September 15, 2011

~I've got a brand new pair of roller skates.... and you've got something I need

Does anyone remember that old song from Melanie?
Well, I've got a brand new old pair of roller skates.....
Let me tell you...these things are pretty heavy, not to mention awkward. Not sure how anyone ever roller skated in these.  They're not a matching pair...but precious just the same.

I just couldn't resist buying them when treasure hunting this past weekend.  They're so shabby, crusty and rusty to perfection ~

I'd like to put them in my rented space at the shop, but I need your help ladies! What could I embellish them with to add a little romance or chic to these, or how could I re-purpose them for another use?

I'd be so grateful for your ideas.  I lean toward shabby, romantic, french things, if that helps.  And to show my appreciation, if I choose your idea,  I'll be sending you  a little gift of thanks. I'll be sure to show a follow up pic, once I choose your "inspiration".

I'm also linking up with Debra at Common Ground for my first ever "Vintage Inspiration Friday"

I'll be waiting to hear from you all, (inspire me please) and until then...anyone want to race???
karens sig 2

14 comments:

Lynn at Cottage and Creek said...

I remember skates like those! What a wonderful find! You could spray adhesive some moss on the tops of them and make them a platform for seasonal trinkets and cuteness ... just the first thought that came to mind. I'm visiting from Vintage Inspiration Friday. Thanks for sharing your new treasure.
~Lynn

Passionate for White said...

Great find. How about fashioning wired pink satin ribbon for the ties and perhaps white-washing the skates.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

I remember these and the song!
Hmmm...I would put them in a shadowbox with maybe some vintage images behind them. They are fabulous!

Pamela Gordon said...

Wow, I learned to roller skate on ones like these. They were heavey and clompy when attached to my keds sneakers or saddle shoes. And not the easiest things to roll down cracked sidewalks with either! You have the roller skates and I have the key. I do remember that song as well. Great post! Blessings, Pamela

Unknown said...

oooh...i can envision two petite "peat pots" filed with spanish moss and some "boo pumpkins" in them (those sweet little white gourds). two pots..one on each part of the skate as it lays flat. Picture it?? also...paint a number on each pot....or pumkin!

blackenpot said...

Well those skates took me back years. Thank you for the memories, and what a nice blogg you have.

Have a lovely weekend.

Olivia said...

Well darling I would paint them cream and then distress the heck out of them adding a stain rub over the cream, add a burlap rosette with lots of vintage lace tied on with a skeleton key, dangly crystal and a fabulous tea stained tag with a vintage skating girl picture added to the tag! Good luck :)
Big hugs,
Olivia

Unknown said...

I know they have that lovely rustiness to them, but when I watch Picker Sisters, they scrap off as much rust as possible then either powder coat them or paint them with metallic paint. You could paint them a creamy white and add pink roses or maybe figure out how to turn them into sweet, bedside lamps? Or some kind of hanging piece of art work.

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I think I would leave them rusty and just put some brightly colored polka dot ribbon through for ties. I do have some that I think were my sisters, not as rusty but I remeber skating in those it wasn't easy or graceful for sure but put a lot of miles on them.

Donna

Burlap Luxe said...

First of all Karen I have to thank you for taking a close notice of the way I restyled and painted my piece and I too cannot wait to see your piece that is screaming out for you to finish!!!

Now about those odd pair mis-matched pair of skates, I use to roller skate on them, and if you did not have just the right shoes that HAD that HARD edge of a hang over on your shoe it was hard to even keep them on your feet...Just when you would get some real good speed to them going one of them would fall off and what a disappointment that would be and an ordeal to put them back on...But boy did we love those skates and we really thought we were racing down those rough streets with some sort of ease :)

Keep your eyes out for there mates and a key perhaps you can oil them up and come over for a race :)

Cheers to your inspiring post, and an insprationa; week to come.
~Dore

the old white house said...

I love them... I have a box of them in my attic right now! A few years ago I made one over with a stuffed rabbit on it, surrounded by moss. (Kind of like what Michelle was saying) I love her idea! I was actually going to say that you could put a vintage looking bottle brush tree on them for Christmas with a shabby tag. Or sweet photo of a child rollerskating Whatever you do... have fun with them! t. xoxo

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Hi Karen,
Sorry it took me so long to make it over. I was without my computer for two days, followed by an antique show this past weekend. Anyway, I could see so many different looks and uses for these. A wash of white gesso (of course, lol) with a small pot of white roses on top. I keep imagining them as unusual centerpieces as well. Maybe to hold a silver salt and paper shaker. Oooo, that would look cool against the rust, or whitewash.

Ivy and Elephants said...

So many great ideas, mine pale in comparison, so I not cloud the pool with it. I love your blog, can't wait to see what you do with the skates.
New follower,
Patti

Debra@CommonGround said...

OK, the memories are flooding back of scraped knees, but so much fun!! You've had some great ideas, be sure and show us the reveal of these babies! thanks for linking up to VIF! xo