Okio B Designs

Another favorite repost from my old One Cheap B*tch blog:

I have a thing for bugs. I don't love actual bugs (lady bugs and water bugs being the exceptions!) but for some reason I love them in my home decor. And if you've seen the latest Ballard Designs catalog, they have bees everywhere which led me to this:

I used my newest Cricut cartridge to print out a bee stencil and then got to work painting it with black fabric paint onto a piece of burlap. I used a different approach this time: first I sprayed the burlap with spray adhesive so the stencil stayed in place (I had been using tape but it doesn't hold down well on the fabric). Then I used a sponge-brush to kind of dot the fabric paint on which is 1,000 times faster than using a paintbrush and light strokes.

I sewed the burlap onto a piece of muslin, stuffed and voila - done!

Total cost: $0. Don't you just love when you already have everything you need?!

Jeanine

6 comments

Yes, I am already starting Halloween projects! Halloween is by far my most favorite holiday of the year and with two boys in school this year, there will be 2 sets of class parties. Rather than wait for the last minute, I threw caution to the wind and actually started whipping some goodies up:

These little goody bags were super easy to make. In fact, Karen from The Graphics Fairy did a tute on them last year. I didn't get to make them then so I was happy to this year! I added the orange ribbon as my finishing touch.

These little tags can easily be tied onto store-bought goody bags. I printed off the image onto cardstock, cut them out, distressed the edges a bit, added the rhinestone "eyeballs" and finished up with tea-stained seam binding.

I just love combining two faves: French and Halloween. This great Rats de Cave label was begging to be made into a Halloween apothecary bottle. Again, print, cut, distress and then add your rhinestones and tea-stained seam binding.

Dare I even start an official countdown to Halloween yet?! =) All images courtesy of The Graphics Fairy - thank you as always Karen!

Jeanine

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My sister just moved into a new house in Virginia. She loves anything with music notes so I thought these French sheet music candleholders would make for a nice house-warming gift for her:

I printed off the image from The Graphics Fairy onto regular paper. Then I cut it to fit each candleholder and mod podged it onto the front and then used one more coat of mod podge to seal it. I added the rhinestones as a final touch.

I think she will love them! She doesn't need to know it's French Xmas music though!

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday.

Jeanine

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Care for a spot of tea? I just love these vintage teapot images from The Graphics Fairy. They called to me to be made into some sweet little tea towels. How could I not oblige?

I printed off the images last night onto some transfer paper. I used the mirror image for one but not the other so I could have them facing each other. I ironed them onto some flour sacks I got last weekend at the Christmas Tree Shops. Karen has them in pink and a light green but I thought the blue would look lovely in my kitchen.

For now they are happily hanging from my stove but I will probably move them into my tea room.

Jeanine

3 comments

If you're like me, you never have any blank cards on hand for those last minute gifts, birthdays, etc. that pop up every now and then. Problem solved!

Using some 80 lb white cardstock, I printed out some images from the Graphics Fairy onto it. I used the 3"x4" print setting. First I printed out one side and then I turned the paper over to print the other. Why? So you can fold them over to make the actual cards. For another, I simply used my favorite Keep Calm and Carry on stamp and some red ink. Aren't they delish?

And did you spy my latest tin which is for - moi! I got the fabulous Marie Antoinette image from An Artful Adventure blog. Great blog and even better Etsy shop! Take a gander over there when you get a chance. You will be amazed!

I'm so happy with my cards that I can't wait for the next last minute holiday, birthday, etc. to pop up!

Linking to My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday and The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday.

Jeanine

3 comments

I've had this plain white pitcher for a while now. I think I got it from Ikea a few years ago. I really loved its clean, white vintage-y look. But today as I sat staring at it, I decided it was missing a little something-something. Like something a little French...

This is probably one of my most favorite images from the Graphics Fairy. I've used it on pillows, hang tags and other projects. I knew it would fit perfectly for the pitcher.

All I did was print out the image onto plain white paper. Cut it out and then distress the edges. Break out the mod podge and add a coat to the back to stick it on and then a coat to the front for a protective coating. Easy!

I have it displayed on a stack of books on our trunk coffee table and I think it looks perfect now!

Linking to: Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday.

Jeanine