Okio B Designs: January 2014

Ever have one of those weeks where you're doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but not really getting anything accomplished? That has been my week. I've been starting a lot of projects but not quite finishing them. So this morning, I was determined to complete at least one of them.

I picked up a package of enamel tags at Michael's earlier this month. I used one for a religious pendant. This time, I turned them into numbered magnets.

I hand-stamped the numbers onto tissue paper and then used Mod Podge to add them to each tag. I gave each a topcoat to protect the paper, and added self-sticking magnets to the backs. Voila! Instant kitchen magnets.

This little burlap pouch is part of the randomness. I added a piece of Frenchy muslin to it with a grungy red safety pin.

And this little, antique frame was a find a few weeks ago at a garage sale. I love the gold color, and think the French script looks perfect in there! Another quick and easy makeover.

Wish me luck on tackling my other half-done projects!

Jeanine 1.

4 comments

I really love "what I'm wearing Wednesday" posts but because I rarely have anyone home to snap a photo of me during the week, I never get to participate. Since my hubby is home this week, I put him to good use this morning for my mini version of WIWW.

I've been wanting to make lace boot cuffs for a while now. Inspiration hit yesterday while the boys were at school.

I always have a ton of lace hanging around and this piece had some meat to it. Perfect for boot cuffs.

I simply measured around my calves and cut each piece accordingly. I hand sewed the ends together. Super fast and easy. What's nice is the lace is a bit stretchy so they go on quite easily and stay put.

Best part is I had everything I needed on hand for my new fashion accessory!

Jeanine

2 comments

There is nothing remotely sexy about this post. You will get to see my 50+ year old wood floors and white, chippy doors, and maybe even some dust bunnies.

You see, our aluminum back door needed a draft solution. The rubber at the bottom is letting in cold air. Since I like to keep the wood door open in the winter to let in the light, I needed a quick fix. So I decided to make a draft pillow or whatever the kids are calling it these days.

I pulled out some ticking fabric, cut a long piece and started sewing. I know some people add rice or beans to them but I added some polyfil - which explains some of the lumps and bumps.

Still it has a purpose to serve so I'm not too worried about the pretty. Here it is in place at the back door. It's a little too long so I'll have to cut down one end but problem immediately solved! And I must admit I'm quite partial to the ticking fabric.

Jeanine

1 comments

Brrrrr...still in a deep freeze here. Not feeling overly creative so sharing some Valentine's Day touches around the house.

I use this for Xmas too. Sheet music scrolls in an upcycled can. Now holding a heart pen one of my boys gave me a couple of years ago.

Valentine touches in the corner cabinet. I love breaking out these vintage Valentines each year.

The handwritten notes from the children to their friends are so sweet.

They don't make cards like this anymore, do they?

Best estate sale find ever! I got a bag of them for $1 if I remember correctly. And two thrift store finds from this morning.

The wheels are already turning for the wood plaque. Thinking of painting it white and then adding a first aid look to it for our bathroom. It cost me 50 cents for BOTH!

Jeanine 1.

3 comments

Love this!

Jeanine

1 comments

We're gearing up for yet another snow storm here. Sigh. I'm sooooo ready for spring. This weather has put me in a bit of a funk.

I have the motivation; I just don't seem to have the desire to go shopping (someone call the doctor quick!). So I've been working with whatever I have in the house and re-making some items I've worked on before.

I picked up this vintage wood frame from a garage sale a few years ago. I had originally given it a burlap back and it had a little nest attached to it.

Over the weekend, off came the nest and burlap. I put chalkboard paper in its place and now I have a sweet, little chalkboard frame for the kitchen counter.

I do love working with what I already have but I hope this funk (and the snow!) passes quickly.

Jeanine 1.

5 comments

I've had these petite peat pots since summer. I picked them up at an estate sale and just kind of forgot about them. While I was re-arranging my craft room/office, I saw them and decided to make some sweet new religious ones.

I've used these images before. I bought them from Etsy and they are teeny tiny but perfect for these little pots. I started by painting each pot white.

Then I printed out my images onto tissue paper. Using Mod Podge, I glued them to the front of each pot. I added rhinestone embellishments to two of them.

Each pot is filled with faux moss (from the Dollar store) and French book paper.

I also tucked in some random pieces like a vintage hotel tag, angel and a new religious necklace I made earlier this week.

It's made using an Tim Holtz enamel tag. I picked up a 6 pack of them at Michael's earlier this month. I used another tissue paper image and Mod Podge.

Jeanine 1.

4 comments

This is quite possibly the cutest Valentine's Day printable ever! Found on Pinterest. Love it!

Jeanine

2 comments

Whenever I'm at the Dollar store, I always scoop up a bunch of prayer candles. You just never know when inspiration will hit, so I like to have them readily available. Case in point, these LOVE candles.

I used some dictionary paper and this great image I got from Etsy. I simply printed the image onto the dictionary paper and used Glue Dots to attach to each candle.

I just had to add some bling - the red rhinestones fit perfectly on the O.

Now I have some pretty new candles for Valentine's Day that only cost $2.

Jeanine 1.

3 comments

A local hardware store was having a basement sale today. I caught the ad on Craigslist and after my son's basketball game, we popped over. I wasn't really sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.

Tons of old brass letters. And I got the crates that hold them as well. I didn't see too many vowels but I still have to flip through them.

I picked up a few vintage frames. The little one is pewter. It's missing its glass insert but I think it's still a great find. I've been looking for a letter holder. This one was only $1.

See the glass "cup"? It's actually a glass mason jar funnel. I never heard of such a thing before. I was intrigued so I grabbed one. My husband also picked up some vintage aluminum plates, which I didn't get a chance to photograph.

In other news, I've opened up a new Etsy shop: OkioBVintage. I've already added some of these vintage finds to it. I still have my original shop, but I've been wanting to create a new one dedicated to only vintage items. Wish me luck!

Jeanine

9 comments

I am so lost in the fabric store. Truly, no lie. We have a great little one not too far from our house. I popped in on Monday because I needed muslin for my Etsy shop.

Usually I bring in a piece of what I need, but this time I thought I could wing it. I mean how many different types of muslin can there be? Clearly, a lot. I came home with the wrong kind. Worst part, I didn't realize it until I began cutting and tearing it.

I couldn't possibly bring it back after I tortured the poor thing. When life hands you lemons, this crafter decided to turn them into lavender sachets. Yup, some new lavender sachets for my shop.

And if you're wondering what was wrong with the muslin in the first place, it is a bit thin and sheer for my original needs. But works perfectly for sachets.

Score! Lemonade anyone?

Jeanine

6 comments

I picked up a little wood heart last week at our local thrift store. I think it was a switch plate. Since I certainly didn't need a switch plate, I turned it into a quick, mixed media art Valentine's Day decoration.

I started by painted it white. I gave it a few coats of white spray paint before the weather turned so nasty. As you can see, it's actually a nice size heart.

I covered the front of it with French book paper. Once that was dry, I added the LOVE lettering and an image from The Graphics Fairy.

Not done yet! I added the French flashcard le coeur (which means heart in French) and a red button for a splash of color. The final touch was hot gluing on some vintage lace and seam binding so I could hang it.

I'm quite smitten with it.

Jeanine 1.

2 comments

I popped into Michael's last week and picked up the last two of these pretty frames. I originally wanted to spell out the word LOVE for Valentine's Day but I had to settle for XO.

By now you know how much I love this carnival-style font from DaFont.com. I use it...a lot!

I printed out the letters onto French script paper and then simply cut to fit each frame.

Super simple and now I have some pretty frames for Valentine's Day!

Jeanine 1.

4 comments

Hope everyone's new year is off to a wonderful start! We're expecting a blizzard here tomorrow - yikes! Until then, I'm busy making some Valentine's Day goodies already. I used a bread crumb container for this one.

First, I wrapped some vintage sheet music around the container to hide the original label. Then I added the lovely Valentine's Day image (courtesy of The Graphics Fairy) to the front. I sprinkled on some glitter in random spots to give it a little bling.

I used some seam binding to tie around the top and added one of my LOVE clothes pins.

Finally, I dug through my BINGO stash to find the chip with 14 on it. I lucked out - it was the third piece I picked up! I glued it onto the front.

Now I have a sweet new decoration for Valentine's Day!

Jeanine 1.