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!
