DIY Holiday Storage Container From Suitcases

Here is another project made from something that had almost out lived it's usefulness and I credit my Sister for this project. She made a small suitcase for me a few years back so I could store some of my Christmas tree ornaments. I liked it so well I made myself another one plus 9 more for Christmas Gifts for my Family.

Once the ornaments are out the suitcase itself makes a attractive Christmas display under the tree. Heck one of the Family members was going to use it also as a overnight suit case at Christmas time when visiting Family

This is a VERY EASY & CHEAP project to make that does not out live It's Usefulness. The suitcases are very easy to find and are very cheap in Thrift Stores. I only paid between  $1.00 to $4.00 a piece for them. The only extra cost I had in them was the clear acrylic spray which covered 3 cases, didn't need to buy paint already had it.

I plan on making some more for myself with Easter and Halloween Themes on them

Step 1: Materials Needed

Suitcases: You don't have to be picky about the colors it can be changed just by painting them.

Cleaner: I used Mean Green from the Dollar General, it contains a d-greaser which will remove any kind of dirt and grim.

Clear acrylic or enamel spray: One can will cover 3 suit cases.

Good stiff craft paint brushes: The cases have a rough surface and a soft brush does not work very well.

Craft Paint:

Pencil

Step 2: Ready to Paint

First paint your cases with white so to have clean white surface for painting your picture.

Pencil Sketch your theme onto the suitcase. Note: I got my Theme Idea off some Christmas wrapping Paper.

For me it worked well when I painted the Sky and Ground first and then paint the Characters.

The only painting difficulty I had was painting a thin line for detail outlining because of the suitcase's rough surface.

Tips:   When I painted the trees I would paint the tree area white when it overlaid the sky that way I had a all white surface when painting the tree.

I painted the snow flacks last.

Once painting is done spray clear coat over the painted surfaces.

Step 3: All Done

Here are some of my finished Suitcases and everyone liked them. They all thought it was a neat idea for Storing their ornaments. One was going to use it as a overnight suit case at Christmas time when visiting Family.

These suitcases would be great painted up for each Holiday. My next one will be for Easter.