The next time you run across an old piece of hardsided luggage at a thrift store or garage sale, snap it up for some rainy day fun. With a few supplies and some imagination, you can customize it to your camping theme or decorate it as a gift for a friend.
You'll need ModPodge, a decoupage liquid available at crafting stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby; a foam brush to apply it; paper and/or fabric of your design choice; scissors; a waterproof sealant; any special trims you might like to apply; and a good crafting glue, like E6000, to affix them. (If you've never used ModPodge before, think of it as a watery version of Elmer's Glue. You'll use it to stick the paper or fabric to the object, and then, after it dries, apply a top coat or two to seal it into place. You can always practice on a few scrap pieces before you tackle your luggage item.)
Color photocopies work well for this craft. Vintage postcards, letters, and sheet music covers copy beautifully, for instance, and allow you to save your originals to be copied again.
Besides using your creation for toting things, you can use it to decorate your campsite. And have an original at the same time!
I have collected a few of these "train cases" and am trying to come up with some ideas for decorating them. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to cover an entire case with fabric, I've found that a small roller works better than a brush--more even application on a larger surface. ModPodge washes out with water (which is why you have the seal the project afterward.)
ReplyDeleteThere is a outdoors-suitable ModPodge availabe but I haven't tried it yet.
I have a set of blue Lady Baltimore Luggage that was my Grandmothers. I use the sutiecase liek a dresser adn turned the train case into a bathroom vanity with allthe toilets needed for 5 ppl. For Christmas I'm gettign my duagther thier own piece of vintage ludggae. I like the sq design and hard sides. They stack well. Adn the differnt colors makes it easy to tell who is whose. Thiers will probalby get covered in sticker for various bands since we camp at music fest alot.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the older pieces do stack well. Lucky you to have a set!
ReplyDeletethey make a great first aid kit also. Google has lots of vintage first aid product labels that can be printed out.
ReplyDeleteBarb, that is a GREAT idea!
ReplyDelete