Mini Photo Album Tin

I made this for my grandma for Christmas, but I wanted to wait on posting about it, so she wouldn’t see it ahead of time. 😉 These tins take a little time, but they are easy and turn out so cute!

Supplies needed:
Empty altoid tin (regular sized, not the mini)
Scrapbook paper
Scissors or a rotary cutter and mat
Ruler
Modge podge and a brush to apply it with
Turbo tacky glue
Ribbon and any other embellishments
Photos

I began by cutting my scrapbook paper to fit the lid and bottom of the tin. I used two different papers and cut them into 2 ¼” strips.

Then I cut them to fit the length of the tin (3 5/8”) and rounded the edges with scissors. I used the tin’s edges as a guide to match them as closely as possible. Next, I cut a ribbon to be 12 inches in length, found the middle of it, and glued it on the inside bottom of the tin. I then brushed modge podge in the bottom of the tin, placed one of my pieces of paper on top of it, and painted a layer of modge podge over it as well. My ribbon was then secure and peeked out of both sides of the paper. This would get tied together at the end. I then adhered the paper to the top inside of the tin, using the modge podge and covered the outside of the tin (top and bottom) as well.

Then it was time for a chocolate break. 😊

Next, I got out some plain brown cardstock (cut to 3 3/8” x 10”) and accordion folded it, so that each section was 3 3/8” x 2”. It needed to be able to fit inside the tin. Then I cut paper to be 3 ¼” x 1 ¾”, rounded the edges, and glued it to each section on the accordion.

Now for the fun part! I glued various sizes of pictures to the accordion while it was unfolded, on both sides. (I did horizontal pictures on one side and vertical on the other!) When I was done, I folded it up, put it inside the tin, and tied the ribbon around the accordion like a package. Once closed, I embellished the top of the tin, adding ribbon, a button, and washi tape around the edges.

A photo album tin makes a special, personal gift, that most anyone will enjoy! I’m thinking of decorating some more tins and leaving the photos off for friends and family to add their own!