Christmas Kicks

Here is a step by step guide on how to up-cycle some old sneakers using tissue paper and fabric transforming them into a pair of original wearable masterpieces

I made these as a christmas gift for a friend

• An old pair of sneakers, high tops, or canvas shoes
• A couple plastic grocery bags or Bubble wrap
• Masking Tape Tissue Paper / Fabric in design of choice
• Thin paint brush
• Mod podge sparkle
• Glitter
• Foam paint brushes
• Roll of self adhesive clear book-covering vinyl film
• Craft Knife (like X-Acto)
• Mod podge fabric
• Scissors

1. Remove laces
2. Clean the shoe thoroughly using washing-up liquid and dish brush
3. Dry thoroughly

TIP: Push a plastic bag or bubble wrap into the toe area of the shoe to help give it stability

• Cover the edges/sides of the soles of the shoes with masking tape.
• Repeat piece by piece, with each piece slightly overlapping the piece before it.

• Using scissors or a craft knife cut out the pictures on tissue paper you wish to use

• I choose the penguin, polar bear and some geometric style mountains.

• Experiment with design elements to determine the layout of your piece.

• Apply a base coat of Mod Podge to the shoe surface using foam applicator
• Place your item(s) to be decoupaged on top of the Mod Podge.
• Smooth out wrinkles with dry clean foam applicator
• Keep smoothing until all of the bubbles are removed.
• IMPORTANT, let your project dry for 15 – 20 minutes
• Don’t put a top coat on right away.

• Add a top coat of Mod Podge sparkle to your project using a sponge applicator.
• Allow to dry and then repeat.
• The number of coats you finish with is up to you, but I recommend at least two.

• Cut a piece of sticky back plastic approx 20CM X 20CM from roll
• Remove backing
• place over sneaker toe and use a sharpie to draw on plastic the shape needed in fabric
• Remove from shoe and place plastic onto desired fabric for toe
• Cut fabric along black sharpie line to exact size to cover toe
• apply fabric modge podge to toe of shoe
• place fabric on shoe in position and smooth any creases

• Use Christmas ribbon as shoelaces