Okio B Designs: February 2012

My husband starts a new job on Friday and we're very excited over here about it. Now that he'll be brown-bagging it again, I got to thinking about how I could make his lunch bags a little more exciting:

First I looked up how to spell the days of the week in French on Yahoo (not Google because I don't agree with their new privacy policy). Once I got the spelling, I created a word document and using a font, coincidentally, named French Script, I typed in each day and then printed them out on clear Avery paper.

Once my labels were on, I used a hole-puncher to punch two holes on the top of each bag. Then I tied some baker's twine through the holes. You'll have to excuse the dark photos - it's raining and dreary here today.

He thought they were sweet. Whether or not he actually uses them (it's a guy thing) is another story.

I'm thinking of making the font a little bigger and adding some of these to my Etsy shop.

Linking to: The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday.

Jeanine

4 comments

How sweet is this little bird's nest?

It's a pretty mix of sticks, leaves and grass.

And it was only...

What's not to love about that?! Thanks HomeGoods!

Jeanine

1 comments

Last week I wrote a post on a French-y makeover I gave to a vintage-inspired bottle carrier here. I'm happy to report that I found the perfect bottles to fit inside it! Believe it or not - they are Starbucks Frappuccino bottles:

I simply peeled off the Starbucks labels (after enjoying the Vanilla Frappuccino, of course!). I replaced them with these great French images from The Graphics Fairy. I printed them onto to clear Avery label paper and cut them to size.

I added rhinestones to both bottles. For one, I tied a key from Michael's on and for the other, I added a keyhole with some twine.

I also added some vintage lace to make them look a little less beverage bottle and more chic. Nevermind those air bubbles you see, I flattened them out after snapping the pics.

Don't they fit perfectly?! I had to prop them up a little by wedging some tissue paper in the bottom of each slot.

I have two more that I need to makeover this week. I'm just so happy that I found the perfect sized bottles!

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday and The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday.

Jeanine

8 comments

There is less than a month until the official start of Spring. Although we've had a relatively mild winter here, I am sooooooo ready for Spring! I started adding some seasonal touches to the homestead yesterday. Putting them out immediately made me feel much perkier!

I have to thank my sister Kathy (Creative Home Expressions) for my acquiring these little cloches. I have been admiring them on her blog for over a year and I finally bought the trio for myself. I have them set up on the diningroom table with some eggs I bought from Sav-On-Crafts last year:

This beat up garage sale scale got a nest as well!

It just kind of hangs out on our stairs.

I made this quick little ruffle-bottom tea towel with our last name initial during the week. The towel is from the dollar store. Since I gave up on trying to learn to make ruffles, I did the next best thing. I ordered some ruffle trim from Jo-Ann's!

And my husband kept reminding me to post this Valentine's Day sheet music flower he made for me after seeing a tutorial on Yahoo. Ain't he cute?! Nevermind that mess though in my kitchen!

I'm trying to pace myself with putting out our Easter decorations, but knowing me, they'll be up in a week!

Jeanine

6 comments

After a bit of a blogging respite, I'm feeling much better now. I swear the germs in our house are going round robin. In between blowing my nose and coughing up a lung, I remembered a champagne bucket and stand I got over the summer at a garage sale. I wanted to paint it white but my husband talked me out of it. Still, I had to do something to jazz her up:

I decided to give her a lace makeover. Given my level of energy for the past few days, it's probably about all I could do! I simply hot glued some of this vintage lace under the lip of the bucket.

Then I rolled some vintage sheet music, tied them with twine and added them to the bucket. I felt like it was still missing something so I stamped a coffee-baked tag with a French crown and script, and tied that with twine around the bucket.

I think she looks much better now. Just have to add a few more sheet music rolls and then she'll be exactly how I envisioned! Oh and don't tell the hubby but I'm glad I didn't paint her white!

Jeanine

3 comments

I've been a bit under the weather this week. It's been a germ-fest over here and I have not been immune. Still, I worked up some energy last night to give a French-y makeover to this metal bottle holder I got from The Christmas Tree Shoppes last year.

I bought the great Paris postmark from Etsy (graphique.etsy.com). I simply printed it out on regular white paper and distressed the edges. I mod podged an image to each side, giving them both a coat on top to seal the image.

Then I added some random rhinestones. And done! I was hoping to add some mason jars inside, but much to my dismay, they did not fit. Instead I added some French script candles and I think they look perfect. I'm trying to figure out what to add to the other slots but for now, I'm enjoying this quick makeover.

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

12 comments

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day! I was in chocolate heaven thanks to my hubby and boys. In between my candy fixes, I decided to use an Ikea dish towel to make a faux grain sack pillow:

At first I was going to make it into a tote bag but I just wasn't feeling it. Plan B was to use this great image from The Graphics Fairy and turn it into a pillow for our porch swing.

Ssshhh...don't tell anyone, but I kind of cheated a little as I just folded over one end so I only had to sew the other three.

It fits perfectly on the swing and my other grain sack pillow isn't lonely anymore. =)

Jeanine

9 comments

I came across some dollar store flour sacks I bought a while ago last night. I had originally planned to coffee dye them for some pillows but it's been a while since I did some tea towels and I was in the mood for something quick and not so messy. I found this great French image from The Graphics Fairy and...

...thought it would look divine on my towels. I printed the image onto to some transfer paper and simply ironed them on. Still, I felt like they could use a little something extra so I went to my fabric drawer and thought vintage lace would do the trick.

I'm also thinking they'd look beautiful with ruffle bottoms, but since I haven't quite mastered making ruffles yet, the lace will do.

Wine and spirits have never looked so good!

Linking to: The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday, Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tuesday and Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

14 comments

I couldn't let Valentine's Day come and go without making at least one little heart pillow.

I used my Cricut to cut out the heart shape. I traced it onto what has become my favorite shabby fabric. Before sewing it up, I hand-stamped the little Paris in the middle.

Then I stitched it up and added the stuffing. The button was a bit of an after-thought. It has some French script stamped on it too so I added that under the Paris wording.

Finish up with some red tea-stained seam binding and this baby is ready to be hung anywhere in the house.

And here's how I'm thinking about surprising my husband on Valentine's Day. Saw this idea on Pinterest:

I think he'll be pleasantly surprised!

Jeanine

5 comments

This is by far one of my new favorite blogs! If you haven't been over to NYCPretty, head on over there stat because the lovely Christine is having an awesome American Eagles Outfitters $100 giftcard giveaway!

All you have to do is like NYCPretty.com on Facebook, follow @NYCPretty on Twitter and leave a comment to enter.

While you are there, check out her amazing outfits! I know I've picked up quite a few outfit ideas there myself.

Good luck!

Jeanine

No comments

I used to display these vintage-ish milk bottles on our kitchen cabinets, but since the kitchen redo, they've been quietly sitting in our basement. I stumbled across them yesterday and thought bottles this wonderful should not be banished to the basement.

Since I'm a little pressed for time this week, I gave them a quick French makeover using Avery clear label paper. One image I printed from the Graphics Fairy - it's one of my favorites! I've used it on glassine bags, pillows - you name it! The other is one I purchased off of Etsy.

Working with the Avery clear paper is a bit challenging because of the air bubbles. I still have to flatten some of them out. What's nice is, though, you can peel the label off and start over as many times as you need to. It also gives the glass a somewhat frosted look where the label is.

I finished up with some blue rhinestones to match the white and blue theme we have going in the kitchen now. I was going to tie some tea-stained seam binding on each one, but opted for twine. Glad I did. I think the twine gives them more a farmhouse look, don't you?

Jeanine

7 comments

I'm really enamored with painted peat pots.

They are so easy to dress up.

And really fit anywhere in the house.

I like to give them a French touch or two.

Yup, it must be love!

Linking to Faded Charm: White Wednesday.

Jeanine

9 comments

I was browsing the Pottery Barn site the other day and came across these pretty numbered frames ($39 for a set of three):

(Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn)

When I saw these oval frames at my local church thrift store on Friday, I knew immediately that I could do something similar with them.

First, I spray-painted each frame black. While they were drying, I used my Cricut to make my 1,2,3 stencils. Instead of canvas, I used some Osnaburg fabric which I find gives a similar look. I used fabric paint to add my numbers to the fabric, and I added them to each frame once they were dry.

I still have to add the chains to the back of each frame and hang them. Overall, though, I'm really happy with how my version came out! And it cost me about $4 to do mine.

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

13 comments

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! We're gearing up for the Superbowl tomorrow. Rooting for our Giants! While trying to pick up some Giants' gear for the kids, I popped into my favorite church thrift store yesterday. I picked up a few goodies for $5:

The oval frames I have planned for a Pottery Barn knock-off. The little teacups I'm hoping to use for pincushions for my Etsy shop. The big hatbox is going to get a French-y makeover, while the little wedding cake candles I'm still thinking about.

This morning, we popped into Home Goods and I picked up this vintage-style rack for my 6 year's old room. He loves that he now has a "cool" place to put all of his books. I promised I'd make some tags for the slots. We're still deciding on numbers (my vote) or words (his vote). No sure who's going to win that battle. Speaking of battles, let's go Giants!

Jeanine

3 comments

I was in a bit of sewing mood last night so I decided to make this shabby French pillow:

I just love this vintage-inspired fabric. And who can resist this great image from The Graphics Fairy?

Only problem is, it doesn't match anything in the house. Doh! The livingroom is navy blues. My bedroom comforters don't quite match. Oh well, I'll either be adding her to the tea room when the weather gets warmer or on our porch swing for Spring.

Problem solved!

Linking to Funky Junk Interiors: SNS.

Jeanine

2 comments

Wanted to send a big thank you out to Shirley from HudsonHolidays! Shirley came to my rescue and sent me over this perfect reminder for my 4 year old:

I got my inspiration from this one on Pinterest from HGTV.

I'm happy to report that it's working already!

My second thank you goes to Rhonda from A Little Bit French. I won one of Rhonda's fabulous giveaways and yesterday my prize arrived!!!!!

Look at how pretty she wrapped it!

And look at those pretties above! And here is my lovely shrine!

Love it!

Thanks again Shirley and Rhonda! **Another thank you to Donata at DK's CC for also sending me over a sweet version of Wash Your Hands! I can't seem to upload the image but I'll take a photo and post it asap!!!**

Jeanine