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Hey all! I'm taking a little break from the crochet world to bring you this cool little DIY. While perusing the shoes at Walmart recently I came across these cute little plain jane sneakers that looked similar to Keds.

My psycho creative brain went into overdrive as I wondered what I could possibly do to make those things look cute and personalize them. I thought if I could take these $6 (!!) shoes and make them fab, I could have a cool new pair of kicks for the summer. And they'd be made by me! Which, makes them about 100% cooler.

So I grabbed them, and headed home to find some inspiration. I had plenty of images of floral designs I had in mind, so I decided painting these shoes was the way to go. Plus it'd be a fun adventure.

So I grabbed my paints, and practiced a bit on paper, what the design would look like. I started out thinking I wanted a white background, but then experimented with the cream color you see on them now and decided I had to paint them that color!

For the shoes I used various paints. I had a paint sample I bought from Lowes some time back, and that's what I used for the background. For the flowers I just used good ol' cheap acrylic paints you can get from the craft store. Basically just stuff I had lying around.

The paint colors were:
Valspar Color Sample in "Bread Basket"
Rustoleum Color Sample in "Blossom White"
Apple Barrel in "Black' and "Cloudless"
Americana in "Black Forest Green" and "Coral Blush"

For brushes, I made sure to use a stiff-bristled brush when painting the background color, it also had a straight edge so I could get up against the soles nicely. I also used two different sizes of fine-tipped brushes for the flowers and leaves. Just cheap ones from Hobby Lobby.

If you don't live near a WalMart there are also some cheap ones over on Amazon you can find here.

So like I said, I first went after it with the cream color and my coarse bristle brush, making sure to get a good coat on there and cover all the white fabric. Also if you get paint on the sole, no biggie, just swipe it off with your nail-- that's what I did!

Then after letting those dry for maybe an hour or so, I got my stuff ready for the flowers. I used a folded up piece of paper for a palette, but you could use anything.

I put about a quarter-size glob of the coral and white paint on my palette and then started in on the flowers.

I went in first with the white with my brush and kinda loosely formed the shape of the flower. I left the paint thicker in some places, so it added some texture.

Next (while the white paint was still wet--this is key) I went in, just using the same brush, and added in some of the coral. I just added some here and there, kind of swirling it in making sure not to mix it too much or you'll get a muddled mess. I wanted there to be distinct details of both the white and the coral while also having the "mixed color" of the two in there also. I think it's important to note that I am definitely not neat about how I do the flowers, it's kinda just swirl it around until it looks good. If it got too muddled, then I'd grab a glob of white or coral and go at it again.

Then I just painted a smaller flower about a half an inch away from the first, using the same technique. I'd do a couple of flowers at a time, all varying in size, so I could work with wet paint.

I made sure to put some "half flowers" on the edges to make it look more natural.

Then I just continued around both the shoes with the flowers. Ain't they pretty??

Next up was the leaves. Again, I put some little globs of the black, green, and light blue color on my palette and got my finer tipped brush.

For the flowers I did kind of the same technique for the flowers: I formed the shape of the leaves I wanted with my black paint first.

Then I took the dark green color and added just a tad to the black. Almost layering it on top of the black some.

Then came the light blue color. I blended in the blue on top and at the end of the leaves. Which by the way I was using the same brush. Not caring too much about the colors mixing. Just like the flowers, if the color got too muddled, I would grab a glob of whatever color was lacking and go back in with it, trying not to mix too much.

Then I just continued the same process around the shoe, putting a couple leaves around each flower. Some of the smaller flowers I would put one leaf. I didn't want it to be too crowded.

Do that with both your sneaks, and you've got the most precious floral design (made by you!!).

As far as sealing them goes, I just chose not to seal them at all. If you wanted to you could spray some Scotch Guard or even Mod Podge outdoor grade. I just didn't find it necessary, just cause!

And there you have it, after your shoes dry rock those cute thangs! They're adorable. I personally love them, and now I want to make more. ha!

I hope you enjoyed this DIY! Get out there and make yourself some cute sneaks!

-Meg

Hello, hello. And happy Tuesday! Today I've gathered some of the coolest and cutest crochet projects you can make this warm weather season. Which is kind of funny, because as I type this we are recovering from a wicked blizzard that had us out of power for a couple of days. I think we got somewhere around 17 inches of snow. Crazy, right?!

But it's all melting quite quickly, and the forecast has provided some hope (70's... ahhhh).

Anywho, I've noticed multiple people asking over on a couple of crochet groups I'm a part of about what to make during the summer months, because it's not as common to crochet during the hot season. If you asked me a couple of years ago, I would have just said I don't even pick up a crochet hook in the summer. I was just so turned off to crocheting, and couldn't possibly imagine making anything while it's 90 degrees outside. But now that I'm blogging and delving more into the world of crochet, I see so much potential for warm weather projects. Like I would almost go as far as I prefer the projects to the winter season (gasp!).

Below you'll find just a few of the possibilities you can undertake this summer. There really is so much you can do, get creative! And did I mention all the patterns are free? Yep, bonus!

P.S. The last two are found here on my blog :)

First is this awesome bag designed by Persia Lou. I love the boho-ness and simplicity of it! You can find the pattern here.

This pillow is a real gem. I like the design and it seems like it'd be the perfect weekend project. Find it here.

These little headbands are pretty adorable. And not to mention warm weather-friendly! I think it's brilliant that they incorporated a pony tail in the back. Find the pattern here.

I included this adorable giraffe set, because it would be a great project for a baby shower, and would work for either boy OR girl. I really like the little giraffe lovey. CUTE! Find the pattern here.

Now this basket is super cool. It looks simple n' easy. My kinda basket! Find it here.

Ain't this dress awesome?? Find the pattern here.

I had to include another dress because this one is just adorable. It's kinda more of a "tunic" but it's perfect for summer. You could even throw it on over your swimsuit! Find it here.