Altering a hardback?

[chezbobs]

Hi

I've just been having a sort through of my daughters books, and there a a few hard books that she's outgrown. I'd love to alter them, but have never done any altering before.

If I cover the pages with paper, is there a glue that's recommended? How else can I cover the pages? I've read somewhere about sealing painted pages with gesso... have I got that right, and if I have... what is it and where can I find it?

Any other tips very welcome... thank you!

Cheryl

[Tilly Mint]

Hi chezbobs, board books are fab to use! You need to first sand off some of the original glossy surface (so that the gesso, or primer, has something to adhere to or else any paint applied will just slide off the pages). You can buy spray on gesso, but it can be quite pricey in terms of surface area to cover...I find that a small sampler pot of emulsion paint from B&Q is enough to use as a base paint for a 10 page board book. Once you've spent a day sanding (knowing someone with a sanding machine is a huge bonus as this bit is tiring,boring & messy) & painting you are free to feed the creation inspirative! ...
....I find I cannot do without 'Mod Podge' - a water based clear dry glue which also acts as a sealer.

[Hils]

You can get pots of Gesso from places like the Works now - huge pots for aobut £5-6 that'll last you forever! Just a rough sanding of the pages will do, enough to provide a "key" for the Gesso. The Gesso does a great job of hiding what was on the pages, and provides the key for whatever you decide to put on top :)

[Sky-blue-pink]

I gave mine a quick sand and painted over with acrylic paint which worked fine - I've just uploaded some pictures if you want to see what I did I used herma to stick the paper on - I spose mine is more of a mini-scrapbook than a proper 'altered' book but I really enjoyed working at this scale.

[chezbobs]

I shall definitely check out the works for some gesso, and borrow hubbies sanders! I'm sure if I suggest going to get some sample paints from BQ, he'll be pleased... an excuse to go and look at his tools!

Cheryl

[chezbobs]

Marie - how do I look at your pictures. I'd love to take a peek!

Cheryl

[Sky-blue-pink]

If you click on the camera under anyone's avatar - where their name is - it takes you straight to their gallery.HTH.

[Sky]

surely you don't need to paint with gesso if you're going to cover the pages with pp!!??

[kittenglitter]

I have a hardbacked book. It is about 2" thick. Where do I start with wanting to glue pages together. Do I use wet glue or DS for this job and how many pages to I stick together? Please some help:huh:

[Efemera]

Hi,
You'll need to get rid of some pages..I usually tear out about 1/3 to start with
Then glue some pages together 3 or 4 ..I use full strength PVA..it's not too wet!A really good book to read is Altered Book Workshop by Bev Brazelton..(Northern Light Books)
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[kittenglitter]

Cheers hun. I am guessing that I pull out pages at different places so that there is not a great chunk missing all at once. Thanks for the tip. I knew I'd get it wrong if I just went ahead. I would love to get the book and will take note for future ref. Thanks any more tips?

[Efemera]

Hi,
I know some people like to cover,glaze or protect thier pages in some way but I find this alters the look of the piece and lots of these finishes stay tacky
When you are working on anything keep a spare book next to you.wipe your brushes,wet wipes(which I use a lot instead of brushes) spare inks, rubber stamps or paints onto the pages..use these pages later.You soon build up a collection of 'art work'
:lol: :lol: :lol:
PS there's an altered book of mine in this forum!

[kittenglitter]

Thanks hun. I will take your points into account. Off to check out your artwork.

[witchy]

keep the pages you rip out and use for "found poetry" little sentences or just a word on your pages, also you can make flowers out of them to decorate your page once you start you cant stop im on my third one:wacko:

[glitterpops]

I love your tip efemera, about keeping you 'messy' splodged paper for using later! nice one.

[Billie]

:rolleyes: Can I just add that when you take your pages out don't tear them right up to the bound edge as that can make the book fall apart :wacko: leave about 1/4 -1" :rolleyes:

[jean day]

I recently did a altered book for a retiring teacher.Basically I removed about a third of the pages,painted the whole book (once it was glued and dried) in acrilyc then painted the page edges in gold added a floal decoration to the left-hand side and a "verse" to the right hand-side.With a ribbon "book-mark" down the centre. (It was like a open book when finished).The comments I received were fantastic- sorry no pics (not that good with uploading (or downloading) LOL