Toms Repair

My very first pair of Toms got a hole. I wasn't ready to throw them away, so I thought I would try and repair them.

Here is the supply list:
Sewn up Toms (see below)
canvas or cotton duck material 1/4 yd
ribbon(s)
E-6000
Painter's tape or masking tape
Small pointy scissors



First, I sewed the hole up. Now after wearing my repaired Toms, I would suggest smaller, smoother stitches. My sewn up hole is a "little" irritating to my big toe. It is fine if I am wearing socks, which I don't do very often.



I didn't take photos of the next several steps. You have to move quickly with the glue, so I couldn't get any of that step. I have no excuse on the other steps. Sorry.

Stuff plastic store sacks (a lot) in the toes of shoes. It will be easier for smoothing the material.

Cut canvas into a triangle, enough to cover end and sides of Toms with a few inches hang over. Use the diagonal seam near toe for starting point.
Put glue all over end of toms, being careful not to get it on sole. Then lay fabric at original seam, smoothing as you go. Use the original fabric fold for how to fold new canvas. Get your fold down like you want and press the middle between the two folds. The small over flaps will be glued later.
Wait til completely dry to continue.
Fold flaps and glue down. Place a piece of tape over flaps to hold down tight, so it will dry flat. Wait til completely dry to continue.
Trim fabric above sole.
Cut ribbon the length of seam with a little over hang. Put glue on seam and press ribbon on top. I kept smoothing and pressing for a few minutes and the let it dry. Trim ribbon same as material, close to sole. If you want to add another ribbon on top, go for it. Same as above.

I let my Toms dry for a couple of days before wearing.

Here is the finished project:



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St. Patrick's Day Shirts

It is almost March, which I can't believe. March is one of my favorite months, for several reasons. First, I married my high school sweetheart on the 16th. Second, my fourth and LAST child was born on the 5th. Also, I really enjoy St. Patrick's Day. I don't know why, other than I do like green a lot. And maybe because I have a little bit of Irish in me.

I thought I would make my kids some St. Patrick's Day shirts instead of buying them. I used the same technique as the birthday shirt for my daughter's shirt.



My son's shirt I used the same wax paper stencil, but I spray painted his shirt. It gave it more of a vintage look. I also added the number, to make it more boyish. It held up in the wash really well.



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T-shirt Redo

One of my daughters, L, had a plain, purple shirt she wanted jazzed up a bit. I went rummaging through her closet and found a pink, flowery t-shirt she didn't wear much (it was really too small, L thought she could still wear it).



First, I cut several circles, different sizes out of the shirt.



Then, I sewed the larger circles with a big X onto shirt. Do the same with smaller circles on top of larger circles with a big X. You want them to kind of fall over like real flowers, not lay flat. Sorry no picture.

Then I cut the ruffle-edged neck off to make a headband. I measured her head. And put a few stitches to hold.



And here is the final product. It looks a lot cuter in person.
This probably took 30 minutes. It took longer for L to decide which shirt to use.



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Valentine's Day Magnet

I like to give my hubs a Valentine's Day present from our kiddos. My idea was for them to hold a sign looking sweet and with everyone smiling and looking at the camera. Also, with no glass glare. Is that too much to ask?







Obviously, it was too much, so I used a photo shop type program and cropped the best photo of each of my kids from 4 different photos .









Then I grouped them together. It looked better than my original plan. I then printed it on a sheet of magnet paper, cut it out, and it is on my hubs filing cabinet at work. Now he gets to see those four precious faces all day long.



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Birthday T-shirt

My first post on this blog. Woo Hoo! I am so excited to start a crafty and creative blog. I hope everyone enjoys it.

I was wanting a fun birthday t-shirt for my little boy. This is what I came up with.

I used wax paper for my stencil. I used my Silhouette (love, love, love) to cut out the circle with the #3 in the middle. You want your design to be cut so it looks correct on the non-shiny side.
Next, I ironed the wax paper shiny side down on my old plain t-shirt.



Then I took silver acrylic paint and mixed with Medium for fabric and started painting. Since I had a dark shirt it took 3 or 4 coats. It took longer than I had hoped.



After letting final coat dry, set the paint according to Medium instructions.
This is the final product.
You may notice the black rings around the silver. Some of the silver bled under the wax paper stencil, so I took a black sharpie and added the black rings I like it better. Some mistakes turn out to be better than the original plan.



I think he looks pretty darn cute!



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