Anything other than an actual book?!

[gaia_uk]

After seeing the link to the gorgeous 'His Dark Materials' altered book/fan art, I'm brimming with ideas on creating something similar to my favourite trilo of books - the Forbidden Game trilogy.
However, the thought of ACTUALLY ripping pages out of a book!?!?!? :wacko:
No no. Not even a tatty old second hand one. Can't do it, can't make me.

Thing is, what can I use instead? I suppose I could go down the old 'make your own, punch your own holes' etc...route, but I love the idea of opening a book type thing up. Any ideas? Maybe somewhere that does diarys/notebooks that are 'book bound'?

Also, on an almost unrelated topic, I tried altering a spiral notebook earlier in the year. I tried sticking the pages together but they all wrinkled up, am I using the wrong glue (pva) or were the pages just too thin to begin with?

Sorry for the ramblings, this will probably all seem rather daft come the morning. I really should learn to not come on forums at this time of night...
Thanks for just getting this far! :D
Samm x

[Olbas]

Sam, if you cant bear to rip out of a book then yes I think you should look at diaries etc. You can find desktop diaries etc. at Staples. However I would see if you could get yourself to a charity shop. Youll see books that are old textbooks for chemistry, or old car maunuals. Books that no one would ever buy or use. They are books with a use no more. You would be giving them new life. Even if you ripped pages out.

PVA is quite watery, some more than others. Bookbinding glue is best on the PVA range. However most people use gluesticks inc myself. The downside is that they are not a permanent glue and depending on brand, the pages will unstick in years to come. Another popular though pricier solution are gel mediums. They will last and arent as watery, esp if you keep lay it on thinly.

[Hils]

I know just how you feel - I ended up going down to the charity shop and buying something specifically for tearing up!

BUT - HOTP do a Sarah's book which has been produced specifically for altering. It has (I think) a chipboard-type cover, blank so you can do what you like with it, and then all the pages inside have text on them just like a novel does. Not sure who stocks it but you could always ask in shop till you drop.... :)

[gaia_uk]

ooh, thanks - it never occured to me to try textbooks etc! Maybe I will go browse the local charity shop after all! Also thanks for the advice on glue - the brand I have is a cheapy kiddies brand so I'd imagine it's more watery than most. More than the one I used when I was at school anyway!

You know, I always see Sarah Books for sale on sponsers sites but I've never actually looked at one! I'll go check out them too!

Thanks to both of you!
Samm x :)

[Hils]

No probs :) The Sara's book is specifically meant for altering, so is different from the "normal" ones, iyswim!

Dictionaries are good too cos you can highlight any relevant definitions.....:D

[Annie]

I was like you - really couldn't get my head round "mutilating" a book. So I went to the charity shop and looked at the row upon row of Readers Digest condensed books that no-one was going to read in a squillion years, and did one of them!

The thing I really still can't get my head around, as an amateur genealogist as well, is altering cartes de visites (those old photos on thick card). I just couldn't - someone out there might be looking everywhere for a picture of their great grandmother or someone, just as I am gessoing all over her picture and giving her wings and a crown! (Shudders) Just never will be able to do that!

[gaia_uk]

Ahh, dictionary - now there's an idea...:D

I was like you - really couldn't get my head round "mutilating" a book. So I went to the charity shop and looked at the row upon row of Readers Digest condensed books that no-one was going to read in a squillion years, and did one of them!
The thing I really still can't get my head around, as an amateur genealogist as well, is altering cartes de visites (those old photos on thick card). I just couldn't - someone out there might be looking everywhere for a picture of their great grandmother or someone, just as I am gessoing all over her picture and giving her wings and a crown! (Shudders) Just never will be able to do that!
I'm glad I'm not in the minority! Oh, I could never do that - it makes me so sad to see the little wads of photos just lying there because someone died and no-one claimed them or they were stuffed in the back of a drawer and no-one thought to send them back or something. I mean, that's someones history! No no, mass produced images all the way for me :)
Samm x

[kittenglitter]

I bought a hard back from the pound shop. a refular novel. I now use it for backing papers. I thought I would find it hard to mutilate a book, but that came quite easily.

I have a problem with sticking pages together. How do you do this neatly? Do you stick the edges and use pegs to secure or do you stick the pages using glue like you layer and mat. IYSWIM. Can someone show me or point me in the direction of a link or something. I have been searching for ages and can't quite seem to find the correct answer.

[Olbas]

With regards to gluing neatly, you dont say how you do it at the moment. If you are using PVA or similar wet glue, then try switching to a gluestick or gel medium.

If you already use gel or gluestick, you could either close the book and put a weight on it and wait until dry or my favoured way, I use a brayer once I've glued my pages to keep them smooth and wrinkle free. A credit card or similar would also do the trick

Hope this helps

P:ph34r: x

[vickip]

hi i have used an art book its already bound together and the pages are thick hope that helps

[eleeeesse]

I really like the idea of the altered book but agree about mutilating a book. On the idea about readers digest condensed ones i think i might have one already that i could use. brilliant idea Annie.

[irboo]

I went round my local 2nd hand market and got the most fab old old book for a £1,I then got a childrens book with some fabolous art work in a book clearance outlet for £2 and I intend to rip them both up!!!!^_^
On another point this golden gel medium? I have never used it but have been mulling the idea of getting some,any hints/tips would be much appreciated^_^

[TrishL]

At our crop we had a class on altered books. Like you I'd always wanted to do one, but had guilty thoughts about mutilating a book. However, once I'd overcome my inhibitions, which were much easier to deal with as someone else had provided the book, I had a great time. I think you just have to go for it, and don't be afraid to experiment, some pages work, others don't. But if you don't try your missing out!!

[basement gal]

Hope you don't mind me butting in on this thread but I have a recycling centre near me where I manage to get hold of childrens board books for altering. Quite often the pages are torn or flaps have been ripped out or crayon adorns the pages. Either way, this means I have no qualms at all about altering them as anything else has got to be better!!

basement gal