Ideas, Inspiration and Footwear

I get these ideas,,, I have no idea how or when it starts......but suddenly, or slowly over time, I am running into inspiration... the ideas pile up and pile up until I just have to get it out of my system,,,for example...........

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My sister moved here from Japan last year. As soon as it got cold enough, she appeared in these fantastic boots. They are leather and knit fabric, and are like nothing I have seen before. Sin or not, I covet those boots. Of course, she purchased them in Japan. Nothing like that fabulous footwear is available in rural Wisconsin. Another thing,,,,,I am not sure I could carry off the look,

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Then I made these felt slippers at Susan's Retreat.

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Then my friend Jennifer showed up at my shop with knee high boots made from elk skin, and fur and beading, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw those boots! I am SURE I could not carry off that look,,,,,, Jennifer looks like a Native Ameican princess wearing those lovely boots, I would look like an old, fat squaw. (not exactly PC, I know) Still, the ideas......

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See how the universe is putting footwear in my mind?

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So, I finally decide to make myself some slippers/boots/footwear to satisfy my urge to create,,,, and make something I would actually wear.

I drew a boot shape free hand on some wool fabric to make a pattern.

Sewn up, I could see the instep/ toe was too full, but otherwise a decent fit.

I just happen to have some leather slipper soles that I got at Loose Ends Yarn Shop.
I decide that the some seams should be on the outside, some on the inside, for comfort.


A felted wool blanket, nice and cushy.


I draw on the basic shape....




Cut soles, too.

I decide I do not need a back seam. After machine sewing, I sew a small dart partway up the back of the leg for shaping.

Using perle cotton, I hand stitched the leather soles over the wool soles. I tried them on.

Not a bad fit, so the cats and I take a nap.

Refreshed from my nap,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,using handspun yarn, I crochet an edging around the slipper.
I crochet the yarn as a single, right off the spinning wheel.

This is the part I enjoy, freeform crochet.

I add some buttons, and Voila!

My urge to make footwear has been satisfied!