Our goals when off are to really not do chore-type of things, so there's been lots of reading, listening to music, catching up on telly/Netflix, and board gaming. Great times!
My first outfit of the staycation is from our weekly grocery shop - we figured a Monday would be a good time, but forgot about the noon rush. Oh, well! 
These are the same last/sole/foot shape as my recently purchased Mellow Bebop metallic pink boots (these here).
I made an effort to get dressed, but let's not get carried away. A dress is nice and easy for being in public.
I call this my Coffee Ring dress.
Doesn't it look like I've set down a few too many drippy cups on it?
Bare legs plus wee cotton shorts.
It felt good to get my sandals on again! It's such a short window of warm weather to wear them here.
With a jacket so that I'm not chilled in the store.
I had a lovely chat with an employee in the bread aisle over hair colour. Go for purple! Life is short!
Incognito.
I made an effort again to actually carry a purse - this one's a clutch I bought a while back and haven't used.
The stuff:
These sandals are 7 years old this year! Still as comfy as ever.
- Macramé/faux tortoiseshell clutch purse - vintage 80s, thrifted; purchased for $6.95 (can't actually find when I bought this!)
- Fabric flower - can't remember
- Gold/pink stone cuff - D'Orlan, vintage 70s, vintage mall
- Enameled cuff - Lauren G. Adams, consignment
- Venetian glass necklace/earrings - Venice, 2016, gift from L
And now that I'm finished with L's jacket, I'm champing at the bit to get going on some of my Art Projects that have been stalled for the past two years!
Art Project: Neon Fluevogs
These beauties are called the Mellow Bossa Nova, and I've had them since I bought them on clearance for $99.00 back here in January 2020, and while I've worn them several times (enjoy the links below), the neon orange is poorly done and has scuffed badly. What to do? Cover those scuffs!
Here's how I've worn them:
- June 2023 - Creamsicle Bookends
- August 2022 - Neon Bookends (sensing a theme...)
- May 2022 - Zebra Jumpsuit (and a neon jacket - sold them both)
- July 2022 - Neon Bookending Olive (I like this combo)
- May 2021- Black Suiting (my coworker Jess bought this suit)
- August 2020 - Neon Pirate (the only wearing of those pants)
- June 2020 (2nd outfit) - Giant Marimekko Skirt
- April 2020 - More Neon Bookends (yes, same shirt!)
- February 2020 (5th outfit) - Bookending Orange (same shirt!)
So, here's what we're starting with. Neon shoes - which never quite photographs right, so just add a neon filter to your vision here, folks.
The toes have just gotten worse with every wear, with the orange colour flaking off.
I tried to Liquid Paper over and colour it with an orange highlighter. That...did not work.
The other toe also has this damage, plus another spot midway up the foot.
The leather is very fragile and just looking at it scuffs it! So annoying!
This calls for a complete artsy cover-up, similar to what I did with my thrashed Pink Freedom Sukis that I covered with design to disguise the scrapes and marks (here).
I knew I wanted to do a floral theme, to almost completely cover the neon orange. The first thing with coloured leather is to see how my felts work on it.
My testing area is underneath one of the layers on the top of the shoe. The arrows are pointing at the colours I liked best, which will be a mix of pink, purple, red, yellow, orange and a couple of greens for leaves.
I started a little journal book to keep track of my plans, including the numbers of the pens, so that I remember which is which - they look very different on paper than on the shoe.
I enjoyed the lovely sunshine and warmth on the deck. I really missed my little furry helper...
I learned from my previous shoes to mirror my pattern overall so that one shoe doesn't end up looking lopsided. Planning is key!
I used a watercolour orange pen to choose where the centres of the flowers will be on the shoes (the watercolour pen wipes off easily). Once I had one shoe done, I copied it on the other side. No coincidence that I planned a bloom over those horrendously scraped toes!
I scratched the Liquid Paper off, and cleaned them up as much as I could.
Now, draw a circle around each of those dots - that's where the flowers will be.
I want some leaves to break up the flowers, so those also need to be planned out, or I'll forget about them.
I can now Zentangle/draw around the leaves and they'll look more intentional and cohesive.
And...GO!
One shoe started! I love how this looks - it will be all red/pink/orange/purple tones when it's done. It's a lovely thing to do just to Zen out, and let my brain go. I never regret time spent on this - it's so good for my mental health.
Those shoes are going to be amazing. Not just Fluevogs but unique Fluevogs! I'd be terrified of getting the placement wrong, but your design looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mim, and so good to see you! Planning helps tremendously, and while there are ALWAYS mistakes, that's one of the best things - I learn to let those go and just roll with it. No one will see them but me.
DeleteWhoa and Wow! I continue to marvel at the precision of your lines. Is there some type of spray that will protect the art that can be applied when the shoes are completed?
ReplyDeleteI think the spirit of Vizzini shines on your deck. 🐈⬛❤️
Cheers, Laurie
PS Yikes, I skipped a comment on the coffee ring outfit! My immediate thought was ‘how dressy and classy all to go food shopping :)’ And my second thought: ‘pure Sheila in the best of all possible ways :)’ Here’s to a vacation filled with rest, relaxation, rejuvenation and whatever suits your fancy!
I never do protectant on my leather projects. They do fade a bit over time, but otherwise the ink is permanent and even water doesn't hurt it. I agree, the spirit of Vizzini lurked while I worked, Laurie.
DeleteNo worries! Thank you!
I love that you dressed up for grocery shopping, and the coffee ring dress is absolutely perfect for the job!
ReplyDeleteAnd wow, those shoes are going to be stunning! xxx
I try to do this on the regular, but sometimes I get lazy and wear my velour tracksuit (L calls this my "Mob Wife" look). Thank you, Ann!
DeleteWow! I admire your DIY ingenuity. Restoring old Fluevogs ought to be done more often and by more collectors; they're art worthy of the effort.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ally, my dear friend. I've seen lots of Fluevog fans doing art on the shoes like this - I recall one pair that was COVERED in coloured crystals!
DeleteThe coffee ring dress! How apropos for food shopping (or brunch)! And the Floralization of the Fluevogs is spectacular (or Fun, if I’m being truly alliteration-y, haha). I can’t wait to see your vision realized! I hope your staycation is everything wonderful :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAhhh, I'm reading backwards so hadn't seen the before of those incredible shoes - I think Mr Fluevog needs to give you a job! xxx
ReplyDeleteHa, I don't even get discounts! I love turning an old unwearable pair into a piece of art. Thank you, Vix!
DeleteWho's a pretty girl? You are. I like the black jacket with the dress. Tones it down a bit.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
I know it looks black, but it's a dark denim. Thank you, Greetje!
DeleteLooking lovely in that 'coffee rings dress' (great naming, as usual!) and those Wonders shoes (aren't they comfy?, I'm a huge fan of that brand!)
ReplyDeleteAlso a huge fan myself of those orange shoes, so I'm glad that you're starting a project on them, it looks really Amazing!. I'm catching up on blogs, so now I'm going to see next steps!
besos
I love Wonders! There are only a couple of places here that carry them, and they tend not to bring in the wackier styles/colours that I like.
DeleteThank you! I'm enjoying them!