Altered Microscope Slide Mailers

Microscope Slide Mailers...a rather boring little piece of mail ephemera upon first glance. Usually made from a sturdy grayish-brown chipboard type material with 1, 2 and 4 slots to encase glass microscope slides. You would never think they could be turned into a piece of art but they can! With a bit of ink, rubber stamps and some embellishments these little diamonds in the rough can be turned into a cherished keepsake!

Today I want to share a couple examples I made using of course Ranger inks, a few rubber stamps and fun embellishments. I will share more in the coming days :)

"King"

Supplies -

Distress Inks - Ranger

Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Ranger

Archival Ink - Ranger

Accent Pen - Ranger

Adirondack Dye Ink - Ranger

Glossy Accents - Ranger

Mod Podge

Tissue Paper, Photo Turns - 7 Gypsies

Sea Glass, Vintage Brads, various charms, ticking fabric - unknown

Instructions:

1. Ink the front of the slide mailer using Walnut and Peeled Paint Distress Inks. At this time you should also ink the inside of the mailer with the Peeled Paint Distress Inks.

2. Adhere a crumbled piece of tissue paper to the bottom third of the front cover using Mod Podge. Let Dry.

3. Sea Glass Embellishment -

- First you need to clean any dust that may be left from the mfg. process. I like to clean it with windex.

- On the back side of your piece apply desired colors of Alcohol Ink. For the example I used Pesto, Meadow and a bit of Butterscotch.

- Stamp desired image on the front of the piece using Archival Jet Black Ink.

- Paint the edges using Gold Accent Paint Pen.

4. Attach Sea Glass Embellishment to the cover using photo turns & large brads.

5. Once the tissue paper has dried add epoxy letters.

Inside -

6. Attach the fabric piece to the inside front cover using Mod Podge. This will be the "canvas" for your saying as well as help cover the brad prongs which you used to attach the Sea Glass Piece. Let Dry.

7. Cut & insert a photo to the inside of the slot.

8. Once the fabric is dry, add words, buttons & charms.

9. Add desired embellishments to the photo and fill with Glossy Accents. Let Dry.

"Welcome Home Boys!"

This is one of my favorite slide mailers I've ever made....it was inspired by the vintage photo of my Grandpa and Grandma and some of their friends. It was taken during WWII while the "boys" were home on leave.

Supplies:

Distress Inks - Ranger

Archival Ink - Ranger

Glossy Accents - Ranger

Slide Mailer

Mod Podge

Tag - Office Depot

Pattern Paper - Design Originals - Tim Holtz Distressables

Shells & Sand - Magic Scraps

Charms & Cord - unknown

Instructions:

1. Ink entire mailer using Broken China Distress Ink. Note: the slide mailer doesn't have to be completely covered by the ink. Leave some of the raw chipboard peek through for a more worn distressed look.

2. Distress tag using Walnut Stain Distress Ink & stamp sentiment. Set aside to dry.

3. Attach pieces of the pattern paper to the front and inside using mod podge.

4. Drizzle Glossy Accents along two sides of the cover. Immediately place shells in the GA. Sprinkle remaining exposed GA with sand. Let Dry.

5. Once the cover is dry, time to work on the inside. Remove the center divider between the 2 slide slots.

6. Stamp image onto glossy cardstock using Archival Jet Black Ink. Distress using Broken China & Weathered Wood Distress Inks.

7. Adhere stamped image inside the enlarged slot.

8. Attach Photo to the inside of the front cover.

9. Attach Cord using Glossy Accents to both the photo and stamped image.

10. Apply Glossy Accents to two sides of the slot, immediately place shells in the wet GA and sprinkle sand over the remaining exposed GA. Let Dry.

11. Attach anchor charms to the cord around the photo.

That's all for today.

Hope you enjoy these projects!

Check back tomorrow for more examples of Altered Slide Mailers :)

Have an Inky Day!!