Shoe Mold Designs, If the Shoe Fits~

I just love vintage shoe molds!

Many of you who follow my blog, know, my great grandfather designed shoes in Italy.

When he came to this country with his large family, his wife, 4 girls and 2 boys, he carried many shoe molds to continue his work to support his crew.

 

  I am blessed to own several molds that my grandmother gave to me and I cherish them for they represent the hard work and care my great grandfather sacrificed to support the ones he loved.

 The molds he worked with are displayed in my home in their original form.

I love seeing the nicks and dents, scratches and wear from years of use.

 I would never paint these from great grandpa, but I have painted and designed many found molds over the years.

 Molds for Christmas tree ornaments and larger styles for desk accents holding pens and business cards. Even bookends work well with these old treasures.

My Dear friend Ann, from Ann's Finds and I, were talking about the molds while shopping in one of our favorite antique markets, when we saw a "high heel" shoe mold sitting on the checkout desk for customers to use, write with the pen and take a card.

 

 

The high heeled molds are most unusual and hard to find today and the one we saw was designed into a desk holder for pen and business cards.

 Of course we just loved it and I mentioned to Ann how much I would love to find a high heeled mold sometime to create something special for a desk accessory.

Anyway, long story short,

 Ann was at an estate sale and found not one, but two molds shaped in the high heel style. She got them both and brought them to me to style.

  Now the one we saw in the antique market, had a high heel glued on from a vintage high heel. 

So I began to shop the local thrift stores in search of a skinny high heel pair of shoes to design the two molds.

 

 I did come across a size 7AAA  shoe with lots of bling and straps in black. I checked out the heel and could see this one could be taken apart to use and also the bling from the shoe would be an extra bonus.

Did you notice the shape of the mold?

Very rare and hard to find.

 

 

 Molds like this can never stand on their own without a heel or pedestal.

 

This pic below is the shoe I found. Perfectly chic!!

Now this is the best part.

 I bought the slinky shoes for just 5 dollars, brought them home and they fit the molds perfectly.

 I'm not kidding, I couldn't believe it. It was like the molds could have been used to design these shoes.

 

 

So I didn't have to remove the heel, but could use the whole shoe as is and embellish it for the desk accessory we both wanted.

This first mold was created for my desk using some extra gemstones, feathers, pen and business cards.

The next pictures are the mold for Ann with more bling, black feathers, leopard print ribbon, gemstone pen and blingy buttons.

This was so much fun and really looks great on the desk.

Thank you Ann for finding these rare molds.

My great grandpa would love it.

 He may be the reason I love shoes so much.

 It's in the genes. LOL~~~

 

Have a great last day of May.

 

Smiles,

Celestina Marie

TV Cabinet Makeover

When I had my booth in an antique mall several years ago,

I came across this awesome Ethan Allen

TV cabinet for our master bedroom.

This piece was a great price and in excellent like new condition.

 

With it's original dark walnut wood this piece was a gorgeous find with plenty of

storage space in the drawers and drop down desk.

 

I knew I would paint it at some point and that time came last year when we gave this room and bath a makeover.

 

Original cabinet.

 

Staring with brush in hand, I hand painted and distressed the cabinet with a flat water based paint.

The color is pecan sandie, the same paint I used in the laundry makeover.

This cabinet seemed to come alive with it's brighter finish.

 

The TV doors are lined with a mesh metal covering.

These can be covered with fabric and I have done that

at one time too.

 

I left the crown original and you will see why in a minute.

Now to the drop down desk, where you see my initials,

I decided to add a graphic.

 

Using a Tracer Projector,

I picked a graphic from the Graphics Fairy

and centered it in place using the projector.

 

With the lights in the room off or very low,

the design will show up on your project to be decorated.

 

Here's the projection

 and enlarged to the size I want

by setting the Tracer at a distance to achieve that size.

 

 

At this point I lightly trace over the design with a pencil.

 

Once the design is complete, I hand paint the design with black acrylic paint.

 

Here is the completed painting.

 

 

With the cabinet open for TV viewing.

 

 

Across the room is the bed and dresser with wood tone top.

This is why I left the cabinet crown dark.

 

I never like to have everything totally matchy, so I do have accent pieces in this space as well.

 

The bed quilt at the foot of the bed is reversible with black and cream stripes on one side

and toile shells and beach theme on the other.

 

The window above the bed has always been a challenge to work with

and the room can't  be moved a different way due to the door going out to the patio.

So I raised the window treatment and rods higher above the window to cover the window completely then

adding the iron header and side vintage arches under the sconces.

 Finally a solution for these

eyebrow windows.

The room still has lots of light from 4 more windows and door in the sitting area to the right.

 

 

I also painted the sky on the ceiling and clouds.

It is nice to wake up to the sky above.

 

 

The room  shares space with the master bath

which also got a makeover and lighter look.

 

Well, that's it~

I decorated both with back toile and cream adding aqua for the summer months.

 

The before and after Ethan Allen cabinet

with the help of a little paint and french label.

 

For the Tracer projector,

I got mine at Hobby Lobby.

 

This one was about 29.99 and I used my 40% off coupon.

It takes a 75 watt light bulb, not included .

 

With some practice and experimenting with positioning,

you can trace nearly anything.

 

You could also use a sharpie pen to fill in the design.

I love the paint process

and find it relaxing.

 

Have a great day.

 

Joining~

Make it Pretty Monday

The Graphics Fairy

Give Me the Goods Monday

Tuesdays At Our Home

 

Happy Creating.

Smiles,

Celestina Marie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Remembering ~ Memorial Day 2013

In Remembrance and honor to those brave men and women who have served our country to keep us free and to those that continue to sacrifice each and every day for America,

we give our heartfelt thankfulness.

As we celebrate our nations hero's, let us give thanks for their military dedication and safety. We can never be thankful enough to those that serve America, but we can lift our prayers for them each and everyday. When you see a military person, take a moment and say thank you. The encouragement will honor them as they realize people care and remember.

My Father Joseph, fought for this country in WWII on

 Omaha Beach in Normandy France.

 He used to say, "I wouldn't give you a nickle for my experiences, but, I wouldn't sell them for a million dollars either"

Words from a proud and glad to serve, American! I dedicate this Memorial Day to him and the bravery he carried as he jumped off the ship and swam to land on Omaha Beach with his fellow soldiers. God was with him that day as he ran forward to defend America.

When I saw the movie, Saving Private Ryan, I realized for the first time, what he must have faced that day. I thought, Wow Dad needs to see this movie. Then I realized, he doesn't need to see this, He was there! It just gave me chills.

Whatever your long weekend plans, enjoy, be safe and REMEMBER!

Happy Memorial Day

Hugs,

 

Celestina Marie

Cabinet Door For Decor~

You know I am never done decorating, changing things and adding details.

Some time ago, I was traveling in Arkansas and stopped at a wonderful

flea market and found these great cabinets doors for sale.

They are perfect for signs, paintings and inspiration boards

with the frame built right in.

I sold many designed with paintings, French graphics and roses,

so I thought I would keep one for myself to place above my kitchen cabinets. An area I continue to work on and let evolve.

First, I painted this treasure a cottage white and added an enlarged

french graphic using the blender pen transfer method, shared HERE,

followed by filling in a bit to darken with a Sharpie Pen.

The graphic is courtesy of

THE GRAPHICS FAIRY

Since this is to be displayed up high, it needed to be darker.

See the smaller graphic? ~ this antiqued version was the inspiration for the look, yet leaving it light enough to be seen from the floor.

Next I began to antique the background and darken the framed edge.

Using acrylic paint in burnt umber and water, working quickly and applying with a soft cloth.

You can apply an extender medium to the paint for a longer work time if you have never done this. All these supplies are inexpensive

and available at most craft centers.

The color goes right over the words and then I float a bit more

color around the high points and edges.

Sand for a bit of distress and age.

To the framed area I darkened it  with the umber

and added black to the edge.

I also had some scroll appliques in my stash,

so I added those to the sides and top of the graphic.

Here it is in the new spot above the cabinets in my kitchen.

Notice I took off the door to the plate cabinet and painted the inside cottage cream.

It gave the room a larger feel and displays my toile style dishes.

This area is my message center by the phone, mail holder and flat screen.

The wall color is Heirloom Lace, a custom color from Behr.

Across the room above the fridge area is the Menu tray I shared

HERE.

Do you think, I might paint these cabinets too?

Still deciding, to paint or not???

I do think leaving them the wood tone gives the center of my home an anchor.

But, I've been known to change my mind when it comes to redesign. LOL

The chandelier is on a dimmer and I have added glass crystal drops

with crystal garland. So pretty in the evening with the lights dimmed.

From a plain cabinet door~

To a French Graphic Display.

If you come across these doors, don't pass them up,

they are great to create with.

Have creating and see you next time.

Smiles,

Celestina Marie