I’m breathing some life into old cowboy boots, but I’m reluctant to breathe around them. At the moment, those boots are a bit “fragrant.” I can fix that, I think, with some baking soda and sunlight. It’s my project for this “only the good Friday.” I’m trying to stay optimistic about it.
My kitchen is cluttered with cowboy boots! None of them fit anyone at this house … some don’t have a mate. Most of them are getting a splash of color put on them as I use acrylic paints to “gaudy them up.” I know that the acrylic paint won’t wear well, but these boots won’t ever be worn again. Their destiny is to become a centerpiece for tables at a barbecue at the rehearsal dinner for our son’s wedding.
This project started out simply: I was just going to put one boot on a table as a centerpiece. But there are eight tables for the guests, and … well … the project grew. Does that ever happen to you?
The wedding is being held in Mendocino, California and I’m going to be the only true Texan there … so I didn’t want to be “in your face.” I won’t put out the Texas flag, bluebonnets, or yellow roses. I know y’all think that we Texans go over the top, but I’m capable of restraint. Sort of.
We are serving barbecue, but it’s “California style.” I’m not quite sure what that is but I’ll go with it. On the tables, we will have blue and white checked tablecloths, red tin plates, and we will drink our “sweetea” out of jelly jars. Don’t worry, there will also be a keg of beer.
In the middle of each table will be a “vignette” featuring a cowboy boot filled with wild flowers on one of my grandmother’s lace doilies, with an antique bottle, an antique jigger, a pack of playing cards and some poker chips. I figure that if I practice my game, I might be able to win some cash!
Mr. Tucker and I scoured the thrift stores in town to come up with some cowboy boots.
This pair was terribly sad when we bought them. Someone had glued the heels with gorilla glue, and hadn’t been very neat about it. For $2.00, we decided to see what we could do with them. The addition of red paint is helping them … and once I’ve finished sprucing them up I think they will work.
Although this white pair of boots was in good condition, I just had to grab some beads to add to them. Did I overdo it?
So that’s what’s going on at my house right now. I’ve got doilies to starch, painting to do, and a lot of puttering ahead. I needed a simple project like this. This week was a sad one at our house, as we had a death in the family, so I’m glad to have a “happy project” to occupy my thoughts. In Mendocino, our son and future daughter-in-law had arrived to finalize their wedding plans … just as his grandfather died. That part was not good, but we were all together.
The wedding will go on as planned; it’s what his grandfather would have wanted. He will be there in spirit … and there are going to be some kick*** boots on the table at the rehearsal dinner. That is, if I can figure out how to keep them from stinking. I don’t want to be remembered for smelly boots!
Anybody have any suggestions for deodorizing old cowboy boots? What if I stuffed sprigs of rosemary down in them? It wouldn’t get rid of the smell, but it would mask it. I’ll consider any suggestions I can get at this point.
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What a neat idea! Very unique and Texan. Have you tried Febreeze? That might get the smell out. I like the way you are gussying the boots up. I have never heard of “California” style BBQ but I’m sure it will be fine. I’m sorry for your recent loss but rejoice in the upcoming celebration.
I’ll see if I have some Febreeze, Elizabeth. I may have some for “cat odor,” and this is almost as bad! thanks for the suggestion.
Crumpled up newspaper will often get the smell out of things such as fridges, maybe try stuffing them with the daily paper.
Good thought! And, cheap. I may be trying both if I can’t get the smell out. If they don’t work, I can toss them
What a cute and very Texan way to highlight your creativity. There is a little bottle of liquid you can buy at the hardware store called Odors Away. One drop in a bottle cap placed inside the shoe for a day, or anywhere else stinky, and you’ve got an odor-sucking vortex. As an added bonus day of, place some sprigs of cilantro in the vases with the flowers for a fresh fragrant ambiance to the centerpieces. May your tables be a sweet footnote to a memorable day.
Never heard of Odors Away, Joy … but I like the idea of an “odor-sucking vortex.” I can find other uses for that, too … but I’m not going to talk about my cats or Mr. Tucker.:twisted:
Do you remember “Stinky Pinkies” from the 1970′s? We’d stuff one in each shoe overnight and the stink would be gone. They were just activated charcoal inside a fabric sack – you could do the same with old t-shirts and a combination of baking soda and activated charcoal, which I think you can get at pharmacies. You could also, since these will never be worn, stuff a “stickup” for refrigerators in each boot the day of the event.
Eve-Marie, I don’t remember Stinky Pinkies! I must not have had smelly feet
. Activated charcoal is a good thought. I’m gonna give the newspapers a try. By the time I’m through with these boots, I have NO idea what they will smell like. Bwahaha!
This is a great project ! I love the beads, it adds a bit of spling to the boot. These centerpieces will be so original !
Terry Elisabeth, I don’t know if they are “original,” but they are fun to do. I was delighted to get to dig in my stash of beads … but I have a tendency to go hog wild.
What a cute idea for a centerpiece! I bought all of my pairs of boots when I moved to New Mexico. There was a place called Outlaws in Las Cruces that went out of business and I scooped up three pairs of boots and two pairs of lacers. That was in 1996 and I haven’t had to buy any since!
I found these “stinky solutions” online:
1. To help prevent odors from building up in your shoes, try using a dryer sheet. Each night, slip a dryer sheet into each shoe. The fresh scent from the Bounce or Gain dryer sheets will easily beat the smell of feet.
2. Using a pair of knee socks, fill them about half full of scented cat litter. Either tie the socks into a knot just above the litter to close them, or decorate the socks with cute ribbon to close them.
3. Put the shoes in a zipper-lock plastic bag and place them in the freezer overnight. The freezing temperatures will kill most odor-causing bacteria.
4. Pour baking soda into the shoes and leave it in overnight to absorb the odors.
5. Nature’s Miracle Pet Odor Remover: http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php
These, of course, are used boots … and not in the best of conditions. I might try the cat litter idea. I’m reluctant to freeze those boots, because I fear that suddenly my freezer will smell like an old boot! Thanks for all these links!
Congratulations to your son. It sounds like a fun wedding. You will be “Way out west!” so the boots are perfect.
Now you didn’t over do it on the white cowboy boots. Bling is in. Even for cowgirls.
I’m glad to know I didn’t overdo. I had to reign myself in!
I have to tell you that I LOVE your new blog! You are so full of good ideas!
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