The Alternative Glass Slipper...

Good Morning and Welcome to La-De-Dah!
It seems the weekend has yet again bid us farewell...so I'll start the new week and challenge theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show with some Steampunk shoe shenanigans as we dive into a Tim Idea-ology Bonzanza! Don't ask me why, but most of my ideas come to mind when I'm swimming...and once a thought creeps in, I have trouble letting it go. So "Hmm, I could try a shoe..." got me this time. I stalked down a pair of fab platforms on eBay, sprayed the shoe with copper metallic paint and spent a few hours just looking at it! I find the best way to start is to imagine the mood and well,  just start...

I covered the platform in Grungepaper which I embossed with Tim's Steampunk folder and inked up with Vintage Photo. I added washers a strip of embossed Memory Foil Tape and then glued on a series of Hitch Fastener tops.

 Then I set about adding some metal 'armour'  cladding grunged with my fave Alcohol Inks...

I used Copper metal from Ten Seconds Studio all embossed as before. Measuring up was a fiddly job. Alas, I'm no architect like Laura Dennison... I pressed a sheet of paper against the shoe, creasing along the joins to get a rough template of the shoe shape, cut my metal slightly bigger and then faffed, formed and fiddled from there. I finished the metal edges with my Ten Seconds Studio tools.

I added eyelets with my Crop a Dile Big Bite and glued on my metal. I swear I dropped every eyelet during the make and had to hunt each one down as I was running low. Grrr! I was also having major doubts about the whole project and walked away a few times. Enter the joy of Idea-ology! I put the shoe aside and worked on two features for the front and back. The toe is adorned with a Timepiece, a Spinner, Regal Wings, an Ornate Plate, Foliage and Sprockets! Pile it on...

This is my favourite shot... On the heel I used  another Timepiece, Regal wings and crown and a Locket. I coloured them all with Alcohol inks before gluing them all together with Glossy Accents, letting them dry overnight.
Whilst that was happening I dabbled with the Ball Chain trying out different looks and also glued a length along the shoe edge.

 Here's a shot of the inner side which more or less mirrors the outer side. This was very fiddily as it was more rounded and caused a few deep sighs... A close-up of some more findings including a Muse Token.

I just keep putting different pieces together, playing around, to see what worked... (for me!)

I wanted to bring back the Grungepaper so I created some studded straps layered up with Copper Tape on the heel.Once these were in place I could glue on the main pieces I had prepared. I suspended a Swivel Clasp from the locket and hung a key on the end... The heel tip was real fun. I removed the original one and replaced it with a Sprocket and Hitch Fastener! You can also see more Idea-ology and a few washers on the sole.

I painted the inside with my Gold and Copper Dabbers as the lining didn't take the spray paint. I used the original insole as it was such a good fit. I glued on various Chip Block letters and numbers, covered them with Ranger Metal Foil and then used a paper stump to refine the letters before doing my Alcohol ink splodge thing. I had lots of Hitch fastener bases left so I used them to 'stud' the sole! A final wrap and drape of Ball Chain and a fanfare. Done!!!

ldea-ology - the Science of Ideas methinks... Pile 'em up, on and all over or just use a few for that metal accents. Words, papers, findings, die-cuts... inspiration galore. Take a look the wonderfully creative makes from my Teamies and check out  the whole Idea-ology range here. Feast your eyes on the new generation of goodies about to hit the stores!!!

It was a battle of wills, eyelets and patience this week, but just like a long run, you gotta keep your eye on the goal and the feeling of accomplishment once you hit the home straight...

I could strut down to the Supermarket...but seeing as I've only made one and am now six months pregnant...maybe not. A hop along podge pudding...Not exactly the height of glamour. I'll leave that up to the Oscars Red Carpet. Seeing as it's a one-off wearable, I'm going to hop over to Grungy Monday too. Thanks for being here and still being awake! Gotta run (well,waddle). Sarah.