Ribbon Wand Tutorial

We are always looking for fun, easy crafts to keep Miss M occupied during the day. She is always going at 100 miles per hour, constantly on to the next adventure. I saw a few tutes for similar wands, so Miss M and I came up with one of our own. This is a great project for the kids to help out on.

Materials-

1. Ribbon - I used 1/2'' thick, you can decide the perfect length for your little one
2. Dowel Rod
3. Hot glue gun and glue stick
4. Paint and brush
5. Glitter
6. Mod Podge
7. Lighter- optional
8. Sand paper- optional
9. Plastic bag or other protection for your work surface

First you need to cut, or break your dowel rod down to size. Any hand saw will do the trick. I had nick cut them for me awhile back for a different project. The ends were a little rough for my liking so I sanded them down. I used a hand sander, but plain old sand paper would work just as well. It only takes a couple seconds.

Next set up your paint station. I let M paint it to her hearts content. The sponge brushes work best- no drip. (plus they're cheap!)

After you have it painted and dried (about 1 hour or so), cover the entire rod with mod podge. Lay it out on the plastic bag and let your little helper shake some glitter on it. Let that dry about 10 minutes then put a second coat of mod podge on there. That will keep the glitter on the wand. If you have little girls, glitter probably plagues your house, let's try to avoid adding to that. I sat our wand up right against a box to dry.

While your wand is drying pick out your ribbon. Decide the length you want. I didn't measure ours. I kept unrolling the ribbon until I thought it was long enough and whipped it around to make sure it would work. I tried to make it long enough to do the cool figure 8's and swirlies but not so long that short little miss M would trip herself on it. (Sorry no pic of this part!) Use the lighter to heat seal the ends. Just run the flame across each end quickly.

Next, this part is for the mommies and daddies only, use your glue gun to wrap the end of the ribbon on the wand. Choose which side you want to be the top, apply a dab of glue to the top 1/2'' of the wand (or however thick your ribbon is) and wrap the ribbon around it one time.Make sure to get all of the edges glued down. This wand is sure to take a beating, and pulling, so better prepared than have to fix it umpteen times.

How easy was that? A good way to store these is to roll the ribbon down the wand, cone style, to prevent tangles and knots. And if you are wondering where I got a table to match my wand, lol, that is just one small piece of the living room we are working on. Keep posted for all of the living projects.

Now let your little dancer go to town! ........ And, there is a reason she is wearing tube socks and sparkly red shoes with a purple outfit. Well, for starters shes almost 4. Nuf said. But, she LOVES Wizard of Oz and was playing Dorothy. The socks? Well, as of right now, all of her clothes, shoes, etc. have "lines." She doesn't like lines. Apparently sock lines are better than Dorothy Slipper lines.

*Tips*

1. For a more natural route, you could use a stick. Take off the bark before you paint or glue.

2. You could use a few ribbons in different sizes, or a few ribbon strands that are thinner.

3. These would be great for favors for a little girl birthday party! Cheap too.

And Then There Were Two.........Well, Four

This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is perfect in my opinion. Low to mid 60's, just right for a hoodie and shorts or jeans. I could live in my hoodies. They are big, warm, and cozy. Not to mention that front pocket, perfect for toting around baby bottles, burp rags, toys, craft supplies, and so much more! But, unfortunately, this is not about beautiful weather, or hoodies.

The day started off lovely as ever. Low 60's, little wind, and lots of sunshine. We were working on boredom busters for Miss M. We did a few crafts and coloring projects and decided to give the chickies a treat. I had a bag of old grapes in the fridge and we cut them up. The ladies prefer them cut up, what can I say?

The grapes were a big success. Noodle is seen here grabbing a grape as Strawberry Shortcake looks on. The ladies have finally started to get a little more comfortable with us. Sadly, they still don't like to be held or petted (give it time!) but they come up to us with little issue now a days.

So, after a busy morning of creating a visiting with the ladies we had doctors appointments and grocery shopping to do. When we finished all of that nonsense and Nick got home we went to my dads house for dinner. We visited until pretty late, then headed home, hoping the girlies would fall asleep on the drive home.

Luckily they were both out by the time we got home. Ah, a break? At last. Nick and I got them in the house and snuggled in pjs and in bed. Mission completed! Or so we thought.....

After a long, hectic day, we sat down to err.....watch a movie.Yeah, watch a movie. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. So...we were watching movie and M woke up. Nick went to take care of her while I waited. She needed to use the bathroom, so he took her and then put her back to bed. I heard him rustling around in there, then thought I heard him say something. He popped his head out of the bedroom after a minute and said "Was that the chickens?" Ummmmm, Well, I said, I didn't hear anything? Was it?! He listened again and frantically said "Yeah it was!"

He through on sweats and a hoodie, grabbed a bat and flash light, and ran outside. Just as that was happening Baby R was waking up and screaming. I ran to turn on all of our outdoor lights to help Nick see and threw on warm clothes (it was chilly out, in case you couldn't tell). I got Baby R up and away from Miss M so she wouldn't wake her up again and made up a bottle in record time.

I ran out to the chicken area and said - So, what was it?! Nick told me he saw feathers everywhere and was shining the light in the coop. I noticed only two chickens. "Um, Nick, is there another one in there?!" I don't see one, was his reply.

So, to recap. It's midnight, there were chicken noises, we are plus feathers and minus a bird. Are you coming to the same conclusion we were?

If not, let me help you get there. For the passed few days I have been so incredibly tired. Baby R has been having some issues and we are experimenting with medicines and formulas. She hasn't been sleeping at all. Up ever 2 hours, crying, the lot. So, trying to cut a few corners, I hadn't been locking up the ladies at night. I just couldn't get out there early enough in the morning to let them out, and boy did they raise hell if they weren't let out early enough for their liking. So, add in the factor of open coop. Ya there yet?

Yeah, I though so. We believe it was coon. Just a hand full of blocks away to about 1/2 mile away we have seen fox, coons, and coyotes in the area. But, we have never seen anything like that in our neighborhood. However, I knew better. I know how they are, I know they are around, I know I was basically advertising a free buffet. "Oops."

So, in vain, Nick searched with his little blue flashlight. He walked the perimeter of our fence and yard and even some of the neighbors yards. Of course he found nothing. Not even a stray feather. I'm not sure what we thought we could find. I think it was just the shock of it all. The chicken, completely gone, vanished into thin air.
And so, it would be, Strawberry Shortcake. The chick M so happily named after a favorite show, that was taken. I have to say though, besides the guilt I feel, I took it rather well. I have been doing my best not to get overly attached to the ladies, what with their impending main course future. So, I must say, that part was a success. However, if this were truly a self sustainable farm, or urban farm, or in a much more dire situation, this is not something that could be taken lighly. I slipped up, and out of pure laziness. So I am, the one and only person to blame. (ugh, hate when that happends lol) But, luckily, none of those situations are the reality as of present day. You live and learn. Always.

Well, of course, news traveled fast. Where I'm from (Small town, Big talk) this is big news. Dare I say exciting news even?

My mom, and her boyfriend (who the chickens came from in the first place) said they would replace the missing bird. Kind of cheating, I know. And they would even give me an extra. Lol, ok that sounds bad. Not an extra. I don't plan on loosing anymore. But, an additional bird I should say. And so, the excitement was over.

The next evening, after M was in bed, Nick was feeding Baby R while I was working in the kitchen. He said "Babe, come here!" in a half whisper, half yell. I dropped the apples I was cutting (to dehydrate) and went into the living room. He asked if I had heard "that." Oh jeez, not again. "No." I hadn't heard anything, but then, a clatter. Ok, my mind started racing. Locked up the coop? Check. So, if there was indeed another coon, it was digging its way in. I stuck my head out the screen door and heard some kind of rustling again. Alright, it's on. So I ran to the bedroom, looked in the closet at my (borrowed, from my brother for these exact situations) pellet gun and my Daisy. Pellet gun- not loaded! Daisy- wouldn't do the trick. Ugh, so I scanned the room for the bat. No luck, no time. I ran for the door, flipped the outdoor light switch and flung the sliding glass door open. As soon as the motion sensor lights kicked on I saw a silhouette of a person. Wait, a person? It was one of those What?! moments. But, with the light switch came a  "Don't shoot!" In a familiar voice I must add. Oh, mom. You know me so well.

My mom, her boyfriend, and my brother were in the chicken area. With kennel in hand. They were trying to sneak in some new chickens. lol Creeps. Man, were they lucky that pellet gun wasn't loaded.

They all came in. Apparently they parked down the road and were going to surprise us with new chickens in the morning. They said Nick even looked right out the window at them, but obviously didn't see them. Anyway, long story short, they came in and visited and I went out and checked out the new girlies. A beautiful all white/ off white chicken, about the same size a Noodle and a replacement Strawberry Shortcake. She looks almost identical, except for her bald head......She had been in sitting mode and the rest of the chickens, at her old home, must have been pecking her little head. Poor girl.

Ah, yes. But, lets not forget- breaking the news to Miss M about her Strawberry Shortcake. Nick told her the morning after. I was still in bed (my lovely husband lets me sleep in a little later on the weekends) and she came running in. She got right in my face and excitedly said "Mom! Strawberry Shortcake got took!" Well, that went better than expected. Almost as amusing as her first reaction was her reaction to the new birds. That next morning she came running into me and said "Mom! Mom! Theres a white chicken! AND another one!" Then nonchalantly stated "I think the white one ate the other ones head." Well, that my M for ya.

I will have to post pictures later. They are cooped up for a few days until they get used to their new home. Plus their wings aren't yet clipped. I plan on posting a tute on clipping wings if I can find a camera man while I do it!

We also have a live trap set up in the chicken area to try and get the lil chicken napper. Don't worry, it will be let free some place far away from our little urban homestead.

Super Cute Plastic Bag Holder Tutorial

Most of us have one of these. The ugly, store bought, bag sack. Now, don't get me wrong, they were a great invention! Who wants drawers or closets with filled with old plastic grocery bags floating around? I sure don't. But come on people! I also don't want plain on nasty fabric sacks to put them in either. What do they have against color and style?

That is my tired and worn out bag sack up there. And, while I try to use re usable cloth bags when I shop, every once in a while I will use the plastic ones. Like for a large shopping trip, when my bags aren't enough, or when I'm nearly out of plastic bags. I save every one (that isn't ripped) and reuse it. When we had cats indoors we used to scoop litter into them. Now a days they are mostly used as garbage bags for our little bathroom trash cans and for painting and craft surfaces. My bag hangs in a closet, far from sight, lest someone see the sadness of it. But no more! Here's a super easy tutorial for a super cute and customizable plastic bag holder! Even if you aren't a great sewer, or are just starting out, you can totally do this!

This ones for you Mrs. McElhiney.

• Things you are going to need:
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• 1/4'' Elastic
• Strips of fabric (As many as you want) They need to be 18'' wide, but can be as long as you want. My bag is about 18'' by 25'' before finished.

Start off by cutting your strips. 18'' wide works well. I didn't measure the length of each strip, I just eye balled it. (P.S. This is the front of the strips after they are sewn, ignore that, this picture is just to show the strip size and colors. lol )

After you have the strips arranged how you want them flip them over in the same pattern. Take the ends of two strips of fabric (the wide side) and line them up and pin together. Repeat for all of the strips until you have the whole bag pinned.

This is all of the strips pinned on the WRONG side of the fabric.

Next sew down the pinned sides. Be careful not to catch the other strips of fabric as you sew. If you have never sewn anything like this before it may feel a little weird. To know you are doing it correctly, flip your bag over before you start sewing so you can see how it will look. The lines may not be perfect before you sew but you will be able to see how the seems will be on the underside of the fabric.

After you have finished you will have one big piece of fabric (like my first picture). With wrong side facing up we will make the casing for the elastic. Heat up your iron now. On one end (in this case, my green strips) fold down about 1/4'' and iron flat. Now fold down about 1/2'' and iron again. Repeat for the other end.

This is the casing after it has been folded. You fold two times so you don't have a rough edge, it gives a finished look. You shouldn't need to pin this, but you can if you want! Then sew along the bottom of the fold.

Next you will cut the elastic. For the top of the bag I used elastic at 8'' long and a piece 6'' long for the bottom.

Sorry for the blurry picture! Next put a safety pin in the end of your elastic. This helps thread it through. As you start to thread it through the casing, stop once you get to the end of the elastic. You can either pin the end of the elastic at the start of your casing or sew it in place now. (go back and forth a couple of times with your machine to make sure its going to stay) Now finish threading the elastic, bunching the fabric as you go. When you get it all the way through remove the safety pin and sew the elastic in place at this end of the casing. If you pinned the other end before, sew now. Repeat for opposite end of bag.

Sewing the elastic in place.

Now, with right sides together (bag inside out) fold it in half and pin together. You may need to move it around a bit to get the strips lined up properly before pinning. Then sew down the length of the bag. Go slow over the ends with the elastic and be sure to back stitch into place at the beginning and end.

Turn your bag right side out. Look at you! You made a bag!

Now we are going to make the loop to hand it with. Make sure you find the top of your bag (the one with the bigger opening).

Cut a piece of fabric 8'' x 2''. On each of the 8'' sides fold down 1/4'' and iron. Now fold the strip in half width wise and iron. You will have a thin, long strip of fabric. Sew down the length of the strip where the two sides meet, as shown above.

Fold your strip in a loop shape, one end on top of the other end. Pin in place at the TOP opening of your bag. I sewed mine into place at the same spot the seam from the casing was sewn so avoid a bunch of stitched lines.

You did it! Now go hang your bag and stuff that sucker!

My bag, hanging and half stuffed.

Let me know if you try this out!

*TIPS*

1. You can make your bag any width and length very easily! The only difference will be the elastic length. If you don't want to do the math to figure out the perfect length, and who does?, then just use a peice you know is a little too long. Thread it through the same way, but once you get it through the second opening bunch the fabric until desired opening is created and cut off the access elastic.

2. You don't have to use a fabric loop. You could use another piece of elastic or some pretty ribbon! (I just wanted mine to match perfectly)

Heavenly Honey Wheat Bread

Fresh from the oven!!

Not to long ago I mentioned the wheat bread I have been baking. Oh my goodness, soooo good! It even beats out the white bread. I have been baking two loaves (one recipe worth) on Sunday and we have been using this instead of store bought. It works great for toast, sandwiches, and snacks. That's our main problem, we just snack on it all day.lol  Well anyway, here is the recipe-

This recipe makes 2 loaves

Ingredients:

1. 3 cups whole wheat flour
2. 1/3 cup honey
3. 1/4 cup shortening
4. 1 tablespoon salt
5. 2 packages of regular or quick active dry yeast ( or 4 1/2 tsp)
6. 2 1/4 cups very warm water
7. 3-4 cups all purpose or bread flour
8. 1-2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Mix whole wheat flour, honey, shortening, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.
2. Add very warm water and beat with electric mixer on low for 1 minute, then medium for 1 minute.
3. Stir in white flour 1 cup at a time until the dough is easy to handle.
4. Place dough on floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy.
5. Grease a large bowl and roll dough around to coat, cover lightly with plastic wrap, let rest until doubled in size. Aprox. 1 hour
6. Gently punch down dough, divide in two. Take one half of the dough and roll out into a rectangle (about 18'' X 9''). Starting at a short end begin to roll up the dough, pinching at each roll to help secure it. Once it is rolled use the side of your hand (karate chop style) on each end of the loaf to seal. Tuck the ends under the loaf and pinch to hold it together. Repeat with second loaf.
7. Grease two loaf pans with shortening on sides and bottom.
8. Place formed loaves in pans and brush with butter, cover loosely with plastic wrap.
9. Let rise for aprox. 50 minutes, until doubled.
10. Remove plastic and bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown and sounds hallow when tapped.
11. Immediately remove from pan to cool and brush with more butter.

Tips:

• If using self rising flour decrease salt to 1 tsp
• You don't have to roll and shape the dough as stated above, you could just make a loaf shape and plop it in there. However, in my experience the rolling and pinching makes the best shaped loaf.
• Store loaves in freezer bags. If you put them in the bags while they are still a tiny bit warm it will help keep them soft.
• You can freeze one loaf and thaw on the counter when needed, its almost as great as fresh baked.



Busy Busy Busy

We have been ridiculously busy lately. My creative juices have been flowing into way to many outlets.

I get like that. Every so often I get an itching. An itching for something. I don't ever know when it will hit or what that something may be. Oh but when it does, watch out. Once it's in my head I can't get it out until its manifested itself in some form or another.

Lately I've been sewing, painting, cooking, baking, and redecorating. Most with the help of Nick of course (the painting and redecorating.) Really I can't take much credit for the painting. When I paint all hell breaks loose. Paint spots on the floor, the furniture, even things covered or taped off get painted. I don't know how I do it, but it definitely happens. Anywho, here are some of our recent  projects-

Recycled Skateboard Clock

We started to re-do our living room. The walls are lime green (the picture looks minty, but it really isn't) and the trim and most furniture is white. It's a new modern twist for us. Most of our house is decorated in country farm house type style. But for some reason or another I got an itching for some bright colors. Nick made this clock out of an old skateboard for the new living room. Pretty neat huh?

Banana Bread and my Big Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dehydrated Strawberries

Honey Wheat Bread

My big thing the past couple weeks has been cooking and baking. I have loved to bake and cook since I was little. However, I wasn't always that great at it. Once I became a mama it just kinda hit me. I can find my way around the kitchen now and most of the time it turns out awesome. I really wish I had more time for cooking and baking, it really gets my creativeness flowing. It's also a great way to see your beautiful finished product in a short period of time. Unlike crafting, sewing, etc. where it can take days to finish projects fully. When you cook or bake you get to start with a mish mash of ingredients and the end result can be gorgeous and delicious!

I have been dehydrating a lot lately. Nick's mom got me a dehydrator for Christmas. My old one mysteriously got ruined when a certain someone washed the motor part. So, I finally got a chance to bust out my new one. I have been dehydrating apples, bananas, strawberries, and kiwis. Miss M loves all of it, which is great. They definitely make some great snacks, and super easy to make!

I've also been baking like crazy. My banana bread and chewy cookies are pretty great. lol Not to toot my horn, but they really are pretty good. I made some last week and it was gone in 2 days. So today I am trying to bake up everything we are going to need for the week. I made some cookies for desert, banana bread for breakfasts, and honey wheat bread for.....well, bread. I'll put recipes up for the banana bread and honey wheat bread soon. I also froze 6 muffin cups filled with banana bread batter for later. I have never tried this before but I have read it works out great. I'll let ya know.

I've also been making a ton of stuff. We happened upon a shop in a town close to us that sells crafts. They're called Square Crafters in Canton, Il. It's a really neat shop. The lady who owns it is great. They have vendors who bring in their crafts (not primitive or country stuff, since that's basically all we have around here) and she sells them. There is a really neat mix of stuff in there. So I talked to her for a bit, she checked out my stuff, and now I'm workin on stuff to take in there! I'm pretty excited about it. If only I had more time. But hopefully here soon I will be able to take a load up there. I can't wait.

I've also been working on a bunch of these. They are reusable baggies. So cool. It's fabric on the outside and thick freezer bag plastic on the inside. They Velcro shut and can be wiped clean. I also did a lot of testing on them after I made them up. This version worked best and kept bread and crackers soft and crunchy respectively for 48 hours. So great! M has been using this one for her banana chips and strawberry chips. Because of the Velcro she can take open and close it easily so we can take it everywhere. (no spills) Oh, and P.S. I have these on my FB page for sale. :)

I'll put pics up of our new living room soon. Well, whenever we finish it. Hopefully that's soon lol.

Ok, crazy kids are up and going again so I should probably get back to real life!

White Bread Recipe

It has been about 4-6 weeks since we gave up fast food. I should have wrote down the exact date, but, of course, didn't. I know it was late February, early March - ish. lol Anyway, we have been trying out a lot of new recipes to try to make up for the lack of fatty greasy flavor we were used to. 

Another big part of urban farming and self sustainability is providing and making your own food. Our garden is well on its way for this season and we are getting chicken eggs (almost) daily. A big thing for us has been trying to cook at home as much as possible. Lucky for me, I married a great cook. And he enjoys it! Now, I'm not too shabby in the kitchen either, but it is nice to have a little help in the food department.

Unfortunately for me, my mother in law is a great cook. You know, fried chicken, chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, (all the food that make up the phrase "The quickest way to a mans heart is through his stomach"), and of course homemade, from scratch bread and rolls. We are lucky enough to get those delicious little rolls every holiday. But, for the long stretches in between, Nick always begs me to make bread. In the passed year I have made loaf upon loaf of mediocre bread. They are never horrible, but not MIL status.

Of course, the day after Easter, Nick starts asking about bread. Even if we don't celebrate with them, each holiday brings up the bread. I should have known. So, in the midst of my super busy day (grocery store run, clean the house, clothes shopping-M's having problems with "lines" and "hard pants" lol, and trying to finish the living room-we're painting) I was faced with food requests. Not only was Nick asking for yummy white bread, a recipe I have yet to master, but M was begging for banana chips. So, once we finally got everyone ready and to the store and back it was 3:30. Ugh. Nick gets home at 5:30. The race was on.

So, I found a recipe that was semi quick and easy. And, much to my surprise, DELICIOUS! Mwahahahahhaha, finally MIL status. lol Sorry, it's been a long time coming. With that taken care of, here is the recipe.

• 

Our half eaten loaf. Soooo good!

• 6-7 cups all purpose or bread flour (I used unbleached all purpose flour)
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp shortening
• 2 packages of regular or quick active dry yeast ( equal to 4 1/2 tsp)
• 2 1/4 cups VERY warm water (aprox 120-130 degrees, or as hot as your tap will get)
• 2 tbsp melted stick butter

1. In a big bowl, mix 3 1/2 cups flour, the sugar, salt, yeast, and shortening. The shortening will basically just clump up.
2. Add the warm water and beat with electric mixer on low for 1 min., then medium for 1 min.  The dough will probably climb up your beaters, just shake it off.
3. Stir in more flour, 1 cup at a time, until you have a manageable dough.
4. Flour a work surface and knead for 10 min or until dough is smooth and springy. (This usually does take about 10 min., go slow, don't wear yourself out, it will get there!)
5. Place the dough in a bowl that has been greased with shortening and turn it on every side to grease the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 40-60 minutes. (It's done when an indentation stays in the dough)
6. Gently punch down to deflate, divide into halves. On a floured work surface roll out the dough in  a rectangle, aprox 18''-9''. On the short side, the 9'' side, tightly roll the dough up, pressing on the turns to seal it. Once it is all the way rolled, pinch the end of the roll to seal. Next, with the sides of your hands, flatten the ends and pinch to seal, then fold the ends under the loaf and pinch to seal again. Repeat for second loaf.
7. Grease two loaf pans with shortening. Place formed loaves in each pan and brush lightly with butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit for another 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
8. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Make sure your racks are in the middle of the oven so the tops of the loaves won't touch the oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes. They will be done when they are golden brown and sound hallow when you tap them.
9. Once out of the oven, remove from the pans and place on a wire rack (or counter top) and brush with butter again. Let cool.

This recipe has a very light crust with a slight buttery flavor. The bread is beautifully soft and dense, not airy and holy like store bought. And BTW, its cheaper to make your own bread (even with higher quality ingredients) than it is to buy it in the store. Plus, you can't beat 6 ingredients vs. 20+ of commercial breads. Not to mention you can pronounce all of them and know good and well what they are!

*TIPS*

1. A sunny window or on top of the pre heating oven is a great place for bread to rise
2. For maximum softness put bread in gallon size freezer bags right BEFORE it is completely cooled, the small amount of heat helps add a little moisture in the bag, creating an even softer bread with even softer crust.
3. If you have never made bread before, this is a fairly simple, no fail recipe. Look up pictures or videos of dough consistency so you know what to watch for.
4. You can make this recipe whole wheat by substituting half of the flour with whole wheat flour. (I have yet to try this recipe in whole wheat)
5. Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the bread. Replace the butt back onto the loaf after you cut off slices to help keep the cut end soft.



Shoe Refashion tutorial

You know those shoes, the ones you love? The super comfy ones that you use for everything from mowing to shopping? Well, if you haven't noticed they are a bit beat up. Perhaps it's from the mowing? Anyway, when you just can't bear to part with them, but also wouldn't be caught dead in public in them, there is still hope!

My Converse.......Now, if you couldn't tell these aren't all that beat up. I started this project before I decided to post about it.......Der, Chelsea. So, these are my second pair that are basiclly in mint condition. My beloved converse, they were disgusting. The black was faded, the white toes were grungy and had scuffs and dents in them and the rubber on the sides was peeling way. Oh and they had a bleach spot on the side....How you ask? Well, I don't really know.

Your supplies

Gloves

Bleach

Fabric dye and bottle or sponge (mine's from a tie dye kit)

Mod Podge

Glitter

Paint brush

Plastic Wrap

So I don't have a picture of this first part. But its super easy. Since my shoes were black I wanted to change the color. I put them in the sink filled with bleach and water. (Use gloves to touch anything with the bleach on it!) I changed the bleach water out every hour or so until I ended up with a  nasty brassy orange color. Then I mixed up my fabric dye. I dyed the canvas part on the shoes following factory instructions. I was not super careful and got dye all over the rubber on the tops and sides. It mostly came off with just water so I'm sure I'll be able to get it all off. You could use painters tape or ductape to cover the rubber. Then I wrapped the shoes in plastic wrap and put them in a plastic store bag and let them sit for 10 hours.

After I rinced all of the dye out of them in the bathtub, a process that took a good 20 minutes, I scrubbed them with a mixture of laundry soap and water and rinced again. Then, I put them in an old pillow case and ran them through the dryer.

Much to my suprise, the dye took beautifully!

Next, cover the entire white part of the toe with mod podge. Be careful to only get it where you will want the glitter, and wipe up any extra. Then cover in a good, thick layer of glitter. Shake off the excess.

After your first layer of glitter has dried for at least 5 minutes add another layer of mod podge and glitter. Repeat until you have the desired glitter coverage and finish it off with a thick layer of mod podge. Pictured is my last mod podge layer. It will be white and creamy looking but will dry clear. I used 2 layers of glitter.

This is the toe after it had its last layer of mod podge and dried. Sparkles!

Ok, and here they are! Of course the dye, glitter, and glue doesn't cover up the rips,tears, and scuffs (maybe someone should tell that to Hollywood) BUT, it gave them an awesome facelift! And, as long as you aren't looking super closely at them they look brand new.

Oh and a word of advice-

 I tryed to dye the shoe laces the same color purple. Well they didn't take the dye at all and turned out a  nasty greyish purple color. So they are awaiting another bleach rince. 

Also, be extra careful with the bleach. Use a well ventalated room and even keep a fan going. Also, it will be super harsh on your shoes. So don't try this on a pair of shoes you aren't willing to accidentally ruin. It breaks down the fibers and soaking to long can lead to holes and breaks in the fabric. Scary.