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

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

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.

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.