Trash to Treasure Yard Sale Decoupage

We just LOOOOVVEE yard sales!  The kids have become keen observers on these outings.  If we tell them what to look for, they can spy it from a great distance!  Amazing.  We are usually on the hunt for particular items, but there are some constants (like aquarium equipment) so I make it a game-the buggers enjoy it immensely.  My son will even scout cute dresses and toys for lil' sis.  Yes, I taught him well!   A few weeks ago I picked up an ugly, old suitcase looking thing.  It was part basket, part leather-ish.  Again, ugly.  I had no clue what I was going to do with it, but I couldn't help thinking it could be cool...somehow.

Here is how I started............................>>>>>>>

As you can see, the old, weaving and pleather combo left much to be desired.  I start playing around with the top.  I added pieces of scrapbook paper...stepped back and realized that the weaving HAD to be covered.  I knew that the scrapbook paper was a bit too stiff.  It wouldn't hold well, and it would have looked terrible.  I need something that I could push into the cracks and crevices.  TISSUE PAPER!  I grabbed some complimentary colored tissue paper, or so I thought, and some Mod Podge.  I spread crinkled pieces of tissue paper up and put them on with loads of Mod Podge.  I also some pieces of scrapbook paper to bring the top and sides together.  As it turned out, the one color I chose was way too bright, but I was not about to give up.  I would not allow myself to rip it apart.  I pushed on.

Honestly, the picture doesn't do it justice.  It actually looks quite cute.  I would change the colors if I had it to do over, but I will take this information with me to the next project.  It was worth the $1.00!!