CappuccinoandArtJournal

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Monday, May 29, 2017

You Asked For This (Altered Tin Tutorial)

So, rumor has it, you guys want an Altered Altoid Tin tutorial.....the Instagram crowd sure seem to and some of you have asked me....so, even though it is pretty simple, here we go----

First you need to get your hands on some hinged tins.....I pick most of mine up at Scrap SF....I like the older Altoid tins that don't have that embossing on the metal on the lid. You can still buy some like that if you look around. I just found some with flat lids at Walgreens...Trader Joes has mints in good tins too...

Sometimes I spray paint the tins first -- it isn't necessary for the larger tins but I find it very helpful with those tiny Altoid tins......
Michaels (and Amazon) sell that Krylon spray paint. 

You want to shake that can like crazy before spraying...in fact, setting it it hot water for 15 minutes is a good idea and then shake it....You want light spraying -- like misting -- and do several times.....if you spray too heavily the paint will run and make a mess..you don't need to cover up the writing on the larger tins because you are going to cover them with paper....and don't spray the inside....

A couple of sprayed tins...with the tiny tins, I just use washi tape to decorate. The seems too small to cover with paper..

Here is a little one with washi only....outside and.....

inside......I put tape inside on the lid and bottom..and done! (You need to seal the tape, so keep reading...)

For the larger tins, just use a pencil to trace around the tin and cut it out with a scissors. I cut INSIDE the pencil line, rather than on it because the tracing is often too large to fit exactly if you don't...you may have to do a little trimming....but that's ok.

You need to cut FOUR pieces-- for the outside top and bottom of the tin  and for the  inside top and bottom....Do all your cutting first.

This is what I use to both glue and seal --- Liquitex Matte Medium. Good stuff. Works for collages too.

Pour some into a paper cup and brush on to the surfaces you are gluing and place the paper on the tin....I use my fingers to really press the paper onto the tin and smooth out any wrinkles....press down the edges with your fingers..

You can glue all four pieces pretty easily. The matte medium dries pretty quickly and I just stand the tins up....
I always try to make two or three or four tins at a time. It just seems easier to have a little assembly line going. While one is drying you can work on the next one..

...like this....Then you can add some washi tape to the outside like this....pretty isn't it?
The narrow rolls of washi work best for this. You want to seal the washi and the paper with a few light coats of matte medium.

This tin came in a naturally pleasing blue and black so I didn't spray paint it . Just added washi and paper.
**This is important** see the two bumps where the tin closes? Be sure NOT to put paper or washi there or the extra thickness will make it impossible for the tins to close and open properly.

I used the regular, wider tape and rolled it over to the bottom of the tin and paper will cover this up....

Another tip is -- use WALLPAPER if you can find some.  I had some pretty vintage wall paper in my closet and just tried it out and it really works well since it was designed to be used with a liquid adhesive. Maybe you can find some pieces of wallpaper on eBay or Etsy or in a wallpaper swatch book.

So, that's about it -- it is pretty easy, so go ahead and have some fun. My favorite part is filling the little tins up when I'm finished making them. The tiny Altoid tin is perfect for postage stamps. And, those larger ones have endless possibilities....
I suggest try making one without spray painting it for the first one...keep it simple...
and you can ask me if you run into any problems.
They don't come out perfect but they are a lot of fun anyway.
And special thanks to my pal Dori who sent me my first Altered Altoid Tin and quite a few more after that and got me started making them myself.
This is just how I do it.....

I'd sure like to hear from you if you make some -- let me know how they come out! And if you are coming over from IG, please leave a comment on the blog and let me know, because you know....you guys egged me on to do this post...
Have fun and keep me posted!
SEND GOOD MAIL --  GET GOOD MAIL

38 comments:

  1. I LOVE your tins. They are all so much different from the ones I have made over the years. VERY different. For one thing, I've never used that paint, and the last time I made one, I'm not even sure washi tape had made it to the US. Yours are FABULOUS!!!

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  2. I always love reading your posts and seeing how you create your lovely projects. Thanks for the inspiration and for the step-by-step pictures! Great job!

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    1. Thank you so much -- I really appreciate hearing from you and I'm happy you enjoyed the post.

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  3. Fantastic tutorial! Very clear...if I can't make a great altered tin or two after such a great explanation then I need to hang up my washi tape! Thanks for sharing! Those tins are just so darn cute!

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    1. Oh noooo -- don't hang up your washi tape! Ha! I now you would be great at making them -- have fun.

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  4. Thanks for sharing! The tins look great!

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  5. Thank you for the tutorial! I did notice your post on Instagram, so I came straight here, but I don't think it counts... I would have read this blog post anyway.

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    1. It counts, TomoyoHime -- you are always so very nice to comment on the blog.

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  6. High five, pal!

    And i just made another for you so, i hope you are not tired of 'em.

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  7. Thank you Thank you Thank you as always. In Canada we get Sucrets throat lozenges in tins and I have some of those as well as the tiny Aspirin tins from way back when - will wait for a rainy day to do this :)....thinking a workable fixative will get used as well for older ephemera to avoid ink smears....

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    1. Sounds like a delightful rainy day project -- let me know how your turn out. And you are most welcome -- thanks for the comment.

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  8. Thank you Pamela!!! You have given me the inspiration to do this as my next project - great tips! Obviously I adore the postage stamp ones, but those botanicals shown in the first photo are really pretty!! I have 6 tins to work with, so assembly line is a must. Do you decorate the inside "edges" (the small sides around the big area?) And if so, do you use paper or does washi work better? I came straight over from your IG post.... :)

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    1. My pal Dori decorates the inside edges with washi but I leave mine alone -- I just cannot seem to get that washi wrapped around the inside edges no matter how hard I try.....but if Dori can do it, I bet you can do it too. I'm glad you're inspired -- hope you have fun with the project.

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  9. Fun tutorial! Your tins look great...just like everything else you do!

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  10. I love the one you made for me and can't wait to try one. Trip to Scrap coming right up! Great instructions, too.

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    1. Scrap!!!! I want to go too. They are fun to make -- let me know how yours turn out. You could make a little sewing kit.....

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  11. Thanks so much for this tutorial! Love these. I'm going to try your instructions on some old typewriter ribbon tins I've been hoarding while searching for the hinged rectangular tins you use. See you in the mail soon - I've been slow to catching up since returning from G.B.

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    1. Ack!!! You are going to cover old typewriter tins????? I like the graphics on them and don't think I could cover them up....welcome back and look forward to hearing from you...

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  12. What a thorough and generous tutorial! Thank you so much, Pam. You are ah-mazing! xo

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    1. Thanks so much -- but pretty please -- it is Pamela.....Glad you like the tutorial and have fun making some tins.

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  13. I love my "Mail" tin you made me for my birthday! This tutorial is great Pamela. What a talent you are and generous to share your skills with all of us.

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    1. I'm so happy you like your tin and I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. See you in the mail pal!!!

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  14. So cute! I have been eyeing some gorgeous graphic vintage tins on eBay and now I want to try it your cheap way first!

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    1. You calling me cheap????? Kidding....Go ahead and give it a try -- they are fun to make -- but you may need a gorgeous eBay tin too......I'm just sayin'.....

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  15. Your tutorial is top notch. Thanks for the helpful instructions. Now I need some tins! (Also thanks for your recent mail art. I will reply.)

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  16. Did I post this already? I told you I'm kinda techno-phobish! But anyway I found you and I could even read this on my iPhone. And I even have a few tins that I'd like to try this on! ��

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    1. Hey -- thanks for stopping by and commenting, Varenikje -- appreciate it. Have fun altering tins!

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  17. Love all of these and the tutorial. I am finally getting around to my variation on this using a different type of source object and contents. Expect to receive one in the mail in the (hopefully) not too distant future.

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    1. Ooooooo I am excited!!! I found another shaped tin at Scrap to fool around with.....can't wait to see what YOU do....

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