Okio B Designs: between naps on the porch

Here's a really easy DIY project for Halloween. I like to add decorations all over my house for any holiday, but the bathroom always presents something of a challenge. So I made some quick Halloween soaps to add to our soap dish.

All you need is some glycerin soap (I used black), paper, a printer and of course some fabulous images from The Graphics Fairy.

I used a vintage dictionary page with a skull, a vintage insect chart and an old arsenic label for these.

I print the images out onto regular paper, cut them to size (I use the wallet size) and then you can either use Mod Podge, Glue dots or regular Scotch tape to adhere them to your soaps. Super easy!

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday.

Jeanine

2 comments

I picked up this little wood crate for $2.99 at Goodwill last week. It was just a plain ol' run-of-the-mill boring wood crate. I decided to jazz it up a bit with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.

I gave it two coats and then sanded down the edges for a shabby look.

I used this great French banner from The Graphics Fairy on both sides. I added the "le jardin" using the French Script font. I think the hardest part was cutting around the edges of the banner and lining up the wording with the banner image. Took me 3-4 tries to get it perfectly centered.

I wasn't in the mood to Mod Podge it on, so I just printed everything out on white label paper. All I had to do was peel and stick - definitely more my speed on these hot days.

For now she's displaying a mason jar - at least until I decide what I want to store in there.

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

Jeanine

10 comments

My husband had some old clipboards tucked away in the garage. I found them over the weekend and decided to give them a French-y touch. Here is the first one I did:

First, I glued some sheet music to use as my background. Then I hot glued the vintage lace around as a border. The little white frame is from Michael's but I scored it at a garage sale for 25 cents. I used a religious photo from The Feathered Nest in the frame.

Next came the dried flowers - tied with twine and hot glued on. I also added some French poetry paper beneath the frame. I typed up some words to Ave Maria using a French script font. I distressed the paper a bit and a piece of wood, and added both in the corner.

Finishing touches were the rhinestones in the corners of the lace and the brown and cream tea-stained seam binding.

My husband wanted to know if I was adding it to my Etsy shop, but I'm keeping this for myself. =) I have it propped up in the tea room for now. I can't wait to get to work on the other one.

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday and Faded Charm: White Wednesday.

Jeanine

5 comments

Feeling better and enjoying some gorgeous weather here today - yay! Didn't get much garage sale shopping in but we did start organizing stuff for our garage sale next month. While, cleaning up the garage, I found some bathroom tiles that we've had forever.

I just can't seem to toss them. So I stared at them for awhile this morning and thought: wouldn't they make for some cute refrigerator magnets?

So I made some! I bought this great French collage sheet off of Etsy. I printed it out at 3.5" x 5" size on regular white paper and they were just a teeny bit off for the tile pieces.

I Mod Podged each image onto the tiles and then did a coat on top to seal the image. Since they were all a little off on the top and bottom, I used some black paint to make a border. Yes, my painting is a bit sloppy but I can live with it. I think.

I used Glue Dots to add the magnets to the backs. Not sure how sturdy the dots will be in the long run, but so far so good. See the sloppy painting?!

Regardless of my sloppiness, I have them on the fridge already. I'd love any suggestions on what to do on the tops and bottoms - other than black paint. I think they look really cute this size, but I'm sure the uneven paint is going to start to gnaw at me every time I get something out of the fridge. What can I say? I'm a Virgo!

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

12 comments

We had the perfect weather here this weekend to get a little spray painting done. I immediately got to work on the cloche stand I got from the Unique Thrift Stores. You can see the before in the post preceding this one. Here is the after:

I used pink for a soft, spring look.

I added a vintage lace doily on the bottom and this little nest with eggs.

I thought it was still missing a little something so I added the Paris fabric tag as a finishing touch.

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

9 comments

Remember that Home Goods wood tote I posted about last week (here)? Here it is now:

I originally wanted to paint it white but I ran out half way through. Plan B: pink. I wanted to make it really girly and yes, it is in our bathroom - right on top of the loo (so much nicer than saying toilet). The starfish hand towels are from Pottery Barn.

I added some vintage lace on both sides. Then I printed off the French image from The Graphic's Fairy and added them to both sides using Mod Podge.

I added this great Marie Antoinette image to both of the skinnier sides using Mod Podge. Once that was dry, I added the rhinestone embellishments.

Then I added some Frenchy touches inside.

This tag is actually a thank you from an Etsy purchase. I added the French script button because I accidentally ripped the tag when I added the tea-stained seam binding. Oops!

I'm really loving it and it's exactly the girly piece that I imagined it could be! Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday and Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

8 comments

Well it seems the warmer weather is finally here to stay (I hope, I hope!). We spent a lovely weekend outdoors, doing some much-needed Spring cleaning around the yard. It was also the perfect weekend to get some spray painting in. Remember this little bench I found at an estate sale earlier this month? I finally got around to sprucing it up:

After cleaning off all of the dust and cobwebs, I gave it a few coats of flat white spray paint.

Once that was dry, I printed out this great image from The Graphics Fairy. I've seen people using it for everything from a Lazy Susan to a coffee table so I knew it would fit perfectly on my my bench.

I used graphite paper to stencil it onto the seat of the bench. It's my second time using graphite paper and I'm finally getting the hang of it. My advice: use a pen when tracing and try not to lean on the paper when tracing. I had a few smudges that I tried to cover up with some acrylic paint.

I found the perfect spot for her in the corner of my tea room.

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

Jeanine

12 comments

I seem to have a large stash of white frames in the house. I didn't realize just how many I had until I decided to make these framed fork, knife and spoon prints for the kitchen:

You've probably seen these images on The Graphics Fairy. I had filed them away on my computer, planning to do some napkins or placements with them but when I flipped through the premier issue of Vintage Style magazine, I saw a framed spoon print and decided to copycat!

The frames are mostly from garage sales and thankfully, I had already painted them white. I printed out the images onto cardstock. I had to crop the fork, knife and spoon image to get a single spoon image. I really love how they look over this window in our kitchen and the fact that it cost me $0 to make them!

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday.

Jeanine

4 comments

I popped into Michael's earlier this week for some odds and ends. I had been admiring the wax seals in the bridal section for some time. I finally caved and bought some wax and a fleur de lis stamper. They were only $4.99 each. Last night I used them for this quick French votive:

I used some vintage French book paper to wrap around the votive. I distressed the paper edges a bit to give it an even more worn look. Then I used a glue dot to keep the two ends together.

I have to admit, the wax was a little tricky to work with. You can't burn it - it will turn black in the blink of an eye. So you have to keep the flame at a good distance. Then you have to worry about it dripping all over the place - ack! If the wax is uneven, the stamper image will be off.

It took me about three tries to get it as close to perfect as possible. I do love the look and think I will try the red wax next to make it pop.

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

6 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

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

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 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

I never ever pass up the bargain aisle at our local Michael's. It's filled with treats usually starting at $1 up to no more than say $5. I scooped up a bunch of these pretty shabby frames with my store credit and gave each a French touch:

I love the shabby, chippy feel of it. I added the faux pearls and flower embellishment. It would not be complete without the fabulous French image from The Graphics Fairy.

Since Blogger is not letting me upload photos for some reason, I'll show the others in another post. Argh, Blogger!

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday, Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday and Faded Charm: White Wednesday.

Jeanine

11 comments

There is just something about winter that puts me in a sewing mood. I broke out my sewing machine this week and made a few new pillows and pin cushions.

I really love this great French-y image from The Graphics Fairy. I printed the image onto my fabric and then just sewed and stuffed. I printed it out in a 5x7 size so I was able to get two images onto the fabric. Kind of like two for the price of one! I'm wondering, though, if some of you sewing pros can tell me what I'm doing wrong on some of my pillows. They doesn't always seem to come out even. Sometimes they have what I can only describe as "wings"?!

I used the same fabric plus another I bought from Fabric.com a few months ago for these pin cushions. I just love the way they look in the vintage jello molds. I added some French script to give them a French-y touch. For these, I used a plate to cut my circles and then just stitched the fabric leaving two ends long. When I was done stitching all around, I pulled the ends together, tied, added my stuffing and then hot glued them to my molds.

I have added a few other new petite pillows to my Etsy shop too.

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

Jeanine

15 comments

Who knew a paper shredder could come in handy for craft projects?! I just love the look of shredded sheet music and I have used it in a number of projects. I decided to use it for these sweet Valentine's Day bags too.

First I printed off the images from The Graphics Fairy. I used my Cricut to cut them into circles. Then I used some Sticky Dots paper to make them into stickers. Place them towards the bottom of the bag and then start stuffing in your sheet music.

I fill them as close to the top as possible and then tie them up with some twine.

Then I made some of these Chocolat glassine bags using some clear Avery label paper. It's hard to see but there is pink, faux pearl embellishment on the top. I just love the look of glassine bags! These are for sale in my Etsy shop.

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

Jeanine

4 comments

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