Melanie's "Wristy" Tin Tutorial with PICS!

It was really easy to make this "wristy" purse tin(see more about the stamp set I used to make it in the post BELOW for now)! Here we go: you'll need an Altoid tin, my new soon to be released set "What's in Your Tin? 2", ink, adhesive, Cropodile, 1/4 in grosgrain and FABULOUS DP! (This is from an 8x8 DCVW glitter All Dressed Up stack(scalloped scissors and adhesive rhinestones optional)

Open your tin, and use the big hole punch on your Cropodile to punch a hole in the side. This was my first time through metal. I knew could be done, and knew it wouldn't be hard to go through it, but was a little concerned it might leave a sharp, jagged edge-not so, LOOK! It's PERFECT, clean and smooth, no risk of injury or need to smooth it in anyway(You just gotta get a Cropodile!!) I'm a "righty" so I made it on the right side of the tin (with the lid facing up) about an inch down from the back.

I wear a LOT of black, but I also chose black grosgrain so it won't show the dirt over time. Thread both ends of a 16-18" piece of grosgrain through the hole, make a knot at the end, and pull your loop out the hole til the knot meets the edge. Mine has 12 inches sticking out the hole for the loop (and you need extra to tie the knot), this is what comfortable for me and the size of my wrist/length of my hand. You don't want it too tight or too long, but want to be able to just catch the edge of it in your hand to grab it when you're wearing it, so this dimension might be a little different for each of you.

For the top, I stamped the narrow bordered label out (twice for the top and twice for the bottom because I'm going to layer them) I chose this paper for it's colors, but also it's awesome design, and I need my words to show up so I just placed "Survival Kit" in the light blue space. Then I cut around the inside border so I have a smaller label I can mat on the other. I centered my second stamp over an area with the black design in the middle(see how when you lay it on top you get this cool kind of "reverse effect" with the papers?) I used a pair of scalloped scissor and followed the line around the outside label as my guide. I put it on top of black CS so you can see the edge.

Time to dig out or go get a bunch of deco scissors, right?? These kind are usually $2, you can make any shaped border you choose(and I'll be showing you other tricks with these later that give you unlimited possibilities with this set!) It is REALLY EASY to cut this way following that line with these deco edge scissors, you won't believe when you try it!) and adhered the first one on top(see first pic in this post). Adhere to top of box. Repeat the process on the bottom using the "in case of emergency" stamp. All four layer labels came from the same sheet(and they will also fit on a 6x6 sheet, with room to spare and left over paper :) I used a little bit of the excess to trim out a flourished and put that under "Survival Kit", tricked out with some adhesive rhinestone. Bling bling!

For the inside, I used a coordinating glittery green paper. Gina K already showed you this trick but in case you missed it. I stamped it on the back of my DP and cut. This gives me two pieces to cover the inside of my tin that are borderless. Cool, huh!

You're ready to go! Here's a pic of what I put inside yesterday when I went on errands and my date! So handy, and I got LOTS of compliments! NOw I want a different one for every outfit! LOL!

Expect to see LOTS more "Tintorials" HERE in the coming weeks! :) Be sure to leave a comment TODAY for your last chance at the BLOG CANDY(winner announced tomorrow)! Let me know in a separate comment if you are "LINKING" my tin tutorial to get an extra chance to win(and be a part of the altoid-altering-sensation that will soon be sweepin' the nation! I will be sharing a pic later of what extras the winner will be receiving with their stamp set (but I bet now that you've seen a few of the stamps, you have some guesses what the "extras" might be!)

*Incidentally, there are no flourishes or "decorative" images in these sets for your labels: this was to provide you with more than one label per set('cause these are BIG STAMPS!), with as many "kit" option stamps as we could possibly fit on the sheet, AND, being that you're stampers, you already have a bunch of flourishes, flowers and other images you LOVE in your collection, so get busy decorating these "blank canvases" the way YOU want with your favorites! (but having said that there WILL be some secret surprises in my next tin sets! If you already want more tin sets, let Gina K know you love the concept by putting these in your cart tomorrow! ;) I've already got a couple more smokin' sets designed and the sooner these fly off the shelves, the sooner I can get more out to you! :)