Hello amazing friends! Today I’m sharing a fun find I scored at the thrift store by my Mom’s house a couple of weeks ago.
This cool vintage travel case was only $5:
I was immediately drawn to its charm the minute I spied it, and it was in excellent condition.
I decided to have some fun with pattern for this one…
My dresser I shared on Thursday was the perfect prop. 🙂
I created the harlequin pattern using a little trick folding paper…
Here are all the steps in this tutorial I shared a few years ago:See the full tutorial in detail HERE.
I prefer FrogTape to the blue tape I used for that project I did ages ago.
Then I added stripes to the side, with FrogTape of course:
I removed the tape while the paint was still wet.
I love the two patterns together.
It seemed like it needed a little something more, so I dug through my stencils and found this PARIS one I purchased HERE…
I filled in all the breaks in the letters so it would look less like a stencil.
The inside was in perfect condition, so I left it as is:
Now this isn’t going to be able to handle the airlines without coming out a scuffed up mess I’m sure, but I’ll be keeping this to use it to hold all my cards and travel mementos I’ve saved over the years…
I’ve mentioned before that I have a hard time parting with birthday and anniversary cards, especially things my kids make for me. I also like to save tickets. etc from special trips we’ve taken. (It’s the hoarder in me!)
This case is perfect for that.
I loved the brass/gold details so I decided to keep them as is.
I used my DIY chalk paint in Bit of Sugar by Behr for the base color, and the patterns were added using Pebble by Fusion Mineral Paint. I was looking through some colors they had sent me a while back to find a color that would blend with the interior of the case and this looked pretty close with just a hint of green in it. As it dried though, it looked more gray.
This would also make a fantastic sewing box with all the pockets on the inside.
This was a fun little piece to work on…much more fun than figuring out a way to refresh these super faded outdoor light fixtures without removing them from the wall:
But I did it! I’ll be back to share those on Thursday in case your outdoor fixtures are in need of some help too. I have a super simple way to update them without even having to take them down!
See y’all then!
UPDATE: No need to wait…check out my trick for updating those fixtures in a flash HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Mary Kaiser says
I am totally in LOVE with that, what a great keepsake box. I can’t wait to see how you refreshed your outdoor light fixtures, mine are faded worse than yours. My husband just mentioned he wanted to buy new ones, but maybe now we won’t have to. Just think of all the things from the thrift store I can purchase instead of light fixtures. Hurry up Thursday!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I love this for all those special bits and pieces I save from our trips. Yes, you will not believe how good my light fixtures look now…brand new!! XOXO
Janice says
How cute. When I first saw it, I thought it was a case for a vintage hair dryer. Remember those? Somebody had taken really good care of this one. Love the two patterns together on it.
Christy says
Thanks, Janice! Oh yeah, it does look like that, and yes it has been very well cared for! I was thrilled to find it! 🙂
Christina in FL says
Super cute Christy! This little darling case is ready to rumble… with mementos or crafts or…. who knows. Wonderful colors and graphics. You hit it out of the park yet again. 🙂
Christy says
Thanks, Christina! It could be used for so many purposes! XOXO
ELIZABETH says
Very pretty
Christy says
Thank you, Elizabeth! XO
Marcie Lovett says
What a score, Christy! Those hat boxes can go for $100 or more. I see why you can’t let that one go – it’s fabulous now! Love the idea of using it as a sewing box, too.
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! I just loved it when I first saw it…and I’m thrilled that I have a use for it! XOXO
Sherry Stuifbergen says
The case looks fantastic. Great design. I was a “blank” with what “I” would do… but you had the vision. Perfect for all your travel mementos. I wish I had your cheap thrift shops in my town. You are a very neat painter and designer. I bet you are buildlng a fan club of your pieces you repurpose.
Christy says
Thank you, Sherry! You are so sweet!! I had to think about this one for a minute…but decided to start with that harlequin pattern and see where it went. We are lucky to have an abundance of thrift stores in my area! XOXO
Becky says
Oh my goodness, that is SO CUTE!!! What a great way to use your case too!
Hey, I spent some time last summer spray painting my still-attached-to-the-wall outdoor light fixtures too! : ) Fun, fun! Looking forward to seeing what you did!
Christy says
Thank you, Becky!! I’m so glad I found this for all my mementos! With the lights I was so afraid of getting overspray on the stone, so I had to get creative. 🙂
Annie (Canada) says
Cute case Christy 🙂 Decorative and useful both things I love <3
Christy says
Thank you, Annie!! XOXO
Lori says
Love it! You come up with such great ideas!!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Lori! XOXO
Julie Briones says
This is so pretty, Christy! How nice that the condition was so good on the inside. Love the patterns you chose, and the stencil was perfect, too. Hope you enjoy it… Glad you are keeping it for yourself. Have a great day!
Christy says
Thanks, Julie! It was in excellent condition, such a lucky find! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
Wow, this little case is simply beautiful. If only it could talk to you and tell the stories of where it’s been! Love how you put all your keepsakes in it. I save my tickets and other memorabilia as well — they just go in my photo album along with the pictures. Great job!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! I always think that, especially with mirrors…if those older pieces could tell stories! XOXO
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
Oh gosh, I just love what you did with this travel case by adding mixed patterns and the Paris stencil. So cute!
Christy says
Thanks, Marie! I’m so glad I found a use for it so I can keep it! XOXO
Addie says
You are one patient girlie!!!! I would be chucking that down a hill and into the ocean!!!! Came out GREAT!!!!! The inside looks to be very clean too!!!
Hehehe on my Warriors!!!! They’re baccccccck!!!!!!
God Bless,
Addie
Christy says
Thanks, Addie!! It was super clean inside…bonus, and less work for me!! Go Warriors…they are killin it! XOXO
Rose Arroyo says
I love the travel bag it looks so good lucky you that it was in great condition.
Christy says
Thanks, Rose! It was in excellent condition…lucky find! 🙂 XO
Tammy says
Love it… but love all your projects!!!!
Christy says
Aww thanks so much, Tammy! I appreciate that! XOXO
Bonnie Hipps says
Great job again Christy look forward to every week for awesome makeovers just like this….I collect Antique hats so the boxes are close to my heart too.
Working on getting my she shed fixed up to TRY to do some stuff like yours with my own twist. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you, Bonnie! This would be a perfect hat box as well. It will be great to have a dedicated creative space…that’s awesome! XOXO
Leticia says
Just gorgeous! You did a lot of work on this little case and it shows! Thank you for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Leticia! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. XOXO
Cecilia says
It turned out great! Love the pattern with the stripes! What a fun piece.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecelia!! Glad I get to keep this one! 🙂
Mae says
Love what you did with yours! I received a travel case like this a while back, wasn’t sure what I’d use it for until my 6 lb Shorkie made himself at home in it. So I bought a round dog bed that would fit inside of it and now it’s his daytime hangout place. Everyone who sees it comments about what a great idea that was. Of course, I have to give the credit to my dog 🙂
Christy says
Thanks, Mae! What a perfect use for a small case like this…smart pup! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
So cute Christy! And smarty pants with the folding paper trick! 😉 I’m also a card hoarder. The entire (and I mean filled to the brim) top drawer in our family room dresser is nothing but cards. I also have some in another spot upstairs. I keep them ALL! 🙂 xo
Christy says
Thanks, Nancy! The first time I did that pattern on something I measured it all out…then I got smart ha ha! And I am the same way…I just cannot seem to part with those cards. Sounds like you got me beat for sure though! 😀 XOXO
ColleenB. says
How did I miss this cute little travel cake? It’s absolutely stunning and such a great place to keep your traveled treasures in. Luv It.
Christy says
Thank you, Colleen! It was such a cool piece, I was so excited to find it! 🙂