Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Ruby Slippers - NOT!

When preparing for my trip to Hawaii I needed some summer-type shoes. I had an old pair of Ecco sandles that had seen better days. They fit well, the soles were fine, but the beige suede was a bit discoloured. Too much running out to the garden to move sprinklers and such!


So I asked myself - can you paint shoes? Why not give it a try. I bought some lovely Stewart Gill paints in Nashville last summer and there they sat in the jars, begging to come out to play. So I gathered brushes and stamps and had a go.


Here is my first band of colour - lime green! Those who know me see me in this colour OFTEN.

And here are the finished shoes on my feet on our deck on the cruise ship. I just HAD to get my toenails painted to match.




11 comments:

Darlee said...

Beautiful!!! I love the colors.

Barbara Sindlinger said...

What a great idea for an old pair of shoes that you just can't get rid of.

Yvonne said...

Love the shoes, Daphne!

ann said...

FABULOUS! Wish I could wear heals. Love the matching toes. I'll have to try that sometime.

Sherryl said...

These are wonderful. Makes me want to dig out an old pair and make them into something fun.

Norma Schlager said...

Hmmm....turquoise and lime green. Two of my favorite colors, especially in the summer. I have been so tempted to get my toenails painted turquoise. Love the shoes, of course!

Daphne Greig said...

Ann - these are really more of a slight wedge heel. Super comfortable and good to go for a couple of years I think.

Daphne

carrie said...

Love these shoes! I have a question though. 30-odd years ago I used to paint or dye my shoes and boots and found the paint used to eventually crack and peel off where the shoe creases on top of the foot. Do you not have problems with that sort of thing?

Daphne Greig said...

Carrie,
I just did these last year and so far no problems. The paint seems to have become part of the suede and is still supple.

Daphne

Carole said...

They look GREAT!! I remember when we used to dye our shoes to get longer wear out of them.. esp. the white ones, but they never looked this good!! In fact.. I have some of that shoe dye, must be 25 years old! haha.. maybe should try it.. but sure do like those toenails to match!

Daphne Greig said...

Thanks Carole,
I remember my mother buying plain white shoes and having them dyed a shade of orange to go with a special dress. I think she also had some green ones - I'll have to ask her. She rivals Imelda Marcos when it comes to shoes!