Traveling Bags

Dear friends,
     Have you made anything out of an Altoid's tin? 

I've seen so many clever ideas, have wanted to do it for a long time and finally did!  I found this great tutorial for a little suitcase tin which you can find it here on the Graphics Fairy website.  My old Sucrets tin was not embossed on top but I added the foam, as per the tutorial, to give it some added dimension.  I am really happy with how this turned out and will use it to house my needles, small scissors and needle minders.  The tiny tacks were buttons, which I cut the shank off of and the lock is a tiny shield from a 1941 bowling medal I had picked up at an estate sale.

Layering the alcohol paints on the bright blue metal really helped give the metal edges a warm and worn vintage look.

Inside, a lovely Robin and a flower button.

It's not perfect but it was so fun to do that I made two more.

Making them is kind of addictive.

The one on the bottom is an Altoids tin and after the paint and mod podge, it doesn't close quite as easily as the Sucrets tins.  
Do they even make Sucrets in a tin anymore?

They take longer than you might think to make but I think the results are wonderful.

So, tell me, will you try this?
 I am trying to organize our guild auction which is on May 1st.  I've asked guild members to stitch a scissor fob to donate.  We will display them at the auction prior to the sale and then put them in brown bags.  Throughout the auction we will draw a ticket and if yours is drawn, you can buy a "fob in a bag" for $25.  We will reveal which fob you bought after all of them have been purchased.  Sneaky, right?  In addition to raising money, my thought was that this might give folks a chance to buy something stitched that doesn't cost them

an arm and a leg.  

No bidding.  

No arguing.

Believe me, some of the beautiful things these talented women make, go for a lot of money; as well they should!

Here's my little fob, in progress:

Prairie Schooler

1 over 1 on 32

Here it is in the middle of being assembled.

Front:

Back:

I stuffed it with lavender from my garden.  

The hanger and bottom will be beaded but I've yet to get to that, as you can plainly see!  The ribbon and bead ruching is taking longer than I would have thought.

I hope this whole idea isn't a total bust.  

I Rob will be busy moving furniture, painting and doing other things to ready the house for mom and dad's arrival.  The added wall with pocket doors is up in the dining room and the door between the dining room and kitchen is also up.  Rob has finished the painting and I'll show you some pics when it's a little more presentable.  

I hope my parents will love it.

 I also hope to get back to stitching on Yuletide Welcome and the Joyful World SAL this weekend.  Hopefully, I'll have progress to show you next time you visit.

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your lovely comments.

I appreciate them so very much!

Be well,

Peace,

Terri