Okio B Designs

Brrrrr...it's quite freezing here. On days like this, I like to do a little online shopping since I'm not a big fan of braving the cold. I'm still sticking with my new year's resolution of not buying stuff we don't need. However, since I play Santa each year, these were some post Xmas gifts I bought for myself.

Don't you love this little metal mail pouch from Farmhouse Decor Shop?! For now I have it hanging in the diningroom until I find a proper spot for it.

I was so sad when I missed the twine and scissors deal on Decor Steals a couple of weeks ago. As luck would have it, Lucketts had it too, so I was able to scoop it up afterall!

These are some finds from my Mom's local Goodwill. I believe the square cloche is a butter dish from Home Goods. I'm going to use it as, well, a cloche. The little salt shaker looked so sad on its lonesome, so I grabbed it for 59 cents. I'm going to add some lace and make it more pretty.

I have my eye on a few other online treasures...

Jeanine

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It's snowing here and boy am I glad I was able to get in some spray painting on Saturday before the temperature dropped! This is another salvaged piece from my late mother-in-law's house. She had some dried flowers in there but I took it a part and gave it a quick makeover.

The frame was originally gold but I gave it two coats of flat white spray paint. While that was drying, I used a bit of osnaburg fabric and this great French bee image that is floating all around Pinterest (thankfully my sister Kathy from Creative Home Expressions pinned it!).

I printed the image onto transfer paper and simply ironed it onto my fabric. Then I hot glued the entire fabric insert (glued onto a piece of cardboard) back into the frame. I didn't even put the glass back in.

I have it propped up in our guest room for now with a collection of crowns from Decor Steals. Wish I would have centered the crown transfer more with the top of the frame but I can live with it. I love how the osnaburg gives it a burlap look.

Jeanine

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There is just something about these petite cups and saucers that scream Valentine's Day to me. They were my mother-in-law's. We saved them from the house after the hurricane and my bad, they've been sitting in our garage for weeks.

I broke them out today and played around with them a bit. They are just too sweet to put away.

She had them on a metal stand which is a bit rusty now. I'm trying to figure out what color to paint it. Gold maybe?

Some cupcakes with your tea? Of course these are candles from Home Goods - bought them a couple of years ago. But they do look delish.

And a proper lady always has a hanky to dab the sides of her mouth.

I found some vintage ones at a church thrift store.

Yes, some hot tea sounds good right about now.

Jeanine

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Sweet and simple for Valentine's Day. Romeo & Juliet book paper, stamps, key and red tea-stained seam binding. Heart image from the Graphics Fairy. Down with another winter cold and all I could muster up. =)

Jeanine

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I've been super curious about using waterslide decal paper in my crafts. As luck would have it, my boys needed it for their Cub Scout derby cars. I found some on eBay and put aside a few sheets for them and for myself. I tried it last night and I can tell you, I'm already hooked!

I used this thrift store terrarium that I picked up last week. It was black but I gave it some coats of white paint over the weekend.

To do the waterslide method, you, of course need the special paper. I bought inkjet sheets for mine. I printed this wonderful image from the Graphics Fairy onto the sheet. No need to reverse or mirror the image for this paper.

I gave it a couple of coats of clear spray paint to seal in the image. Once your spray paint is dry, fill a shallow bowl with water. Put your image in for 1 minute. Mine curled at first so I had to hold it down. I also wasn't sure how the decal came off so I started trying to peel the white paper. Nope, the decal is a see-through film so that's what you're looking to separate from the paper backing.

Peel the film from the backing - be careful because it curls rather quickly. Add it to your surface and use a sponge to work out the air bubbles. That took a little time and my corners kept folding under but I carefully unfolded them so everything sat flush.

I have to say I love this method more than the Mod Podge method which I just haven't been able to master. I have a few more sheets left and I can't wait to brainstorm some new places to use them. Email me if you need any more tips!

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday.

Jeanine

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Another dreary weekend in our neck of the woods. Not very conducive in the inspiration department. I broke out the last of my Dollar Store match boxes and gave them a quick Valentine's Day spin using some vintage Romeo & Juliet book paper.

My mother would kill me if she saw how I tear apart books but sometimes I just can't resist.

I cut each page to fit the size of the match boxes. Then I used some regular craft glue - the kind my boys use at school - and glued the pages onto each box.

Then I added some random heart stamps, je t'aime, lace and a button. Simple and sweet. My favorite is the one with the pierrot image from the Graphics Fairy. I've used it in several Valentine's Day projects as you probably noticed.

Rain again for tomorrow. I'm hoping something, anything will get my creative juices flowing again.

Jeanine