Friday, June 7, 2013

Summer Travel Altered Suitcases


Today I want to talk about summer travel or any travel for that matter either flying or road trips. Most of us remember when flying used to be fun. Oh the days, when we had leg room, food and drinks on flights. No hassle with security. I loved to fly. It was so exciting. Not so much now, although I still love road trips. Most of us travel with suitcases. Even those are a hassle since as far as I know only Southwest and maybe Jet Blue don't charge for luggage. So I say how about bringing a little sunshine back into your air travel with altered suitcases. You could have a NAKED suitcase shown above.  Now what fun would that be ????  You can never find your suitcase. Most everyone's looks the same except perhaps for the color.  Oh, I know you tie scarves and strange neckties on them, but still you have to LOOK for those items.


These flowers are fabric and were modge-podged on the suitcase, and I painted black and white checks on it.  A better floral fabric would be more exciting, but I did this probably 5 years ago and I have learned alot since then.


What about fun luggage tags. I made these about two years ago.  Family members, friends and grandbabies got these for Christmas presents. They measure about 4"x6" and have traveled well.  They definitely help identify your luggage.

How about painted luggage.  I painted this with fabric paints about three years ago.  I have flown with this piece and taken it on road trips and it has done very well. A little worn  on the sides where the black and white checks are. But other than that, it still looks great.  Even with the rough treatment they get on airlines and in our car.


Now for the very latest of my altered suitcases. 

I had so much fun with this suitcase.  We have had this piece for about three years, and I just never got around to painting it.  After a flight on a plane recently with my husband, and we had trouble identifing this piece of luggage, I decided I needed to alter this piece so we could identify it easily.  Now I know you will laugh, but my darling hubby, who is often my partner in crime will be using this piece of luggage.  I asked him if he minded what I was going to paint on the luggage, and he said no, as long as he could tell it was ours'.  I don't think he will have a problem identifing this piece from a long distance away.


I drew the flowers and face on with a chalk pencil.  I did two coats of white fabric paint as a base and then painted the black and white checks, the face and the flowers with fabric paints.  To finish up I painted several coats of Delta Ceramcoat Exterior/Interior Varnish over the painted areas.  I actually wasn't going to paint anything on the sides but the black and white checks, but once I got started painting I had trouble stopping.  Now how much fun are these?  I have received many compliments on my painted luggage from the airline check in people and the passengers that I fly with and I NEVER have trouble locating my luggage.   

13 comments:

  1. I LOVE your suitcases! You should write a magazine article about this for one of the craft magazines. I have boring black carryons, and I think I'll try decorating them before our next trip. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  2. Fabulous as always. You are such a trend setter. I love these so much. Your own signature style! I hope I run into you at the airport in Houston so I can see them in person! The black and white checks just set it off!

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  3. Maggie, these are wonderful! I thought I was being clever by putting lime green and bright yellow stripes on my red luggage with duck tape, but your idea is so much better. Sherrie is right. You should submit this to a magazine.

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  4. I LOVE THESE! You have inspired me to do something to our luggage. I am guilty for being someone who does tie colorful scarves or fabric around the handles!
    NO MORE...

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  5. Waiting at the baggage claim just last week, I lamented all of the BLACK luggage popping out. When we went to Europe several years ago, I purposely bought (at great discounts, I might add) four big, brightly colored suitcases for us, so we could find them easily. Kristen named hers "Limey", it was bright lime green, then there was purple, bright blue, and a red one. Of course, bright patterned ribbons tied on, too. But THESE, Maggie, THESE are spectacular! I have had unique luggage tags, and true- you still have to look for those. Nobody is going to accidentally take your bag with these, either!Now, they could try to ON PURPOSE take your adorable bag, though! LOL. Decorate everything, I love it, and I love these! I am inspired, my friend! The wheels are turning,.....

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  6. Certainly will stand out on the carousel!

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  7. My luggage is being held together with hot glue. NOT very attractive. The front panels got caught while riding or flying or who knows what before it ended up at the end of the carousal. I wonder IF somehow I could use your example to 'fix it up'? I already have a HUGE letter 'R' on the back. You are such a creative person. Glad I know you. Hope to have lunch with you in Houston.

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  8. Maggie, I love my luggage tags you gave me a couple of years ago ... they are adorable and still serving me very well. Your painted suitcase, however, is outrageously FANTASTIC! You are always an inspiration to me. Please DO submit your ideas and pictures to ... maybe Cloth, Paper, Scissors?

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  9. I inherited my mother's train case (small square case) and plan to alter it.

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  10. Maggie you are too funny! You will never have trouble finding your suitcase.

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  11. Maggie - As usual, your luggage looks great. I also think it is great that Chuck likes it too. You can sure identify your suitcases! Anything with black and white checks is the "bomb" - opps don't say that in an aiport!
    Heidi

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  12. p.s. - I am going to make some "Fishy" luggage tags

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