Okio B Designs: March 2013

**You still have time to enter my Stampin' Up giveaway!**

I've had this vintage high chair for a few years now. It was a garage sale find ($5) but I could never seem to find a permanent home for it. I gave it a chalk paint makeover yesterday.

Of course, I forgot to take before photos. The color was something I would compare to a poopie brown. Not pretty by any means. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Antoinette so now it's a charming, soft pink.

I wanted to give it a French touch so I used this great image from The Graphics Fairy. I didn't feel like stenciling or using transfer paper, so I broke out my waterslide decal paper (find it on eBay). I printed it, sealed it with clear spray paint and then put it smack dab in the middle of the seat.

For now, it's in the tearoom. I think that will be its permanent home!

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

Jeanine

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I bought these lanterns from Home Goods about 5-6 years ago. We use them on our porch but they started to rust a bit. I didn't want to do dump them, so...

I gave them a fresh new look with a couple of coats of this robin's egg spray paint. Rust-Oleum, I believe.

I'm going with a beach theme on the porch this summer and now they will fit perfectly with my vision. And speaking of paint, my hubby finally re-painted our bedroom. I'll post about that soon but here is a quick peak of the angel wings I got from Decor Steals a few weeks ago on my freshly painted wall.

The color is a soft melon. It's what we originally had but through the years, the walls got dirty, had tons of nail holes, etc. So now instead of looking at dirty walls and spackle spots, I can admire the fresh coat of paint.

Jeanine

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A few goodies from my Mom's local Goodwill:

I can't seem to pass up Mason Jars. The large one was only $2.99.

And how sweet is this little ashtray (at least I think it's an ashtray!) Could also make for a pretty jewelry dish.

I spent $8 for everything.

Jeanine

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When the new Pottery Barn catalog arrived over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice the nautical-inspired clipboards on page 58.

Of course the entire room is my dream office, but I also really love the clipboard idea so I did a quick copycat.

These are hanging out on a bookshelf until I can figure out where I want to hang them. I have a few more to work on. I just added some white paint, starfish and nautical photos to them like in the catalog picture. The black one, I added to break up the white paint.

The images are all from The Graphics Fairy.

Can't wait to hang them!

Jeanine

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Another dreary Monday in our neck of the woods. And guess what? More snow is coming. Ick! The boys are off from school this week and we're having fun crafting together. I made some sweet glassine bags this morning.

The French script is an image I bought from Etsy a couple of years ago. It's definitely one of my favorites. The gown image is from The Graphics Fairy.

You probably can't tell but the gown is a pretty green. Again, it's so dark here that the photos don't do the image justice. Can you make out the green faux pearl on the dress bow? Anywho, Karen also has the gown in pink, blue and black.

This pretties are in my Etsy shop.

Don't forget to enter my Stampin' Up giveaway!

Jeanine

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**You can enter my Stampin' Up giveaway here!**

When I was looking for the kids' Easter baskets yesterday, I came across a bunch of raffia ribbon. The wheels started turning, and I decided to use it for a quick Easter nest.

I just wrapped it in a nest shape, tying some parts with twine so it would stay together. I snipped off any renegade pieces that were sticking out.

Then I added some store-bought Easter eggs, and I hand-stamped the little Easter tag. Super duper easy and of course, I always love using what I have onhand in the house!

Jeanine

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**This giveaway is now closed**

The folks at Stampin' Up were kind enough to let me have a sneak peak at a new product bundle that will be available in June. Even nicer - they've provided me with one bundle for you too!

The Spring Surprise Bundle includes the brand new “A Round Array” 6-piece stamp set and a 7/8” Scallop Circle Punch. When you purchase these two products in the bundle, for only $23.95, you are getting a 15% discount.

The Circle Punch was super easy to use. I already made some sheet music circle confetti to add to our Easter table. And how cute are these tags?

I hand-stamped them using the Round Array stamps and block. Adorable, right?

To enter to win your own bundle,

1. Become a follower of OkioBDesigns or let me know in a comment that you already are;

2. Like Stampin' Up on Facebook and let me know in a comment that you did.

You can gain additional entries by:

1. Follow Stampin' Up on Twitter (@stampinup) and let me know in a comment that you did;

2. Like Okio B Designs on Facebook and let me know in a comment that you did;

3. Follow @okiobdesigns on Twitter and let me know in a comment you did;

4. Blog/tweet/Facebook about this giveaway and let me know in a comment you did.

Open to US residents only - sorry! I'll pick a winner via Random.org on Monday, April 1, 2013 (yes, April Fool's Day!).

Good luck!

Jeanine

*I was provided with a free sample from Stampin' Up for review, however, opinions are my own.

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Popped by a local estate sale this morning. The pricing was a bit, well, pricey. I did find a few steals though:

The camera was $5. It comes with the complete case. The gloves were $1. I can't resist vintage gloves!

The ceramic cow head, I'm still trying to figure out. Clearly it can be wall-mounted but I'm not sure if it's to hold ties, jewelery or ???? Still, for 50 cents, it's a cute piece my husband will get a kick out of.

Not bad for $6.50!

Jeanine

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More snow falling as I type but I'm keeping the faith.

Jeanine

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We're hosting the grandparents this year for Easter. I'm already playing around with the table settings to get an idea of what will look the prettiest. I bought a pretty Chevron table runner from Etsy that will match the plates perfectly. Here's what I have so far:

I will have to mix and match plates because the ones you see I got from the Pottery Barn outlet a few years ago - but are only for four. The egg cups are also from the outlet.

I made these silverware sacks last night. I printed out the image (from the Graphics Fairy) onto clear label paper and placed them on some glassine sacks. I'll be using our numbered napkins too. They need some serious ironing though first.

Each setting will get its own peat pot with a personalized name. I used Dafont.com to print out names on plain white paper. Then I made them into little banners and used Glue Dots to fix them onto my appetizer sticks.

Luckily I have another week to play around with everything!

Jeanine

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I always have a ton of Dollar Store candles in the house. Given last year's hurricane, I think it's wise to stock up. Unfortunately, they aren't the prettiest candles in the world. That is until you dress them up...

I printed off the images onto clear transfer paper. The women are from Pinterest. The bee with the crown is from The Graphics Fairy.

I simply cut around the images. Then just peel and stick.

Super quick and easy way to dress up boring candles.

Jeanine

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I picked up two of these little metal buckets from Target (in their $1 section) last week. They were $2 each. I broke out some Annie Sloan chalk paint to give them a shabby/Frenchy makeover.

First I gave each bucket 2 coats of ASCP. I wasn't worried about being sloppy because I wanted them to have a shabby/chippy paint look.

Next I printed off my graphics onto waterslide decal paper. (I told you I'm obsessed with this paper! I use it every chance I get!). I give the images a couple of coats of clear spray paint so the image won't run. Once that's dry, simply dip into a pan of water and the sticker part will separate from the paper.

Of course you have to play with the sticker a bit to get it perfect (or close to perfect as in my case). Push out the air bubbles and voila!

As you can see, my new buckets are sitting in my new Ikea kitchen cart. The hubby and 7 year old put it together for me last night. I love it!

Jeanine

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I have been waiting literally months for my local Ikea to get the pretty aqua blue kitchen cart that you've probably seen all over Pinterest. Guess what?

I grabbed mine this morning! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! I'm so very excited! As soon as my hubby steps foot in the door, he's putting this baby together. I'd do it myself but I don't have a great track record with assembling Ikea products. Better to be safe than sorry!

Jeanine

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I'm looking forward to a fruitful garden this year. My dad has offered to help me pick the perfect spots in our yard. You see, we do well with tomatoes and cucumbers, and some random herbs, but my eggplant and green peppers never seem to take off. Anywho, I decided to start early this year with some of our seeds. Of course, I had to dress up my peat pots just a little.

These mini peat pots were something like 10 for $1. I painted each white to start. While the paint was drying, I hand-stamped basil, oregano and mint onto tissue paper. I ripped the tissue paper as close to the lettering as possible and glued it on with Mod Podge.

I gave each piece of tissue paper a coating on top after the first coat dried. Now I know which seed goes in which pot, and which herb is in which pot (and the pots look a little cuter!).

I also did this seeds one but I think the stamps were a little big for the pots. Doh!

Jeanine

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It's been a really beautiful weekend here. I almost feel like Spring is nipping at my heels. The mild weather inspired me to put out some of our Easter decorations.

A Spring nest propped onto a vintage typewriter.

Nests and eggs are everywhere! See the little bunnies tucked into the egg cups?! I keep them out all year.

More nests. I have mason jars in a milk bottle carrier as our centerpiece on the dining room table. Some have candy and some have eggs. Not sure if you can see the two bunnies behind the nests. They are salt and pepper shakers from the Pottery Barn outlet. So are the little nests with eggs.

This sweet bunny is from Home Goods.

I can't wait to break out our Pottery Barn egg plates and egg cups. We're having Easter at our house this year so I'll be able to put them to good use.

Jeanine

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It's cold and stormy here yet again, but I'm definitely thinking of summer. Wouldn't these be great for sipping some lemonade on a beautiful, warm summer day?

Someone added the No. 7 clipart to Pinterest. I downloaded it onto sticker paper. Before cutting and adding to my recycled Starbucks bottles, I gave them a coat of clear spray paint.

Cut, stick and done! The only real messy part is getting the Starbucks label completely off. I actually made 4 but I only had the three ready when I snapped the photos. The straws are from Target. A clearance find for 99 cents!

Jeanine

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I just love dress forms, don't you?! I have about 20 in the house of varying sizes. Some are fabric; some are metal. I think I have one in just about every room in the house. Here is my newest one:

Someone posted a lovely dress form template on Pinterest. I used it to make this cardstock tag that measures a little under 8.5" x 11". First, I printed it out onto regular white paper. Then I cut it out to use as my template. I printed out the French script onto #80 cardstock and then traced the dress form cut-out onto the cardstock.

After I cut it out, I had the perfect dress form "canvas" to work with. I used some ruffle fabric to make her dress. At the top of the ruffles, I added some vintage lace for the "belt" and topped it off with a hand-stamped button which also has French script on it.

I added some rhinestones for a faux necklace of sorts. Use a hole puncher to pop a hole in the top and add some twine to hang.

Isn't she sweet?

Jeanine

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I am the world's worst wreath maker. Yup, I admit it. And while I could probably easily plunk down $20 or so to buy one, I'm just too frugal to do it. I wanted to add something, anything to my front door for Spring...

This fleurs basket is from Marshall's. It's normally hanging in my tearoom. I bought it a couple of years ago and as luck would have it, it fits into the skinny place between our wood door and the glass door.

It's holding a bundle of lavender. Note the plastic wrap still on the lavender. Completely on purpose because I don't want to be picking up lavender buds every time we open and close the door. What's nice, though, is we get a sniff of lavender every time we come home. And, of course, wreath problem solved!

Jeanine