What a conundrum! If they're awkward sizes, what about heavily starching them and put them on an obscure wall using straight pins?

Do you have any vintage linens? If you have some small sizes, you can drape them along with the doilys on something as a display.

Another thing you can do is to take the one with your name on it, find a picture frame larger than the doily, glue or mod podge either wallpaper or pretty gift wrap to the cardboard as a backing, then tack the doily on it then frame. That would be really pretty and inexpensive!

I would cover cardboard or foam core board with a dark fabric, like midnight blue velvet. Then pin or sew the doily to that. Hang in appropriate spot when she's coming over.

In the interim until you decide what to do with them you might just use them on your dining table as runners. You could perhaps then tell her how you are using them until you decide if you want to frame them.

DIY framing does not have to be expensive. Used frames are abundant in many thrift stores and can be repainted easily. Glass can be replaced if non-existent by taking the frame to a glass shop and having a piece cut to fit. Non-reflective glass is more expensive but sometimes worth it.

I have a collection of doilies, both ones crocheted by relatives as well as yard sale and thrift store rescues. I can't resist a nicely made doily priced at 25 cents as I know there is little demand for them and they may end up in the land fill. I sometimes use them as place mats over a colored tablecloth or layer several various size ones on my sideboard as a runner.

This link may give you DIY ideas on framing that are more affordable.

Here is a link that might be useful: framing doilies inexpensively

Thanks so much for these ideas--I love the thought of wallpaper or fabric behind the doilies--why didn't I think of that, ha ha! I love this forum. :). So I'll keep looking for affordable odd-shaped frames.

I have a doily that says, "Have a Chair", embroidered in it. My Mom sewed it on a velvet cushion for us. It is kind of kitschy.

Most things looked best grouped in threes. So embroider your own doily that says, "Avoid giving gifts you expect to see displayed."

marcolo - I am rolling with the laughter!!! :)

My mother just gave me what looks like my great-great grandmother's crocheted lace sample book. I think she must have sold cuffs and collars and trim to make ends meet - they were poor. Beautiful, elaborate work but unfortunately nothing complete - usually just a few inches of lace. I wish I could come up with a way to display just a few of them well, so I feel your pain.

They are filet crochet pictures.....and expensive to buy....especially custom made.
I would baste them onto a solid color side of a sofa pillow that suits your decoration style.....then flip the crochet to show when you think she might show, and as she leaves flip it back again.
Or sew them onto pillows for your bed. Surely she doesn't go into your bedroom every time she comes over.
Get them sewn onto the pillows, make up the bed with the pillows displayed, invite her to a viewing.....and you are free to pack them away!
In the future be careful about admiring someone's hand work....unless you are sure you would like a sample. I have a fair amount of s....tuff I don't display.
Linda C

Look at this pinterest thing ... stretched, unframed painted canvas with doilies

http://pinterest.com/pin/259590365991379476/

How lucky you are!!! I love handmade doilies. My grandmother made them for us when I was a kid, my mother as well. I know how to make them but don't crochet much anymore. They are really an art that is disappearing.

I have a cedar chest full of doilies from my grandmother. She also crocheted tablecloths and bedspreads...and quilted too.

I did have one framed. It was very intricate and I had a deep green velvet placed underneath it which really helped to show the design. I've also made pillows for my beds in a deep velvet and then stitched the doilies onto the velvet.

When my DD went to the prom I took one of the heavier doilies and lined it with a pastel that matched the sash on the prom dress and sewed a little handbag. Then I used a ribbon to make a drawstring to pull the bag shut and hang from her wrist.

How big are they? Find a way to stiffen them and use them for Christmas tree ornaments. That way you only have to look at them for one month a year.

You can decoupage them onto large white plastic Halloween skulls for a steampunk-goth sculpture.

Sorry- I love them, but I've never known what to do with them either.
Renee

Marcolo, HAHAHA!

I have nothing helpful to add, but just wanted to say that every time I see the name of this thread, I think you are asking for an alternate name for the word "doily." I figured you really, really, hated the word "doily/doilies."

Gotta say, it's not my favorite word, come to think of it.

My MIL makes and sells name doilies. She starches and then stitches them to a colored matt to be framed. My daughter didn't want to hurt grandmas feelings so she placed her doily under the glass top on a side table. It actually looks neat...side table black tablecloth, white doily and then the glass.

I like the pillow ideas as well as under glass tabletop. If you get enough of them, you could have them made into a quilt :)

Definitely some more great ideas!

Marcolo, my husband suggested "almost" the same thing :)

Linda C, these were a total surprise, but that's good advice~

Lazygardens, I looked at the ones on pinterest--I could definitely live with that~

And now I'm loving these ideas, too:
sewing one to a pillow
placing one on a side table under glass
wrist purse for prom

I so appreciate these creative ideas that I could never have thought of to save my life. And the humor!

Years ago they would heavily starch doilies, or use a sugar water solution and let them dry over something like a pot for a plant. When the doily is dry it should hold the shape of the pot. If they're not too large you could do that, and use them under your flower pot, or as a pen holder, or let the heavily starched doily dry over a balloon, pop the balloon and you've got an interesting weird thing to hang somewhere. Fill with potpourri maybe?
Or let them dry over a bowl to get a bowl shape and flute the edges when it's almost dry.