Stamped luggage

I have decided the holiday season is just too busy to be crafting....but I did complete a jewel I bought at the Fancy Flea in Lakeland a few weeks ago. This perfect suitcase was ready for a make-over...and only $10. I used a bag of cancelled stamps I purchased in Paris last spring break. We found a vendor near Notre Dame Cathedral that had only 1 bag for sale. I walked away the first day, but returned 2 days later happy to pay her price because we did not find ANYMORE at any location in Paris. The entire bag was around $25.

Yes....Paris is always a great idea.....

So let's take a good look at the before, inside the suitcase.....

rather a mess.....rusty

So first I measured, sort of, the paper I wanted to place on the inside. Graphics 45 was my first choice.. After cleaning the surfaces, tearing out any loose paper ends......Decoupaging the inside was easy, just time consuming....

Next came the outside. I began in the middle with the largest French stamp I could find....then worked around placing the stamps in different directions.

What a job...taking around 6 hours! If I had an etsy site I would take around $50, maybe...

but it is my first luggage project....

Check out the fab animal stamps.....

a few close up shots for you stamp fans.....

Dixie says she wants to go to Paris next time.....

Sweet dreams Dixie Doodle....

Original idea came from Pinterest. I found a large black guitar case covered in cancelled stamps.....

I am thankful I started small!

What do you think?  THANKS FOR LEAVING A COMMENT!!!

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Creative Hangups/Fall Wreath

Talk about Trash to Treasure.......The Tour Eiffel has found a home. I received a set of shutters from my son and his wife back in the spring before they sold their home. These shutters were old, "wormy" and green. No real worms....just holes....anyway, I decorated them for their new home using Annie Sloan paint and knowledge gained from the painting class I took this summer at Robyn Story Designs. Shutter #1 was painted in French Linen. I added a Vera Drive sign discovered in an antiques store in Knoxville, TN. Bird hooks from Hob Lob complete the functional piece. A nice hangup area for Mandi's Vera collection!

Green shutters....circa 1940's....the before look

Vera Drive found a spot in the foyer.....

I also added clear knobs that can also be used as hangers.....

We updated the fall wreath for the front door by adding more eucalyptus, flowers and feathers from Hob Lob and the H...

Tour Eiffel is in the LR next to the hallway and used for hanging anything you want....

This shutter was painted with Annie Sloan Provence. The Eiffel tower transferred to a transparency and enlarged to fit the shutter. Black thingy hangers were added for function.(Hob Lob)

It did take some time to paint....

I used the ASP cream diluted with water on a small brush to paint the tower. Several places had to be repainted.  My daughter said "Mom, did you sign it big enough"....ha ha.....with this much work to paint a piece....yes this is hand painted and took several days. The original inspiration came from Pinterest......

And below, at home near the hallway.....perfect for hanging diaper bags, Vera backpacks, etc.

It was a great weekend visit. It was comforting to find a  home for my projects. Thanks darling Mandi (and Grant) for trusting me to paint your treasured shutters!

Enjoy!

For all you crafters, paint-a-holics, Pinterest Pinners.....keep the ideas coming!

Lynda

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