Vintage Suitcase Spring Upcycle

Today we are upcycling an old suitcase that I had found at our local goodwill. This is such a fun project that you could create for any season. If you missed the Live you can check it out HERE on Facebook.

YOU’LL NEED:

• Old Suitcase (I found mine at Goodwill)
• Prima Floral Transfer (Get it HERE)
• Diamond Pattern Stencil (Get it HERE)
• Dark Wax Bher (Get it HERE)
• Cloth or paper towel
• Diamond Dust (Get it HERE)
• Mod Podge
• Heat Gun or Hair Dryer (Get it HERE)
• Hot Glue (Get it HERE) & Hot Glue Gun
• Bee (Hobby Lobby)
• White & Black Paint
• Paint Brushes including: a brush for stippling paint, regular paint brush, and a wax brush
• Dazzled Bling (Get yours HERE)
• Paint Brushes
• Sponge Brush
• Liquid Gold Leif
• Jute rope/twine

Let’s Get Started

Start by cleaning your suitcase if you do not want oil bleed through. Personally, I was okay with bleed through as i was going to age my suitcase.

Begin painting your entire suitcase with your white chalk style paint. do one to two layers depending on the amount of coverage you would like. Next, dry with your heat gun.

Transfer time

Begin choosing the transfer that you will want to use for your suitcase. Next, cut out and trim the transfer to size. Finally remove the backing and place on your suitcase.

Start really pressing your transfer on, this will need more pressure and even may need help with a brandishing tool.

Because of the texture of the suitcase you may have difficulty making it stick with out hard pressure.

Finally remove the transfer tape from your image, doing so slowly to catch any parts that may lift.

Seal it up

Start by taking your Mod Podge and covering your entire transfer. Keep your Mod Podge close by as we will use it again.

Stencil Time

Begin by lining up your (Harlequin/ Diamond) Stencil on the sides of your suitcase. Next take your black paint and stencil brush and pat/ tap your paint over the entire stencil.

Do this to both sides of your suitcase.

Start the next process by using your heat gun and drying the whole area. Next, we will take the Mod Podge and coat the whole suitcase, then dry again with your heat gun.

Wax on

Start working in sections, add your wax to your suitcase sections then wipe and dab away the excess with a paper towel.

Repeat this process over the entirety of the suitcase.

Stencils ‘n gold

Begin, by taking your stencil (this one is from hobby lobby) and place on your suitcase. Take your sponge and lightly dip it in your Liquid Gold. Next, dab and tap it over the surface of your stencil.

Repeat this process until you have covered all the area you like with the stencil. Finally dry with your heat gun.

Make it Bling

Begin Choosing the Dazzled Bling pieces you want to include on the front of your suitcase. I choose a few butterflies, a dragon fly and a frog prince for mine.

Next, simply hot glue them into place, pressing firmly to ensure that they stick well.

Handle it with jute

First we will cut our jute twine or rope in one long piece. Next, starting at the back, hot glue down one end of the twine behind the handle. Wrap the twine around the handle gluing it to the handle every three to four rotations.

Sweet Bee

I found this sweet bee at hobby lobby and knew she had to come home with me. She is super adorable on her own but let’s add a little funky touch to her.

Start by adding details with a fine brush and liquid gold. Next Mod Podge the wings and add some Diamond Dust. She cannot be complete without a sweet little crown. Simply hot glue the bee to your suitcase, if you want to have extra hold use a but of E6000 and hot glue combined.

Add a little extra age to your suitcase by adding more dark wax then wiping away the excess.

How sweet is this spring inspired suitcase upcycle? We also made a gorgeous bunny cutout to perfectly match this piece Check it out HERE.

Thank you for joining friends, as always I would love to see your take on this sweet spring makeover project. Don’t forget to tag me, see you next time!

Your Sparkly Friend;