Okio B Designs

My boys have taken over my craft room!

First the 10 year old came in asking if HE could make a "paper Mario" pillow. I really wasn't sure what that was. So we took to the internet to find a Mario image. When he found the one he liked, I downloaded it on to TAP paper.

And because he's only 10, I ironed the image on to the fabric for him. Then he got busy sewing his pillow. I had to help here and there (especially with closing it up), but overall he did about 75 percent of this one by himself.

The 8 year old got wind of the Mario pillow and decided he wanted me to make him a Dipper Pines (from Gravity Falls) pillow. He doesn't know it's finished yet. It's a surprise for when he gets home from school today. Ssshhhh...

Jeanine

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I found this vintage, French agricultural plaque on eBay last week.

As you can see, someone tried to paint it and then stopped. I figured if I could get it for a steal, I would finish painting it and no one would be the wiser. So I made a ridiculous "best offer"...and I won!

Look at it now. After a few coats of chalk paint, it looks so much better. Now I'm just trying to figure out where to display it.

Jeanine

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It's that time of year again.

The time when I start dreaming of spring and want to give Old Man Winter a kick in the pants.

Granted, it hasn't been a horrible winter here. Still, I long for warm days, green grass and flip flops.

And did you notice Easter is early this year?

Easter in March.

MARCH!!!!! I know it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but there is something so un-natural about Easter in March in my mind.

So while I ponder if my boys will be hunting for Easter eggs in winter coats, I do my best to bring spring indoors...

And know that in just a few short weeks, it will officially arrive.

Jeanine

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Wishing you a lovely White Wednesday!

Jeanine

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Drawing inspiration from my last post and the sewing book, I whipped up some lavender sachets earlier this week.

I love when I have everything I need on hand because I'm not a big fan of driving in the winter. I used some leftover Osnaburg fabric pieces, TAP paper and some images I purchased from Etsy a few years ago.

I even had the lavender buds!

For each sachet, I used Polyfil and the lavender - finishing each off with some tea-stained seam binding.

They smell delish! And I love that they cost me exactly $0 to make.

Jeanine

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When it comes to sewing, most of my projects rely on what I learned from Home Economics and my mom. Truth be told, I wing it a lot of the time. So when I was offered the chance to review The Little Guide to Mastering Your Sewing Machine by Sylvie Blondeau (from Schiffer Publishing), I jumped at the chance.

You see, I've had a mini sewing machine for a few years now, but I barely know how to use it. Again, I've been winging it all this time. When the thread on the bottom runs out, I panic. If a project calls for a Zigzag stitch, I stare blankly. This book is truly for beginners or for those who want to become more familiar with their sewing machines.

I like the non-intimidating, easy-to-follow style of this book. If something reads like an IRS manual, I toss it aside. Blondeau speaks as if talking to a BFF, and I like how she covers everything from the basic anatomy of your sewing machine to how to comfortably sit while using it.

She covers everything from how to thread a needle to installing a zipper.

And check out some of these cool projects that for once I'm not intimidated to tackle.

I want this hat!

And these cushions.

The Little Guide to Mastering Your Sewing Machine is $24.99 and can be purchased here.

Jeanine

Note: I was provided a review copy of this book, however, all opinions, text, etc. are my own.