Upcycled Suitcase Tray

It's time once again for our monthly Thrifty Chicks Challenge and this month's theme is suitcases!

True to form, I had a plan... procrastinated on that plan until the last possible minute... then changed my plan without enough time to shop for any supplies! Oh yeah... that's how I roll yo! 😎 I actually think it works out better this way sometimes, I seem to work well under pressure!

As always, be sure to check out the other ladies' posts at the end too!



Mine started out like this.


I've had this for years. I was using it to store silk flowers and floral picks. The hinges were loose and it had a lot of damage. And truth be told, my floral stash has outgrown this vessel!


The paper lining was loose and dirty.



Since it wasn't anything very special and had so much damage I didn't feel bad disassembling it. I removed the lid which would become my new tray. No worries... I saved the bottom for another project 😊


To make my new tray I picked out this pretty blue color to paint it, it's called Lagoon.



Then I found some wooden knobs to use for little bun feet.


I used my drill to drill holes where I wanted the feet to be.


And I added the little feet with screws.



Now it needed some handles. I found these in my stash and added them to the sides with screws as well.


Now to reline it!


I wanted something that would go well with the new color and I happened to have this vintage pillowcase! Perfect!


I cut a piece of the pillowcase fabric the size of the bottom of my new tray and used Mod Podge to adhere it, working in small sections.



When I came to the sides I added a strip of fabric with the wrong side facing in and then folded it down and adhered it. Once I folded it down, the right side was showing.


I used some vintage velvet ribbon to cover the seams.


I just used hot glue to adhere it.



I wrapped some scraps of the fabric around the handles for a cute touch.


And my little upcycled suitcase tray is finished!




So if you find an old suitcase that has seen better days...


...maybe it's a little dirty, bent, or dented...


...don't pass it by, take a second look, maybe it can become something cute again!


Check out the other ladies' suitcase projects here: