We finally took down our Christmas tree. It’s actually early for us. We’re often tempted to simply add Easter eggs to the tree decorations. (Our door wreaths are still up….)
I didn’t want to put the felted light sculpture back up, and pondered what else I could do with the space. I didn’t really want to squish more furniture in there. But corners are powerful display spots, something I always try to capitalize on in my art booth. So why would I ignore this corner op?
Finally, it hit me. I have a couple of end ‘tables’ made from stacked luggage. Would I have enough to create a tall stack? A tower of suitcases?
I collected all my vintage suitcases. Well….not all of them. Not the Samsonite, or the leather/faux leather ones. Just those wonderful sort of fabric and cardboard ones, with great stripes. I had enough to make a sizable tower.
I proudly showed it to my husband. To my dismay, he just snorted. I think he thought I was kidding. He back-pedaled rapidly when he realized I wasn’t.
“Well, I think you should get a few more,” he teased, “and take it right up to the ceiling!”
He left. And I thought, he’s right, I need a topper!
I considered my favorite toy truck (orange) 
and my latest find, a fishing net float glass ball (aqua, round.) 
But neither seemed quite right.
Finally, I made one more trip to the attic. Aha! Two more little suitcases! (Okay, the top one is actually a little carrier for 45 records…)
To the ceiling! I made it!
And it has utility, too. Next year, I’m gonna store my Christmas ornaments in the suitcases. Neat, huh?
And no, I’m not embarrassed to reveal I own thirteen of these suitcases. A friend said last night when she saw them for the first time, “I collect those, too. No wonder I haven’t been able to find any!!” (So then I was a teensy bit embarrassed. But not enough to give her one.)
Luann Udell 
Luann,
Meant to write to you yesterday. Seems like at some point all experienced knitters discover the joy of the “dishcloth”. Actually, for me it came in the form of a knitting book by Barbara G. Walker, “Learn-to-knit Afghan Book”. It’s an afghan made up of 63 nine inch squares, each one in a different knitting pattern. Has all the advantages you mentioned of the dishcloth and in the end (once blocked and sewn together) there is this big beautiful afghan. Since an afghan is something I don’t think I’d ever sit down to make (sweaters are one thing, but an afghan ….boring!) the nine inch squares are perfecto!
Check it out.
-Jane Herman
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Will do, and thanks!
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Luann, You have left me laughing or crying on different occasions. Now you comfort me in light of my similar collection “problem”. The upstairs and the attic here are insulated and far beyond reason full of wool and fiber, spun or waiting to be spun. Your are a real peach! Thank you
M Simkins Federici.
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Your suitcase tower was wonderful, how it came to you, what your husband said, how you built on his idea! Seems so much like the way my creative ideas happen for me. Thanks, Luann!
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I collect sheep.My flock is getting bigger and it has now taken over my book shelf.My books kindly moved to the floor to accommodate it.Glad to see someone has a practical addiction.LOL.
Love and hugs
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Well, if I only collected ONE thing, the luggage wouldn’t be so bad…!! :^D
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I love the idea of storing your Christmas ornaments in the suitcases. They look beautiful all stacked together. So clever!
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