I've used yo-yos, buttons, buttons on top of yo-yos, and even tassels, but I never thought of lace. I have lots of lace and now that my daughters are older, they're not into lacy dresses anymore. This would be a great way to use up some of it and dress up some holiday runners as gifts. As for the added puffiness, a friend of mine got me into using fusible fleece. It gives it the look of being quilted, but with much more heat absorption for use with candles.