Friday, February 11, 2011

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


22 comments:

Chris Arlington said...

Wow! what a fab creation. Love it!
hugs, Chris

Ana Cristina Caldatto said...

uauu formidavel sua bolsa!

Liza MacKinnon said...

Great little travel case Angela! I think it's very cute and creative! Nice job.
Liza

DeeDee said...

OMG! I adore this... so perfect you did a great job Angela. I want one now...lol

angel said...

Piękne, po prostu piękne!!:)

Ady said...

Gorgeous bag ... I love the fabric combination. Shame it's only Barbie sized. You need one Angela size!

Donnie said...

That really came out nice. I love all the different textures.

Cyndi said...

Wow, Angela... super cute and very creative. I like how you used the flower stem as the handle. Way to repurpose! Barbie will be stylin' on her next trip! Maybe Ken will be taking her somewhere fabulous for Valentines! :o)

XOXO,

Cyndi

Wendy Aspinall said...

super cute Angela I love it now whick way to the trains? hugs wendy

Petunia said...

I would like one in a grown up size please! This is adorable Angela. I love the finish you got with the ModPodge. Love the colors too. Thank you for playing :)

Anna

Patricia's Paper Crafts said...

What a beautiful travel case bag like how you were thinking and thanks for showing how you put the bag together.

Selma said...

This is a very beautiful bag and great idea too. I like it very much and you can use it really.

Antonella said...

Barbie will love it - lol! You did a fantastic job - I love the way it looks all covered in fabric. I'm having so much fun visiting all the purses since I decided to take the plunge too!

Hugs, antonella :-)

Wendy said...

what a great train case. I love the way you used the stem for the handle. So cool. Beautiful bag. I have a few friends of the smaller variety that would love to use that bag.
wishes and whimsy
Wendy from Wonderland

PATRICIA said...

PARABÉNS PELO ANIVERSÁRIO DO BLOG....MUITO LINDA SUA BOLSA APAIXONANTE....

peggy gatto said...

what you did is magical, really lovely!!!
bravo!!!

Rosemary said...

I really like your bag - I want something like that in real life now!

Love what you used, and how the papers look covering it - clever handle too!

Thespoena McLaughlin said...

Too darn cute! Love your use of the fabric. Great idea!

Asas à imaginação said...

So gorgeous!!!a little charmer!!!
Hugs
Marlei

Toni said...

Angela, this was such a great idea... how adorable. I love the idea of using the fabric and the stem used for a handle... great idea !!!! beautiful :)

Linda said...

What a great piece. Nice job. Oh so creative.

Sandy Ang said...

Just so wonderfully chic chic. I can imagine a fashionista carrying it as she stroll along with her poodle.