Spotted Canary Blog

 When the thermometer rises, everyone knows it is flip-flop season.

 One of the least expensive shoes available in the summertime is fabulous flip-flops.

• Many pairs cost $2.50 or less.
• They are available in a rainbow of colors and a variety of styles.
• I prefer the foam flip-flops because of their decorating potential.
• I can create a pair to coordinate with my outfit or as an inexpensive party craft for a summer barbecue.
  
  Let’s add some pizzazz to a new pair of flip-flops or bring some life back into an old pair of flip-flops.
  
  Fluffy Flip-Flops:

This activity is perfect for old or young at heart. I have seen young girls make these darling flip-flops at birthday parties, and I even made myself a pair during a weekend scrapbook crop with friends.

• You will need 1 x 6 inch strips of your favorite fabrics.
• Cut 28 strips per shoe using pinking shears so the fabric won’t unravel.
• Tie each strip onto the strap of the flip-flop for soft and fluffy footwear.
• An additional tip is to use tulle or ribbon for a similar look.
•  Make sure the ribbon doesn’t have wire in it. That might cause ouchy-flops!
  
  Trendy Trims Flip-Flops:

• Use rick-rack trim or sequin trim to create a dazzling pair of flip-flops.
• Simply glue on the trim to the foam base of the flip-flop and then to the strap of the flip-flops.
•  Such a quick and clever look to a basic, inexpensive shoe.
  
  The 3 B’s -- Buttons, Boas, and Bow Ties:

Style your flip-flops with the 3 B’s (buttons, boas, and bow ties).

Whether you are a vintage girl or a modern woman, buttons will add bling to your flip-flops.

• Use old buttons from your grandma’s collection or new, bright buttons that you have been saving in a jar.
• Simply glue or sew your buttons to the strap of the flip-flop.
• It will take approximately 15 buttons depending on the size of the shoe.
• Always start your button design in the center where the two straps meet.
• Think about layering your buttons by placing a large button as the base and a smaller button on top.
  
  To create spa looking flip-flops, use parts from a feather boa. This is such a terrific craft for a girls getaway. Cut the boa in a section to glue to the strap of the flip-flop. If you want an elegant look, use only a small section of boa feathers in the center of the strap and then place rhinestones onto the sides of the straps. You may even want to write the word “Bride” onto the heel of the flip-flop for a wedding gift.

Glorious ribbons and bows make flip-flops shine. When I was in Bermuda, I visited a store that sold flip-flops with ribbon bows in the center where the straps met. The cost -- $30 a pair! I immediately thought – Wow, I can do that!

1. Tie two ribbon bows approximately the same size and secure to the center of the flip-flops’ straps.
2. Place a button on the bow’s knot or wrap the straps with ribbon and then add the bow as an accent.
3. Create dangles using beads and hang them onto the ribbon with a jump ring.

You too can have that Bermuda flip-flop for pennies of the cost.

Bedazzled Gem and Rhinestone Flip-Flops: It seems like I am seeing gems and rhinestones on everything this summer from souvenir T-shirts to cell phone cases, so why not on a pair of flip-flops.

You can glue gems to the straps of a flip-flop or even along the edge of the foam base.

Create patterns with color or sizes of gems on your flip-flops.

 Rhinestones and beads have holes in some of them which allow you to sew them with clear jewelry thread.

 Use pliers and a strong needle to sew through the flip-flop strap.

You may even consider hanging some favorite charms onto your flip flops for added sparkle and bling.

Yummy Yarn Flip-Flops:

• Yarn comes in so many textures and colors which makes it perfect for styling your flip-flops.
• Cut 3 ½ yards of yarn per flip-flop and wrap each strap with it.
• Different types of yarn will create different looks. I love chenille yarn and eyelash looking yarn for flip-flops.
• Use more than one color of yarn to create patterns or layered texture.
  
  If your fashion taste is simple elegance, then try embellishing just the center of the strap.

Here are a few suggestions for creating a special pair of flip-flops:

• Flowers: Silk floral flowers glued to the strap with a large rhinestone center.
• Ribbon: Add bows to the straps. Vary the size of the bow from extra large to 3 mini bows.
• Beads: Sew on a large beaded flower and add beads along the strap
• Fun Foam: Perfect for the little crafter. Simply glue on the shapes and add buttons or sequins.
• Glitter: Paint glue on your straps and glitter away. I just purchased a pair of glitter flip-flops. What was I thinking?
• Fabric: Roll fabric to create rosettes for a lovely pair of floral flip-flops. Cover your straps with fabric.
• Other oddities: Floral butterflies, patches for clothes, game pieces, rubber stamping a design, and painting the flip-flops.

I have even seen people replace the plastic straps on their flip-flops with leather and soft, narrow rope. I am not brave enough to do that but you may be.

I hope you design an inexpensive pair of flip-flops that reflect your personal style.

It always brings me so much pleasure when asked, “Where did you find those flip-flops?”

And I can reply, “I made them!”

Keep cool crafting this summer!

~My Studio Pink (Kara Ward)

Wow, it seems impossible that a whole year has passed since I shared with you my first experience of participating in our annual Chalk Walk! Here we are, back around the calendar to July, and I am happy to announce that I have now had my second experience! My daughter, Abigail and I signed up in early April to once again, spend an entire weekend in the downtown streets of our city, getting extremely dirty and drawing our unique ideas in chalk for the spectators to enjoy.

Since I had so many people contact me after I posted last year, I am taking the opportunity to share not only my daughter’s and my creations, but also many other drawings that were done with you again this year. The rules for the event were as follows:
1.) If you wanted to draw something to enter in the judged contest, the categories were:
      a) Trompe L’Oeil – meaning 3D-Art that appears to pop from the pavement.
      b) Fort Wayne Native American History
      c) Fort Wayne Architecture
      d) Best Reproduction of Artwork relating to Social Realism
      e) People’s Choice
2.) Watered-down water-based Tempra Paint could be used to fill large areas of the pavement.
3.) Subject matter had to be appropriate for spectators – children included.

Abigail decided months ago to fill her 4’ x 4’ square with M&M’s. I thought she did a great job for being 10 years old.

Since she finished her drawing on Saturday, when we returned on Sunday (so I could finish mine), she decided to sign up for another space. Any unclaimed squares were released on Sunday to anyone who wanted to draw. Here’s her second drawing.


Based on the rules and categories, I decided to try my hand at the Trompe L’Oeil this year and use a very recognizable character to all who strolled by. I also decided to try the 8’ x 8’ square instead of the 4’ x 4’ size I did last year. Here is my creation!


Oh, how we love Curious George in our household~ My 3-year old daughter sets her clock by when George is on T.V., and heaven forbid if she ever misses the program! We’re talking the Niagra Falls of tear-tantrums! When I finished, my husband brought her down to see the drawing. Let me just say she went nuts… twice! Once, when she initially saw him and was full of excitement. The second time when she realized we couldn’t “pick him up off the street” and take him home with us! I really had a great time drawing him and watching the progression of the artwork from start to finish. It was a constant parade of people ALL weekend saying, “Hey, look, it’s Curious George!” I was glad that I was doing a good enough job that people knew it was George!




Now that I’ve shared our creations, I will post a peek at some of the other truly AMAZING works that came to life in the street over the fun weekend.



This was incredible in person. It won the People’s Choice Award. This guy did a similar portrait of one of his daughters last year.

These mosaics were so bright, precise, crisp and cheerful to see!

This was a phenomenal rendition of a volleyball! Something so basic made into something so amazing!

This one was for all of the Nintendo Fans!

I thought this was perfect since the weather was so hot – in the 90’s both days! Good thing it was just a drawing so it didn’t melt!


This was a drawing from the Movie Artwork.




This was done for the Native American History Category.



A square full of bubbles! Who thought that this could look so cool on the sidewalk?



This won a Trompe L’ Oeil Award.

Here are a few others that I thought you might like to see!














Who knew that such beautiful pieces of artwork could be created with sidewalk chalk? Because of my fine art background, I have an overwhelming appreciation for every one of these incredible creations!

I did have two major regrets about the weekend, however; one, that I waited a little too long to apply sunscreen to my back and shoulders, so I suffered from a fairly severe sunburn that will surely begin peeling soon, and two, that I’m not in better shape! I spent the best part of two days on my knees with my lower legs tucked underneath me, and the muscles in my upper thighs were so stretched and sore that I really could barely walk, let along sit or stand without major pain! So, in preparation for next year, I shall begin a concentrated exercise program and stock up on the sunscreen!

If you would like to see more from this event, you can check out our local Museum of Art Website in the next couple of weeks. By then, they should have most of the photos posted for viewing. http://www.fwmoa.org/section/53/Chalk-Walk

Hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it! Be sure to look for summer festivals in your neck of the woods—you never know what kind of arts and crafts you may stumble upon or choose to be a part of!

Happy Summer~
Karen (Kabby)