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Alice House Tins & Lonely Heart Shrine! Plus Metallic Dresden Sale!

Filed under Alice in an Altoids Tin Kit, Betsy Skagen, Featured Artwork, Giveaways, Lora Mahaffey, Nichola Battilana

Note: most of the links on this post no longer work, as we moved to a new Web site in 2018. However, you can see the supply lists for both projects on the new site: Lora’s Lonely Heart Shrine, Nichola’s Alice’s Altoid Manor House and Betsy’s Alice in Wonderland Tin.

Greetings, on what I hope is a beautiful day wherever you may be. Today we have three projects to inspire your Muse, by three different Design Team Members! But first: in honor of 2 new Gold Dresden trims being announced today, ALL Metallic Dresden is 20% off now through Monday night, May 16th!

AND that sale includes 3 beautiful trims that have just come back in stock:
Fringed Gold Dresden Curtains, Gold Dresden Altar Set and Small Gold Dresden Shrines or Arched Windows!
 


Lonely Heart Shrine by Lora Mahaffey

It’s deceptively simple, this little shrine. But if you take a closer look, there are hundreds of individual polymer clay tiles in the background.

There was no pattern followed to make the individual tiles. Instead I used black polymer clay, cut lots of sticks and then painted each stick of clay with lots of different iridescent acrylic paints. Once that was done, the sticks were cut into various sized squares and then baked them off in a toaster oven.

The frame for my shrine is the Open Front 4.5 x 5.5 Shadowbox. The inside back was primed with gesso to give some good tooth for the glue to stick to. I lined the sides of the inside of the shadowbox and the entire outside (including the back) with paper from the Double Dot Vintage Paper Collection.

While the papers were drying, I painted the new Relics & Artifacts Flaming Heart that is the big centerpiece, with more iridescent paints and set it aside. After the papers dried on the shadowbox, I randomly stated gluing in the tiny tiles. My placement decisions were based on colors and how things fit together.


When things were dry, I painted white details on the tiles and around the flaming heart. I attached a Large Red/Gold Glass Heart Bead to an old doll’s hand and glued it into the flaming heart; then glued the piece into the shadowbox, making sure it was centered. To finish it off, I glued some pretty gold ribbon on the sides of the box for hanging and attached a finding on the bottom of the ribbon ends.

Lonely Heart Shrine Supply List

To find out how Lora grouted her tiles, and for more pictures please visit her at Cackle and Hoot.

 
Alice’s Altoid Manor House by Nichola Battilana

The first of TWO adorable houses, both made with the Alice in an Altoids Tin Kit.

I simply applied the Altoids Tin Book Covers to the front and back of the tin. I didn’t even bother with the book spine (though I’m sure it’ll come in handy for something). Then a new Window Pediment – Federal was added to the front top edge and the new Window Pediment – Yorktown to the bottom front edge (upside down). A snip of Thin Fleur Dresden Border is applied under the top pediment, then whole shebang is painted grey.

The windows are just little paper frames I cut out. I placed some Alice charaters from the Wonderland Rabbits and Hares Collage Sheet in the squares and added a layer of Diamond Glaze to make the ‘windows’ glossy. The door is framed with some snippets of wood and topped with little bit of filigree that broke off something-or-other that I kept for just such an occasion. Finally I finished the exterior with a Bronze Stopwatch Clock Charm and some Flower Soft.

I promise, this was a practically painless project! Sure the sides aren’t covered… but the tin opens and I didn’t have a meltdown attempting to apply hinges. (I often have hinge related meltdowns.)

Alice’s Altoid Manor House Supply List

For more photos (and info about the images inside the tin), please visit Nichola at Pixie Hill.

 
Was Lewis Carroll a Secret Crafter?–an Alice in Wonderland Altered Tin by Betsy Skagen

Betsy made an adorably wonky Alice in Wonderland Tin (another idea for a house using a tin with one of the new pediments — see photos below) and she wonders if Lewis Carroll was really a secret crafter?? More like he may have fallen down a little psychedelic rabbit hole of his own if you ask me… heheh. But I digress!

Betsy’s tin depicts the scene when Alice grew too big for the White Rabbit’s House, and the little house is definitely full of character. To read all about Betsy’s tin, and find out which one of the Design Team Members is a Dollar Store Barbie hoarder (and info on how small to print the Boudoir Furniture Collage Sheet to make that teeny tiny furniture), visit her at Paper Calliope.

Alice in Wonderland Tin Supply List


 

 

Hooray for the Was Lewis Carroll a Secret Crafter? Giveaway!

I am giving away EVERYTHING in Betsy’s Was Lewis Carroll a Secret Crafter? — an Alice in Wonderland Altered Tin supply list (though you’ll have to supply your own Barbie doll leg)! That’s 16 items including TEN collage sheets (and a set of those cute new pediments)!

And, since Betsy reduced the size of many of the collage sheet images to make tiny characters and furniture in her tin, IF you so choose, you can have all the collage sheets in this prize package delivered as digital files!

 
To enter the Was Lewis Carroll a Secret Crafter? Giveaway drawing all you have to do is leave a comment BELOW on this blog post TODAY OR TOMORROW (the deadline is 11:59 pm PST, FRIDAY, May 13, 2016)! And tell me: Will you make a tiny house from your prize package? And what will you do with the other peaked-roof-shaped pediment in your set?

Don’t forget to leave your (hello! correct) email address, too, so I can contact the winner; your email address does not need to be made public. Note: I’m offering free shipping, too, but only within the USA. International shipping will still apply.

Please be patient! Spammers try to post crap here a lot so comments are moderated. So if you don’t see your post in the comments section, be patient and check back in a few hours before re-posting it, please!

After midnight, I’ll randomly pick the winner (via Random.org). So check your mailbox on Sunday morning to see who won and for the next Giveaway and Newsletter!

Hey, who won Birdie Darling Tin Giveaway? That would be Parisa Javidi! Congratulations! Check your email for more info!

  
Posted by Leslie, May 12th, 2016

58 responses to “Alice House Tins & Lonely Heart Shrine! Plus Metallic Dresden Sale!”

  1. Margaret says:

    Tiny house! and another Altoid tin similar to Nichola’s idea which I love! And I was just thinking about buying a good handful of dresden trims to have on hand. You read my mind!

  2. Leanna Alverson says:

    I love these Altoid tin houses! I would definitely make a cottage or fairy house if I win. Cross my fingers!

  3. Kim Lucak says:

    How creative, I would not have thought to turn a box into the outside of a house with architecture!

  4. Hello! I love the Alice in Wonderland theme. My daughter dressed as Alice one Halloween and her friends were the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire cat – fun. I have great photos I could use. Unfortunately her father and my husband just passed away and we are planning his memorial – a very sad time for us. We feel like he has indeed “gone down the rabbit hole!” This project would help distract us and bond together in a trying time. Thanks for all of the inspiration!

  5. Kat Cashwell says:

    Love this! those Gold Dresden trims are awesome! I would have to make haunted house mini and use the peaked roofs to create different houses! You all are so creative!!

  6. Connie L. says:

    I would happily make my own little Alice tin. The rooftop pediment would probably go to the top of a poly clay fairy door.

  7. JenniferJ says:

    I love all of these projects! I would definitely enjoy making a tiny house. It is soooo cute! Thank you for the chance to win. 🙂

  8. Kristie says:

    I love the altoid tin houses. I love Nichola’s upright version and would love to try to make one of my own.

  9. Lana says:

    Love this giveaway….I’d have to paint some with gold gilt paint….hope I win!

  10. Heidi Trotta says:

    Wow… I absolutely LOVE this idea. I have a number of tins in my stash just waiting to be picked as the project of the month. I love the idea of a tiny house. It could be a fairy house, mole house or Alice in Wonderland. This would make a wonderful gift!

  11. Cherry Koontz says:

    Can’t wait to start using up my tins! The ideas are just floating around in my head.

  12. Kimberly says:

    Of course I will make a tiny house. Irresistible! I think the other peaked roofs might work nicely attached to some small vintage books I’ve collected. Don’t you think! So excited 😄

  13. angelic says:

    I would love to make my own Alice tin house, and I would use the rest of the supplies on my steampunk projects.

  14. barb macaskill says:

    LOVE both of the Altoid Tin houses!! So dang cool! I would use the extra Pediment as a Wizard of Oz type house for my Fairy Village after a tornado! The roof landed on it’s side and there is a goblin underneath it with his prized staff ready for the taking! No more evil magical spells from him! Now his staff will be used for good magic!
    Many other ideas are in my head but this one is screaming to come out into the real world!!

  15. Traci says:

    Love both these ideas-the leg is too funny. Love to make a Alice house of my own. >^..^<

  16. Barb Striethorst says:

    Another Alice project!!

  17. Lois C. says:

    Love the tall versions! Would make tiny houses. Thanks!

  18. Hannah Foss says:

    Beyond awesome!!! Can’t wait to get started…

  19. Eve Watters says:

    SO amazing! I love those pediments, and I love to make tiny houses and tiny shrines. I want to use these items to make my most incredible one yet!

  20. I love all of this I would def make an altoid tin box and use the peak part as the roof I hope to win thank you

  21. Joanne Root says:

    I love this altered tin and have a “blank” one just waiting to be turned into something similar. With the other pediment, I’ll add it to a 1/4 scale kit that I’m working on.
    This is a VERY clever project.

  22. Theresa Merkling says:

    Was Lewis Carroll a secret crafter? No idea, but he was definitely an out of the box thinker and mega creative. Would love to win the prize and make an Alice in a box shrine. The stories are so whimsical they make creating irresistible!

  23. Diana bittaker says:

    I love this stuff so much! I work with many tins and will be making an Alice tin for sure with the print out sheets in the letter, also I would like the pediments to make a Poe house!!!

  24. Denise Bryant says:

    I’d love to make a tiny house! And with the 2nd peaked roof pediment, I’d use it in a shadowbox!

  25. Deanne says:

    I would love this kit…id make lots off mini houses to hide all sorts of treasures.

  26. melody says:

    OMG ! you are killin me here ! who would have thought ! I am not in the running, but it is awesome.
    thanks for sharing
    melody

  27. Jean Marmo says:

    Just so clever and creative! I don’t know how you guys do it!!! To be honest, I am not sure what I would do with this!!

  28. Marcie in Montana says:

    The other pediment? It will make the roof pitch on the Baby Shop look wonderful!
    Thank you for all of the ideas. Creativity abounds on this site!!!

  29. Jan K says:

    I would love to make a house with this kit and a few more for a small village!!

  30. Mary Mac says:

    Would absolutely make a mini Alice in Wonderland tin.

  31. LeAnn says:

    I would make a house with this kit. I would use the other roof shaped pediment to make a complimentary house to go with the first one.

  32. Anne G. says:

    I would make a house for sure. And then I’d order more Altoid tins to make more of them so I could use some of the other pediments. What a super idea to use them like that! Your team is awesome.

  33. Maggie M says:

    Alice in a tin house/room for sure. The other pediment would top a mixed media canvas. So in love with all of the miniatures. You go Alpha Stamp girls!!

  34. Jen R says:

    Absolutely would make the shrine its so sweet. I would use the other pediment on a doll house project I am working on.

  35. Lou Anne says:

    I would make a tiny house and have to do an altoid tin shrine with the other roof shaped pediment.

  36. Karen S says:

    I LOVE the Alice in Wonderland tin project just the way it is. I’d keep it pretty much the same but the roof would be RED!

  37. Tami Roth says:

    I would love to re-create an altoid tin house, and lots more, I need to use up my tins! This is incredible inspiration, thank you!

  38. Karen Mallory says:

    Wow! Such a lot of collage sheets. I could make an altoid tin and a mini book!

  39. Marilyn Hughes says:

    I’m not sure if I would make a tiny house. I’d use the other pediment on a canvas.

  40. Laura callies says:

    I will make not only a tiny jouse, but the extra poeces i will use to continue with a tiny village all in an Alice theme. I already have so many ideas running through my head!

  41. Tracy says:

    I already love working with dollhouse miniatures, so I would definitely make a mini house. I already have some little mice and birds, so I think I would combine a nature theme with the Alice theme.

  42. Lori D. says:

    Yet another great giveaway. I would definitely make a little house! With the other pediment, I would use it on top of a glass mirror tthat’s mounted on a canvas to resemble the top of a mantel. Then I’d decoupage Alice and her pals for a Alice Through The Looking Glass piece of art. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

  43. Nancy E says:

    What a great giveaway. I’m in love with the little altoid houses. Their just so cute!

  44. Winnie says:

    Definitely a tiny house! Then I’d use the other for over a fairy door!

  45. Cheryl Lee says:

    A tiny house would be sweet, the pediments would most likely be used in one of my miniature projects!

  46. Lou Conaway says:

    I thought of putting the box on it’s side with that wonderful pediment at the top. I was busy designing with the materials that Betsy made such creative use of. Then I looked up the page again and realized I’d planned to sit the box on it’s side like Nichola did, without the mansion and lovely foundation. Sigh. That’s as far as I got tonight. It’s slowly coming together and I’ll probably dream about it tonight. I’ve been dreaming about parties lately, usually big ones with me having too much responsibility. I guess a chandelier would be necessary for some creature to swing from, maybe me!

  47. I would try to make a little house scene with flowers outside and the pediment would be great on my other room box I have. TY!

  48. Cg says:

    I’m going to use it on a cigar box and create an atc holder using Laura carsons tutorial!

  49. Thalia Kottke says:

    I love the Alice theme AND the Flaming Heart. Would be so much fun.

  50. Janet T says:

    I love the altoid tin house. I just ordered some oof the Alice collage sheetsmfrom you and can’t wait to use them. I love the great selection you offer.

  51. KIM says:

    I am not that creative ,
    If I won I don’t know what I’d make .
    Always wanted to try decorating Altoid tin.
    Looks like fun.

  52. Laural says:

    He crafted his stories very well…I would make two of the houses shown and then make a village with a few more bought items. Absolutely Fabulous!

  53. Rosemarie Grant says:

    I love the Alice tin. I would make it the garden party with the Queen.

  54. Jessica says:

    I’d like to make a wee little cat house. The other pediment would go towards making a neighboring one.

  55. Carla says:

    Love the Altoid houses…and the Alice theme, I’d have to make multiple tins for all my favorite Alice scenes!

  56. marykay chisum says:

    Follow me down the rabbit hole! What a beautiful project!

  57. Carol Slowik says:

    Yes, I would make a tiny house. Love the wonky Alice tin so I would make something similar with odds and ends I have been hoarding.

  58. chark says:

    these are all so beautiful, as always! Love the tiles, love the Alice barbie in a little tin!