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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Traincase Makeover

Today is packing day and tomorrow I leave on my own personal little road trip to California to teach and attend "The Affair at Downton" at the Biltmore hotel in L.A.
As I was gathering things together, I realized I hadn't shared my train case makeover with you yet!!

I'm so pleased with the results. It looks just like I envisioned it (and believe me, that rarely happens!!!!)

This is what it looked like before. It was quite masculine and not at all pretty! I didn't take any "before" shots of the inside but just imagine black vinyl, torn and stained with spills and gunk.
Yep. That was pretty much the inside.

 Now it's clean and pretty! Just waiting to be filled with supplies and tools!!

I used a very tightly woven burlap fabric. It's very strong and I think it will last a long time.

 I actually used encaustic wax medium to apply the lace instead of glue. It's very forgiving because if you do something you don't like, you can just heat it up with a heating tool and the wax melts and you can remove or reposition whatever you want.

After it cures for a a couple of days, all the "sticky" goes away completely and you are left with a nice hard finish. The only thing I couldn't do with it, is leave it in a hot car. Out here it gets REALLY hot inside a car in the summer and I would come back to a big mess I'm sure!

I wrapped the handle in twine and used colored seam binding and torn lace strips to wrap around the base. Then I added a little bling for good measure!!!

It took me a whole day to re-do it inside and out, but now I cant wait to take it with me on this fun and creative weekend.
Hope yours is filled with fun and creativity too!! See you next week!!

40 comments:

jeanniemc said...

Love the train case...have fun..

foreverdecorating said...

So very beautiful...it would go well with my Burlap & Feedsack Wreath I just posted on my blog. I have one of these makeup cases that needs to have this look. I just pinned on Pinterest. And lastly, I didn't know that Biltmore had a Hotel in LA

Mari Mora said...

Muy bonita y elegante, parece que vas a coger el orient express.
Un saludo

Helena White said...

Simply Lovely! Have a great time Karen.

Okio B Designs said...

Sooooo pretty! I love all of your touches. Really, quite stunning!

Jeanine

Cache-Mire said...

Wow! What a transformation! Love it!! ~Terri

Our Hopeful Home said...

I have a train case that could use this very makeover, so thanks for the inspiration. I, too, have used jute/twine on the handle of an older suitcase to make it a bit more "pretty" for display. xoKathleen

Montrue said...

Hi Karen,
What a great job you did.... the case looks fantastic!
I have wanted to transform my makeup case for a long time, but there is just not enough time to do all the things I like to do.
Looking forward reading about your trip to LA.
Stay safe,
Monika

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Beautiful transformation! What a great idea too! But you are right, keep it out of the car, even a window in the summer here!

Anonymous said...

So pretty, I love it!

Gigi @ Old World Patina

Vicki Dutcher said...

How fabulous is this! I also have an old small suitcase -- I will be really studying the re-do inside you did --- this is an awesome well done project! Have a fun trip~

May said...

Gorgeous work, Love the beautiful design & perfect doily's Amazing work... I adore it all... Hugs May x x

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures from the 'Affair at Downton' it sounds like it's going to be a fabulous event! You'll be arriving in style with this lovely case you have updated.
Have a lovely time andmI'm sure your class will be wonderful!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It's gorgeous, Karen! I'm sure it will come in handy for your trip for your supplies or even your beauty essentials. The inside came out so nice and smooth. Love the burlap you used.

Halle said...

So beautiful....don't forget it in the car...that would be awful!

Linda Hahn said...

Love your traincase makeover! I've got one and never thought of using lace on it! Will give it a try! Have lots of fun at Downton Abbey!

Unknown said...

Have fun sweetie, be prepared it is and has been a very warm week here with more hot weather expected through out the weekend:)
LOve the train case, fun idea! Drive safe!
Hugs and love ya... Marilou

Patty Antle said...

I wouldn't have thought to put doilies on it. Just beautiful!

Sandra Kaye said...

it turned out sooo pretty!!!! You are going to have a smashing fun time!!!!

Ivy and Elephants said...

I love your gorgeous train case!
You've done such an amazing job, Karen. Even the inside is finished to perfection. I love it!
Hugs,
Patti

Kathy said...

Oh my goodness, this is a stunning rescue. Well done!!

Jasper's Cottage said...

That's simply beautiful! I never thought of redoing the inside like that, can't wait to experiment on some vintage luggage of my own.
Have a wonderful time on your Downton weekend!
xo Jonni xo

paola said...

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!! i think i gotta have one of these, am off to the thrift store to look for something that i can make over for myself, love it!! have a wonderful trip, TFS
smiles
Paola

Lorri Scott said...

So sweet and beautiful! But yes, do not leave in hot car! Have fun at Downton!

Lorri Scott said...

So sweet and beautiful! But yes, do not leave in hot car! Have fun at Downton!

...& 50 & Feisty & The Rules Don't Apply said...

Beautiful like you and your work! Have a grand adventure,

Hugs

...& 50 & Feisty & The Rules Don't Apply said...

Beautiful like you and your work! Have a grand adventure,

Hugs

Grace said...

That is beautiful! Very Downtown Have a wonderful time. Grace

Deborah Montgomery said...

Wow, this is beautiful Karen! I love what you did with the inside too. Have a great trip!

Betty said...

Oh, so pretty with the lace. I like the wax tip and would have never thought of wrapping the handle with twine but I love everything about it.
The inside is beautiful. Great makeover!

Faye said...

That's so cute! I especially like the inside and you may have just inspired me to do something with one I just picked up at a flea market someday! Have fun on your trip!

American Cottage Antiques said...

Karen, I love, love, love the train case, so beautiful, Thanks for sharing! Mary

cécile said...

Très joli Relooking pour cette petite valise.
Votre blog est très beau, un réel plaisir de se promener dessus!

patty said...

Love, love your train case. I was wondering where did you get the tightly woven burlap? I have been looking for a source. I'm in Gilbert, Az. Can you help? Thanks, Patty

joyh82 said...

So cute, how you re-did that suitcase. Love it!

Jen said...

Karen your bag is beautiful ,When everyone sees it they will want one also. The lace has made it is so pretty and white is my favourite.

Charlene said...

Pretty!!!! Did Cindy tell you we did a train case swap? There were 6 of us & I talked Cindy into declining since she had just gotten over the shingles... well a year & a half later we will do the swap in June while we're in California. 3 out of the 5 of us moved (& remodeled the homes we bought) last year. Needless to say train cases were the least of our problems. Thanks for sharing yours! And it was great talking on the phone while you were at Downton. HUGS!

Seawashed said...

I am so glad I found my way back to your blog. I was a follower way back then, so I don't know how I wasn't anymore! I participated in two of your Where Bloggers Create. Anyway, this is beautiful!!!! I adore the layers of white...so very creative.

Happy Mother's Day.

Desires of the Heart said...

Karen, your train case is just beautiful!! I love the transformation. You will be the envy of many with a tool case like that at the event. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Hmmmm, I think I have a few of those stored up in the attic.....Blessings, Linda

Lily's Lace said...

see look at all the comments! Ii knew everyone would want to learn how to make a case too!!! I want one too!!!-xxoxox

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