How to Make Tin Box Photo Albums

It seems wasteful to toss out the small tins mints come in. They can be used in many different craft projects, or as storage for small items. An easy project is to make tin box photo albums. These albums make good gifts, are small enough to mail easily, and are a durable way to preserve important photographs. If you use quality scrapbooking papers and supplies, they will never yellow or age, and the tin will protect the photos from moisture and dust as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small tin
• Cardstock
• Acid-free paper
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Metal brads
• Double-sided archival tape
• Decoupage glue
• Sponge brush

1. Lay a small tin on a piece of cardstock and trace around it with a pencil. Cut out the tracing inside the pencil lines to make a template.

2. Trace your template onto double-sided archival paper to make the album pages. You will need to trace six to eight pages.

3. Cut out the traced album pages along the pencil lines. Place them in a stack with all of the edges lined up.

4. Punch a hole in the center of one side of all of the pages. For rectangular tins, you will want this hole to be on the short side. Push a metal brad through the hole and open the clasp to secure.

5. Attach photos to the pages using double-sided archival tape. Avoid placing photos so they are facing each other, as they will stick together.

6. Cut two pieces of decorative paper to the same size as the lid of your tin. You can use your original template to determine the size.

7. Brush a thin layer of decoupage glue on the outside of the lid and smooth one piece of paper onto it. Allow it to dry, then brush a second thin layer of decoupage glue over the top of the paper to seal it. Repeat with the second piece of paper on the inside of the tin.

8. Place your photo album inside the tin. You can write a message on the piece of paper you glued to the inside of the tin.

Tips & Warnings

• Use scrapbook embellishments to decorate your album pages.
• Cover the surface you are working on with newspaper to prevent glue damage.

References

• Altoid tin albums

[magnoliasouth]

on 6/23/2009 What about raised lettering on the tops of Altoids tins? The paper will not adhere properly. Any tips on how to fix that?