New shoes... sort of.

So I have been loooonging for new shoes and just haven't had the scratch to buy them. I have been trying to be more inventive with my existing wardrobe and since I can't find in my expansive craft stash a way to MAKE shoes I started looking at my old shoes in a new way.

All of my shoes I bought because at one time or another I loved them and HAD to have them :) but I had either worn them out or they had fallen out of my regular rotation at some point or another for some reason or another…

So what's a savvy girl to do? Why, take your old pair of gently "loved" shoes and make them new again with a quick coat of paint, of course!

And so all you poor, I mean crafty, girls can do the same, I thought I would post a how to!

Here goes!

First things first…

Supplies:

- Acrylic paint in the color you desire. If you can't find the right one mix it up!
- A small paint brush. I used a flat one to get a better edge.
- Sand paper. I used 220 grit
- Masking tape or a very steady hand
- Mod Podge
- And shoes of course!

These are all things every girl should keep on hand.

First you need to scuff up your shoes a little just so the paint will stick. If you don't (like I did) the paint will rub off on your tights (or toes) in the places you missed. Don't over do it though. You just want to change the color, not the texture. That's why you should use a really fine grit sand paper.

Next put masking tape around the parts you don’t want to be painted. Like the heel or a buckle. Or, if you have a very steady hand just skip to the next step. I recommend tape though.

Paint! Allow to dry and then do a second coat if necessary. No need to sand between coats.

Apply one very thin coat of Mod Podge and allow to dry and then another. A third for good measure and ultra shiny protection. Please, I know it's really tempting once you get to this point to stick your little tootsies in your shiny new shoes, but try to resist until they're dry. :D





Now you have a wonderful new pair of shoes that no one else on the planet has! I hope you enjoyed my first tutorial!

Pattern of the week progress 11.9.2009

Instead of another pattern that I "plan" to make ;) this week I will show the progress I have made on the first pattern of the week.
Vogue 8544.


I made this in the crepe back satin I had planned, using the crepe side.


I'm trying out seam binding( although I don't think I'm doing it correctly) because the fabric ravels so easily.


I put in a purple zipper to match the seams.


I'm going to have to adjust the darts because I'm a little thicker around the middle than the pattern ideals…


I think once I throw the waist band on it'll be perfect. Modeled pictures of the finished project next week, Lets keep our fingers crossed!

A Recipe for a lazy Sunday

For today, I am going to relax with a friend and maybe do some holiday crafting. But for the most part I will be doing not much of anything. After a large scale rearranging of the living space last night I am just a little... tired, so I will sit back and relax with a cup of motivation (coffee) and a warm little slice of pumpkin bread. And so all of you may do the same...


Pumpkin Bread


I cup Brown sugar firmly packed
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
I cup Pumpkin
1/2 cup oil
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. each of salt, nutmeg, cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger (optional)
1/4 cup water (if at low altitude)

Combine brown and granulated sugar, pumpkin, oil and eggs together in a large bowl, blending well. Sift in dry ingredients. Mix well. Add water, mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes.

You can use fresh or canned pumpkin.

Pattern of the week 11.2.2009

Happy November! And to think it the year is almost over! I haven't done nearly enough of anything really! Well, in the spirit of doing what I said I would do… Here is this week's pattern.

Simplicity 5878. (circa 1965)

I absolutely love this little dress what with its little sash and pockets! I might just make one of each view. I will most definitely make at least one. Once I can finish the multitude of projects that are already laying about… This weekend was a strange one some what, in that is was four days long:) and that I wasn't even in town. I've been gallivanting about the state with the husband visiting family. And the best part about this weekend? Besides Halloween, that is? My mother took me to the Goodwill and bought me everything I wanted! I almost died with happiness. So I hope to be doing some wardrobe remixing, a la the Clothes Horse. So be looking for those in the coming days.