Okio B Designs

My craft room/office is a disaster. There, I said it. I'm slowly trying to get things in order starting with some of these jars:

I'm really loving this chalkboard paper. I wish I had heard about it sooner. I used my Cricut to cut it into these cute tags.

Now I can easily identify what I need instead of digging through a pile of everything.

I'm just giddy over how organized I am now!

Now to get to the rest of the mess.

Jeanine

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**Update: the blogger I mention below is Susan from HomeRoad!**

I visited a blog last week (of course, now I can't remember which one!) that reminded me about this decorative bedspring I had ordered from Somerset Living a few months ago. I had originally planned to use it in our bedroom once my husband re-painted it but when I saw the other blogger had added her's to the kitchen, I decided to do the same:

My 4 year old helped me collect some photos to add to it. We clipped them on with some of my French clothes pins.

The little numbered lavender sachets are from Faded Plains. I had bought a scale and some other items from her Etsy shop and she enclosed those in the package. They are so sweet!

This is one of my husband's favorite photos of his late mother.

I'm looking forward to adding more photos and other memorable family items.

Linking to Faded Charm: White Wednesday.

And please, if you are that blogger I'm talking about - send me a note so I can give credit where credit is due!

Jeanine

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Paging the lost and found! While we were packing away our Christmas lights yesterday, I found this little tool caddy that I bought a while ago and totally forgot about. It was in pretty bad shape and needed a white spray paint makeover stat. Thanks to yesterday's warm weather, I was able to give it a few coats of paint in just a few hours.

Once it was dry, I broke out this graphite transfer paper that I bought last year. It sat and sat on one of our craft shelves so I was happy to actually use it. Basically you lay a sheet of it on your project and then add the image you want to transfer ontop. I used this great image from The Graphics Fairy. Tape both to your project. You can use either a pencil or pen to transfer. At first I used pencil but it came out very lightly. So I switched to a pen which gave me this:

I made a couple of oopsies - particularly on the 'S' in Paris but overall I found the paper easy to use. I was afraid it might smudge so I gave it a couple of coats of poly to seal it in once I was done stenciling it on. Once that was dry, I painted the wood fleur de lis and glued that to the front of the handle.

Here's a close up.

Once everything was dry and ready to roll, I added some faux Dollar Store moss to both bottoms. I was in a pink mood so I added some vintage pink thread, a bottle of pastel buttons and the cute butterfly (from Michael's). Adding to the French theme is the French book paper page tucked in the corner.

I would definitely use the graphite paper again as I have a few sheets left. Maybe next time I'll try a more intricate image/design.

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday.

Jeanine

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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