Monday, August 22, 2011

Shoe Box Canvases

You Can Fly on shoe box lid
 Back to School inevitably means new shoes in our house. As I was taking some of the empty boxes down to the recycle bin...I stopped and thought, wait a second...these lids could pass as canvases. I love transforming normally useless things into something meaningful. Not to mention that I love making something fabulous for hardly any cost (which means besides loving art blogs...I obsess over home, craft, & DIY blogs. This is exactly why laundry does not get done while my little Love naps!). I have a project list that runs down the block & new art for the walls is top priority. 
So I thought, why don't I just cover these with gesso and give it a try. 



I am glad I did. I painted a cute little bird canvas for my daughter's room (we are slowly decorating with a bird theme) and started another. The second "canvas" is the beginnings of something abstract. We'll see how it turns out. :)

WIP Abstract box top
 So for pennies, you can create a little something to brighten up your walls and make recycling artsy. They would be great canvases for kids to create on too. My daughter is always asking to paint on my stash of canvases. I could prep a bunch of these and have them ready for her. 
AND... what a great reason to get some new shoes. Maybe I'll try that one on my hubby. :) Do you think he will go for it? 
"No, really Babe. I needed these shoes...look at that box!" 
Hmmmm.... :)

Happy, Happy Monday!

11 comments:

  1. Hello Jen, there are instances that I just leave the shoe boxes to the shop when I buy shoes. I sometimes feel that shoe boxes are useless stuff at home. But as they say, a creative mind can turn everything to a piece of beauty. Great idea from you, it just takes a talent and creativity from people like you to turn everything beautiful :) Have a great day!

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  2. Brilliant idea! I can't wait to try that! Ha! Funny thing...every time I throw away a peanut butter jar lid, I think: This could be something! You've inspired me to think a bit more about it!

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  3. What a great idea.. these look great.. so fun.. will have to check around for shoe boxes now..lol

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  4. Love your fab recycling artsy idea!
    What a cute little birdie canvas!
    My shoeboxes usually end up in the recycling bin too, and guess what we are shopping for 'back to school' shoes tommorrow! ;)
    So thanks for the inspiration :)
    Jan x

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  5. What an excellent idea--and also for your daughter--you can create together all the time without worry about expense (except for all of the new shoes that you and her are going to be getting :)

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  6. Great idea! These are beautiful! Shoe Shopping is now an organizational necessity...

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  7. That is a great reason to get new shoes! lol So cute... I love the backgrounds! :)

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  8. Hi Jen, thanks for stopping by my new blog. I knew I wasn't the only one who hates to part with shoe boxes. Fun idea.

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  9. Uh, yeah. This is fabulous! And I JUST THIS MORNING thew out several new shoe boxes from Kendra's stash - LOVE this idea (may have to go dig them out ;). This would be the coolest submission for Stampington's Create with Me - the new mag about making art for/with kids - just sayin' . . . Thanks for the sweet note too - Big glasses it is! xoxo

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  10. This is such a great idea, I love it!! We definitely have to do this, my kids would love to art up their own boxes, too!
    ~Scarlett

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  11. I crazy love these too! Apparently all of your art is just my style----sighhh it just makes me so happy! Someday maybe I will be able to buy an original!

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