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WELCOME!

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I'll be seeing you!


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

VICTORIAN STYLE FLAT SHOE BOX

Hello, everyone!!!  Hope all's well!   I'm back with another monthly DT project I did for over at Pam's that I hope you'll  like.

First, don't you just hate when you see and are inspired by a project but you can't do it because you don't know how it was done; can't find any directions, cut files, or patterns for it?  Well, I've been seeing this flat victorian shoe project (sometimes being used as a box) all over the internet, loved it and couldn't find any directions for it.  So, the last time I saw one, I really looked at it and decided it didn't look difficult at all and that I could probably make my own version of a cut.file and pattern.  I did and I'll be sharing it with you -- as always!  Here it is:

Although this tutorial is picture heavy, this project is really simple and easy -- you'll see once you've done it.

The materials I used for the shoe box:

1 - 12"x12" sheet heavy cardstock (for shoe's main sole, backstrap, and front top cover)
1-   6" x 10" sheet of white scrap cardstock (for bottom sole cover)
Aleene's Thick Designer Tacky Glue

I began by cutting the two page cut.file pattern pieces (main sole, backstrap, top front sole cover, and bottom sole cover) from my cut file:




To start I began with the long narrow strip (the backstrap) from the first page cut.file.  I scored it along the straight edge about 1/4" in, bone-folded it along the scored edge, and then snipped cuts all the way across the length of the fold up to the score line.  See the pictures below for examples:



I then located the dart near the middle of  the main sole, this one:


This dart is where I started gluing the backstrap along the edge and around the back (the rounded edge) of the main sole until it reached the dart on the other side.  I made sure the sole was glued on the top of the scoreline on the backstrap and the slitted tabs were glued to the bottom.  See picture below for example:


I then folded in the tabs on the shoe's top cover and glued it, just along the edges, to the upper/top portion (the pointed end) of the main sole and glued the tabs beneath the main sole.   EXCEPT:  do not glue the cover to the sole along the scalloped top edge as this will be the opening pocket for your shoe/box:


After I glued on the backstrap and cover, this is what the shoe looked like (I added the scissors so that you can see the open pocket -- and where you don't want to glue.  (Remember, glue along the edges only):


This is what the shoe looked like at the bottom once the backstrap and cover are glued in place:


Next I took the bottom sole cover from the second page of the cut.file and glued it to the bottom of  the main sole to cover the tabs:



Because I didn't like the shoe as flat as it was, I decided to add a small heel (this is optional if you do this shoe, you can leave it flat).  To do the heel, I cut about 1.50" from a toilet tissue tube and covered it with some of the leftover scraps; cut slits halfway down all around one end of the tube, folded the slits/tabs toward the inner part of the tube, and then glued it to the bottom back of the shoe's sole.  Pictures below show examples:




Because I decided to add a heel, I had to adjust the shoe by bending it across the center at the beginning and end of the backstrap for the shoe to align properly.  Like this:


To keep the shoe front from being so flat, I added a little batting to the inside toe of the shoe using the end of a stick to push the batting in place (also optional):


The shoe itself is done!!!  Now it's time for me to show you how I decorated my shoe.  First I premade my matching flower and assembled my embellishments and adornments.  I also had ready the little gift I wanted to tuck inside my shoe (a small box of bath salts and a small bottle of roll-on perfume).


Okay, here I go -- the fun part!  I first applied a coordinating color of Stickles to the top and the edges of my shoe and let it dry:



Then I glued on my ribbons and flower:


I tucked my little toiletry gifts in the inside of shoe's front pocket, and of course you just have to have a strand of beads draping from any victorian style box.  Finally, popped on the label in the back and -- VIOLA -- done!!! 


You can find my George and Sans Serif carts cut.file at the bottom of this post.  Also, I have added a .PDF file of the pattern that can be printed out by those of you who do not happen to have these carts.  Click on the .PDF file to open and enlarge it.
 
Please note:  I love sharing, however, I basically do these DT cut.files for myself, and usually huriedly.  Therefore, this cut.file version does not include the scoreline or slit cuts on the backstrap, please refer to this tutorial if necessary for that.  Otherwise, it's really only 4 pieces to put together, then decorate.  It really is E-Z!

I hope you like it; I'd really love to see what you can do with this!!!

As always, it was fun.  Thank you for joining me whether here or at Pam's!  And,... I'll be back!



Please click here for cut.file template download:   victorian flat shoe template.cut

Please click here for gypsy.file template download:

Please click on picture pattern template download: 





35 comments:

papillon digital design said...

Audrey - you never fail to amaze me with your designs. This is simply awesome! Thank you sweetie.
Hugs
Pam

Stacy said...

Audrey,
Wow, what can't be done with paper. I absolutely love this. You did a fantastic job
Hugs
Stacy

Brenda said...

WOW this is sooo awesome!!!!
hugs
Brenda

DonnaMundinger said...

OMG, Audrey! Love, love,LOVE!!!!!! So so wonderfully creative! I know I've been missing alot girlfriend, so I'm off to catch up on you and your life! xxD

Besthobbyeva said...

Wow wee, this is amazing! It is so beautiful. Thanks so much for all the directions. I may have to give it a go.

I always see your nice comments over at Rhonda's Scrap Happens blog and thought I would come on over and check your blog out. I am going to have a look around.

I just became a follower.

Laurie
serenityscrappers.blogspot.com

lovemypaper said...

"OMG" this is so beautiful you did a great job so much detail,love the paper you use.tfs

Jean said...

Oh Audrey, I love this!! So pretty.

Sandy from Ukiah said...

Oh I ABSOLUTELY love it, and I agree anything Victorian is not complete without a string of pearls. I know exactly what you mean, by finding something you really like and can't find the directions.. or the size to cut. :-( BUT you my friend are always so willing to share your amazing hard work with us.. and I so thank you. You make it look so easy including the pictures plus the directions. hugs

Do What You Love said...

Audrey, now you know this is absolutely GORGEOUS! This Victorian look with the lace and pearls is so beautiful - I am amazed at how wonderfully talented you are - it's like there is nothing you can't do! I love that you share with everyone, too! This is really magnificent! TFS!

shari said...

Audrey, You amaze me!! I can't even open a pattern let alone create one. Very pretty, you did a great job. Shari (cricutrookie)

Angi Barrs said...

WOWZA....This is AMAZING. Love the shabby chic design. Gorgeous work. :)

Barb Craft said...

Audrey... this is stunningly beautiful! The papers and all the details make this one gorgeous gift box!
barb :)

Jana said...

Audrey, your shoe is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I can't wait to try it.

Claudia Rosa ~ Pretty Pressings said...

hun your shoe is amazing.
the way you have put everything together is so beautiful.
thanks for seeing me today.
hugs
Claudia

ScrapCrazyyyy! said...

OH WOW Audrey!!!! Another awesome project. You are so creative - wish I were as creative with DS as you are! Thanks for sharing this lovely project.

Anonymous said...

Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave in the Cutting category today [16 Feb 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

Sandi Clarkson said...

Audrey .. this is just stunning! I love seeing these and have wanted to make one! Thanks for sharing the file and do not be surprised if you find me making one! And of course giving you credit for the file! I do think I saw these on a new Cricut cartridge but I'm not 100% sure about that. Have a wonderful evening!

Curt in Indy said...

It took me a little bit to type this because my chin was on my keyboard because my mouth just fell open! LOL You are simply amazing! I can't get over how you just look at something and bam, you make it on your own. This is stunning and you just keep proving what I say about you is true. You are so amazingly talented! Awesome tutorial. Best, Curt

Dawnll said...

Oh this is amazing Audrey!
I love that you make your own patterns and figure out things.
Excellent gift idea

Nana Donna said...

Wow what an amazing blog you have. I never knew about it till now when The Cricut Couple brought it to my attention. I am now a follower and will be checking back often. I have a blog also if you want to check it out
http://nanadonnascarddreams.blogspot.com/

Anna said...

Audrey, this is absolutely amazing... luv it!

GabyCreates.com said...

Absolutely gorgeous Audrey!!!!

Rhonda Emery said...

tfs your wonderful talent. alot of work goes into this. I am getting so worried with you. I sent out your mini last thurs. it should had been there by now., maybe the weather is the cause of the delay. lets hope you get it soon. hugs

Kelly said...

Audrey - this is simply stunning! You never cease to amaze me with your talents! Thanks for your kind words on my blog!

(((Hugs)))
Kelly

Unknown said...

OMGorgeous!!!! Wow ~ this is amazing!! I tell you, your brain works in very crafty ways my friend!!!!

A Creative Operation said...

GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rose said...

goodness girl this is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Barb Turpin said...

Audrey, this is just too cute! I love vintage and you nailed it on this one!

Beebeebabs said...

I absolutely love love love this tfs!!!

Nicole said...

A-Mazing!! You're so creative!!

Wende said...

Audrey, this shoe is gorgeous. Glad you are back making beautiful things!

Kate said...

This shoe is SO impressive! What a labour of love but well worth the effort!

- - Sheryl - - said...

This is lovely - what a coincidence I was ... on Youtube this morning and came across these shoes. I would love to make them for centerpieces... if I ever have an event. Perhaps a bridal shower! Thanks for the pattern!

Cherylann's "Outta-My-Mind " said...

Oh, thank you for posting on the "circle" MB so I could find your blog, it is a fantastic blog.
Cherylann (prinkles)

Unknown said...

This is fantastic Audrey. Thanks so much for sharing with us all and thanks to Pam for the Gypsy file too.