suitcase dr suess style

i was junk shopping at my favorite antique mall and found an old doll suitcase and this 1959 dr seuss book "happy birthday to you". the book is quite worn, but i even like the red tape along the side. i have always liked the imaginative creations of dr seuss and was determined to try to cover the suitcase with seuss-land images.

after checking alibris to make sure that the book wasn't valuable i went to work planning the front and back of the suitcase and selecting the images i wanted on the sides. it took more planning than i excpected and lots of detail cutting of the creatures. i started with the front of the suitcase modge podging the background image, a full page spread, and then added cut outs over the text and anywhere the images looked fun. i even decopaged on the inside of the trunk over some of the worn white and blue star paper.
you can tell a little from the side view that you have to plan which edges will fold over to the top to keep the design flowing around the sides. some old train cases have this wonderful stitched edging that would break up the image for you perfectly.

to protect the suitcase i tried a very cool acrylic latex clear coat. it clouds a little and then dries clear. you can't over work the stuff though or it pulls up the modge podge. just brush in on thick and let it dry overnight. i did three coats over the outside and noticed the clear coat even looks great if you get a little on the hardwarde. the final finish is glossy and tough without any stickiness!


so maybe soon i can download everything from CHA for a full report. . .