A Stinky Suitcase Makeover with Mod Podge & Burlap

I've been working on this suitcase for what seems like forever. After some mod podge, burlap, spray paint, and trim, it is finally finished...yee haaaa!

It started like this... old, ugly, and STINKY. This Samsonite Case was one of my Flea Market Finds from Canton Trades Days in July for $3.00. I was excited with my purchase, but then realized how bad the inside STANK, I mean give-you-a-headache-kind-of-stink. I began to wonder if I had wasted my $3.00. I googled ideas to get rid of the smell...I tried the baking soda trick - it didn't help. I tried Mother Nature's way with some good ol' sunshine and fresh air for a while - it still stank, but I was determined something must work. I brought the suitcase back in the house and started ripping out the lining. Yep, I ripped and tugged that old vinyl out and away went the smell into the trash can!!! Problem Solved! Now for the FUN part!

I spray painted the metal trim aqua blue, then mod podge the outside with various shades of blue and brown scrapbook paper. At some point I decided to glue in the chocolate burlap liner, then I added some vintage looking lace trim around the edges.

I finally decided just to paint the handle aqua blue - I wish I would have completed this step before I glued the paper, but I didn't. When I was painting the handle, I decided to use a doily as a template and spray paint the design onto the suitcase. I over did it a little and decided to cover up some of the spray paint with more paper. I did leave part of the painted pattern showing though. It just didn't need as much as I painted. That's the great thing about mod podge, if you don't like something, you can just layer over it with more paper!

My suitcase is ready, now I just need somewhere to go!

I will probably use this suitcase as some type of storage in our bathroom, since we never seem to go anywhere overnight! I am planning a makeover for our "big" bathroom and plan on using these same colors. I can see towels displayed in the suitcase or makeup and the such organized in it. Of course earings hang great from burlap, so who knows exactly were it will wind up! So what do you think?

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