Okio B Designs

Photo courtesy of Melissa and Doug

I'm experiencing my third - yes, third! - cold of the season.

I had two boys home sick a few weeks ago. Then one was home with a fever, runny nose and cough. Just when I thought I was out of the woods...BANG! I got hit with it. Again. Colds seem to go round-robin in my house and Mom is the one always down for the count.

I'm tired, cranky and counting down the days until spring so I can open some windows and let the germs out.

Jeanine

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I love book stacks. I have them all over the house. Sure, it pains me to rip apart perfectly good books, but the end result is so worth it.

I'm not making much for Valentine's Day this year since I have a ton of decorations from previous years and I've simply run out of room. Still, I wanted to make something.

I used three books, vintage lace, buttons, twine, my glue gun and some other pieces. First, glue all of your lace onto the fronts of the books. Then add your buttons. I printed out the Cupid image onto sticker paper so I could just peel and stick it onto the first book.

Tie with twine and done!

I have three more books and will likely make another set just because I love them so much.

Jeanine

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I haven't done silhouettes of my boys since they were 4 and 2. I still have them framed and in our guest room. Since they are now 11 and 9, I figured it was time to do some new ones.

I used the same method I did the first time. I took profile pics of both my boys, printed out the pictures and then cut out their profiles. I then used the cut-outs to make my silhouette images using black cardstock.

I've had the round frames forever and last used them for a Pottery Barn knock-off project. I also already had the ampersand wood piece. These were added to my photo gallery wall which goes up the staircase to the second floor, so it was kind of hard to take some good pictures.

This is my big guy.

And this is my little guy.

I'm amazed that they still pretty much have the same profiles they had at 2 and 4.

This is such a sweet and simple project to do. All you need are some kids (ha!), black frames, white paper, black cardstock, scissors and a printer.

Jeanine

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Now that the holidays are behind us, I've been busy trying to de-clutter. I just can't believe how much stuff we've accumulated through the years.

And every year I make the same resolutions: to de-clutter and stop spending money on things we don't need. I'm really trying to stick to it this year, so I've been "shopping" the house. The good thing about de-cluttering is you find things you forgot you had.

You also get to add a new twist to old favorites. I love dusting off hidden frames to give them new life.

Or simply taking out decorations in preparation of the next holiday.

We've made a lot of progress, although I don't think our garbage men are loving us right now. I've donated a ton of stuff, tossed a bunch of stuff and we've even been able to re-paint our basement (and by we, I mean, my husband). It's a makeover in progress so stay tuned.

Jeanine

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I hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! I haven't started any new projects yet because I have two little boys home sick from school this week.

Lucky me, though, found a vintage Scrabble game before Christmas at our local Goodwill. In between the holidays, I whipped up a few Frenchy desk "plaques."

All I needed was the Scrabble tiles, tile holder and hot glue gun. I made the Bonjour and Merci ones for my Etsy shop. I made myself a Bienvenue one, which I have on our tv table as a sweet welcome.

I actually made this little Love Scrabble ornament last year. Somehow it got buried in my craft room (don't you hate when that happens?!). I was happy to find it as I'll be decorating for Valentine's Day soon.