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How to transform a distress ink pad into a compact mirror

Transform a Distress Ink Pad Into a Compact Mirror

47
STEPS
TOOLS

For this guide, we'll use a Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad. (You're free to use another brand. However, you'll need to make your own measurements and adjustments as they may differ from Tim's ink pads.)

For this guide, we'll use a Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad. (You're free to use another brand. However, you'll need to make your own measurements and adjustments as they may differ from Tim's ink pads.)

Remove the lid from the base of your ink pad.

Remove the lid from the base of your ink pad.

Use scissors or a craft knife to pry the ink pad from its base. It may take several minutes.

Use scissors or a craft knife to pry the ink pad from its base. It may take several minutes.

Don't worry if you have leftover fibers.

Don't worry if you have leftover fibers.

Clean the base of your ink pad with warm water and soap. Again, don't worry too much about the fibers.

Clean the base of your ink pad with warm water and soap. Again, don't worry too much about the fibers.

While you're at it, make sure to wipe off any ink that got onto your scissors or craft knife.

While you're at it, make sure to wipe off any ink that got onto your scissors or craft knife.

Take a paint brush and some Tim Holtz Distress Paint in Tarnished Brass and cover the ink pad edges as shown.

Take a paint brush and some Tim Holtz Distress Paint in Tarnished Brass and cover the ink pad edges as shown.

For the lid, make sure to apply the paint around the inside edges.

For the lid, make sure to apply the paint around the inside edges.

After your paint has dried, attach 1/2" thick black and gold washi tape to the bottom edges of your ink pad base. For extra hold, place some adhesive behind the washi before attaching.

After your paint has dried, attach 1/2" thick black and gold washi tape to the bottom edges of your ink pad base. For extra hold, place some adhesive behind the washi before attaching.

Take washi and wrap around the lid of your ink pad as shown. Again, apply some adhesive behind washi before attaching for extra hold.

Take washi and wrap around the lid of your ink pad as shown. Again, apply some adhesive behind washi before attaching for extra hold.

Locate your 8x8 paper pad. Find the Stunning paper with peacock feathers. Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares and round the edges. Adhere one square to the top of your lid.

Locate your 8x8 paper pad. Find the Stunning paper with peacock feathers. Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares and round the edges. Adhere one square to the top of your lid.

Flip your lid over, then adhere your second 2 1/4" square paper.

Flip your lid over, then adhere your second 2 1/4" square paper.

Locate the chipboard piece shown in the photo. Add some Stickles in Platinum around the border, then adhere a large crystal. Adhere to the inside of your lid.

Locate the chipboard piece shown in the photo. Add some Stickles in Platinum around the border, then adhere a large crystal. Adhere to the inside of your lid.

From the alphabet sticker sheet, adhere the letters "h" and "i" along with the word "gorgeous".

From the alphabet sticker sheet, adhere the letters "h" and "i" along with the word "gorgeous".

Set the lid aside. Grab the base of your ink pad and flip over. Cut a 2 3/4" square from your Stunning paper. Round the edges then adhere.

Set the lid aside. Grab the base of your ink pad and flip over. Cut a 2 3/4" square from your Stunning paper. Round the edges then adhere.

From your sticker sheet, remove the image of the lady in the peacock frame. This is the same lady image from Step 15. Save the peacock frame for Step 22.

From your sticker sheet, remove the image of the lady in the peacock frame. This is the same lady image from Step 15. Save the peacock frame for Step 22.

Attach sticker to the bottom of your ink pad base. Then, flip your base over so the painted side is showing.

Attach sticker to the bottom of your ink pad base. Then, flip your base over so the painted side is showing.

Since there is about a 1/8" deep gap where the ink pad used to be, you'll need to place something on it so your mirror doesn't sink. I sacrificed a cute piece of chipboard and adhered it with glue.

Since there is about a 1/8" deep gap where the ink pad used to be, you'll need to place something on it so your mirror doesn't sink. I sacrificed a cute piece of chipboard and adhered it with glue.

From your Stunning paper, cut a 2 3/8" square, round the edges, then adhere on top of the chipboard.

From your Stunning paper, cut a 2 3/8" square, round the edges, then adhere on top of the chipboard.

Grab a 2" mirror. I found this set of 4 at Joann for just 99 cents!

Grab a 2" mirror. I found this set of 4 at Joann for just 99 cents!

Center your mirror onto the top of the base. Adhere.

Center your mirror onto the top of the base. Adhere.

Take the peacock frame sticker from Step 17 and attach to the mirror.

Take the peacock frame sticker from Step 17 and attach to the mirror.

Since the corners of the mirror peek through ever so slightly, apply some Stickles in Platinum around the edges of the sticker and mirror.

Since the corners of the mirror peek through ever so slightly, apply some Stickles in Platinum around the edges of the sticker and mirror.

Finally, add some little crystals to your mirror. Set aside the base of your ink pad and locate your lid.

Finally, add some little crystals to your mirror. Set aside the base of your ink pad and locate your lid.

Locate the chipboard piece in the photo and adhere to the top of your lid. Attach a crystal and apply some Stickles around the chipboard.

Locate the chipboard piece in the photo and adhere to the top of your lid. Attach a crystal and apply some Stickles around the chipboard.

Adhere some paper flowers, like these ones from Michael's.

Adhere some paper flowers, like these ones from Michael's.

Add some extra leaves underneath the flowers. I used some Petaloo Foliage for this. Then adhere the word "couture" from your sticker sheet.

Add some extra leaves underneath the flowers. I used some Petaloo Foliage for this. Then adhere the word "couture" from your sticker sheet.

Locate a small key and a stamped brad. Break the legs off the brad.

Locate a small key and a stamped brad. Break the legs off the brad.

Adhere small key and brad per photo.

Adhere small key and brad per photo.

There you have it! A pretty little compact mirror.

There you have it! A pretty little compact mirror.

The brass paint will slowly start to distress - adding to the vintage look of the papers I used.

The brass paint will slowly start to distress - adding to the vintage look of the papers I used.

This is a perfect Mother's Day or birthday gift!

This is a perfect Mother's Day or birthday gift!

You can change up the papers, patterns, colors and embellishments to make your compact mirror all your own.

You can change up the papers, patterns, colors and embellishments to make your compact mirror all your own.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this Snapguide!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this Snapguide!

  • 1 Graphic 45 Couture 8x8 Pad
  • 1 Graphic 45 Couture Stickers
  • 1 Graphic 45 Couture Alphabet Stickers
  • 1 Graphic 45 Couture Chipboard 1
  • 1 Graphic 45 Washi Tape Set
  • 1 Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Keys
  • 1 Graphic 45 Stamped Metal Brads
  • Petaloo Foliage
  • ZVA Crystals - Champagne
  • Michael's Paper Flowers
  • Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Tarnished Brass
  • Stickles - Platinum
  • 1 old Distress Ink pad
  • 1 2" mirror
  • Scissors
  • Paper trimmer
  • Corner rounder