Altered Altoid Tin for Eileen!!

My sweet friend Eileen and I belong to a Yahoo Group where the latest swap if an altered altoid tin.  I get to make something for Eileen which made it even more fun for me.

I had never done an altoid tin before and while researching how to do one and for ideas, I came across a tutorial by the wonderful Laura Carson and knew this was what I wanted to try.

First, I emptied out two altoid tins.  I don't eat Altoids so I gave those to my kids!

Next I colored around the edges of the tins with alcohol ink.

I left it like that for a couple of days because I could not figure out what theme I wanted to do.  I know Eileen loves the Caribbean and since she lives in New York, I figured I'd send her a little island love.

After I chose my paper, the next step was to cover the tins with it.   The paper is from Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue collection.

I cut two pieces of chipboard for my covers and again used a sheet from the Graphics 45 Collection to cover the cover, both inside and out.  I then stamped and distressed the covers and added a piece of lace to each side.  Again I had to sit on this for a couple of days - I had no idea where to go!

I started working on the inside of the tins and giving it an ocean feel. 

I then added the latches to the front and hinges to the back of the tins, joining them together.

I started adding elements to the tin to give it a beach feeling.

After a couple of more days (yes, this took a while!!) I decided on some other elements and finished the inside of the tin.

This is what it looks like when it's open.

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I then added the front and back covers to the tins. (This is a side view).  And finished my front cover.

I left the back of the "book" I left as is and only added my name and date on the bottom.

And there it goes!!  I hope you like it Eileen!!!