Okio B Designs

A few weeks ago my sister, Kathy from Creative Home Expressions mentioned chalkboard paper in a comment on my blog. Well, of course that got the wheels turning for this garage sale mirror I got over the summer:

I loved the gold frame and used chalkboard paint over the mirror. Unbeknownst to me, when the paint dried and I tried to prime it, the scratches and scribbles were awfully noticeable. Look closely, you can see the epic fail. Soooo...before I made my new year's resolution to cut back on buying stuff I don't need, I ordered this self-adhesive chalkboard paper from ABC Supplies.

It arrived yesterday and I got busy this morning putting it to use. Now I still have to work on trimming the edges but what a great difference!

It was a bit of a pain to use because it kept rolling back and sticking to the adhesive. I think with a little practice, though, this could be great to use for all sorts of projects I have swimming around in my mind.

Now I just have to find a place for it! ;)

Jeanine

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One of my new year's resolutions is to cutback on buying things I just don't need. That includes clothes, home decor and yes, even craft supplies. That's not to say I won't pop into an estate sale or two, or my favorite church thrift store - or Michael's! - from time to time. I just want to de-clutter and use things I already have in the house - returning to my previous alter-ego: One Cheap B*tch.

So when I spied this little journal that had been sitting in my craft bin, I knew I could set a good example for myself by using what I already have.

I had one sheet of the script paper leftover from god knows when, so I glued that onto the cover. I printed off the Eiffel Tower image and Paris postmark from the Graphics Fairy and just randomly glued those onto the script paper - adding my own little red Paris postmark.

Then it was just a free-for-all with stamping 2012 on the front in red and black, adding the lace trim, key and random Paris stamps here and there.

I even used snippets of French book paper and leftover fabric. The finishing touch was the frozen Charlotte and the twine.

I will probably never use this as an actual journal but it makes for a nice touch to the vintage school desk vignette that I change up from time to time.

It feels good not spending any money and really using what I already have. Hopefully this is one resolution I can actually keep! ;)

Jeanine

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Adding a little more LOVE around the house in preparation of Valentine's Day. If you saw the recent cover of Somerset Living, you'll know exactly where this little pretty came from:

I can't wait to make a few more of these! I used a skinny strip of dyed muslin and hand-stamped je t'aime on it. Tape it onto the spool and add a colorful safety pin for a finishing touch. Adds just a pop of color!

I actually made this frame a couple of years ago.

Sweet little treat bag.

And how about a little XOXO in a white peat pot?

Oh yes, I am definitely feeling the love...and goofiness. Me and my oldest son incognito this weekend. (And I finally got the hubby to take the Xmas tree down!).

Jeanine

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Happy New Year! It's hard to believe it's twenty twelve. Here's to hoping this is everyone's year to win the lottery...ha! =) Since I spent a quiet new year's eve at home, I was up bright and early picking up some treats to add to my vintage milk bottle holder:

I'm dubbing this our Valentine's Day Candy Land.

It's filled with clear mason jars which I then filled with various heart-shaped candies and vintage Valentine's Day cards that I bought off of Etsy two years ago.

The little heart wands are from Michael's. The faux roses and carnations are from the Dollar Store. The heart runner is from Home Goods.

This lovely little cake stand is also from Home Goods. I picked it up last year and still love it! I think I need a few more cupcakes to add to the top though. Those are also from Michael's.

Can you feel the love?! Or at least the sugar that will soon be coursing through my children's veins?! Ha!

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine

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This has to be one of my most favorite Valentine's Day images from The Graphics Fairy. I've used it for pillows, sachets, tins and now these petite Dollar Store candle holders:

I printed out a wallet size image (yes, the candle holders are that small!) and simply Mod Podged it onto each candle holder. I did another coat on top to seal it on. Once that was dry, I put on the red rhinestones. Easy, peasy!

And these little hearts are actually a leftover from Christmas. As I was taking them off the tree yesterday, I thought they'd look sweet in this urn I got from Goodwill a few weeks ago.

I'm slowly breaking out the rest of my Valentine's Day goodies from last year. Yes, my husband still thinks I'm crazy!

Jeanine

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Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I can't believe how fast it came and went. Today was so dreary here that me and the kids actually started taking some decorations down. Then we hit Target for some lights for next year. Somehow I came home with two of these pretties:

Yup, Target already has some Valentine's Day items out. So of course that made me start working on a Valentine's Day windowsill for the kitchen.

The pink glasses are actually candle holders from Ikea that I picked up last year.

And some of the reds that I had out for Christmas, I keep out for Valentine's Day. How cute is that little heart pen? In the dollar aisle!

My husband thinks I'm crazy but when in Rome, right?! Besides, Target started it - not me!

Jeanine