From the Vault - 2014 - Decoupaged Vintage Suitcase

This post was originally written for a British magazine called Reloved: The Creative Guide to Upcycling in April of 2014.  At that time, I had been writing "My Junk Obsession," a blog dedicated to the art of thrifting and upcycling. I was contacted by Reloved to submit a piece on decoupageing suitcases. This was my first published article.  I then contributed to Reloved's "Q&A: Advice from their Experts" section for several months.  The magazine is no longer in publication.  I periodically pull out my old copies and look through them as they are filled with creative ideas and fun projects.

I have an obsession with vintage suitcases.  I imagine to whom they beclonged, where they’ve been, and the items selected to go along.

• A new mother-to-be on her way to the hospital - a new robe, a handmade receiving blanket, and the family bible.
• A child for an overnight visit to Grandma's - pajamas, a toothbrush, and a favorite stuffed bear.
• A high-school graduate off to college - a new dictionary, a varsity letterman's sweater, warm socks, and a family photo.
• An elderly man on his way to the retirement home - his best suit and a photo of his beloved wife.

I buy vintage suitcases not only for romantic and nostalgic reasons, but also because they are remarkably functional and can be used in a variety of ways.  Stacked cases serve as side tables while providing additional storage; a set of table legs added to a steamer case serves as a coffee table; and smaller cases hide unsightly clutter and assorted accessories.

I found a simple blue train case at a thrift store, along with a few vintage schoolworkbooks from the 1960s.  One of the workbooks, English is Our Language 3, featured classically iconic, colored illustrations.  I was convinced it was one and the same as that I'd used as a child.  It brought back a flood of memories of my own school days.

 

As a lifelong educator and librarian, I had a deep appreciation for this lovely vintage book and the nostalgia it evoked.  I knew I had to preserve these pages, lest they become brittle with age and eventually disintegrate completely. I decided to try a decoupage application using the workbook pages, and what better to decoupage than a vintage train case from the same era.

The process was simple and took only a few hours.  I applied decoupage medium to the case in small sections with a bristle brush.  I then applied torn pieces of the workbook illustrations, adding another layer of decoupage medium on top with circular brush strokes.  I repeated this process until the case was covered, then placed it outside in the sun to dry.  Finally, I used a craft knife to trim any overhanging paper edges.  I was delighted with the results.  From ordinary to extraordinary!

Because I am a school librarian, this case is perfectly suited for my office.  It sits on a bookshelf among my favorite children's books, reminding me of that little girl who dreamed of becoming a teacher someday.

I have since used the decoupage application on a few more cases.  The case above was made from a well-loved, worn copy of The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, a childhood favorite.

This Samsonite briefcase was taken from drab to FAB using pages from a discarded copy of The 

Ladies Home Journal Treasury. I was tickled by the stories' titles and the glamorous fashion photos. I use this delightfully sassy and feminine case to store and transport my laptop computer.

This "Journey" case was made from a small, gray, overnight case with illustrations and maps

from a 1963 social studies workbook. I sold it. I'm not certain why the buyer wanted it, as we 

never actually met. But I like to think it was purchased by a young woman for her travel-themed wedding.  It sat on a reception table, collecting cards and personal notes for the bride and groom.

A year later, the case is now full of their wedding and honeymoon photos. They'll reopen the case

and revisit their special day for years to come.

I'm a self-proclaimed junker, picker, and antiques enthusiast. I'm also a school librarian who 

simply loves to share a great story. I think I've always been happiest with my hair tied back, knee-deep in fabric, glue, paint, sawdust, and junk. I started writing my blog, My Junk Obsession, about a

year and a half ago. It's the perfect outlet for my interests and passions - junking, photography,

repurposing, crafting, and imaging the stories behind the treasures I find.

I dream more than I plan.  I've always dreamed of writing an article for a magazine devoted to the art of junking and repurposing.  And since dreams sometimes really do come true, the next one's going to involve a classic Volkswagen bus, miles of country back road flea markets, and a fist full of cash!

My advice - Don't stop dreaming.  Give it a try, whatever it is.  Get messy; it's fun!  There are no failed projects; there are only prototypes. 

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All photos by Paulette Rodriguez

Originally published in Reloved magazine, April 2014.