Altered Book Done

Back in January I took an altered book class at Memories Galore in Richmond with Melissa Samuels. In class we tore out pages to make room for what we’d be inserting later, adhered multiple pages together for strength and stability of the book, prepared some of the pages with a background using acrylic paint and glaze, made the cover, made a hidden compartment and an acrylic covered shadow box. When I got home I had a lot to do to finish the project and a lot of ideas. I finally finished the book.

I don’t care for my handwriting so I had to practice a few times with the brush pen to get an idea of how my title would work. I settled on “Things with Wings” since I had a lot of embellishments, ephemera and photographs of bees, birds, butterflies and dragonflies that I jazzed up with Photoshop.

Here’s the inside cover. I used various rubber stamps, scrapbook paper, rub-ons, and a gel medium transfer. I incorporated the library pocket and a card I had with ephemera.
 

This is obviously a dragonfly page. I stamped with rubber stamps and a foam stamp. After the ink was dry I outlined with a white pen. I also added a die cut rub-on, some scrapbook paper and a gel medium transfer.
 

This page and the one before make the pocket that is on the left side. I realized afterwards there is a better way to make a pocket so I guess I'll have to make another altered book! I used the pages I ripped out to make die cuts and them embossed them. I used the negative space created by the cut out and inked directly to the page and outlined with the white pen. I also detail cut around a few purchased die cuts.
 

This page is also about dragonflies using a mask I created with a silhouette cut, a glimmer mist mask and stamp, a folded tag, a label from a label maker and a photo I took in my backyard.
 

Here’s the tag pulled out.
 

Now it’s all about butterflies. I added some detail cut purchased die cuts, rub-ons, label and a photo of a butterfly that I framed with some lace.

The left page has another lace framed photo, a label, rubber stamping and some bird postage stamps. The right page has some Glimmer Mist sprayed tags that I stamped, a label, and a photo of a bee on a Yorktown onion.

The left page has some stamping, die cuts, and a photo. The right page has a wax seal with a bee design, a die cut embossed sticker and another lace framed photo. This time I colored the lace.  

Birds on both sides here. Along with the photos, there is rubber stamping, postage stamps, cut out embellishments and a canvas tag.
 

Butterflies on the left with yet another lace framed photo, a brass stencil that I traced and die cuts. The right side has another bee photo with stamping and more embossed die cut stickers.
 

Here’s another bee on a Yorktown onion, and some tags colored with Glimmer Mist. The right has a lace framed photo and some more postage stamps.
 

The left side has some stamped and masked butterflies. The right side shows the acetate covered shadow box with a butterfly embellishment and the handle to the “secret” drawer. What’s inside? I can’t tell you because it’s a secret.
 

Here’s the back cover. I had a bunch of rub-ons with the word simplify so I used it twice but eliminated some letters on the second one.

My home on canvas

This is Dawn an instructor at Memories Galore in Richmond, VA. When it was 105degrees outside last Saturday, I took a class with her called Home is Where Your Heart Is. We took two art canvas frames and then added paper, chipboard, sticky back canvas, a ruler and all sorts of cool embellishements to make this great "house". The only thing I didn't finish was a few embellishments and the feet.

I really enjoy all the classes I take at Memories Galore. The ones I gravitate to are really on the edge of scrapbooking leaning very much towards altered art.

Until my next post,
Diane

I agree...Life is Good

Saturday I took another class at Memories Galore by Melissa Samuels. We made another version of an altered book by using multiple pages from the book for some of our pages. We used the On the Boardwalk collection of paper by Graphic 45. Melissa's design was published in Scrapbook.com magazine. She's got some great ideas and I can't wait to see what she'll be teaching with the next list of classes comes out.

Unlike the Memories Galore in Brandermill which is lucky enough to be within walking distance of a great place to eat this time we ventured off on our separate ways for lunch. I found a good Indian restaurant with a buffet and was very happy with my lunch.

Until my next post,
Diane

Another Melissa another great instructor

Saturday I took another class at Memories Galore and had another instructor named Melissa. This time instead of altering a book we made a mini-book from scratch. We used the Renaissance Faire collection from Graphic 45. Melissa gave us plenty of supplies to add a bit more to this book and I'll likely make a few cards with some of the left overs. She had the chip board, paper, die cuts, ribbon and accessories all ready to go. We provided a few tools and adhesive and away we went. It gave me some ideas how to make some other mini-books using these papers. I've taken two great classes from this store. Their workspace is good size, the instructors provide complete instuctions afterwards so you can make more AND you get a 10% discount when you purchase items in the store the day of your class. It's a great way to make neat things and meet fellow crafters.

Until my next post,

Diane

My First Altered Book

It's not like I don't have access to books. If you remember, I volunteer on a regular basis with the Friends of the Newport News Public Library. It's not like some of the books we get as donations or discards are just a little flawed. But there is just something about cutting a book and painting and drawing in a book (and a library book at that) that made me delay something I wanted to do for a while which is alter a book.

Saturday I took an altered book class at Memories Galore taught by Melissa Samuels. She provided the discarded books and a many supplies like scrapbook paper, paint, gesso, glaze and more. We provided gel medium, distress inks, brushes and a basic kit and then we played.

It was much easier to begin the process when someone provides you a match box and says "draw an outline of your matchbox on the pages and cut into the book". This was for our secret compartment. Then I could cut the book before that it just didn't feel right. I knew the book had been discarded by the library simply because it didn't fit their needs and took up valuable shelf space. After all libraries have to adjust their invenory to what the public wants.

I think we had 14 in the class and it seemed like everyone was having a great time. It was interesting to see traditional scrapbookers take to this and realize what options they have besides 12x12 layouts.

I haven't finished my book yet but will do so and then...I think my fear of altering a book is gone and I'll definately do it again.

Until my next post,
Diane