This project was a hard one for me because you see I painted my Raggedy Ginger Cookie Suitcase 10 years ago… yes 10 years ago!! (Where has the time gone?!!) My business name Raggedy Bits, came about because I just loved all things to do with Rag Dolls and Gingerbreads. That was even longer ago! 20 years to be exact!  But as we know all good things must come to an end and tastes change! If you have been following me for a while you will know that I am changing the style of my house and moving more towards a Vintage Farmhouse Style. Definitely on a budget so I’m trying to repurpose things that I already have. So my next project was to transform this Raggedy Ginger into a Vintage Farmhouse Chalkboard Suitcase!

Vintage Farmhouse Chalkboard Suitcase

*This post contains affiliate links. Which means I may receive a very small commission to go towards my painting addiction ???? . It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. See here for my full disclosure*

Supplies needed:

• Old suitcase
• Pencil
• Deco Art Chalkboard Paint
• Paint Brush
• Chalk

I didn’t think I was going to have sad eyes as much as I did with this project. When it came to sanding my little Raggedy and Ginger back I froze and thought should I really do this?!! You painted this like 10 years ago?? It’s part of where your little business has grown from!!!   You get the idea of conversation that I was having with myself!! So I just closed my eyes and pressed “go” on the sander! Probably NOT the smartest thing to do while using an electric tool  and I DON’T recommend you try this at home!!! 😉 If you are going to use a suitcase that has an existing design sand back with 120 grit paper to remove any varnish and make sure that the design is smooth and flat because you don’t want any lumps in your chalkboard area!

Step 1 – Using a glass or a coffee mug and a pencil trace the scalloped edge at the top of the suitcase.

Step 2 – With your paint brush paint on the chalkboard paint, making sure that you go in the same direction with your paint strokes because you don’t want any brush marks in your finished work. Allow to dry.

Step 3 – Apply another coat of chalkboard paint. Allow to dry for 24hrs.

Step 4 –  Take a piece of chalk and rub it all over were the chalkboard paint. This is called seasoning.

Step 5 –  Remove chalk with a damp cloth. You can remove more if you want than I have. I just like the well-used chalkboard look because it makes it look aged and vintage.

Step 6 – Trace around a board or a plate pending on what design you would like to have. I decided to go rectangle because I wanted to fill up most of the case front with my design. This is your chance to play around a bit. Furthermore, if you make a mistake it’s all good just grab your wet cloth and remove your boo boo.

HANDY HINT: Use a cotton tip if you’re doing more fine detail rather than your damp cloth that may take off more of your design than you want.

Step 7 – Draw on your design using chalk or a chalk pencil. With this design I did it all by free hand but if you’re not feeling confident make up a design in Pic Monkey and print out. Then transfer your design onto your suitcase using light transfer paper and then go over the design with chalk. Be sure not to press hard because you don’t want to leave the imprint in the suitcase if you decide to change your design.

I hope that this project has inspired you to use things around your home to make changes! It will be sure to save you a tonne of money and give your home a fresh new look. I sure have enjoyed my makeovers thus far and being able to create different things along the way!

After I sanded, painted and designed the suitcase I was happy that I did it and thought to myself that I can always paint more Raggedy’s and Ginger’s again if my tastes happen to change!! So for now, we will enjoy our new Vintage Farmhouse Chalkboard Suitcase and change the design around as we please!   😉

Like to try this project later? Be sure to PIN 🙂