Hello. How about this then. The new look designer gardening boots. Everyone will want a pair like these. I'm thinking of going into the refurbishing boots business, could make quite a packet with my quirky designs. I think a price tag of around £75 will cover the cost of my time, and materials used to upcycle a pair of boots.
Planting flowers in them was suggested by quite a lot of you. I tried it once and the flowers died. I'm not sure why because my feet are not particularly smelly. They get a wash once a month whether they need it or not, ha ha.This quick makeover took all of three minutes, and I expect my gardening boots to last at least another couple of years. They will be great in the summer because I have incorporated a complex ventilation system in the design. You will note the open grid at the front, this enables air to enter the boot in the toes area, which then circulates around the whole foot and exits around the ankle. A blow through draught will ensure the feet are continually kept cool when other parts of the body may be sweating profusely.
I can see that there might be a problem during the winter months when the ground is sodden after a rainfall. There is a possibility that mud and water will enter the boots, which could cause some problems, like dirty socks and feet which will have to be washed upon entering the house. I will have to put my inventing cap on and come up with a solution. Perhaps two plastic carrier bags could protect them, the handles could be tied around the ankles to prevent them from slipping off. At least the plastic bags will get another use out of them.
Anyway, I am taking orders for my new boot refurbishment business. Send me your boots with the cash, sorry can't do cards or cheques, and I will do my best to give them an attractive makeover. You will be delighted with the results, if you are not then tough, like it or lump it as my mother used to say. There may be a delay in sending them back to you as I expect demand for this service will be pretty high, so do not expect miracles. If you find you need the boots quickly I suggest you go out and buy another pair to tide you over.
Now I must go and do other things, so I'll leave this with you. Admire my genius inventiveness and if you would like to have a go at boot refurbishment yourself just send £65 in cash and I will dispatch to you a comprehensive kit which will contain everything you need to redesign your boots to a high standard like my own.
Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip
I fixed my husband's boots with Shoo Goo. It isn't expensive and is as strong as cobblers glue. I glued the soles on and put thick elastic bands (dropped by the postie) round them until they dried.
ReplyDeleteHilarious, Ilona. Love the boots as much as the humour.x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've closed the flaps, Ilona. I'm all for using things until there's nothing left to use - and I actually wore a pair of old hiking boots as slip-on barn boots for a couple of years past their use as hiking boots, until the stitching was giving out on the sides and they were coming apart. But your picture of the boots with the fronts in flaps made me worry about you tripping. I know I couldn't have made it as far as my garden in those boots without either falling or twisting a knee when a "flap" caught on a root or a rock or an uneven bit of ground. So I'm relieved to see your taping efforts!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, let us know if you have any 'takers'. I hate it when shoes and boots grow old because they're normally at their best just before they give up! Love the way you kept the design uniform on each boot.
ReplyDeleteOh Ilona, I think you're charging a little on the low side for such a unique service, ha ha. Good job with the refurbished boots though - nice and cheerful colours. Amanda
ReplyDeleteGreat start to my day Ilona. I always sit down at lunchtime to drink my tea and look at favourite blogs. Love your sense of humour!! Catriona
ReplyDeleteHad a good old chuckle when I read this post, just what I needed.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
Ilona. You are a scream! I hope you get many orders for your boots. I only wish I had come up with the idea first. Love Ann x
ReplyDeleteROFL - Jozef thought this post particularly funny
ReplyDeleteI think your boots are very stylish. Gaffa tape and glue are wonderful things. Your gardening boots will live on. :)
ReplyDeleteThree pairs on the way, sounds like a bargain to me!!! SueM
ReplyDeleteMarvellous! What a great post! JanF
ReplyDeleteVery trendy. Another string to your bow.
ReplyDeleteThese made me chuckle. I bet you could start a new trend with us frugalistas
ReplyDeletehmmm...
ReplyDeletedid you glue them first?
Hi. Nope, you don't think I am going to waste my money on glue, I already had the tape.
DeleteVery nice Ilona. You're a genius. Karen
ReplyDeleteYou are funny ! I especially loved the bit about the complex ventilation system. Thank you for making me laugh, I needed that ! x
ReplyDeleteI am all for extending the life of gardening clothes and shoes for as long as possible. I patch with very bright colours... wear odd socks and now know how to keep the boots going for so much longer! Your post made my chuckle and the boots are just my style! Good one Ilona...Cheers
ReplyDeleteLove the boots but what I love more is the picture of Rocky. Xx
ReplyDeleteHa ha, so funny. Forget the tying plastic bags over the boots idea, too slippery.
ReplyDeleteI used to like you but now you are money making
ReplyDeleteOh I see it's a leg pull lol...love you IIona xxx ha ha!!
ReplyDeleteYou R your own comedy team! Hey why not think of something clever to do with worn out boots. Yours looks lovely and enjoy your creativity!! (:V)
ReplyDeleteYour price is far too low. I would expect $750 at a fancy shop in Los Angeles ;).
ReplyDeleteThis is more a work of art than a refurbishing! I laughed so much when I saw the picture. And if you wear the plasic bags inside the shoes, over your socks, the problem of slipperyness is solved, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you could get an Arts Council Grant for them, or even enter them for the Turner Prize.
ReplyDeleteLinda xx
That's a great idea, Linda. I could find other pieces of junk and repair them and have an exhibition.
DeleteSeems much safer now. I would trip for sure, the old way!
DeleteMy husband says to use construction adhesive instead of tape for your boots. He used it on his and got several more years of use. You need to clamp them until the adhesive dries. He fixed my birkenstocks and they gave me oodles more use. You should see my garden loafers!
ReplyDelete