Hello gorgeous people!!!!
I have to tell you, I love it when my mother chucks stuff out. Recently I was the recipient of more of her beloved 'junk'. I am happy to say it's spring cleaning season over at my circa 1964 childhood home. The age of said home, means most of the stuff that comes out of the back of her cupboards and drawers, is vintage. At these clean ups, I can often be found with my hand out and mum is only too happy her once loved stuff, is going to a good home. Accordingly ladies, today we are talking doilies. Those pretty little pieces of handmade lace that graced many a 1950'a and 60's table.
As we sat at her dining table....old as well...... I asked her what the heck she was doing with so many doilies and what she did with them in her bee hived hey day. "Well," she said "They go under things and also on cake plates, when you have guests." Hmmmm, life sure was a lot slower then. If my girlfriends drop around for a cuppa, they're lucky to get a teabag in a chipped mug, a biscuit and a good laugh. But back then, it was different. All by appointment and with good china, real tea and apparently lots of lace. Suffice to say time has moved on, for better or for worse and as a result, these sweet little things have been sitting in the dark for the last thirty years.
Mum's parting words to me were. 'I'll give them to you, but you won't cut them up will you?' She didn't say anything about glue though!!!!! I've seen these little lanterns on pinterest, my new go to inspiration board...yes I know, I'm late to that party as well. I'm still not officially a pinner, as I don't have the time. In any case, I'd rather create than pin other peoples' stuff, but I love the concept and am such a voyer of human nature, that I do pop over there most days.
With these, there's no need to worry about the glue seeping through the holes, which it does readily. Just wipe off the excess with a damp cloth and the rest will dry clear. The other tip is to stretch the lace well over the jar, so the holes open up to let the light through.
Being under strict instructions not to cut the doilies I also strung them up to make bunting. Cutting them in half and stiching them to tape looks fantastic, but being the honourable daughter that I am....a promise is a promise and I used pegs instead.
Not so honourable however, that I don't knick flowers that hang over the neighbour's fence though.
These things looked luscious out my window and were calling me. Life is sweet when a double red hibiscus shoved into a porcelain white pitcher can make your day.
My face book friends confirmed what I already knew and that is, stuff hanging over the fence is fair game. It just comes down to whether you have the nerve to take it. Some people only do this kind of thing by night, but I started cutting at midday...oh the thrill!!!!! Please don't judge me dear reader. I have to get my kicks somehow!!!!!!
So instead of doing laundry and other boring things that make me wonder how the hell, a highly educated woman like myself, ever got herself into this situation known as 'housewife'. I foofed and mucked around with doilies and red flowers. And if you know Mr Beach House, for pities sake don't let on!!!!! He'll send me back out to paid work 5 days a week, which would be fine, if I like him could walk through the door each night to a clean house, a warm meal on the table and happy Beach House Brats. Unfortunately, I'd still have to do all the other boring cr*pola that makes up the housewife's lot, as well as a paid job. Oh and there's his books that I do for nothing as well. It's official, I need my very own housewife. Anyone wanting to work very hard for absolutely no remuneration, but guaranteed fun and love, I'm accepting applications now. Email me!!!
And you are now wondering if Mr Beach House reads me. Well I can definitely confirm that in the negative. Apparently my father in-law does though, obviously lots of retired time on his hands and perhaps a penchant for a little vintage. Anyway, he recently enquired as to whether Mr Beach House did too. When the answer was "No" he replied, "Yes son, perhaps that's for the best". So I am in that very convenient position where I can do all sorts of sneaky things, like foof around with red flowers and doilies all day and he will be none the wiser.
It can be our little secret!!!!! Hey grandpa????
It's ANZAC Day here in Australia and you can read all about what that means here if you like
Today I'm partying here

I think if the tree is hanging over your fence, the flowers are fair game - after all, if it's hanging over your fence, you are entitled to chop the branches off that are over the fence :)
ReplyDeleteLove the doileys! I'm afraid that I have to get mine from the antique mall, though - my mother didn't keep any of hers.
Hey Susan You can also get very affordable ones at charity stores.
DeleteLOL, you crack me up, Carolyn!!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the lanterns!!!
I remember my Grandma having doilies... those were the days, lol!
I think you did a great job not cutting them, although yesterday I saw a tutorial where you could make flowers with them by cutting them in half...
Do you have any left??? HAHAHAHAAHAHA!!!
I do but I did promise not to chop them up
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
I am so in love with doilies, I wish I had kept my mothers when we moved her 5 years ago!
ReplyDeleteThey're everywhere at the local charity store I bet. Hope you have a happy and reflective ANZAC Day.
DeleteCarolyn
heheheheeehiii...you made me laugh, good! I was so drawn to the covered with doilys bottles and I just love them..will try it, as I have doilys from grandma and mother's too. Thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Aren't mothers and grandmothers fantastic?
DeleteCarolyn
I support you 1000%, Carolyn, on snipping away at any bounty hanging across the fence!!! Just GO for it, girl!!! So nice that your Mom is happy to see her treasures repurposed. It's a good thing, I think, to see how the next generation interprets items from the generation before. I am looking at what appears to be your front door with the four glass slats. That design is really cool!!!! I have never seen a door like that before! I wonder if those are available here in the U.S. My husband would probably have a cow about it, but I would really like to have one! I like to let in as much light as possible!!! As for the job opening, no thanks. I have a job like that now, and it sucks to be me! :-)
ReplyDeleteAlycia
DeleteI so get you on the door and the sucky job. ONe good thing about it, it gives me lots of stuff to write about. If I didn't laugh I would fall down in a heap and cry
Carolyn xx
PS those doors are Australian beach house style. I find it hilarious when something is not available in the US....sorry..... but to me it is soooooo much the other way around. Perhaps you don't want to be a housewife, but how about a door importer??!!!!!
I hear ya. when I worked full time and had a kiddo I paid for a part time house keeper. I loved her more than a new diamond ring I tell you. To come home after work and have a clean house, clean sheets, and such was fabulous. Now I clean two of my own houses but only just enough, I fluff my stuff and take far too many photos.
ReplyDeleteHey, if you get any extra housekeepers, send them my way! I swear I was meant to have servants and housekeepers and such so that I could spend all my time gardening, on the computer, doing crafts, and shopping!
ReplyDeleteThose are pretty--love the jars!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea with the dollies. Did I spell that right? Any way, very creative!!
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn! What a great idea! And, your house is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHello, Carolyn. Just popped in from Faded Charm Cottage's 'White Wednesday,' and I love your dollie lanterns. I just finished making four for our backporch. I used liquid starch to attach the dollies to the jars, and it worked great. They can be easily removed, washed, and re-used in another project . . . no damage to the beautiful lace. I love dollies and have been collecting them for years. It's wonderful to find new ways to use these pretties again. Looking forward to reading your blog. Kay in NC, USA
ReplyDeleteThe doilie covered jars are adorable. So vintage and shabby chic. I'm amazed noone has thought of this idea before(or why I haven't seen them before).
ReplyDeleteSo so soooooo PRETTY!!!! The jars couldn't be prettier!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!
Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteDo they have TJMaxx or HomeGoods in Australia? The beauty of a gift card giveaway is that it's easy to send.
- The Tablescaper
but look how that is paying off!!! so pretty..i just love the lace jars!
ReplyDeleteoh i LOVE mason jars and this is such a great way to use them!!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to link this project up at my link party – Well Crafted Wednesdays! You can find it here:
http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/well-crafted-wednesdays-link-party-1.html
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting into your blog. Picked up some great ideas for our beach home that we will be purchasing soon. Such a different style of decorating and it's so much fun! Love the mason jar idea. I have a booth in an antiques mall and I see linens stacked selling for next-to-nothing. Now I know what to do with some of these creations who someone took great pains to make.
ReplyDeleteBTW -- I'm your newest follower. I can't wait to see your next post!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
the jars look great, i've seen them on pinterest as well, but didn't think i could make them somehow. i will definitely try now. first time i'm visiting your blog, very nice to have met you. regards from Turkey. ebru
ReplyDeleteAnything on your side of the fence is definitely free for you. I pull weed vine from the neighbors yard all the time. It grows into our side.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your doily decor. i too have TONS OF DOILIES all over the place. They look so nice and cozy, don't they?! Thank you for linking this up at our party at http://www.finecraftguild.com/party/ We hope we'll see you back next week with some more fresh ideas, and in the meanwhile, visit our blog to see what we've been up to also. Eg. today is Paper flowers for Mothers Day... Tutorial plus creative design ideas. Lot of photos.
ReplyDeleteJust "discovered" your blog. Loved it laughed and signed up to follow!! p.s. I need a housewife too!!
ReplyDeleteAngela
angdersquire(at)shaw(dot)ca
love, love your vintage doily lanterns. I am having a party next weekend and plan to do just the same thing (found on pinterest as well, love this place ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your flowers in the pitcher and the frame, so fantastic (hope your neighbor doesn't catch you cutting his flowers LOL)
Thanks for sharing.
Michele
I love this idea,I am going to make some for my new painted bedroom when I find some of these,pinning this idea :)
ReplyDeleteAw man! Why doesn't my mom keep anything good?? I love what you did with the doilies. Sometimes I wish I was a housewife in the 50's. They had such pretty things. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face with your post. I'm your newest subscriber. And hey, I co-host a new linky party and I think these would be a great addition. I'd love for you to come link up and show my readers. http://rhapsodyofcacophony.blogspot.ca/2012/04/pin-ed-it-made-it-party-0427.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and creative way to "not cut" your mom's beautiful handiwork! Love those jars and am going to have to give that a try, myself!
ReplyDeleteI was on Pinterest, but deleted all my pretty boards as the talk of lawsuits for stealing just unnerved me...I sure do miss them as they gave me such pleasure to just go and look at them.
♥ Jil
Someone eases junk can turn out to be a treasure for another.
ReplyDeleteI too have been meaning to make those doily jars....I have the doilies (nearly 700...Im a bit of a hoarder) and I have been saving the jars...just gotta find the time now.
ReplyDeleteHPS
Michelle
So beautiful! Come and join my Color Connection meme too. The linky is at my Pink Dinosaurs entry. Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteVery creative!
ReplyDeleteMy PINK please come and see when you have time. Have a safe and happy weekend!
Fun post and I love every way you used your Mother's doilies!
ReplyDeleteWonderful doilies, wish I had some that my grandmother made.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn! I love your idea. The lace lit jars, SUPER! I must try this! Permission granted?! I, too, have many laces from my Aunties, Gram, mom...love the stuff. Also love vintage hankies! Your fireplace laced up is great! Thanks for the many ideas and mood lifters..(a bit sad today) Great idea for mothers day!! I,m your newest follower. Huggs, Dianna
ReplyDeleteJust found your darling blog and am signing up as a follower as soon as I'm done commenting.
ReplyDeleteLove both of your doily ideas!
And, I say what's on your side of the fence is yours. I used to have to cut my neighbors trees and bushes because they were coming through the fence and even pulling out part of it. I wish they'd been beautiful flowers but no such luck...just a bunch of unwanted branches.
So pretty and elegant. Love how they look with the candles in them!
ReplyDeletehttp://fitcraftystylishandhappy.blogspot.com
Love the mason jars. Too cute. What a great idea to use the doilies for a bunting as well. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLoving your mantel:) I really like how you added the doilies to the mason jars:)
ReplyDeleteThat double red hibiscus in the jug is stunning - I would have cut it and brought it inside too! :) And doily lanterns? Cool. Speaking of cool... I'm thinking Grandpa is one groovey bloke. Your post made me laugh - love the way you write. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, your poodling around with red flowers and doilies looks wonderful! Oh, I think I need a wife too so I can play! Well, poodle around the house! You're so funny! I just love funny! Your home looks so pretty and I'm sure your hubby is so glad you can make it all so beautiful! ;)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
so lovely, and so sweet. yep, i think i am going to feature you tomorrow... let's see who else is in the running....
ReplyDeletethank you for linking these up at http://www.finecraftguild.com/party/
we'll have a new party + the features tomorrow.
Lovely doilies and lovely mantel!!
ReplyDeleteAnd, if you're getting a housewife, I'm getting one too!! You're onto something there! :)
Your a riot! Love the doilies and your stolen flowers. lol
ReplyDeleteDee
These are gorgeous! I've got to add this to our home. Stopping by from Chef-in-Training, Tuesday Talent Show :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful addition to your displays!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! Thank you for sharing at the Weekend Warrior! I FBed it and pinned it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnna
www.askannamoseley.com
Love the idea of putting the doilies on the jars. I have lots of doilies I bought in KY and had before also. I have lots of 40's 50's tablecloths too. I was a housewife at end of 50's and thru the 60's plus. I bought doilies and tablecloths to make pillow covers to sell but somehow never got around to it. Hmmm, can't imagine anybody else has ever had that quandry.
ReplyDeleteWonder how bits of the tablecloths would look around the jars? Hmmmm, I'll have to see. Use strips to put around the jars in different places. Thanks for inspiring me. You are so funny, love reading your blog. Love your gorgeous beach house too. I'm so jealous, would love to visit Australia, that's always been my dream.
What is the best size doily to buy?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the best size doily to buy?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be the one that fits onto the front of the jar you intend using. Good luck Carolyn
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