Travel Trunk

In January, a bunch of us in 14 Secrets is going on an imaginary journey.  Right now, we are all digging out our "travel" gear.  This can be a suit case, a trunk, or whatever.  I decided to use an old steamer trunk miniture, because, since I don't have access to thrift shops here I had to design something.  And old trunks have an aura of history and such about them.  So, here is the process of my trunk making.

Tools needed:  board, glue gun, ruler, craft knife, and of course a drawing of what it will be eventually, with dimensions. 

Once parts are cut and glued, reinforce seams with tape.

Checking to see if top fits bottom, or vise versa..

Lining inside with previously painted paper.  This is a large strip of painted paper I have had hanging in the studio for months.  I painted most of it and wondered, what to do with it.  At last, a perfect place for it!  Cabbage roses... fun to paint, fun to see.

Give the glue time to dry...

I keep my glue mixture and brush in a plastic bag so it won't dry out between steps.

Found some embossed papers last week end at the YSM-perfect for the tin look!  I gave them a couple of ink washes then rubbed over them with a black stamp pad to bring out the embossing.  Cut some paper straps-painted them iron color.  Also gave the trunk an ink wash to get the wood color.

I had this vertical blinds fabric at the YSM last year.  I needed something strong to make hinges.  This is tough stuff so cut some strips of it and painted them copper.

Found my box of previous used tacks...

Flattened a belt buckle found at the YSM two summers ago..

The trunk with embossed tin look, straps, and hinges added...

Belt buckle added for embellishment... and sharpie marker difines the wood strips..

Rope handles... and front handle/latch made from the top of a shoe thong that I found at the scratch and dent store a few months back...  I get things that catch my eye, wondering what I could do with them.  Since this is really light weight, it fit with my very light weight trunk.

Out side for a final clear coat spray layer or two, inside and out..

And just outside my door, the fall blooming wild flowers welcomed me and my trunk!