I worked on a couple of Christmas projects for the shop earlier this week, so I thought I’d share them with you today.

First up is this vintage suitcase.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I liked this one, but I it was only $3 at a garage sale.  So I figured if it didn’t turn out, I was only out three bucks.

I didn’t even open it up before I got it home, but when I did I was awash in a sea of cobalt blue.

Isn’t that pretty?

Whenever I share a vintage suitcase project, I’m inevitably asked how I combat odors inside them.  I’ve tried any number of things with moderate success.

no 1 – fill the suitcase with crumpled newspaper and close it back up for a week or so.  The newspaper will absorb some of the odor.  Repeat several times with fresh newspaper if necessary.

no 2 – throw a scented dryer sheet inside.  Maybe pick a nice lavender scented variety.

no 3 – spray with Febreeze.

no 4 – give the suitcase its day in the sun.  Open it up and set it outside in a sunny spot to air out.

no 5 – throw a scented votive candle or bar of soap inside.

I’ve tried all of these options … and I often employ several of them in combination.  But, I still haven’t found a 100% fool-proof way of totally removing that musty old suitcase smell.  Once the suitcase goes back to sitting around closed up all the time, it will likely return.  For that reason, I use my own vintage suitcases to store things that won’t pick up odors like my glass tree toppers and other Christmas ornaments.

Initially I thought I would paint the outside entirely first, and then add a stencil.  That’s my usual M.O., like on this one …

But lately I’ve been experimenting more with just adding a stencil over the existing surface, like I did with this one last year …

So I pulled out my North Pole Trading Co stencil (from Wallcutz) and gave it a go.

I used my usual technique to add a shadow behind the words “north pole” by first stenciling them in Dixie Belle’s Caviar, then moving my stencil slightly up and over and stenciling the entire design in DB’s Ecru.

The texture of the case is not entirely smooth, so I was a little worried that I wouldn’t get a clean look with a stencil, but for the most part it turned out fine.

And personally, I like that I was able to keep the slightly beat up look of the original surface.

If you’re wondering what one would do with a Christmas suitcase, I suggest placing it in your foyer to greet your holiday guests.  Or, style it on top of a cupboard, or tucked under a sideboard.  And of course, it would be perfect for housing your vintage Christmas ornament non-collection in the off-season.

When styling photos of the suitcase for the blog, I added in my Christmas tuba.

What?  You’ve never heard of a Christmas tuba?

If I remember correctly, my neighbor nnK’s dad found this tuba in the trash at their storage facility.  Someone must have been cleaning out their unit and tossed it.  After he gave it to me, I thought it would make a unique bit of Christmas decor with the addition of some greens and some this fabulous wide vintage velvet ribbon from my stash.

I’ve been hoarding this ribbon for years, using it in the occasional photo shoot, but never wanting to ‘waste’ it.  It’s about time I started using it on things.

I guess both of my projects today are a bit on the more unusual side.  A Christmas suitcase and a Christmas tuba.  Why not?

What do you think?  Would you decorate with either of these items?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Meanwhile, if any of you locals are in need of a Christmas suitcase, or a Christmas tuba, I brought both of these items into the shop last night so be sure to swing by Stillwater this weekend to check them out!