Creative Treasury

The first project on my Handmade Challenge list is completed.
I have a number of lace and embroidered doylies which I collected over the years for some of my past creative work, so now seemed a good time to do something more with them. There are heaps of ideas on Pinterest so to set me off on the creative path again I've had a go at recreating these doylies into sweet little bowls.

I begin by collecting various shaped bowls and dishes, plus a bottle for the oblong shaped doylies, to use as moulds.

A selection of doylies and bowls, dishes or bottles to use as moulds.

For my first doyley moulding session I keep it plain and simple. I've kept them white and used one small and one large mould. The moulds are placed upside down and covered with plastic wrap. The doylies are dipped into a mix of white craft glue and water; then placed onto the moulds, smoothed over and then left to dry.

Doylies moulded onto inverted bowls.

The white lace doyley bowls look sweet but I do love colour so for the next lot of doylies I pulled out my coloured dyes. I have used these dyes in the past for dying materials I used in tassel making, plus fringing, braids, laces and even beaded fringing.

Hand-dyed doylies

For moulds in this next lot I used a long, narrow oil bottle for the delicate oblong doyley, a drinking glass for the sweet small doyley and a rounded vase for a cotton and lace doyley. I wasn't sure how an embroidered doyley would turn out so there was only one way to find out.

Different shaped items used as moulds

Aaaand ... here is the finished work. I think they are rather sweet; and a great way to recycle or recreate old doylies.

Lace Doylies Recreated

The lace bowls will be perfect to use for potpourri, to store your trinkets and jewellery or serve some favourite chocolates. I think these will definitely be added to the Christmas gift list.

Doylies Recreated into colourful bowls and dishes

I'm happy to have made it through the first project of The Handmade Challenge. I hope you like what I've been able to recreate. There are three more projects for me to complete before the end of year -

1. Framed pinboard, chalkboard or other - I have several gorgeous old vintage and vintage style frames just sitting there waiting for me to recreate them.
2. String ball ornaments - This is another idea I found on Pinterest and I hope to make these in time to use as Christmas decorations.
3. Canvas Art - this could be a tricky one for me but it's something I've been thinking about doing for years so I'm hoping I'll ideas flowing by the time I get to this project.

I haven't decided which of the above projects will be next but I'm looking forward to getting creative again.

If you like the idea of a 'creative challenge', pop over to My Handmade Adventure and check out what Karen and others have been doing for The Handmade Challenge.