Okio B Designs

I've completed the first of this year's handmade holiday gifts. My mom loves to read, so I wanted to make her a pretty tote that she could bring back and forth with her to the library.

Truth be told, I'm not sure if she's a Jane Austen fan, but it was the perfect image to use (get it at The Graphics Fairy!). I printed it out on iron-on transfer paper (my last sheet to be exact) and added it to the front of the tote.

I'd like to say I made the canvas flower embellishment. Alas, I did not. I picked it up at AC Moore last week. I did add the red button though for a touch of color. I hot-glued both to the top of tote.

It's a great size for books (look closely, I have some peeking out of the top) and has a velcro closure. I hope she loves it and gets a lot of use out it. But ssssssh...it's one of her Xmas gifts.

Jeanine

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Last week, AC Moore had flat-faced Mason jars on sale for 99 cents each. And they were just what I needed for this quick holiday project.

First, I painted the insides of the jars red. Once that was dry, I used painter's tape to cut pieces for my trees. I added those to the front of each jar.

Next, I gave the outsides a couple of coats of white spray paint. When they were dry, I peeled off my painter's tape to reveal little Christmas trees. I sanded the tops a bit to let even more of the red paint show through.

I finished them up by using some of this festive fabric I picked up over the weekend. Can't wait to add some candles and use them for the holidays!

Jeanine

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Lucky me! We had a bunch of small fall fairs and garage sales to hit this weekend. Saw LOTS of overpriced pieces, but did manage to score a few gems.

This wreath is originally from Target. The price tag says $25. Ouch! I picked it up for $3. And how great are the sleigh bells? I love how they look just draped over the wreath. They were 50 cents.

This vintage cow bell was only $2. It's a nice one to add to my small collection.

The Bobsey Twins books were 2 for $1. On top is a vintage biscuit cutter. That was $2. Ignore the dust on the floor. We were getting our electric panel updated this weekend. No power = no vacuuming for me.

I think these little Santa candle holders are adorable so I had to bring them home with me too. Only $1 for the set of 2 - although they are marked $2. I would have loved if they were facing right and left - instead of left and left, but what can you do?

I scored not one, but two, Scrabble games. Of course, I grabbed them for crafting purposes but my boys enjoy playing Scrabble, so I'm letting them have the newer version to play with. Got a bunch of fabric quarters in holiday-ish color palettes.

My 6 year old loves the cat and owl cookie cutters. I'll be painting the wood server and giving it a Frenchy touch no doubt. Looking forward to using it as centerpiece of sorts for the holidays.

Not a bad haul for the weekend. Overall, I spent about $25 for everything (including some kid stuff not pictured).

Jeanine

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I picked up this vintage sled at a garage sale over the summer for $2. It's actually one of two that I scored over the summer. I put the finishing touches on it yesterday and here it is ready for the holiday season.

I started by giving it a few coats of red paint. The wood is so old that it soaked up the paint in seconds. I lost count after 4-5 sprays. I let it dry for a few days.

The wood letters are from AC Moore. I gave them a couple of coats of white acrylic paint before gluing them to the front.

This little touch of pine cones, leaves and berries is from Walmart. Yes, Walmart already has its holiday items out!

I can't wait to add this to our porch in December! Cute story: this morning my 8 year old took a look at it, said he liked it and then promptly pointed out that it's not Christmas yet. Out of the mouths of babes!

Jeanine

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Just tinkering with some clothes pins, baker's twine and stamps on a dreary New York day, and spreading some love to my bloggy friends!

Jeanine

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I really love embellishing old tobacco tins. I used to collect them so I have a nice stash of them just waiting to be transformed. The first one I did was for Halloween. My second one has more of a Frenchy touch.

I broke out the Mod Podge and some vintage sheet music to start. I cut my sheet music to size and then Mod Podged it on. Once that was dry, I added one of my favorite images from The Graphics Fairy to the front.

On the top, I added some vintage lace with fabric glue. I love working with tea-stained seam binding so I, of course, had to add a bow. The middle was missing a little something so I added the crown charm with a rhinestone.

A pretty rhinestone button attached to the seam binding adds just the right amount of bling.

The faux dried flower and grungy clip (maybe to hold a picture?!) were the finishing touches.

I think my next one will have more of an Xmas touch to it.

Linking to The Graphics Fairy: Brag Monday and Between Naps on the Porch: Met Monday.

Jeanine