Monday, August 20, 2012

Looking through my Altered Books


I luv books and reading so it was inevitable that I stumble onto altered books.  I must admit that it does take a bit of an oomph to actually tear a page and begin the process as I think I should read and keep them all.  lol

I started with a pretty good book- The Encyclopedia of Quilt Blocks.  It is patchwork blocks and I thought it would be a good base for the story of my life.  That is just too big and intimidating a subject for a first book.  So I stalled.


Then Elizabeth offered a tutorial on Altered Books and I jumped at starting over.  So I have three now!  lol


The first lessons were about general techniques and supplies so I practiced those in Gulliver's Travels.  It'll be a reference and practice book.



An early lesson was on making a niche and I decided to do that in my biggest book, the life story one.  We made it at the start, covered it on a later lesson and I'll be putting the finishing touches on it as I finish up.


I choose leaves as my theme and had found a smaller 'encyclopedia' from a the kids section at the thrift store.  I didn't realize how much stuff I'd be packing into this great project.  I am running out of room.  :)

This lesson was doors and windows and Elizabeth gave a lot of great ideas but I hadn't space for them all.


 The opaque paper I used as the niche cover was too opaque and I forgot to paint the page but had already glued it so I had to put the window in before painting.  Sheesh,  I'm messy.


But mistakes are only opportunities to be creative so I have my thinking cap on for fixing this.


I had some clear cellophane and that works great.


But I was so intent on positioning one side I forgot about the other.  lol

It all works out in the end.



Then I got some beautiful leaf glassine paper.  It, too, is pretty hard to see through.  But I couldn't not use it.



I had also to find a place to fit it in and so it isn't really a window as it isn't enclosed on 4 sides nor cut out.  I did try to get something appropriate to be behind it.  But it works for me!


The next lesson is on embellished edges and I am quite excited as I have leaf beads!  Now to find an edge to put them on!  I also found another great leaf page to incorporate in my book.  More creative puzzles to solve!  Meanwhile, I do enjoy looking through my altered book.

10 comments:

Vicki W said...

I appears to me that you are having a great time and learning a lot. Who could ask for more?

BJ said...

All look great to me, you are very inventive withthe supplies you have. Looking forward to seeing the leaf beads. BJ

Createology said...

Elle your altered books are a wonderful reminder of how much you have experimented and learned and grown as an artist. Each with a story to tell. Making Memories Monday...

HollyM said...

It all looks like a lot of fun! I have a couple of books I picked up for just such a project but have not gotten around to it.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

You are doing a beautiful job working in the three books at once! You really seem to be enjoying yourself. I'm looking forward to seeing how you attach the left beads!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I love how you recapped your pages. Quite nicely done, I might add. I can truly understand why you might not want to add a zipper. These are always optional homework assignments and are for your benefit. After all, I've already created mine (grin).

You did a lovely job with that window. I agree that it looks great. And it works for ME, too! After all, there ARE no rules.

You suggested using thread for applying the buttons. In my experience, thread is not heavy enough. You need the wire to keep the buttons sort of aligned. You can use thread if you run a blanket stitch through the holes and add a bead, but it's just not heavy enough for buttons.

Leanne said...

Sigh. Your work is so pretty and creative but that was an out of print copy of Barbara Brackman's book. I think I am too much of a book lover to enter into this craft, but it is fun to watch you.

BJ said...

Hi Elle, I think I am with Elizabeth on the thread vs wire score. More so as I think the rigidity of wire will keep the buttons flat and firmly in place but thread would be all floppy. Sewing thread around the edge would be fine and adding beads too but again it would be more floppy - my wire edge is very firm. BJ

Dawn said...

Ooh Elle, at it again my lovely! Great colours and fab techniques. I love how you have really stretched your imagination and incorporated so many different supplies from your stash.
Thank-you so much for the re-cap on your altered book progress, I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on your journey to date.
Big hugs x x x x

paulaexuk said...

Wonderful examples Elle. Your "too opaque" window is just perfect, it makes you want to look behind it more because the view is so vague. Clever accident. The leaves in the window, in the window are fabulous. Very creative