Clip-ons

I've been experimenting with the best way to do these clip-ons and I think I've hit upon the best way, at least, the best way for me.

I purchased sticky THIN velcro from Joann's and put one side on the shoe and the other "contrasting" part of the velcro on the bow or millinery rose. It worked fine for the ribbon and the roses. Doesn't matter which side goes on the shoe or clip-on. Mine ended up with the "fluffy" stuff on the clip-on and the "flat" stuff on the shoe. Just so you use the same "side" on each clip-on, otherwise, you'll have to peel it off and put the correct side on or it won't work. So for me: "fluffy" on the bow or roses and "flat" side of the velcro on the shoe. The velcro will remain on the shoe until I get tired of it or it starts to "wear" off. Quickly zip it off and replace with the other clip-on. I plan on making other ones to interchange and give the shoes an entirely different look. I could even make covered buttons and stick them on in some fashion. I'll play around more and come up with some more unique things for the clip-ons. Even fabric bows made from roses fabrics. Heaven knows I have enough of it. Oooooh, it took a 12" piece of grosgrain ribbon for the one bottom bow and 4" for the little top bow if anyone wants to make some. When I get more done I'll show them so you can see all the things you can do.

See how clip-ons can make a pair of shoes have different looks. I think I'll try some pink or fabric bows next.

Even little charms can "charm" up a pair of clip-ons on the shoes.

These - bows and flowers - have the velcro back on them.

This is a close up of the backs of the millinery rose and ribbon bow. You can see the velcro on the shot. It will come off if I want to pull it off so it doesn't hurt the shoe. These were $100.00 pair of shoes and even though that's not very much in today's market, it's still enough money that I didn't want to destroy the shoe if at all possible. Even the pin backs I pushed through the leather at first didn't hurt the shoe. A little rubbing with my nails (such as they are on these "working" hands) and they were like new. DO NOT TRY THIS ON "MAN-MADE MATERIALS IN A SHOE. I just wouldn't do it as leather is my preferred choice in a shoe and I don't have any "man-made material" shoes except for Crocs. I buy leather.

Fashionista Shoes

Okay, now don't gag or retch, chicks, but this old pair of shoes is my favorite flat pair of shoes. These are size 8 1/2 M so why am I now wearing 9 1/2 -10 W? They still fit but they are absolutely falling apart. Sole, insides, toes. Hubs said they've given up the ghost and to just bury them. They've always been bright candy apple red but I had to paint them with shoe color about 10 years ago because polishing wouldn't do it anymore. They're about 25 years old. Macy's, of course! I wish I could find another pair like them but I can't. None that fit the toes as well as these. I think I'm going to cry........ Excuse me while I go grieve a bit.

Back........I wonder if I saved the heel could I put it on another shoe? Hmmmmm, I've been having "separation" issues here I know. I would put clip on bows on them and ............okay, okay, time to let go.
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Okay, I took the new pair of high heels I ordered and that finally fit and jazzed them up a bit with some vintage millinery roses. While they don't even come close in comparison to the shoes below I'm happy with them. It's been sooooooo long since I've worn a pair of heels so let's hope I don't kill myself on sunday when I wear them to church. I shall also make some ribbon clip ons for these shoes. I may do a black ribbon but I'm going to have several different colors to go on this shoe so it'll change the look without buying any more shoes. What?!!?!? Did I actually say that?!?!?! I must be getting sick or something.........

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I was looking for some clips for shoes recently and came across these handmade shoes. Are they not incredible?!?!?! Squeeeeeeeeal. If I wore heels a lot—and I don't— I'd buy these in a heartbeat. They're designed and made by a woman in England who obviously has a lot of talent. Although I can't "make" shoes like she does, I can at least take a hint and froufrou them up with some bows, vintage millinery roses and such. So that's what I did with the above shoes. See what we can do to save money. Fix up an old pair of comfy shoes.

Are these simply adorable or what?! I love these shoes. The right one looks different than the left one. Clever, huh?

Bows and flowers.

Heel glamour with cutout toe!!

Even her insides have pizzazz.

Not your granny's old shoes, are they?!

I don't think any two are alike. I haven't seen any yet. Buttons on your toesies.

Looks like a silk kimono.

These are one of my favorites. Look at how red they are. And those bows??? Whooooaaaa, just adorable!

These are my favorite I think. Just kinda flirty and sassy. Too high for me though. *Sigh*...................

Talk about your s*xy shoe!! I'll bet even the hollywood elite doesn't have anything this cute.

I love these bows but dragging them on the ground would get them awfully dirty in a short time, so I think I'd make them a bit shorter for the shoes I may do something with. We'll see.

Fun for valentines day or a first date. Would he just faint all over ya with these on, chicks?!?! Yesssssssssssss...........

I truly don't know how women walk in these mules but these are cute. I'm be sitting on my backside if I tried this one though. ;-)

I think she used a lot of different fabrics on this one, but she has talent, I tell ya.

Another pair that are my favorites. You'd be the only gal at the party with a pair like this.

And these???? Look at that stitching. These look almost like a tropical shoe—something you'd wear to a formal luau. ;-)

I've never seen such fabrics as she uses. Gorgeous! Now just eat your heart out. These are the cutest shoes I've ever seen made by hand and a woman.

This woman knows what a woman wants! I adore these shoes.
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Now if you want some "no limit on the price shoes" then you might want a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. His shoes usually run from a few hundred dollars to $2,000.00 and let me tell you there aren't many at the lower end! I'd say most of them are in the higher price range of several hundred dollars. But these little beauties are $6,300.00 and he's only making 3 dozen of them. Better hurry while you can get them. Oooooh, you recognize them because his soles are always red. Of course, they come in a designer box also. I'm not seeing a run on these from my neighborhood.

Vignettes Can Be a Lot of Different Things

People think vignettes have to be a book and a vase of roses or something similar. Not necessarily true, chicks, although that can be quite stunning and original if taken the time to think it out "creatively." It can be anything you want it to be as long as you assemble items in one particular space - a little space with items that evoke emotion is what works best for me. Something pleasing to the eye. I've gone around my home and just photographed some little descriptive vignettes to show as examples.

A pedestal rose plate with bars of fragrant soaps - some hand painted - and some little fizzie bath hearts given to me. They are absolutely sweet smelling and fragrance my guest bathroom.

A stack of white towels in a little pink wire basket. They are in there for guest's immediate pleasure and convenience so as not to have to go rummaging around underneath the cabinets. Just a thought to the comfort of my guests and family. ;-) I have a friend with a teenage boy who is meticulous in his personal grooming and will not use a towel after someone else. So I decided to do this with him in mind. Always a fresh and scented one for that young man. He steals my heart with being so well groomed.

Some little birdhouses on my mantel - one I made and three my friend, Rhea, made. Hers are stunning and I have a lot of items from her - so many, in fact, that I may have to dedicate a room to her! ;-)

Some old vintage rusty finials on my mantel also. I love the patina and rust of these old iron objects. These don't have much verdigris on them but I especially love the verdigris on old copper objects. And, of course, the proverbial "rose" to add to their beauty. If you knew how many roses I have in this house you'd faint. I have several hundred ribbon roses, many silk roses, dozens of paper roses, millinery roses and porcelain roses. I should call this the Rose House. Well, actually some of my friends do call it that.

Starfish that I spray painted pink and sprinkled on german glass glitter. I just love the look of them on the mantle. I love "fluff" everywhere I can arrange to have it.

Even my craft paints and paint swatches from a paint store can be a vignette when arranged on a vintage old shelf with snippets of leftover lace tacked on the shelf. I think you'll have to agree it adds "color" to the place!

As simple as some vintage salt and pepper shakers painted pink and set on the shelf with paints.

Even little sachets scented with fragrance oils lined along another shelf can add not only beauty but a wonderful scent to enjoy in any room. Yes, I actually do this in every single room - living room, family room, baths, office, bedroom......every room. And these certainly add beauty to the room.

And then there are the tops of book cases that aren't really conducive to hold actual book on the top so I just put some vintage sewing drawers with CDs or DVDs in them and little boxes I've tried selling but didn't. So buyers loss is my room's gain! LOL

One of my favorite vignettes is artist paint brushes. I just love seeing all the brushes in a pretty vase or container. These are mine and I would NOT call my self an artist. I call myself a BEGINNER!! ;-)

I have a bowl on my coffee table that has some pink sea shells (I painted them pink) and I love the juxtaposition of them with the roses and faux desserts I have on there. This one below is not in my home but I think it's stunning. Just simple everyday things gathered together in one spot for a lovely vignette. Rocks in a vintage yellow bowl, starfish and old ephemera.

The roses, sea shells, starfish, a wicker basket leaning against a wall, attractive statues, a container of nails and a plate of fruit.

I liked this room when I first saw it and was drawn back to it because of the table vignette near the dormer. I also stack pictures on the floor leaning up against a baseboard. I just love the look of "high" and "low" pictures. Most people hang their pictures too high on a wall. That's fine if there are other pictures below it but the room looks out of whack if all pictures are at one level in a room and that level is 6 feet up the wall. Lower your pictures so that the lowest part of the frame is no more than 46 - 48" from the floor. It will make quite a cozy difference in the look.

Vintage Millinery Rose

There's a blogger called "polkadotrose" and everytime I see the name it reminds me of this rose I made several years ago - probably 5 or 6 now. I love the rose and would wear it but it's glued onto a heart shaped box I made and don't have any more of that ribbon. But isn't it pretty? Well, I think so. ;-)
Then I have this true candy apple red vintage millinery flower that I've had for many years and can't decide what to do with it. Any suggestions? I don't think I'd get very much selling it.

And last, but not least, my practice roses from yesterday. I see some progress! I'm at least to the point of "liking" them now. LOL. I'm almost to the point of trying some on a very small canvas. Leaves and squiggles are much easier, chicks!! ;-)

Roses & Easter Arrived Yesterday!

Oh my gosh, look what arrived in the mail yesterday for me! Some things I ordered but some were just a "gift" from Rhea and what a surprise. Just meander down and take a look!! I was sooooo excited that I forgot to take pictures until I was reminded. I had already hung some of these things on my lattice (thank you, Miss Rhea! :-) ) so I had to take them all down and put them on the kitchen counter to photograph.

First, there are the parchment roses I ordered from Lori and they are lovely.

Then some little millinery "posies" from sweet Rhea. A "bling" C - my initial, some little white plastic hearts, tags, birds and a cupcake.

Would you just look at these sweet chicks?!?! I call all my gals "chicks" because we really a gaggle of chicks!! Hah! Look that word up and it means: informal or disorderly or noisy group of people. Yep, that's us chicks!! Right on the nose!

Another shot of the little tags.

And theeeeennnnnn we have some sweet little birds in their own little white tissue nest. How cute. And notice how sweetly Rhea wraps them. I think I'm gonna take a clue from that and wrap better when I send something.

Now, the sweetest thing of all!!! A non-caloric cupcake (eye candy for us computer people......hah! I love eye candy!! Isn't he too cute? I've named him Mr. Ed - not after the old show by that name but after sweet Rhea's hubby who is not only a hunk but a really sweet guy......according to Rhea, of course, and she would NOT lie about that, trust me!!

And looooook at this cloche!! It's tiny but so adorable. I just love it because of it's tininess and look of fragility. The rose is under there for now but I'm thinking of other things to go under it also. I'm so glad I got it!

When I first opened the package and saw these I thought they were giant lollipops! Oh, be still my heart......candy?!?! So I opened them up and here's what they actually where. Are they not adorable?!?!?!?! Maybe even better than candy because I won't eat these up. Hah!

And just to keep some of you up to date on my office/crafts room this is how far I've gotten in a week or two. Pathetic, huh??? I'm still working on it though.