Altered Muffin Tin

Decide which era you’ll be using for your inspiration. If you’re going for a 1920’s feel, you may decide to buy a beat-up, rusted muffin tin from a thrift store. I chose to go with the 1950’s, so I spray-painted a new muffin tin teal. (Tip: If you’d like to do a smaller version, most Dollar Stores carry 6-cup muffin tins.)

If you plan to paint your tin, use a glossy spray paint. Follow the instructions on the can, and let the paint cure for 24 hours before altering. Also, you can spray paint some forks to match. (Check your local thrift store, or Wal-Mart has them 4/$1.)

Print photos in black-and-white or sepia. These photos are all of my Grandmother. Isn’t she beautiful?

Raid your stash! Whenever I’m working on a collage, I go through my entire craft collection, pulling out anything that I think might work. Some items you might consider are: charms, bottle caps, buttons, dice, keys, bobbins, costume jewelry, rub-ons, tokens, safety pins, tickets, etc. Keep in mind the era you’ve chosen, and select items in keeping with that theme.

Choose some papers from your scrap pile. Tim Holtz and 7 Gypsies are a couple of good manufacturers for the 1920’s feel… if you’re going for ’50’s, try Nana’s Kitchen by DCWV or Cosmo Cricket’s Early Bird line.

Trace a circle lid that’s the same size as the muffin cups. I filled 6 of my cups with photos, and the other 6 have paper. Adhere paper and photos with double-sided adhesive or glue dots.

Time to start decorating! You can add rub-ons directly to the tin if you’d like. Use a hot glue gun to secure the items inside the cups.

Hot glue the forks onto the tin. Use them as picture holders by sliding photos between the tines.

Finally, add ribbon to hang the tin. Most tins come with pre-punched holes. If yours doesn’t, you can punch them easily with a hammer and nail.