What we do to prepare the ingredients of a pretty junk journal.

We raid the attic for old lace. If there isn't any there, we search the thrift shops...

Sometimes (often actually), our Penpals are generous and send us some of their surplus.

Then we wash the lace and dry it in the sun or on the radiator or in the tumble drier.
Sometimes we dye the lace in tea first and other times we spray it after washing with Tim Holtz or similar spray ink.