I think, sometimes, this blog is more about complaining about the weather than it is about crafting. So, in keeping with that theme it’s pouring outside – which I actually love, well if I had nothing to do and I could read a book in bed with the windows open, all by myself with complete and total quiet. But I live in the real world, so…we added a little spring and sunshine to Lola’s shoes instead.
I’ve had a thing for Sharpie shoe makeovers since I was a kid drawing on my Converse (well before they were called Chucks) in math class. And that love has endured! I made some really cute Sharpie/alcohol tie dyed ombre ones for myself that I wear all the time (video coming soon!) and thought Lo would want some, too. If she had her way, we’d be all Laura Ashley and wearing matching dresses in a wheat field all day long! But this time she took a stand for some individuality and asked for “dots like flowers”.
I got out the Sharpies and we picked up a fresh pair of $5 canvas kicks. I put both on the table, giving her free reign, and she couldn’t be bothered. So she art directed instead. And they turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!
We used: 1) a pair of super cheap canvas sneakers, 2) shiny, fresh, new pack of Neon Sharpies, and 3) some Hello Kitty ribbon that we had for laces.
We talked through She told me where to place the first few flower dots and then she ran away to watch some Electric Company (I think it might be better than we were kids. It’s actually okay, for a kid show.) And came back to control check on me periodically. Thusly, this part of the tutorial is called draw some circles, color them in.
I made the executive/skilled Sharpie laborer decision to color the seams green and the tongue pink. Turns out she would have done it the opposite, so when you make these you might check with your own 6 year old art director for proper color placement.
Then as they started to come together she was so pleased and said that I was like a great artist. Oh, kid! You melt my heart with your sweet, sweet delusions! Yes, you can be President! I added some pink stripes and green polka dots around the kick-toe and base of the shoe. So much adorableness!
I added some of the Hello Kitty ribbon for laces, but she took them as soon as I was done snapping pics.
And then as if it were planned, the sun came out a little. She put ’em on (I didn’t add beeswax to set, put ’em in the dryer, or spray with a top coat or anything) and they will be dirty with holes in them by lunch!
We’re off to splash in puddles and mess these babies up! If you’ve read this far, you should probably check out another shoe redo with nail polish for glammed out running shoes, too!
xo, Jennifer + Lola, Art Director
P.S. We are going on a Random Acts of Positivity mission later today. Stay tuned for pics! Get your free sticker printable if you haven’t already!