If you've got smelly trainer trouble like Stephen, you should make a Finger Tips Sneaker Keeper.

It keeps your trainers together, makes sure they stay smelling lovely, and best of all, it's really easy to make!
The secret is in the lid - two anti pong pouches!

These mean that when you store your trainers, they'll stay smelling lovely.
The Sneaker Keeper starts off as the shoebox that your trainers came in.

With just a little decoration the box is easily transformed.
If you haven't kept the box, don't worry.

Any shoebox that your trainers will fit comfortably inside will do just as well.

Start by covering the outside of the box with pictures of trainers cut from magazines and catalogues. Cover all four sides and, when dry, add a layer of PVA glue over the top to give it a smooth, glossy finish.
When finished, it should look something like this.

Now you can paint the inside of the box any colour you like.
If the lid of your box isn't already white, paint it.

Then, with a pencil, roughly draw a rectangle in the centre of the lid.
Next you need to make five holes on both long sides of the rectangle, by carefully pushing a pencil through the card.
You also need to make one extra hole in the corner of the rectangle.

This will make a starting point from which you can cut the rectangle out.
Your Sneaker Keeper lid should now look something like this.

Next, cut a tongue shape in the lid, but leave one side attached so that you have a hinged flap, like the one you can see opposite.
Now turn the lid over.

Stick two clip-type clothes pegs into place, like this.

These pegs will keep the anti-pong pouches in place.
Now you need some laces (although pieces of coloured string or wool will do just as well).

Thread them through the holes that you made, so that you lace it up just as you would a real shoe.
The anti-pong pouches are made from cardamom pods, cloves, rosemary and salt.

You need about a spoonful of each.
Crush them into a fine powder...
...then add a few drops of peppermint oil.

Mix it in well.
The pouches are made from squares of old material.

Lie them flat, add in a dollop of the mixture you've just made, gather up all four corners together and secure with an elastic band on the top.
Clip the anti-pong pouches into place by gripping them inside the clothes pegs, like this.
Now you can add detail to the lid of the Sneaker Keeper.

This one's been painted and has stitching detail, which has been drawn on with a black permanent marker.

Or, why not print off our template, cut it down, colour in and stick on?
You could even add a bit of card at the end to create a funky toe shape!
When storing your Sneaker Keeper, you'll need to put the anti-pong pouches inside the trainers, so that they stay nice and fresh.



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