Are you someone who has a big weakness for sneakers? Or who is really passionate about creative stamping and lettering? Perhaps fascinated with shoe art and wondering how to do it the fun and easiest way?
Hurray! We’re on the same wavelength! And you have come to the right place. Today’s DIY blog is for you.
Hello DIY’ers! My name is Didith from KnickKnacks Creative. “Inktober” is here and this month’s theme is just as exciting and is perfect for my dream of doodling something inky on a pair of canvas shoes.
I love wearing comfy sneakers and espadrilles. We’ve seen others making lovely art on them. Isn’t that trend so cool? So I thought it would be great, too, to create my own design. Something that’s very “me” and one-of-a-kind.
And certainly, I would love to share with you how it turned out. Huge thanks to Pretty Paper Studio. We crafters are able to virtually connect as we share tips and techniques on making pretty little things for ourselves.
Soooo… Let’s start this creative gig!
Step 1. Prepare the following materials.
‘Handmade with Love’ Clear Stamp Set
Apple Pie Memories Acrylic Stamp Block
Ranger Archival Mini Ink Pad Kits- Kit 3
Stained By Sharpie Fabric Markers
3M Company Scotch Safe-Release Painter’s Masking Tape
Plaid Mod Podge Matte (Optional)
Some old newspapers
A pencil
A pair of canvas shoes
Step 2. Sketch a favorite quote.
Using a pencil, I lightly sketched an inspiring quote.
Since I am not into traveling lately, not even deliberately doing a few minutes walk around our neighborhood, I’d like to remind myself that there’s something about wandering.
Research says that because traveling exposes us to new experiences and new ideas, it can increase our levels of creativity. And so I chose, “Wander often. Wonder always.” to letter on. So short and sweet, isn’t it?
Step 3. Start that creative and fun lettering.
This was actually my first attempt to use a brush tip marker on a fabric. Stained by Sharpie for the win! Writes thin. Writes thick. No fuss. No mess.
I stuffed the shoes with crumpled newspapers for easy writing on the outside.
Step 4. Cover the midsole with 3M Painter’s Masking Tape.
Using my trusty 3M Painter’s Tape, I taped off the shoes’ midsole portion or area that I wouldn’t want to get inked.
Step 5. Start stamping art out.
Apparently, if you have read my last month’s photo tutorial, or have been following my stamp projects on Instagram, I am having a love affair with this floral stamps from “Handmade with Love” Clear Stamp Set. It was beautifully designed by our very own Design Team co-member, Anjali from The Letters of an Architect. Her stamps a re too versatile and functional and I really can’t get enough of them.
This time, I removed the newspaper fillings to put equal pressure from beneath the shoe canvas by inserting my fingers inside as I pressed on the block. I dabbed the stamps with Ranger Archival Ink Pads which have acid-free, permanent, waterproof, rich and chunky ink colors of tangelo, yellow, chartreuse and blue.
As expected, I enjoyed the stamping so much! Believing that I was about to create a masterpiece by spreading these florals and leaves all over the canvas shoes.
Step 6. Fill empty spaces with more floral and leaves embellishments.
Once the stamping was done, there came visibly small areas that were left unfilled. And for that, I was back to using Stained by Sharpie fabric markers to doodle a little more pretty elements to complete the embellishment.
Step 7. Remove the 3M Tape.
That feeling of peeling off the painter’s tape. Another handmade creation was all set to get unveiled.
Step 8. Seal and Chill.
Tadaaa! A unique and Didith-ish kind of kicks were just created. There is simply nothing else like them. I personally love and excited to go out wearing them.
Oh by the way, as far as sealing them goes, I chose not to seal them at all. Because both the Archival Inks and Sharpies are labeled as waterproof and fade resistant. And so I could only trust these brands a lot. But if you still opt to protect your project from extreme weather conditions, you may consider spreading on a Mod Podge Matte all across the shoes.
I hope you enjoyed this DIY photo tutorial and I hope you give it a try!
Furthermore, we at Pretty Paper Studio Design Team look forward to seeing your own DIY “Inktober” projects and experiences. Please do share your projects with us by posting them on social media using the hashtags
#ppsuae #prettypaperstudio #madewithppsuae.
You may also tag me on Instagram and/or Facebook. I would be happy to see your wonderful creations.
Until our next handmade project. Create with us. Create with love.
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Hey! You can join the Pretty Paper Studio Monthly Challenge through the following easy steps:
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Create a project with this month’s theme in mind.
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Upload your project photo to “October 2018 Challenge” Photo Album in the Pretty Paper Studio Facebook Group.
