative BohemianOctober 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM

    I LOVE this! How clever and so simple. I am definitely going to do this with all the doilies I have stashed away. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Diane

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  13. themagicalbeanOctober 1, 2009 at 1:14 PM

    So beautiful! I was just wondering last night what to do with all my extra doilies, and this is perfect! All I need now is more wall space...darn! It really looks lovely.

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  14. Margie OomenOctober 1, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    I can't wait to see the tour of your studio.
    From what I can see in these pictures it is going to be amazing. I just had to read the apartment therapy comments about the doilie trend fearing the worst. It seems about 50:50 love it or hate it. How could anyone hate a piece of hand made art that some mother or grandmother so lovingly created.

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  15. KellenOctober 2, 2009 at 1:59 AM

    okay, yes a must try. Can't wait for the tour. How exciting.

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  16. erikaOctober 2, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    Your display is great and the pinboard is so nice and so you. Cannot wait to see more pictures of your studio !!

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  17. ZeeOctober 2, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    Dear Maya, the idea is wonderful. I really liked and I must try it! You have a great style and that spot is gorgeous!
    Btw, I have a new blog.
    Hugs,

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  18. gardenmamaOctober 4, 2009 at 8:02 PM

    *love this*

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  19. AnonymousOctober 5, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    I collect those asian lucky cats. You know the ones that are always in restaurants? I also collect tiny chairs and E.T. memorabilia. I don't exactly collect owl things, but I do have a lot of them. I'm a thrift store junkie.

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  20. ZenCrafterOctober 8, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    I love the framed doilies. Have you seen Elvis Robertson's quilts using doilies? http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_textiles/415878390/

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    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousOctober 14, 2009 at 7:12 AM

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