Okio B Designs

A shout out to two lovely ladies, whose recent blog posts inspired me this past week.

First thanks goes out to Dawn from The Feathered Nest. Dawn made a beautiful glass candle holder, which inspired me to make my own.

I followed Dawn's instructions and got a glass cylinder vase from the Dollar Store, and a smaller one to put inside. I printed off the same gorgeous vintage image she did (from The Graphics Fairy) onto vellum paper.

I wasn't sure if you were supposed to put it behind the glass or on the front of the glass. In the interest of safety and having two boys, I added the image to the front of the glass (so it doesn't go up in smoke when you light the inner candle). Isn't it pretty???? Click on the link above to see Dawn's version.

My second thank you goes out to my sister, Kathy from Creative Home Expressions. Kathy made some adorable spools using toilet paper rolls. I was so excited to take a stab at some myself.

Again, I followed the instructions and made two to start. I used vintage sheet music on mine and added some lace I picked up from Target's Dollar Spot a few weeks ago.

I feel like the tops are missing a little something so I'll probably add a touch or two of bling or a flower like the one on the old wooden spool. Click the link above to see Kathy's versions.

Thank you again ladies for inspiring me!

Jeanine

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Played with some random pieces in the craft room yesterday, and came up with these French trinkets.

Petite religious medal.

Another upcycled mint tin.

I put the two together on a pretty French paper book stack.

I'm happy to report my crafting mojo is back!

Jeanine

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When I received this book in the mail from the folks at Ulysses Press, I was beyond excited! I had always wanted to make my own bath products and this book helped me take that first step.

Homemade Bath Bombs, Salts, and Scrubs features 300 easy, fun, DIY recipes that will infuse a little ahhhh into your regular bath routine. It shows you how to use everything from fragrant petals to essential oils to exotic ingredients, including sage, peppermint, rose, jasmine and my first choice: lavender. Check out a few of these easy-to-follow recipes:

Don't these sound divine?

I'm a Virgo, so I really loved these recipes too!

I chose a basic one to start: lavender bath salts. I used Epsom salts, lavender buds and some essential oils.

It smells just wow!

I can't wait to light some candles and take a bath now.

If you want to check out a copy of Homemade Bath Bombs, Salts, and Scrubs (SRP: $14.95) by Kate Bello, you can find it on Amazon.com.

Jeanine

Note: I was provided with a copy of Homemade Bath Bombs, Salts, and Scrubs by Ulysses Press, however, all opinions are my own.

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I've had this little wood pedestal cake plate that I made for a few years now. I had originally painted it gold for a Christmas vignette, but it's been sitting in the basement for several months now.

I broke out some pink chalk spray paint and gave it a new lease on life. I'm loving the pink so much more than the gold.

And since pink appears to be the theme of the day, I broke out this pretty French wrapping paper (from Home Goods) last night to wrap a paperback dictionary no one in the house seemed to be using.

I'm on the hunt for other books in varying sizes to wrap because I just love this look and this wrapping paper.

Jeanine

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Did anyone else spy this little frame in the current issue of Romantic Homes?

Super cute, right? I decided to make my own over the weekend.

I picked up a black frame from a local thrift store and gave it a few coats of white paint. I used a French script background and DaFont for my lettering.

Done and done. And it only cost me 25 cents!

Jeanine

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This is an upcycle of a previous upcycle. I've had these bottles for a few years and the last batch of stickers I had on them peeled off. That was okay with me as I like to change things up every few months.

I made these labels using these great vintage French images from the Graphics Fairy.

I printed them onto label paper, cut and stick. Super simple!

Add a piece of twine and done!

Jeanine

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Have you seen the wood letters Target added to their craft section? I picked up a "B" and ampersand last week with the plan of adding them to our picture wall. But first I had to spruce them up a bit.

I gave each a few coats of black spray paint.

Then I broke out a power sander. Yes, I actually used a power tool when my husband was at work. There is a first time for everything, lol. Anywho, I sanded the paint around the edges of each piece for a more aged look.

I'm super happy with how they came out and can't wait to hang them!

Jeanine

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Meh! I'm in a bit of a crafting slump. Nothing seems to be calling to me lately. I'm sure it doesn't help that I have my first "summer" cold. Seriously, I'm sitting here wondering: where did my craft mojo go?????

Jeanine

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I was tinkering with some peat pots over the weekend. I had already given them a fresh coat of paint but I was struggling with what I wanted to put on them.

I found these cute Alice in Wonderland images on Pinterest. I thought they'd be perfect to dress up my pots.

I also added some vintage lace to each one, faux Dollar Store moss and little trinkets here and there.

This one has a Queen of Hearts playing card. Can you see the little glass jars tucked in there too? They are my eat me and drink me vials. Nevermind that lego piece in the picture and what looks like a crumb. I have two boys, remember!

I'm pretty happy with how they came out but me thinks the label paper I used is going to start to peel off once it gets hot out. So now I'm thinking of redoing them using TAP paper.

Jeanine

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Hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day! I got to do exactly what I wanted to: relax, craft and order in Chinese food.

It was a beautiful day and I was able to upcycle some of my recent thrift store finds - like this book stack.

And candle holder.

I got to watch my boys play outside and husband plant our vegetable garden.

Our pool isn't open yet, but I certainly would have dipped my toes in if it had been. Instead, I was content making a few of these pretty pieces.

Jeanine

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Took a quick trip to our local thrift store today and scored a few goodies.

I was so excited to see the vintage sheet music. It's been awhile since I've been able to stock up.

I think this is a vintage juicer of sorts?! Correct me if I'm wrong. I couldn't pass up the Christmas book. It has so many wonderful vintage images inside.

I've already ripped the covers off these books for another book stack design.

And finally, this little candle holder is already in the garage waiting for a quick spray paint makeover.

Are you sitting down? All of this cost me $3!

Jeanine

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What do you do on a dreary New York day?

You give some old starfish candle holders a fresh coat (or two!) of paint. I picked these up from the Christmas Tree Shops a couple of years ago. I originally painted them black.

I was so over the black that I decided to give them a better pop of color. I wanted something that screamed, "Beach!"

And now they do!

I'm doing my beach-themed porch again this year, and these will fit in perfectly now.

Jeanine

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My youngest son's communion is this weekend so I haven't had much time to craft this week. I did find some time to paint these small Mason jars I picked up at Target last weekend.

I used white, grey and black chalk paint after seeing a similar color arrangement on Pinterest. I'm loving the neutral look.

I gave each a couple of coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and tied some raffia on. I also sanded in random spots to give them a more shabby look. I plan on using these as candle holders for the summer.

Quick and easy. Just what I needed this week!

Jeanine

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When I saw these wood tags in Target yesterday, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them.

I love vintage enamel tags, but they can be a bit pricey on eBay and Etsy. So, I decided to make my own.

I gave each tag a few coats of white spray paint. Once they were dry, I broke out some rub-on transfers that I've had for a while.

I simply rubbed them on using what looks like an ice cream stick. I would have loved to add some French phrases and text, but I had to work with what I had. Grrrrr.

I bought two sets of these wood tags. And lucky me found a tutorial online on how to make your own rub-on transfers. Can't you just picture the next set featuring tons of wonderful images from the Graphics Fairy?! I plan on trying the tutorial out soon and will keep you posted!

Jeanine