Inspired: Adding ribbon bows to your rainboots

This post is just another piece of evidence showing that I am incapable of leaving my stuff the way I bought it. Yes, I admit it, I'm totally addicted to refashioning. But what can you do, when you see these adorable rainboots on Pinterest:

Could you help yourself? I didn't think so. And, they come with a tutorial, so you can make your own. I actually didn't look at the tutorial until after I made mine since these were easy to replicate from the picture, but if you'd like some guidelines, be sure to check it out. Also, I didn't cut the back of the boots open like it says in the tutorial since my boots fit me as are. But, it's a great tip for those of you who have trouble squeezing your curvy calves into boots.

I adore my new rainboots! And, they were only 7€. Got to love a bargain like that! I got them ready just in time for the stormy season around here. I've already taken them out to splash in the puddles, and got some compliments. Thanks to Christy for the inspiration!

Customize: Painted rain boots

I first presented this project 3 years ago at my old blog Hapa's eco renewals. Since I'm still wearing these rain boots 3 years later, I thought I'd share this fun makeover with you. Especially because the fall is imminent and it's so much more fun to sing in the rain with your new custom painted rain boots. Don't you think?

It's quite an easy process and the outcome looks great. But, I do have to warn you that this method is not perfect, the surface will start to crack a little and it will look a bit like craquelure after a lot of wear. Like an old painting. But I don't mind, for me it just gives it more character.

Here's what you need:
1. A pair of rain boots
2. Spray paint
3. Inspiration
4. Clear lacquer spray
5. Old newspapers
6. Acrylic paint in different colors, depending on what you want to paint
7. Some paint brushes

1. Wash your boots and prepare them for painting. This means covering any parts you don't want to paint and stuffing them with old newspapers to seal the openings. Spray paint twice with your color of choice. Two coats ought to do it.

2. I used Estonian folklore as my inspiration. It was wildly popular back then to use patterns from traditional needlework and paint them on rain boots. Of course I had to try it, too. I used acrylic paint to paint the flowers. Let them try completely and then spray with a clear coat (I used clear lacquer for wood). This will waterproof the paint and gives it a nice clean finish.

I'm infamously bad at drawing, so my flowers don't look so hot, but they still look pretty from afar. And who's going to inspect that close anyway, right?

If you'd like some inspiration, type "muhu sussid" or "muhu kummikud" into google image search and you'll find plenty of pretty patterns.

Are you guys ready for the fall? I'm not a big fan of autumn, because the weather tends to get really cold and chilly and rainy and just plain bad around here. But, these rain boots sure cheer me up.