News flash: My kid is a train addict.
The boy goes nowhere without a train (or ten). So when my blog friend and fellow Silhouette Design Teamer Analisa at Parental Perspective made this rad travel train case, I pinned away. I knew it would be the perfect way to travel with all those wooden trains.
I told my friend Stephanie (also known as Miles’ mom) that if she picked up the cases, I would embellish them for our two little train lovers. Here’s how our versions turned out.
Miles’ mom bought a few adorable wooden mini-suitcases from Hobby Lobby and I got to work. I painted the outside in gray and added vinyl. Then, I finished them off with mod podge so Henry wouldn’t pick off the “stickers.” Henry’s new briefcase became a fast favorite.
Here’s Miles’ version, which I think was just as well-received.
On the back, I added a railroad crossing symbol in black vinyl.
Inside the case was painted green with a blue lake in the middle. Then, I added the black vinyl train tracks and mod podged it all.
Henry immediately got to work, huffing and chuffing. It’s hard work, running his own railroad.
And then he left, because an engineer can’t be bothered with photography. “Paparazzi,” he mumbled under his breath.
(Shapes used: border train, train track set, railroad crossing; inspired heavily by Analisa’s train case)
In other train-related news, Henry met the “real” Thomas the Train this weekend. Minds were blown. Mostly one mind.
Guys. We drove 2+ hours for this 20 minute ride. It was so hot. We walked so far from parking. We paid so much for tickets.
And yes. It was worth it. Henry’s been talking about riding Thomas ever since. And that James (temporary) tattoo he picked out.
And that’s how we’ve become a train-loving family, all because of a sweet train-loving little boy.
Any other train lovers out there?
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Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
This was enough to make my heart completely explode.
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Ok, I have a confession. The fact that you “met” Thomas kind of blows my mind. I want to meet Thomas!
Janelle B. says
So cute! My Myles LOVESSSSS trains. And we watch Thomas every day. I’d never heard of being able to actually ride Thomas so I looked it up, there are two in California, one that is almost 5 hours away and one that is 2.5 hours away…. Blerg.
We keep talking about taking him to the Grand Canyon Railway and riding the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon. I did this twice when I was a kid, one in the spring, there was still snow on the ground!, and once in the summer. It was amazing!
Arizona Lainey says
The cases turned out so cool. I love them! And Henry? OMG…..is he just the cutest conductor in the whole wide world, or what? He looks so cute and tall in the picture of him walking off in the backyard. Stop growing my dear grandson! I want it to last forever!!!
Amber @ Wills Casa says
The cutest!! I feel like this is a peek into my future. Wonder how Ramona will deal with this very boy activity.
Erin says
That train case is awesome! My son would love it! Now I need to find someone who is crafty enough to make him one! We took our son to Thomas 2 years in a row now and it’s totally worth it since he is obsessed with trains!
Darnetha | ChippaSunshine says
That is such a cute train case! Love the personalization. Henry looks like he’s carrying a little ‘train briefcase!’
Analisa says
Awesome Train cases Kim! My son was sitting with me (okay, climbing on and off my lap an unreasonable amount of times) and was so excited pointing out Henry’s “choo choo hat” and “choo choos”. Then he saw Thomas and about lost it. It is great to hear that you guys had a good time and it was actually worth it. Thomas rolls through here pretty soon. That sweet smile on Henry’s face is making me think I need to take my Thomas obsessed kiddo after all. Thanks for sharing!
Kim Woodward says
Awww.. thanks for inspiring us to make them. I think our boys would be best buddies.
Gretchen says
That case is adorable! I got really excited when I got to the picture of the inside with the tracks 🙂
cassie says
AAAAH so fun for him and so cute! we did this with our kids when they were smaller. and now i wish to speak with a british accent and chuff along.
deb says
Such a good mom and dad!
Stephanie says
Miles loves his case! Thank you again! Glad Thomas was worth it, I almost packed up the family and went before realizing that would be crazy
Kim Woodward says
Yeah, it was totally insane actually. And so stinkin’ hot. Fun, but crazy.