I was on an altered Altoids tin kick for a while, but somehow I got a little side tracked with other projects (not necessarily a bad thing) and I haven’t completed one since I did the first one back in September. The other day I decided to finish this tin I started a few weeks ago:
Details on how to make your own can be found by clicking here.
You have to promise that when you make one of these I’ll be one of the first to see!
Well, happy creating…
I recently chatted with a friend I haven’t talked to in several years. We used to scrapbook together, in fact I introduced her to that whole scene. While she’s still an active scrapbooker, I have since focused my interests elsewhere (though rather sporadically). I told her I miss scrapbooking but haven’t been very motivated to drag out all the old supplies and face those dusty, partially completed scrapbooks I enthusiastically started oh-so long ago.
My friend suggested I make her a birthday card. That might get me motivated; rekindle my interest in an old favorite hobby. I immediately thought that would be a good idea ( I sometimes work best with dead lines) and I remembered the growing stash of Altoids tins I’ve been saving. I’ve always wanted to make a little scrapbook or card or book of some sort out of an Altoids tin.
Before starting on the tin, I wanted to research what glues would work best and check for any tips that might be helpful so of course I Googled “Altoids tin crafts”.
I was led to this helpful tutorial by Kristin Batsel (aka rackycoo)) at crafters.org. I also decided to follow the link to Kristin’s blog, Junk & Stuff, was I ever WOWED. You should check it out. She doesn’t just create fantastic altered Altoids tins, she is also an award-winning crafter (a true artist) and her blog is full of crafty inspiration.
Anyway, I’m not great at step by step written instructions, but here is the general idea ; (for more in-depth instruction go to Kristin’s tutorial at crafters.org.)
First, I drilled small holes where I wanted to add a handle. In the second photo below you can see two small holes just above the dots I made to mark my spot (the first time).
I cut the required shape (I prefer scissors over the exacto knife) then measured and cut the small strips needed for the edges (I used a paper-cutter to ensure absolutely straight lines)
After cutting the card stock, to touch up the edges and camouflage the white edge I used the edge of a felt tip craft marker with a coordinating color from the design.
I glued every thing in place using tacky glue. In the above photo it’s glopped on, but I spread it out evenly over the surface of the tin. After the paper was applied, I added the beaded wire handle (pierced it through the paper that covered my pre drilled holes).
I used felt to line the inside edge of the tin, I thought this would work better to cover the wire than card stock.
And viol´a: Finished.
The next step is really up to you. You could simply line the inside with paper or fabric and be done with it. Since this was a very special card for an old friend on a landmark birthday, I decided to go all out and have some fun. I stuck to basic old-fashioned scrap-book skills.
For the inside I cut two strips of 12 x 12 card stock the width of the tin, then folded accordion style to ensure the folded strip would fit neatly inside. I had to glue two strips together at their end segments because it needed it to be extra long for what I had in mind. But you could keep it short or opt not to do it at all.
I embellished each segment and on the end segment (the first one you see when you open the tin I ran a bit of ribbon through an eyelet so the “card” could be easily pulled open.
In order for the folded card stock to fit, I had to trim the corners.
I used a corner rounder on bottom edge of the last segment, but folded the inside segments together and nipped off the corners, you can see the effect above. This helps everything fit neatly into the tin when it is all folded up.
That’s really about it, here is a small peek inside:
This project was so much fun and I now have a TON of ideas for more. Unfortunately, I have saved only a few tins and I can’t get everyone to eat them fast enough – So, if you happen to have any great dish ideas that call for mass quantities of Altoids in the recipe – send them my way!
As a side note: After I completed this project I came across a post from Pillows A- la-Mode in my reader list and found this great idea for tins. It’s just so cute, I had to share…
What are some of your ideas for Altoids tins? Show me your creation, I’d love to see it!
I’ll admit I am not really much of a dog person. I had a dog when I was a kid I considered my very best friend, but other than that I’ve never felt a strong urge to join the “my dogs are my kids” crowd. I mean, I’ve always liked dogs- but other people’s dogs, and even then only other people’s well behaved dogs. However, when I would think about having a dog I would always think of having a greyhound – OR a big beautiful Harlequin Great Dane – but greyhounds have always pulled at my heart.
I’m sure my fondness of greyhounds stems from my early childhood memories. My father raised greyhounds for racing. Now this is not something I am proudly announcing, not at all. From an early age I was well aware of the purpose and fate of these creatures and I think that is why I’ve always had a fondness for them and knew someday I would have a greyhound of my very own to love and care for. Throughout the years I have done a lot of research on this breed. I wanted to be sure about what I might possibly be getting myself into. I did’t want to try to simply fulfill a childhood whim of saving every poor pooch from a harsh fate only to discover they were unruly, aggressive, untrainable thugs who might try to kill me in my sleep. In my research I discovered the typical greyhound is a pretty faithful, loving, intelligent and gentle beast. Best of all they have even been described by some as very “cat – like” dogs. Ha, well I am very much a cat person, and I was relieved they weren’t known as being the high strung, ill tempered, difficult animals I had always been led to believe they were.
So, here I sit at my computer while Yuma and Twix lay curled up like little kittens on the sofa. I love these dogs. I find myself touched by their sweet dispositions, gentleness and their attitude of appreciation (that must be the dog part, definitely not the cat part). When I think about what they came from just a short time ago, I am not only deeply touched by their greytful personalities, I am also totally amazed at their intelligence and resilience.
( I must interject here that I am in no way trying to imply all greyhounds are treated poorly or inhumanely, I am well aware there are ethical and kind trainers out there; my observations are based solely on my early childhood memories – and THAT was a long time ago 🙂 )
I don’t believe there are many dogs from any breed with the ability to adapt so well. These dogs basically spend their formative “years” in kennels. Sure they have human interaction and interaction with other dogs as well, but they certainly do not have “homes” or “families”. They aren’t conditioned, trained or in any other way accustomed to living their lives as a family pet with rules and expectations put on them as to how to properly behave in a home environment. Many of these dogs live in kennel environments for several years before settling into retirement as someones companion.
We all know what can happen to a dog who is poorly socialized as a puppy or is not given the proper training. If a puppy is “rescued” early enough some of its bad habits can be reversed and it can grow into a perfectly well adjusted family pet for the most part. But I wonder how well they would adapt if they weren’t family socialized for years.
OK, OK, this is not a “my dog is better than your dog” post, I am just so very impressed and touched by how these dogs learn so fast and adapt so well. I will admit, both of our dogs had great foster homes where they were taught the basic house rules and I haven’t really tried to teach either of them new “tricks”, but considering Twix – our two year old female – is fresh off the tracks and is experiencing new sensations and temptations everyday, yet is easily guided into doing the right thing – well that is just downright impressive!
I am convinced their ability to adapt so well comes from their deep appreciation and gratitude. Perhaps the memory of their austere puppyhood forever lingers in their minds which makes them so much more greytful for a quite, soft place to rest their weary bodies. They are truly thankful for a chance to play a short game of ball or take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood only to be relinquished to a warm home with soft carpeting under their feet and a nice comfy sofa to stretch out on. Hmmmmm, am I anthropomorphising a bit too much here? Possibly, but it would be nice if the damn cat could show a little appreciation!
Not too bad! But now that I am on a roll here it is time to take the dogs for the walk they have been waiting so patiently for all morning. I will be back shortly.
Marie Friddle