Altered Book Inspiration

I love using old books as the basis for mini albums. In this video I will show you three different binding techniques for creating unique minis from old book covers I found at www.mantofev.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Book
• Binding
• scrapbooking
• techniques
• tutorial
• paper
• crafting
• mini
• albums
• Travel
• Journal

[kslandrum]

I really like the "Lessons in Life" altered book. I really want to make one. I'm curious about the cardstock you used for the signatures. How heavy was the cardstock before you put the tissue on it? Does it have to be really heavy, or will gluing the tissue paper make it stiff? Any other tips?

[WhatYouMakeIt1]

@kslandrum The "Lessons in Life" book is one of my all-time favorites I have ever made. The paper in the signatures was cardstock...or scrap wall-paper that I painted and collaged with tissue paper...by the time I can put a couple layers of paint and or multi-medium gel and tissue paper, they were plenty sturdy. One tip, make big sheets of collage pages - then cut them down to size. You will end up with some interesting pages and won't get caught trying to make ONE page look a certain way.

[woodie712]

Love your books and inspirations...will be following you for sure! Thank you!

[WhatYouMakeIt1]

@woodie712 Thank you so much! Hope you find some inspiration for your own art...have a great rest of the week!

[12ashearing]

just wondering how you made those lovely flowers on the front of your valentines day book are they made out of paper??

[WhatYouMakeIt1]

@12ashearing They are made out of paper...I have a tutorial here on YouTube that is called Tissue Flower Tutorial that shows exactly how to make them. They are tissue and book paper cut out with a scallop die or punch. Hope that helps.

[sarahbabydoll11]

@WhatYouMakeIt1

thank you so much. i appreciate the tips.

[WhatYouMakeIt1]

@sarahbabydoll11 You can tell that I have a hard time with that one too! There are a couple ways to help with this...the first is to just use thinner embellishments (I'm not very good at doing this). If you are altering a book that is still bound - cut some of the pages out near the spine to give you room for adding embellies to your pages. If you are just using a book cover, I suggest increasing the size of the binding -- either rings or spiral bindings - that lets there be more space.

[sarahbabydoll11]

so im new at making altered books, and i was wondering is there any way you can make your book not stick up so much? mine is huge and hard to close

[boknstet]

@WhatYouMakeIt1 I can imagine!! Last year I sent a Father's Day card around to all of our kids to sign and return to me. My husband takes that card out from time to time and holds it. Most times he gets a quivery chin going on. You know, "manly cry". So, I can imagine that your husband appreciates this very special gift now that his "boy" is off to college.