Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

No doubt about it, I am a total girl when it comes to shoes. I love shoes. I hoard shoes. I was rightfully born on the same day as Imelda Marcos. I wouldn't go so far as to say shoes are my life, but I do get great satisfaction from the purchasing and wearing of a plethora of shoes.

I get shoes from many, many places. Some are gifted to me, some I purchase (a rarity), and some I thrift. In fact, some of my favorite shoes are from the thrift store. Including this pair:

 

This was a lovely pair of Dollhouse cherry red flats that I found in a Goodwill in Ohio. They're glorious. They're comfortable, cute, and who doesn't want a bright red pair of shoes? Well, I love these so much, they are definitely looking rough around the edges. Not only have I completely worn the lining out, but I almost cried when I saw this happen:

Oh noes! Total blowout. Not going to lie, I've been wearing them in this condition for... a while now. Finally, I decided I'd looked enough like a hobo, and either I would have to fix them or get rid of them (NOOOOOOO!) So, taking what I'd learned with making glitter flats for my niece, I decided that glitter would cover a multitude of sins. And so the process began! There are only a few short steps to this process, but I have to say the results are fantastic!

First, you locate your sad pair of shoes. Check! Then, you gather supplies.

(Not shown: Clear spray paint)

I used matte Mod Podge, Tacky Glue, and a really fine glitter. You can use whatever glitter you want really. I just wanted these a little more subtle, and less Dorothy. 

Step Two: Glue!

Working in sections, cover your shoe in tacky glue. Make sure it's not too thick or it will slump (trust me.)

Step Three: GLITTER!

Whoa baby! I did this over a bowl so that I could just dump the excess back in. Except the lid of my jar didn't come off. But still. Bowl is a good idea. After you've worked your way around the entire shoe, let it dry thoroughly. I watched a movie. 

Step Four: Glitter lock down. 

At this point, you could probably stop. However, I do not want glitter shedding everywhere whenever I walk (as magical as that sounds.) I also wanted them a little less sparkly and a little more mature looking. I decided, based on my experiences with the niece's shoes, to give them a good clear coat of spray paint. This held down the glitter, and also made it a little less obnoxious. And now, the final result!

TADA! One shimmery red pair of shoes!

With no insides peeking out!

I have to say I was very pleased with the way these came out. I also went on a rampage and made new linings, as you can see! Those were super-simple to do. I used the sole of another pair of shoes (which I also recovered) and traced around it on a piece of doubled-over fabric. 

That's really all there is to it. I used pinking shears so I would get a pretty fray-free edge, and it also looks cute. Not a huge deal if you don't have them, as you just slap down a layer of glue, let it dry, and then put Mod Podge over top to seal it in. I ended up doing two more pairs like that, a beige pair (which is where my pattern came from, and a black pair. I think they ended up looking great. 

So, if you have a pair of shoes that you love, and they seem to be giving up the ghost, don't let them go until they're REALLY worn out ;-) Remember: Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without! I usually chose the make do, and make it FABULOUS!

Looking forward to a great week!

~Sarah

Bun Fun

So, besides Halloween being awesome, not much happening around here!

Did some cooking last night. Made almond fried chicken and mashed cauliflower (which I'm really excited to have for dinner tonight!)

I've been trying to plot out Christmas presents for friends and close family, without breaking the bank, or buying a bunch of junk, which is surprisingly hard to do! Unfortunately, I can't be specific about it since they all read my blog ;-)

And finally, back to the topic of the title: my ridiculous rabbit. Boo Boo is an indoor bunny, but he's definitely a house bunny (or more specifically, a room bunny.) He stays in his cage while I'm not home, but whenever I'm in my room I let him roam freely. One interesting thing about rabbits is that they're actually very potty trainable, which shocked me. Boo loves the cats' litter box, making a beeline for it whenever I let him out, and I don't discourage him at all! He has one in his cage too, but he seems to like the cats' better. Just for your amusement, here's a video of him going CRAZY digging (to where?)

I also have the sparkliest nails ever. Pretty much in love with them.

Hope you all have a good start to your November!
~Sarah

Pretty, Pretty Princess

Anyone remember that game? All I remember about it was that the point was to put on all the jewelry, right?

Anyway! For Halloween this year, I've been working on a princess dress for my niece, who is 5. There is nothing more fun than ruffles, and ribbon, and poof, and glitter. I guess except when it's all over the floor (sorry roomie!)

I finally finished everything today and, if the shoes get done tonight and are dry, it'll go in the mail tomorrow! I'm excited, and I really hope she likes it. And it fits. That would be tragic. I did make it a little big so that she could grow in to it, so I guess that is a concern.

Without further ado, I give you... THE PRINCESS DRESS.

The Whole Shebang. It's hot pink, not red, I swear.

Bodice detail. I love the ruffled velvet ribbon.

The whole top. I love the sweetheart neckline.

Lots. Of. Ruffles. 

Hem detail. Finally using some of my fancy schmancy stitches!

The back. Sad they didn't have the right colored zipper. Tiny little train. 

I also made matching shoes, because a girl can never have too many! And WHAT IF THEY DIDN'T MATCH!? My first attempt was with scrapbooking microfine glitter. It was neat stuff, but the wrong color (too purple.) So, this morning, an emergency Hobby Lobby trip was in order! You can see the second attempt is much better, and much SHINIER!

We like shiny.

I bought some foofy silver trim to put around the black edges, but they were freshly glittered in this picture. The whole process went as follows: mod podge, glitter, repeat, clear coat with spray paint. I might repeat it when I get home. That's it, and you have some FABULOUS shoes ;-)

**Update! Almost forgot, I made a matching necklace and bracelet set that's just like my mom's that I've loved forever!

I also made some of those fabulous pens that Patricia recently posted about! I grabbed some pens and flowers from the dollar store and used some floral tape I had sitting around. For my "fall" pens, I stuck them in a mason jar full of kidney beans. Total cost for all the supplies: $4.



"Fall"



"Winter". I'll put these in epsoms salts when they go out on the desk :-)

 In non-frilly news, here's a picture of the new tank without the blue lights on, so you can see a little bit more what's going on!

And all four fish!

Hope you all have a good weekend, and stay warm! It's frigid here!
~Sarah