February Artful Bag Challenge: Altered Bag

What do you think about "Patchwork Train Case" for the name of my first ever altered bag?  I signed up for the Artful Bag Challenge over at Frosted Petunias and this month's challenge is to alter an object into a bag.  In other words, take something that isn't a bag and make it a bag.  So, I took a small wooden chest I found at Joann's and transformed it into a train case.  Well, a train case for Barbie.  (It's pretty small).

I started by cutting narrow strips of fabric and then used Mod Podge to adhere them to the box.  I covered every side of the box and then painted the inside edges with black acrylic paint.   I smoothed the back of a heart button and "super glued" it onto the outside of the gold latch.  I used a "stem" from an old bunch of fake flowers for the handle after a gold paint touch up.

I really like how the shiny Mod Podge made the fabric strips look.  I painted on several layers of the stuff and that made the fabric look shiny and a little leathery.  Which, is kind of the look I was going for originally.  I knew I wanted to make a train case-like purse, but struggled with how to make it appear like leather.  I actually began this project using a box that one of my favorite teas came in, but I wasn't pleased with my faux leather painting job.  So, I scrapped that version and began again.  I decided these colors, plus the heart, was appropriate for February...Valentine's Day!  

Please go over to Anna's Blog and check out the other Altered Bags.  They are all so amazing.  I am so impressed with how creative those ladies are!

Speaking of creative ladies, please don't forget to have a look at the  February Dresses on parade.  They are also super fabulous.  February's artist inspiration is Gustav Klimt and the dresses are spectacular.  I am working on the details regarding who or what artist inspiration we will have for March.  I think everyone will love it!

Have a super weekend everyone!

Angela