Thursday, March 31, 2011

Egg-dye Paper Doily Garland

My biggest tip I have
is to wear gloves or else you'll have fingers like mine






The other night I couldn't fall asleep so I started thinking (the way little housewives do) about the super important stuff in life like decorating. Recently I've been trying to dream up ways to use Easter egg dye for uses other than coloring eggs. It hit me about 3am in the morning...paper white doilies! I was so pumped over this idea that sleep was lost for another hour as I mentally planned my next home sweet home project. Ummm, yes. This is how a housewife rolls. I was already in {double} love with the popular trend of using doilies as garland. But dying the doilies for spring was my PERFECT answer to my question on how to use egg dye.


Soon after my sleepless night, I saw that others have already dyed paper doilies. Are you kidding me?! So, I'm not really a super star starter of this cool idea?


Crushed.


"There is nothing new under the sun..." I got over it and got to work anyways! {wink} The other way of dying doilies is with regular RIT dye. I used egg dye and it worked really well too.




A lot of you know that I have this issue with the word craft or even crafty or crafting. It's always bothered me, who knows why. My awesome husband knows to ask me what "projects" I'm working on, not "crafts". It's serious stuff. But anyways...I confess, this particular project is a true craft.


Here's the down low on creating your own springtime doily garland
for under $2.00.


Use a 40% off Michael's coupon to buy your pack of doilies in the baking isle.



Prepare the Easter egg dye tablets with vinegar as stated on the box directions.

When you mix the dye, use large mixing bowls for an easier experience. Gently immerse the paper into the dye and let sit for a few minutes.

If you want a more distressed, worn look, ball up your doily a lot before soaking into the dye.

Carefully dry on a wire rack. Ideally you can hang them to dry on a clothes line. When removing from the dye, "unstick" the balled up doily while it's still immersed under the liquid so it won't rip.


Patiently wait FOREVER for them all to dry...then...ta da!! So so super pretty! This girl's in love.


You can create your garland by stringing thread through the gaps and leaving them in circle shapes or you can do it by folding them in half as I did.



I used a glue stick to attach them to a thin ribbon. I left the bottoms open, without glue, to make them more flirty. :)

Ask a little guy to help you hang it anywhere in your home sweet home.

My husband found the perfect spot for our spring garland, right near our entryway. I wanted the sunlight to shine through all the tiny doily windows so this spot was ideal!

I couldn't capture the TRUE beauty of this garland with my camera. It is MUCH more beautiful in real life. I have backlight from every angle. :( Any real photographers out there please help!





What most intrigues me with these beautiful new ways to use paper doilies is the fresh creations that are made from the outdated and tacky paper doily. BUT they are absolutely gorgeous when used in the new ways I've seen lately: wedding invitations, signs, banners, garland, and even dainty envelopes! {swoon}


Taking old styles
and transforming them into modern beauty
is creative innovation at it's best!
And that is one of my favorite things about blogging mamas.



Link
Link
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Flamingo Toes, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, It's so Very Cheri, Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Swing into Spring, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Blog Hop Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites, VIP Party Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up

22 comments:

Judy said...

How feminine and colorful! Love the doilies drenched in those lovely spring pastels!

Judy@cutest-little-things

caveman said...

It is very fun to walk in our house, see your pretty garland, and feel spring approaching. But my favorite part was watching an excited blogger momma create her hip decor.

It was also cool to see 6 little hands and 3 little mouths clamoring to help with this project. The color this garland added to our home extends far beyond the entry-way!

Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's said...

How creative, nice work!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I adore the colors! This is so festive and fun for Easter!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Ruth said...

Cute idea. My fingers looked like yours after I used food coloring mixed with Modge Podge. It was a sticky mess.

Ruth

Sommer said...

Oh so darling! Thanks for linking this up to my party! Look forward to seeing what you have to share again next week =)

mary beth said...

These look so fresh and pretty! I discovered the egg dyes last year when I used them to tint shipping tags to decorate for Spring garlands, and also coffee filters to make flowers! The colors are so much more interesting than just food coloring or dye, and cheaper too! Try placing the wet ones on a cookie sheet and laying them in a warm oven, or even dry them faster in the microwave..much faster! Thanks for showing us your sweet doilies!

Kiley said...

Hi Lisa, I am very curious as to where you found the alligator stapler and elephant tape dispenser that you pictured in your son's room.. I may be a 20 year old female college student but I could definitely go for those! Thanks, Kiley

Unknown said...

I just love decorating and crafting with doilies! What a great idea!

SugarFoot Designs said...

This is such a fresh and neat idea! I personally would have thought you created it!! I LOVE your blog, and I really like how you described it on the Top 25 party plannin moms contest! (that's where I found your blog!) It is so much more fun to follow and read about a real (non-professional) mom out there doing what I am also trying to do! A new excited follower here!

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

It's really cute! I have been wanting to make one (not with egg dye, just in general) but doilies are so hard to find! I know Michael's has those, but I want cheap ones, lol.

Visiting from Flamingo Toes!

Jane said...

Cute idea!

I have to tell you....I'm heading to Ohio for a wedding this week. The rehearsal dinner is being held at a state park...and YOUR S'mores Bar idea is the dessert! I was able to show your blog photos to the MOG yesterday (she was here for my son's wedding)...and she went GAGA over it. Thanks so much for sharing your creative ideas...and "PROJECTS" with us.
Hugs,
Jane (artfully graced)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I am beyond charmed by this idea! It think I'm going to have to try it out for myself!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

What a cute hubby you have to read AND comment! These remind me of Easter, the colors turned out so pretty!

Andrea S. said...

So cute! Great job.

Holly Lefevre said...

I have had at least 5 ideas that I thought were brilliant lately only to see them the next day...somewhere. I love your doilies even more because I know they were crafted by a lady with a sweet soul.

Rachel // Maybe Matilda said...

I love this! So cheerful and springy!

Rachel @ Maybe Matilda

Julie Bagamary said...

Beautiful idea! 40% coupons are wonderful aren't they!

DeDa Studios said...

new follower and new to Buzz on By Thursday Stop by http://dedastudios.blogspot.com Love the dyed hands...been there done that! :>)

Johnnie said...

That is such an adorable garland. Bookmarking under "To Do'. I am stopping by from Sunday Showcase. I am a new follower. Great blog. Blessings...
Saved By Love Creations

The Tablescaper said...

This is a great project. Maybe the concept wasn't originally yours, but the execution was fabulous.

Thanks for bringing your beautiful doilies to be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Shana said...

I didn't know so you had one believing you were the first! Hi! Just stopping by. Following you from the Buzz On By Thursday Blog Hop. I'm trying to get some attention to my new facebook fan page. Would love it if you would 'like' my page: www.facebook.com/flightlessgoose. I also have a blog: http://blog.writerslairbooks.com.