My craft bugs come in waves, the most predicatable ones landing of course around early November when I’m dreaming of holidays and thinking of ways to use a glue gun. But then there’s always this late summer one, right about the time the first back to school catalogue makes its way to my mailbox. It’s getting a little hotter here, and I’m slowly bracing myself for September when we’re sweating while the whole Midwest is prancing about in apple orchards, wearing cable knits and cute boots. We’re not quite there yet, but the back to school catalogues did start arriving. So it’s craft time. Being that back to school time stirs up cravings to update wardrobes, our latest craftastic adventures involve clothes and shoes. A crafty twofer.
Exhibit A: Clothes.
Very easy, especially considering I don’t really sew. I do know how to thread a needle and cut material though which is all this required.
I used an old shirt that didn’t fit Nella anymore and cut out the embellished front and two triangles for knee patches. I stiched them onto gray skinny pants (from Target). Total time, 15 minutes. Result: Cute.
And then the feet got jealous, so we made them happy too.
Exhibit B: Shoes.
I wanted to try this out first on inexpensive shoes before actually painting leather, so I found some cute vinyl flats in one of those mall stores that sells lots of rhinestone things. Although I love the way our shoes have held up (and I’ve tried to scratch the paint off to no avail), if I were to paint leather I think I’d get the leather paints. I found several different painting methods on Crafty Lady Abby and Chic Steals.
I ended up just rubbing the tops of the shoes with alcohol and letting them dry before painting our design with regular acrylic paints. Once the paint was dry, I went over the painted parts with satin Mod Podge. We’ve worn them several times since and they’ve held up just fine. I love Nella’s, and so does she.
The craft bug’s still biting, so next up is a house for a mouse. Long story.
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I’m working on changing some things in this space to make it easier to navigate. Basically ETST is getting some new paint and a little interior design to make it homier. Hopefully everything you like about the site will stay the same and the new things will be welcome additions. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, I’m happy to be joining All Parenting and BabyZone as a weekly contributor and will share contribution links from time to time. This week on All Parenting, I wrote about wanting to teach my kids the value of failure as it’s an important part of success.
Have a great Wednesday!
Your ideas are absolutely darling, if I had a crafty bone in my body I would attempt some of these! Kuddos to you!! You always have such fun and cute ideas to do with your little ones!! Blessings Kelle!
I just recently started blogging, check mine out and let me know what you think of it 🙂
abeautifullife88.blogspot.com
Much Love and Respect,
Becka <3
I love these! Too cute!
Check out my recent crafting too! 🙂
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NarWall
Those pants are adorable! What a great idea!
So cute! My favorite are Nella’s but they are all adorable:)
I love the mushrooms! What a fun idea!
AH! The pants!!!! Love.
Love those little pants and what a great idea for the shoes – clever crafty you!
super cute, kelle.
you’ve inspired me to go cut something up!! :)) i don’t paint {at all} so that’ll have to do..
If only I could find cute little flats in a 3 double wide for Miss Ellie….
Love Nella’s new embellished pants!!! Super cute!
Very cute projects
loving the shoes. my girls would flip if i pulled that off.
Love these ideas! Love that mommy gets special shoes to match the kids – my daughter would love that idea too!
I don’t know if I’ve ever commented before, but I’m a faithful reader who admires your girls, your writing, your pictures, your outlook on life. I really found your article on the value of failure thought-provoking. Thank you!
I’ve been a reader for over a year and I want to thank you for such beautiful posts and pictures. I don’t have kids but I sure do love reading your blog and enjoy the pictures (they are smile inducing!). Keep enjoying life.
I know it’s shabby to advertise yourself on someone else’s comment wall, but I’m just starting out and I don’t really know where to begin.
I’m going to be a senior in high school and my blog is called “Life: The Beautiful Uncontrolled”.
If you have time, please check it out: http://amycarmichaelyoo.blogspot.com/2013/07/life-beautiiful-uncontrolled.html.
Kelle
Your photos are so magically lovely and bring everything alive, but underneath their beauty, it’s your ability as a storyteller that is so powerful. Your descriptions often say more than a photo could, despite the “pic telling one thousand words” proverb.
e.g. “one of those mall stores that sells lots of rhinestone things” … how can a picture beat that for description?!
Wishing you continued success and most of all, continued happiness,
Ali in Switz.
I love your crafting creativity : )
You inspire me every day. I am pretty sure Naji and Kaishon would die if I made them paint shoes, but I will try it with Bria! She should be up for that girly fun!
Happy Thursday, Kelle!
Good for you, Kelle. Congratulations on the new gigs. They’re lucky to have ya. Phyl
How cute… Nella is so adorable with her lil bracelets and headband. 🙂
I lurv the shoes!!! I don’t have a crafty bone in my body!!
Kelle….
Is that your little Nella modeling those pants? My gosh. She looks all grown up in that picture!! 😉
–Raelyn
Hello Kelle, My name is Lisa from Wales in Great Britain, My baby girl was born in January with Down Syndrome, After having boys we so desperately wanted a little girl, Daisy was born my fourth child and like you We were totally devastated, since finding you through scouring the Internet for information I have followed you since and I just want to say how grateful I am to you for helping me through, I think you and your family are amazing, and I am totally in love with Nella, she is absolutely adorable! What you do is incredible and truelly inspirational, So thank you so much, you have no idea how you and your family have helped me get to where I am today, please keep it up as each day I check my phone for any updated photos of your beautiful family enjoying life.
Love
Lisa. X
such a stunning idea with the shoes!
Oh those pants are all kinds of cute! Not to mention the shoes…
Hi Kelle! I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now, and it’s been really inspiring how you are so family centered. You and you’re blog inspired me to start my own blog.
I guess you can say that my blog is slightly similar to yours, except from a high schooler’s point of view.
If you have time, please check it out!
http://amycarmichaelyoo.blogspot.com/2013/07/family.html