Shoes

There's something irresistible about tiny old shoes.

 (photos by my friend, Miss Jodie LeJeune )

I like to line them up,

I like them under glass.

I love to use them in my art.

I love them handmade.

These were 'cobbled' by my precious friend Dawn.

Ever since she sent them to me I've wanted to try my hand at shoe making.

First attempt.

I used a pattern from one of my Japanese Zakka books.

Although they're written in Japanese, the step by step illustrations are easy to follow.

I used an old felted sweater & vintage buckle on  this one.

This little elf shoe is inspired by a vintage pair I own.

I know it's only September but I can't help but look ahead to Christmas.
 It'll be here before you know it!

 Remember my altered ballet slippers?
Well I've restyled them for Christmas.

If you'd like to make a pair, I'll be teaching this class on

 October 28 for Paper Cowgirl.

(information will be on the Paper Cowgirl blog)

If you don't have time to make them, you can buy these
 in my esty shop.

I plan on making more, I'm trying very hard to get my etsy going.

I made the little stars by hand with German glass glitter.

They should age beautifully.

Lily & I got an unexpected package from Denmark last week.

A few weeks ago I saw Dorthe had made this amazing heart for her sweet Mathilde. 

Well I loved it of course, so look at what she sent to us!

These are awesome!

 Dorthe used 2 of my favorite pictures for these hearts.

Lily feels very special when she receives gifts from my friends. Someday when she's older she'll realize how truly blessed she is to have wonderful art made just for her!

Lily chose the pink heart for her room, & the sepia heart now hangs on the memory cabinet in my bedroom.

Dorthe you are such a gifted artist & a true friend.

Thank you!

Believe it or not I am alone in the house today!

Lily & Daddy are on an Indian Princess camp-out & the boys are with their Grandparents.

It's too quiet, I can't concentrate.

Hope you have a great, loud weekend!

Colorado Haul

One of the great things about vacations is finding new places to spend my money shop. 

 I found some awesome antique shops in Pueblo, Colorado.  They have a darling historic downtown area, in case you ever go there. Kevin was a sweetie & took the kids to the park so I could do some power shopping!

I have a real weakness for celluloid albums,

especially if they are priced well..........

& filled with amazing photos! The cover & spine of this album were damaged, hence the low price. Good for me, I prefer it all falling apart!

This might be a good time to tell you this is going to be a long post.

And filled with lots of eye candy!

Do I have your attention???

They are doll shoes actual size......1 & a half inches long.

The leather loafers make me Crazy,

What is it about tiny things that makes my heart skip a beat?

These shoes are a couple of inches longer.  I really need to stop buying baby shoes, but I can't.

2 more for my collection.

And wait till you see this.....

Most of this came from one persons booth! 

 And most of it was priced at $1 or $2 apiece.

Beautiful bigger crocheted pieces.

I really love the flesh colored ones, I think I will hoard those for awhile.

This little box was $7, the note from someones Aunt Anna still enclosed.

See that piece in the back?  The sequined trim?? That is my favorite find of the day.  I love just all these little bits.

From lace to rust.  This lot came from one dealer too.  The prices were really cheap great.

I freaked out when I found these pins, they will be perfect on a tattered collage.

I saw this beat up looking box sitting on a shelf, opened it & discovered it was filled with ephemera dating back to 1920-40.

It may have been an 'insipration' box, there's a bunch of tracings & sketches inside.

And finally, this isn't new but don't you love it?

My niece wanted to stop at Urban Outfitters, their clothes are about 20 years too small young for me but they have some cute accessories.  I couldn't resist this lace basket.

So there it is, my vacation souvenirs! 

 Hope your weekend was fun & cooler than mine was.

(105 degrees!!!!!!!!!) 

How many more days until Fall????

Winding down

Well, with less than a week OMG till the big event, I'm in ART over-drive!!!

Starting with re-creating the project that began my

 Paper Cowgirl odyssey.

The original went to this cutie.

I think I like them even more the second time around.

Tags ready for vendor night.

The marketing team (me) did a fine job. 

See the little squares above?

They're stickers!

Ages ago I ordered something from Alicia Paulson & she (of course)had the cutest packaging ever. I just loved the sticker with her logo on it, it's still on my inspiration board. 

So I made a mental note that someday.....

They will come in very handy when I start packaging stuff for vendor night. 

I'm letting go of a portion of my baby shoe collection.

But not these!!

 I found them yesterday when Charlene, Pat & I had girls day out.  You would never believe me if I told you what I stole bought them for.

Okay, I'll tell you cuz I'm not selling them, they are just too cute. $9.95!!!!! 

 I swear I thought it was a mistake, but it wasn't.  Maybe the seller thought they were too beat up to warrant a higher price. To me they are perfection.

Gotta get back to my sewing, packing & stuffing. 

 I'll see you all on Saturday for Where Bloggers Create!