Altered Ice Skates

Here is my latest holiday project.

My friend Barb, from Wisconsin,

found these way cool vintage ice-skates and sent them to me. They are from the 50's and have a plaid flannel lining and the fake fur trim.  I wanted to art them up and hang them from the end of my bannister for Christmas. When I googled vintage ice-skaters I found these wonderful photos of Ann Boykin Thomas on Flickr. I e-mailed her son and asked if I could use them for this project. He graciously said yes and added that his mom would have loved the idea!  She was a skater in New York in the early 1950's.

These ended up more streamlined than I had originally planned.  After adhering the photo, I added the ribbon laces, the white pop-poms, red rick-rack and the big bell. I wanted a retro feel but I didn't want to overpower the images.  I feel very proud that I finished this project and am able to include them in my decorating this year! Thanks Barb, Bill, and of course, I thank Ann for being such a beautiful ice-skater and inspiring me. I'd love to hear what you think!