Altered books???

[cw18]

I'm hoping someone can help me out here with some info on Altered Books......

I 'adopted' a newbie last week, and yesterday she asked me the first question I couldn't answer --- guess I've been lucky up until now that she's been breaking me in so gently

I get the impression, from posts I saw on here ages ago, that an altered book is one you buy (often from a library clearance or charity shop) or have knocking around the house but not being read. And I know you do something to it -- but I haven't the foggiest idea what!! Nor (I'm ashamed to say) do I have any idea what the point is in them/what you do with them afterwards

Also didn't have a clue what I was looking for in the gallery in the hope that some pictures might help answer the questions

[Mel @ ATDML]

Hi,

Well some people alter old books which they find in charity shops etc.. also quite popular is altering childrens board books as they make a much more sturdy base. As to what you do to them, well you can paint them, cover them in scrapping paper, add embellishments etc... I have a circle journal which was an altered book on the theme of wisdom which I LOVE. Or you could do a book yourself on a theme or as a mini altered scrapping style book with layouts. The best thing is you can make it what you want it to be - no rules!

Hope this helps,
Happy altering!
Mel
x

[Little Lamb]

I've seen things which are altered board books. Like a hard cover and pages childrens book that they tend to attach to a buggy.

I think once altered you can add pictures, papers and journalling as normal.

I havent seen many pics in the gallery but i do remember seeing a beautiful one by magpie mum which was in a magazine...will have a look and see if i can find a pic of it for you :-)

[wssla00]

I got some beautiful how to books from a RAK and now i love them.
Instead of altering each page you can glue them together and make like a box. Think the box in james bond with a gun inside lol. You can add hidden drawers decorate and the like. They do look beautiful. They end up more keepsake boxes rather than books

[{anita-mundt}]

kids chipboard books are a great çheap'way to get the maya road chipboard book or 7 gypsies chip book look!

[alilydon]

we did altering books as a class at Bonanza. The teacher gave us pages ripped out, we inke4d them with pretty colours, stuck them together with strips of paer and stamped on them, to make a mini album, which I have now stuck notes ad pictures in (must admit I was not sure until now!)

[Little Lamb]

Found pics of the book on Gills blog, hope its ok to post a link here???

it is gorgeous and very inspiring!

http://northern-angel.typepad.com/ph...ery/index.html

[Bluemoonjules]

There is stuff on altered books in the Altered Art forum. I also have a couple of links I will PM you.

[cw18]

Thanks all.... I knew you wouldn't let me down

Thanks for the links Julie, I've forwarded them to my adoptee

[honeypip]

WOW - fabulous stuff on the blog - thanks for posting

[Natbag]

In a book I have - The Complete Book of Creative Scrapbooking - they have taken a really thick hardback book, carved out squares right deep down into lots of pages to hold little items, and even made a little drawer in it. then painted, inked and embelished the whole thing. It's really unusual, definitely worth a read for altered items and more unusual techniques

[Autumn]

Just had a look at your link and want to say what a lovely selection of altered art etc you have. They are just stunning and inspirational.......one day maybe I will be able to make items like that!!

Thanx for the link. Happy Creating and crafting.

Autumn x