I recently saw a fabulous vintage suitcase do-over.  It had bold stripes painted across it and I loved it! 

The Lily Pad Cottage

 

It got me thinking and googling.... googling and thinking. 

 

And here's another one I drooled over from The Concrete Cottage.

 

The Concrete Cottage

Dontcha just love those colors?

And here's another one.

Oakview Cottage

Wow.

So, my wheels started turning and my thoughts went to a small vintage suitcase I had just picked up at Goodwill for $1.99.  It's not even a suitcase, really. I think it was actually an album case.  I found a sticker inside it that looks like it might have come from a music store.  I guess I'll never know for sure.  All I do know is that it's definitely old.

I figured it could stand a bit of work.  So I literally scrubbed it clean and decided on a color and pattern for the paint.

My original idea was to recreate a grainsack pattern, but that idea went downhill pretty fast when I realized that the width of the stripes would have to be fairly substantial in order for it to be proportioned correctly on the case. But fat stripes wouldn't really look like a grainsack, now would it?  So I compromised.  I used the paint color I had originally planned to use, but I made the stripes fatter than you would find on a grainsack.  I left that paint job for another day (and a textile of some sort, like a pillow).

Out came the acrylic paint (49 cents at Hobby Lobby), masking tape ($1.00 a roll at Dollar Tree), painter's tape (already had) and a small paint roller (two for $1.00) that I got from Dollar Tree.

I taped the stripes off at 2, 1 and 1/2 inch respectively, with 3/4 of an inch between each stripe.

       I marked the stripes off with masking tape and then added some painter's tape to the sides of that so there would be some extra room on each side of the stripe for the roller.

I just placed the tape in one continuous line all the way around the case.

Here it is after I painted the first stripe but before I peeled off the tape.

And here it is finished.

I wasn't thrilled with the lack of crispness (there was some bleeding) but hey, I think it all adds to the vintage charm!  And I think it was a nice trial of sorts for me.  In other words, vintage suitcases, look out!  I think it would be fun to paint the stripes in two complimentary colors.  And there's always that good old standby - white!

I also wrapped the handle in jute since it was looking a bit too new (once I scrubbed it clean!) if you know what I mean.  I think it added just the right touch.  And I can always take it off if I change my mind.

And now I get to sit back and admire my handiwork.  And decide how to take advantage of it's other benefit -- hidden storage!

I'm an official vintage suitcase addict now. 

You can see my madness on my

 VINTAGE SUITCASE PINTEREST PAGE!


Kathleen

I'll be linking up here:

OPC The Better Half 6th Annual Before and After Contest

Cedar Hill Ranch ~ The Scoop

Uncommon Designs~ Monday Funday

Knick of Time~ Knick of Time Tuesday

Homemaker on a Dime~Creative Bloggers Linky Party
Sharon & Co. Be Inspired
Hope Studios Tutorial Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife Show Me What Ya Got
Ivy and Elephants Whats It Wednesday
Funky Polkadot Giraffe Too Cute Tuesday
Someday Crafts Whatever Goes Wednesday
No Minimalist Here
   The Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday

Chickadees Number 1 and 2

 

{NOTE: Pay no attention to the annoying date in the bottom right hand corner of the picture ~ it's wrong.  My old camera was wonky that way!  And I obviously don't know how to photoshop it out, sorry:)}

Every year, when St. Patrick's Day rolls around, my oldest daughter {Chickadee Number 1} gets busy with her Irish dance performances.  You see, she's been dancing since she was seven and a half years old.  She and her little sister, Chickadee Number 2, started dancing in 2007.  It's been six years. 

Six years of fun. 

 

And hard work.

 

And dedication. 

 

And disappointment. 

 

And elation.

 

And camaraderie. 

Her little sister dropped out along the way, as children often do.  Yet Number 1 has stayed with it out of pure love.  Love of the dance.

And my, how she's grown.

Being mostly Irish, it's nice to see one of my children embrace a Celtic tradition.  But it's a real job.  And anyone who has ever been a part of the Irish dance world will tell you so.  There are hard shoes and soft shoes and dresses and wigs and make-up and poodle socks and sock glue {yes, I said sock glue} and feiseanna {competitions} and lessons and the list goes on and on.  Oh, and there's money.  Yes, there's that.  The money we parents spend to support our children's passion. 

 

But she doesn't really ask for much, this one.  So we've been an Irish dance family for what seems like forever now.  And at this time of year, especially, we get to be proud of our daughter and all of her dance schoolmates who work so hard all year long.  Now is their time to shine.
 

This one's my absolute favorite. 

{The preceding 4 photos courtesy of my friend, Nancy.}
 

So for the next few days the celebrations and special holiday performances will continue.  And us lucky ones, well, we'll be swept along for the ride with our very special daughters.    

 

And you know what they say:

You don't have to be Irish to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  So if you see some Irish dancers this St. Patrick's Day, well, just sit back, clap your hands, stomp your feet and enjoy the ride.  It only happens once a year.

In honor of the special day I created another one of my Irish dance charm bracelets.

As always, available in my Etsy store.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends!

 

xoxo

 

Kathleen

 
Book bundle decor is one way you can add a French, chippy shabby touch to your home decor. It's easy to recreate and easier to display. I've found a unique way to display mine and I hope you'll stick around to find out what I did. 

from tulips and towards.....{drum roll please}......ranunculus. Ranunculus? Yes, it's genius and I don't why I hadn't thought of it sooner myself. Magazines are touting them as the new tulips, and I personally can't wait to get me some! I've become so smitten with these flowers that I've even created a Ranunculus Pinterest board.

Okay, aren't these absolutely gorgeous?  {And I would kill for that teacup!}

Now I know the next one says "Mom" but it could just as easily say "Happy Easter!"

I can see them now, adorning the table at Easter brunch.  Or any brunch for that matter.  I think I'm in love.  How about you?

 

Well, we've finally had our first real snow of the season out here in the midwest.  Boy, was it weird to have a relatively snowless winter. So weird that I found myself actually wishing for a snowstorm! That wish came true and now it's a veritable winter wonderland.  And only 21 days until spring.  Go figure.

That being said, I guess it's about time I shared with you one of my Christmas gifts from Mr. CBD.  It's a willow bottle basket and I absolutely love it.

But of course I couldn't just leave well enough alone, now could I?  I had some burlap left over from a previous project and I literally heard it calling to me.  Has that ever happened to you?  Anyway, after I pulled it out I saw that it was already the perfect size to fit right around my basket.  But it just seemed a bit too plain, you know?  So I added a little French-inspired sumpin' sumpin'.  And there you have it.

I've never been one for decorating when it comes to Valentine's Day.  But last year I did create something really simple and really pretty to mark the day.  It went over so well and became one of my most viewed posts so I thought I'd share it again this year for those of you who missed it.  

I can't imagine how I missed these, since the one place I frequent almost as much as Goodwill is Dollar Tree.  Anyway, I brought some of these pretty things home and immediately used them to fill a vintage white ironstone bowl, a cloche and a vintage silver pedestal bowl.  I'll probably do more with them later but I wanted to share them with you before Valentine's Day is just a sweet memory.

For more inspiration I did some research, a.k.a. googled, and came up with two other sites that have fab Dollar Tree flower petal soap ideas. One is  The 36th Avenue.  The other is Pleasant Home.  Their ideas are genius and you've got to check them out.  The only thing I don't understand is how these two posts were written in January and May of 2011 and I missed them altogether? Oh well, I'm just glad I found them now and can share them with you all.

Speaking of romance, this might just make a nice Valentine's Day gift for yourself. What's that? You never buy gifts for yourself? Me neither {insert tongue in cheek here.} 

And here's hoping that your February 14th is the very sweetest ever.

Xoxo

I'll be linking up here:

The Answer is Chocolate BFF Open House Link Party

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home ~ Home Sweet Home Party

Common Ground Be Inspired

504 Main Tickled Pink