Altered Art Altoid Tin Tutorial

 Materials Needed:

• A clean, empty Aloid tin
• Paper - I used 3 different patterns for the tin itself, and then some other scraps for the embellished brads
• Tissue paper from sewing patterns (or you could use any tissue paper you have around)
• Brads - I used 3, this would be just as cute with just the one with the tissue paper
• Ribbon - narrow to go around the top part of the tin
• Mod Podge
• Foam brush
• Scissors

Step #1Go through your scrapbook or other paper and decide what you want to cover your tin with.  You'll also need paper for inside your tin, too.  I used 3 different coordinating papers, but you could use all the same.  Also, old books or dictionary pages would be great for this project, too.  I took this opportunity to use up some little scraps of cute paper I kept.Also, pick out the paper for your embellished brads.  I made 2 from scrapbook paper and 1 from tissue paper.Step #2Cut circles out of your tissue paper.  I made 12 circles.Step #3Fold the pile of circles in half and in half again to find the middle of the circles.Step #4Push the brad through the tissue paper in the middle.  It's pretty easy for the brad to get through tissue paper, but if you have problems, use an awl to poke holes first.Step #5Open up the prongs on the brad to hold the tissue paper in place.Step #6Crinkle the tissue paper into a ball and then puff the layers out so they look like a flower.Then set it aside for now.Step #7Cut 3 small circles for each scrapbook paper brad embellishment that you want to create.  They should be 3 different sizes. Step #8Use an awl to poke a hole in the middle of each circle.Step #9Slide the paper circles onto the brad - the smallest will go first, next smallest and then the largest.Step #10Decide which paper you want to use for the top.Step #11Flip the paper over and then trace around the Altoid tin.Step #12Cut it out.Note:  You will have to do some adjusting with the size because it will be somewhat too big.  Just keep carefully trimming around the shape and checking it on the top of the tin until it's just right.Step #13Repeat for the paper you'll use on the inside bottom of the tin and the inside of the lid.Step #14 Decide on the arrangement of your embellished brads on the top of your tin.  Then poke the brads through the top paper. Step #15  Add a layer of Mod Podge to the bottom of the inside of the Altoid tin.  As you can see, I got a little sloppy.  You don't need to glue the sides, just the bottom.  Try to take off any excess glue in places you don't need it.Place the paper in and then do a layer of glue on top of the paper as well.Do the same thing with the paper on the inside of the lid.Set the tin aside and allow it to dry with the tin open before moving on to the next step.  This is especially important if you got sloppy like me because you could glue the tin closed.Step #16Add a layer of Mod Podge to the top of the tin and place the top on.  Make sure to push down all the edges securely (you won't do a layer on top for this part.)Step #17Glue your ribbon around the rim of the lid.  I used Mod Podge for this as well.  Glue a little, then put the ribbon down and continue all the way around the tin.  Trim off any excess ribbon.Step #18Allow everything to dry and then enjoy your new Altered Altoid Tin!These are great to use as gift boxes for jewelry or small gifts.  I put mine on my desk at work to add some cuteness and hold small things like paperclips.Here's another example I made: