I’m playing shoe cobbler again for the Ruby Red Fashion Friends…

We’ve pretty much been snowed (or rather ICED inside) so I’ve been working on some things in my sewing room. I was glad to see that Sissy was working on Valentine outfits… and I’ve been working on red leather (maybe Valentine) shoes for the Ruby Red Fashion Friends. Ever since I made those silver shoes for Lavender for her New Year’s outfit and then the silver pair I made for the Giveaway, I’ve been trying to tweak just a simple slip on shoe that fits really well. I think after these 6 attempts, I have it! I would still like to get the back so it’s laced up instead of glued, but the fit is very nice on their feet.

About 6 weeks ago I bought a teardrop shaped leather punch and was so excited to see what I could do with it. It came so dull I emailed the company and told them even when I hit it on the leather with my mallet 50 or more times it just would not go through the thin (2mm) leather I was using. UGH!

They said I could return it for a refund or keep it and try to sharpen it myself. UGH again!
Well, my brother was home when it came and he asked if my hubby had a honing stone and maybe I could try and sharpen it with that. I oiled the stone and began dragging it on it’s side easy-like to sharpen the edges. It took a while as I was being very careful to get it at the right angle. It turns out when it was sent from the company it was coated in TOO much black enamel paint (probably to make it look nicer) and it sort of “rounded” the edges.

When I got all that paint off, it was sharp again and I could use it! YAY! So you’ll see some cut outs I made on the shoes using it. I just punched a single millimeter hole and then sort of fanned the teardrop design around it.

Here are the shoes I’ve made… The first two pair are from a red leather.

2nd pair:

3rd pair: These next 2 pair are from a very thin (maybe lambskin leather in a magenta or hot pink leather… or maybe it’s a raspberry!)

4th pair: