Visual Art Journals & Altered Books

What is an Altered Book?

A visual documentation of your life experiences, both good and bad, along with your dreams, goals and hopes. You can journal about everything!

The Process

To alter a book is to take an old book and give it new life as a personalized art piece.

You customize the book to fit your artistic vision.

FOCAL POINT

The place the eye is drawn to naturally.

Dare to place your focal point left or right of center.

MISTAKES MISTAKES are opportunities for growth.are opportunities for growth.

Punch or cut holes in the page, removing unappealing areas

Cover part of a page with another layer Label the page Experiment or Do not try

this at home… Cut slits in the page and weave ribbon or

fabric or paper strips through the silts Cover most of the page with pockets,

envelops or tags.

Themes & Concepts or the Moment…take hold!

Basing your book on a theme or concept helps in making design decisions and links your pages into a cohesive work of art.

Themes can be emotions, such as love or fear or curiosity or a favorite pastime.

Don’t be concerned if someone else has used the theme or concept; your book, done your way, is your personal statement.

Decorating Supplies

Rubber Stamps Stencils Foam Stamps Transfer Papers & Transfer Mediums Papers Embellishments

Choosing a Book

Hardbound book with at least 200 pages

Pages should NOT dissolve or crumble

Look for interesting text, drawings, or photographs

Slick-surfaced pages of textbooks must be primed with sandpaper

Adhesives

Paper items Glue sticks, pastes, double-sided tape, or

adhesive coatings Decoupage & gel mediums

Paper or fabric to book pages Special effects

Non-waterbased Jewelry glue, hot glue, silicone glue

Attachers

Wires Screws Eyelets Clips Staples Photo corners

Tacks Hook & loops Safety pins Sewing thread Embroidery floss

Types of Paper

Brown bags, Recycled bags, Shopping bags Decorative papers, Embossed papers Newspaper clippings, Schedules, Postcards Label, Wrappers, Ticket stubs, Letters, Maps, Napkins, Photographs Sewing patterns, Sheet music, Tissue Wrapping papers, Greeting cards

Embellishments

SEWING: Buttons, snaps, zippers, string, fabric, floss, laces, tassels

HARDWARE: Washers, Nuts, Bolts, Hangers, Wires, Metal, Fiberglass

OFFICE: Tags, Labels, Clips, Rulers, Staples, Stickers

JEWELRY: Beads, Stones, Charms, Wires, Broken jewelry

Embellishments, cont.

GAMES & TOYS: Dice, Dominos, Cards, Game Pieces, Tiles

FOUND OBJECTS: Lids, Keys, Watch & Clock parts, Electronic parts, Glass bobbles, Slide holders, Seashells, Leaves, Sticks, Bones

ANYTHING NOT NAILED DOWN!!!!

Tools

Ruler Scissors, decorative scissors X-acto knife Utility knife Punches Self healing cutting mat Brushes & sponges Stencils Parchment Paper

Windows, Doors and Niches

Can make a dramatic statement Can highlight a special part of the design, picture or text. Can hold three dimensional objects Can be opened to reveal what’s inside

Pockets and Layered Pockets

Stiching and Needlework

Binding and Edges

Woven and Folded

Tags and Embellishments

Collage and Drawing

Photographs

Editions and Tabs