Decorating wellies, acrylic pens and Converse overload

So what do Sportacus, ladybirds, Dora the Explorer and dinosaurs have in common?  Well, in this house at least, they are all considered fitting subjects for commercial wellie decoration.

I'm not sure when exactly it was considered strangely eccentric to just have plain old rubber boots but there was definitely a tipping point.  I can't even pretend I'm immune as I now garden in a fetching pair of pink spotted wellies.

However, two family members have escaped the trend.  MM doesn't even own a pair of wellies (although apparently deems it essential to have at least 10 pairs of Converse trainers despite the fact he plays almost no sports and is only a year away from the big 4-0) and poor Archie has been left with a pair of hand-me-downs so old, no-one can quite remember their original owners identity but it was definitely BPWD (Before Pointless Wellie Decoration).

Yesterday, I decided to right this wrong and attack the unsuspecting pair.  Thankfully, I have invested in a set of acrylic paint pens.  Admittedly, only I see this as an investment and MM is watching me with a worried expression as I walk around the house looking for excuses to use them.

Acrylic paint pens are pricey (it cost me £10.50 for a set of six from Yellow Moon) but you can use them on a huge range of surfaces and they're waterproof.  Also, I've found these ones are a lot easier to handle than those that come in the pre-packaged 'Pain Your Own Wellies' kits which seem to have the same consistency and suitability for artwork as toothpaste.

So now Archie has some lovely bright, customised wellies (well, OK, one - but I will get round to finishing the pair) that dried in about five minutes.  Plus, the pens were so easy to use, I'm considering letting my other children customise their wellies too.  Or perhaps their father's Converse.  What a sweet idea for Christmas - I'm sure he'd be delighted...

Comments

[twitter.com/countrygate]

Great job Dawn!Do please let me in to the secret of keeping hand me down wellies so pristine. Apprentice number 3 is currently sporting a pair that would do justice to a young Harold Steptoe.C x

[Anna/Flowergardengirl]

So nice to make something your own and of course I highly approve that it is a pair of wellies!

[Dawn/LittleGreenFingers]

Cally - I've no idea how I've managed this. All other hand-me-downs look like the 'before' shots in the Daz adverts. I try to pretend it's an intentional 'shabby chic' look!

Thanks Anna - no-one can go wrong with wellies...

[Metropolitan Mum]

Great blog and cool wellies! I would have loved to have some more colour on mine. But decided to go for something more subtle - as my coat is bright purple and I tend to look like a young Vivian Westwood. In a bad way, I am afraid :-)
But now you showed me how to customize my wellies, I am tempted to get the colours out...

[Dawn/LittleGreenFingers]

MM - put that acrylic pen down - NOW! Have seen those boots and they must not be touched!

[Helen @ Business Plus Baby]

Brilliant tip about the acrylic paint pens, I'll definitely be getting some. I'd been wondering what sort of paint would be waterproof and stick to a tricky surface like flexible plastic. (Yes, I should get out more!).

My 19-month-old is just about old enough for arty and crafty activities and I'm really looking forward to doing more!

[Dawn]

Helen - there is nothing more important than the question of what will stick to plastic... Anyone who tells you different is just deluded!

[generic cialis]

Brilliant tip about the acrylic paint pens, I'll definitely be getting some. I'd been wondering what sort of paint would be waterproof and stick to a tricky surface like flexible plastic. (Yes, I should get out more!).

[Dawn/LittleGreenFingers]

GC - I can attest to their longevity too - 6 months on and they still look great.