art case
When my daughter turned 7 a couple of months ago, all she wanted for her birthday was a pink Nintendo DS. No problem, I thought, I just saw those at Target. Whatever I may or may not have actually seen at Target was nowhere to be found again. I spent a good two weeks making the rounds at the usual stores (yep...online too). When I finally found one, I was very happy.
I was even happier when I stopped at my pink thrift store on my way home and found one of those small hard-sided "going to grandma's house" little suitcases. I covered the case in red and white patterned paper, added a red gingham ribbon, vintage buttons, and a tag at the top tied with baker's twine. Ellen is not really wild about my sewing pattern stuff (a small form of rebellion I'm sure), so I added a transparent "Every child is an Artist" quote. The suitcase is now Ellen's art case...almost as good as a Nintendo DS.
very sweet!!
oxooxx,
jessi
Posted by:jessi nagy | April 14, 2008 at 09:53 AM
So cute! I love it!
Posted by:jerusalem | April 14, 2008 at 10:01 AM
wow! what a great idea! i absolutely love it! i would so carry this!
Posted by:amy | April 14, 2008 at 10:23 AM
That looks terrific! How did you get the paper to stick so nicely in all the corners?
Posted by:Jen | April 14, 2008 at 10:25 AM
That looks terrific! How did you get the paper to stick so nicely in all the corners?
Posted by:Jen | April 14, 2008 at 10:25 AM
That is darling!!
Posted by:farmerjulie | April 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I love the art case. Bet someday she'll like it a lot more than the Nintendo.
Posted by:barbara | April 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Hello, Julie - thanks for stopping in at my blog :). I love the case! I have a love for little cases and containers (in fact, I once bought one from your Etsy shop!). The colors are darling...
Posted by:Whitney Johnson | April 14, 2008 at 03:24 PM
I love what you did to the cute little case.
Posted by:Julie | April 14, 2008 at 03:52 PM
So very swanky! I wouldn't be surprised if she honors her Nintendo by letting it be carried in this case.
Posted by:Karen | April 14, 2008 at 04:55 PM
ohhhhhhh I love it!!!.. what was the case made out of.. the hard stuff or the vinyl??
Maddie
Posted by:Maddie | April 14, 2008 at 05:23 PM
The case is so pretty and I love the quote--just perfect!
Posted by:June | April 14, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Adorable! I love it!
Posted by:Jenn | April 14, 2008 at 06:55 PM
its great!...
Posted by:Zelia | April 15, 2008 at 03:24 AM
This is lovely. How did you get the paper so neat round curvy bits?
Posted by:Digger | April 15, 2008 at 04:26 AM
Oh, I adore it and I'm sure she did too. I've been contemplating a hand held game for Emma. I'm not sure if I'm ready to admit that she's old enough want one!
Posted by:Jen | April 15, 2008 at 07:52 AM
That'll be something she'll always treasure and will probably pass on to her kids one day!
Posted by:Katy | April 15, 2008 at 09:46 AM
how darn tootin' adorable my lil' chicks and i collect hard side vintage cases...i never thought of doin' that..too cute! thanks for the idea...cat...ooh,stop by my blog to let me know what you used to get the paper to stick so nicely...thanks doll.
Posted by:THE VINTAGE HOUSEWIFE | April 15, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Oh good - I've been reading here a while (and just ordered from your shop) and finally had to break down and ask - and hooray! There are similar wonderers. Could you share some glue and sealant tips? I would love to know what you use to stick paper to, well, everything, and also whether you put a sealant over the top of paper projects and which one.
I know, a lot to ask on the first de-lurk. But I had to do it.
Thank you for such wonderful posts - they are always gorgeous.
Kathryn
Posted by:Kathryn A | April 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Julie, your suitcase redo for your daughter is as adorable as can be!! A while back I ordered a "Sew Busy" suitcase, a clipboard, and some note flats for my daughter's birthday from you. She absolutely LOVED the gift!! Thank you for sharing your talent. You had also sent me some add'l note flats because you mistakenly sent the package to my Minnesota address instead of my winter address. It was really my fault because I had neglected to change the address on my PayPal account, but you were so kind to throw in a little something extra for the shipping delay. The package arrived, after its cross country adventure, in plenty of time for me to oooh and aaah over the contents and then turn around and mail it off to my daughter for her birthday. Keep the creative energy flowing. You inspire so many of us! ~Adrienne
Posted by:Adrienne | April 16, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Absolutley LOVE the suitcase... actually I am trying to find a few myself as my kids and I are off to church camp this summer.. Love, love, love it!!
Posted by:Carrie | April 16, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Very cute! This is my first visit to your blog, btw,so'Hi'!
Posted by:Knitsational | April 17, 2008 at 09:43 AM
just came back to look at the buttons on the case - glad you could use them!
Posted by:barbara | April 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM
DO NOT BUY A NINTENDO! I have banned Nintendos in my house. I have explained why to my kids and they are going along with it at the moment! My daughter used to have great fun at her best friends house. Now there is a Nintendo, if it gets brought out at all, it completely kills all of their creative role playing games. I know I will probably be told in the future I was really mean, but there are 100s of free games on the PC. They get bored of these and only play for a little while. I also have a friend (age 40) who if she plays her Nintendo for even 5 minutes she cant get to sleep and suffers insommnia all night! Stick to the pens and glue! Check out my blog - Lavender House - typepad - my kids get to have fun with no Nintendos like I am sure yours do too. Love the blog. Best wishes Emma
Posted by:whisty@btinternet.com | April 18, 2008 at 02:19 AM
that seems so fitting since my name is also Ellen and I am an artist! I would have loved to have gotten a suitcase like that as a child!!
Posted by:ellen Crimi-Trent | April 20, 2008 at 11:52 PM