robin's egg train case

I finished the cool robin's egg blue train case that you might have seen in the vodcast at diystyle.net and here.

I love to see and hear about the process of making things so I thought I'd share a little of that for this project. Of course, the train case is the base of the design...robin's egg blue with silver specs, perfect inside and out, a tray for holding lots of goodies and, as an added bonus, it has its original key. I didn't want to completely cover the case and chose oranges, reds, and yellows to contrast with the blue. My favorite pattern images are very 1960s...not too kitchy...kind of modern...kind of cool. Just look at the image on the side of the case...the red patterned blouse and gypsy earrings are straight out of an Anthropologie catalog.

I cut out the images I might use and then arrange them until they look right to my eye. I added a few extras...paper edges and cutouts and such to define spaces a little more. I cut out the "It's Young Fashion!" statement for the front of the case.

There are sometimes images of the back of a sewing project and I love to use those on the back of the case.

Finally, the train case had its original tray but it was a little stained. I covered the tray in sewing pattern tissue...so cute for what might be used as a sewing kit. I used a small scrap to make a tag for the key (tied with black and white baker's twine).

I am listing this case and another fun "patchwork" one in my etsy shop today. With Mother's Day approaching quickly, I hope to list lots of new stuff throughout the week also.

On the technical front, the Mac or PC decision was made and I'm waiting on a new MacBook...also waiting on a new Photoshop Elements (in the mean time, all I seem to have is "edge blur" in iPhoto so be patient with my photos over the next week or so). For some reason, I'm only getting an html editor when creating a post in TypePad (had a choice on the PC)...this is little too irritating so early in the morning...am I doing something wrong?...looks like TypePad does not support rich text formatting on Safari...oopsie.

Comments

[liz elayne]

this is gorgeous! love this train case and what you have done with it. thanks for the insight into your process...those women do look very anthropolgie.

[farmerjulie]

That case is so fun!!! Clever!

[jerusalem]

LOVE the tray insert - brilliant!

[barbara]

I love how your train case came out - every part of it! I'm hoping to decorate the one I just got in a horse motif for my daughter's birthday. If it comes out OK, I'll blog about it -- if not, it's always good for storage!

[maddie]

ohhhhhh.. love the blue and color hints.. very soothing yet.. fresh and young feeling. Another winner my dear!

maddie

[lera]

Beautiful.

[Kimberly]

Love the train case very cute. As for Safari we have been using Firefox for a couple years now and find it much friendlier. You can get it as a free download for Mac or PC.

[Whitney]

I love it! Thanks for all the descriptions :)

[June]

I love the blue color of the case and the way you used the pattern paper in the tray is wonderful.

I've been considering PC vs. MAC for a bit now as I know inevitably I'll have to replace my Dell laptop. I'm tired of replacing laptops so frequently as they aren't cheap. So, I'm thinking a MAC might be in my future.

[tammyCA]

It turned out great! Love that you didn't cover the whole thing, but select pieces. It will make a wonderful sewing box. I have 2 old train cases in blue, but they aren't in pretty shape...probably will paint them first then decorate so I can store my crafting stuff.

[Elizabeth Holcombe]

You are just TOO clever! The clipboard and trainxcase are jsut FAB!!!!!~~~~~XXOO, Beth