Okio B Designs

I've had this teeny-tiny Altoid tin for a couple of weeks now. I finally got around to embellishing it last night. I wanted to go with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

After searching up some how-to pins on Pinterest, I started by adding paper to the front, back and insides. Mod Podge worked best for this.

Once my paper was in place, I just started adding random Alice pieces: a keyhole, tea party image, book paper and lace.

The front was a little tricky. I knew I was going to be displaying it with the tin open, so I just added a few things to the front. I actually had to smash an old watch open to get the clock piece. Hot glue worked best for adding that one.

As always, I love that I had everything on hand to make this sweet little tin.

Jeanine

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Happy to say I've gotten a bit of my crafting mojo back.

Nothing fancy: just an upcycled little crate and some trinket boxes.

Everything got a few coats of white paint and some French book paper.

Short, sweet and simple...and perfect for White Wednesday.

Jeanine

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Yikes has it really been over three weeks since I last posted?

I'm posting more on Instagram these days. Just waiting for the weather here to cooperate more so I can get back into the swing of things craft-wise.

If you miss me (hee hee hee), you can always follow me on Instagram: @okiobdesigns.

Jeanine

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I know it's St. Patrick's Day, but I haven't been dreaming about leprechauns. I've been dreaming about spring. This past week was lovely. Warm and sunny with a few spots of rain here and there. But the weather man says we're getting snow this weekend. Noooooooooooo!

So I'll be keeping busy making more of these Easter sacks for my 8 year old's class, while watching the snow fall. Hopefully this will be winter's last hoorah.

Jeanine

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Have you seen these adorable bunnies at Target?

Both are in the Dollar Spot but are $3 each. One is a plain paper mache and the other looks like ceramic, but it's really more of a white paper mache.

I decided to Frenchify the brown paper mache one. I started by giving it a few coats of white paint. Then I tried to hand-stamp some French script on it. Fail! Because it's not completely flat, the ink had some gaps. Plan B was to print out French Script on clear sticker paper. I simply traced the bunny, peeled and stick. Voila!

Meanwhile over at Michael's, these lace clothes pins are on clearance for about $1.59. Of course I grabbed a few and gave them a French touch too.

It's gorgeous out today so I'm taking advantage and getting some spray painting in for future projects. Less than two weeks until spring...

Jeanine

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My boys have taken over my craft room!

First the 10 year old came in asking if HE could make a "paper Mario" pillow. I really wasn't sure what that was. So we took to the internet to find a Mario image. When he found the one he liked, I downloaded it on to TAP paper.

And because he's only 10, I ironed the image on to the fabric for him. Then he got busy sewing his pillow. I had to help here and there (especially with closing it up), but overall he did about 75 percent of this one by himself.

The 8 year old got wind of the Mario pillow and decided he wanted me to make him a Dipper Pines (from Gravity Falls) pillow. He doesn't know it's finished yet. It's a surprise for when he gets home from school today. Ssshhhh...

Jeanine

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I found this vintage, French agricultural plaque on eBay last week.

As you can see, someone tried to paint it and then stopped. I figured if I could get it for a steal, I would finish painting it and no one would be the wiser. So I made a ridiculous "best offer"...and I won!

Look at it now. After a few coats of chalk paint, it looks so much better. Now I'm just trying to figure out where to display it.

Jeanine

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It's that time of year again.

The time when I start dreaming of spring and want to give Old Man Winter a kick in the pants.

Granted, it hasn't been a horrible winter here. Still, I long for warm days, green grass and flip flops.

And did you notice Easter is early this year?

Easter in March.

MARCH!!!!! I know it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but there is something so un-natural about Easter in March in my mind.

So while I ponder if my boys will be hunting for Easter eggs in winter coats, I do my best to bring spring indoors...

And know that in just a few short weeks, it will officially arrive.

Jeanine

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Wishing you a lovely White Wednesday!

Jeanine

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Drawing inspiration from my last post and the sewing book, I whipped up some lavender sachets earlier this week.

I love when I have everything I need on hand because I'm not a big fan of driving in the winter. I used some leftover Osnaburg fabric pieces, TAP paper and some images I purchased from Etsy a few years ago.

I even had the lavender buds!

For each sachet, I used Polyfil and the lavender - finishing each off with some tea-stained seam binding.

They smell delish! And I love that they cost me exactly $0 to make.

Jeanine

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When it comes to sewing, most of my projects rely on what I learned from Home Economics and my mom. Truth be told, I wing it a lot of the time. So when I was offered the chance to review The Little Guide to Mastering Your Sewing Machine by Sylvie Blondeau (from Schiffer Publishing), I jumped at the chance.

You see, I've had a mini sewing machine for a few years now, but I barely know how to use it. Again, I've been winging it all this time. When the thread on the bottom runs out, I panic. If a project calls for a Zigzag stitch, I stare blankly. This book is truly for beginners or for those who want to become more familiar with their sewing machines.

I like the non-intimidating, easy-to-follow style of this book. If something reads like an IRS manual, I toss it aside. Blondeau speaks as if talking to a BFF, and I like how she covers everything from the basic anatomy of your sewing machine to how to comfortably sit while using it.

She covers everything from how to thread a needle to installing a zipper.

And check out some of these cool projects that for once I'm not intimidated to tackle.

I want this hat!

And these cushions.

The Little Guide to Mastering Your Sewing Machine is $24.99 and can be purchased here.

Jeanine

Note: I was provided a review copy of this book, however, all opinions, text, etc. are my own.

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Happy White Wednesday! I've been inundated with Etsy orders and boy activities, so I haven't had too much time to craft. Still, wanted to wish everyone a lovely White Wednesday.

Jeanine

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I'm not a winter girl. We've managed to dig out after the blizzard over the weekend, but I'm just not ready to brave the outdoors. So what do you do when you're stuck in the house? You do a little "shopping..."

I upcycled this bucket about three years ago. It's held everything from Xmas ornaments to decorative clothes pins. This time I added some of my French script candles for a new look.

I spied some Jeanne D'Arc Living soaps on Instagram over the weekend. Perfect for a quick copycat project. I had the bar soaps, the lace, the images - everything.

I love this look. I have them in a soap bowl in the bathroom.

Now they smell and look divine!

I'm hoping to venture out tomorrow because I do have a little cabin fever, and it no longer looks like this.

Jeanine

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Have you seen this adorable dairy bottles at your local Dollar Store?

Cute, right? I picked up two earlier in the week for my Valentine's Day decor, but I'm already imaging the possibilities for them for beyond Valentine's.

For now I have them filled with chocolate hearts and dressed up with some tea-stained seam binding. I also made a couple of Valentine's Day jars.

I printed off these two precious images (from The Graphics Fairy) on to label paper, and again, dressed them up with some tea-stained seam binding.

These are holding some jelly hearts. I grabbed all of the candy while I was at the Dollar Store. I already had the jars.

And finally, I made a quick love banner for my office/craft room using my Cricut. This will probably be the extent of my Valentine's Day decor as I have so much from previous years.

P.S. Hoping anyone in the path of Snowmageddon stays safe. It will be hitting us some time tomorrow. Ack!

Jeanine

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I've been sick in bed the past two days with a nasty stomach virus, so I haven't had much time to craft. Feeling much better today and sharing some random Valentine's Day touches about the house.

I used a match box and some Washi-ish tape from Ikea to make this little love box. I lined it with French book paper and a random Bingo tile.

I break these frames out every year. I picked them up at Michael's a couple of years ago. This is the little vignette I have on our tv stand.

I always dress up our corner cabinet. Lots of vintage Valentine's all about.

I used some Romeo & Juliet book paper as the backdrop for this frame and added the Special Delivery tag I found on Pinterest.

I'm sure I'll be adding a few more touches in the coming days. In the meanwhile, I'm just trying to take care not to get sick again.

Jeanine