Happy Holidays!!

A very Merry Christmas to each of you and your families!!!

Jody's book....

Hello AFFs,
I am happy to announce that I am finished with Jody's pages! Classes ended on Tuesday so, I finally had some "me time" to put the finishing touches on it. I also got started on Kathy's book. Colleen, I will be mailing 1st thing in the morning - sorry for the delay.

Colleen's pages by Charlyn

Since Colleen's was a fairy tale book and she kind of followed that theme with her own projects I decided to do the same. After reading the stories (which I don't recommend, btw) I chose the one picture in the book with a horse on it and decided to pretty much ignore the story and just illustrate the good part of the fairy tale: where the handsome prince rescues the fair maiden from a life of drudgery and carries her off to the castle to live happily ever after. This is the little cabin in the woods where she toiled her days away...

This is the cold forbidding castle he was taking her to (but of course their love will fill it with laughter and joy(hehe))

"oh my love, I've waited for you for a life time! please take care of me and never let my dainty slipper touch the ground again" (simper, simper, coo, coo)

The whole shebang... hope you like it, Colleen!

Such Good Friends....Nicki's pages

My two page spread. Worked my style into the lace book! Nicki mentioned the beach in her book, so I had my daughter find me a vintage themed beachy greeting card. I love it! Very apropos for our RR. "such good friends" cut from an old book, that, when I actually read some of it, was a 60's sexually charged oration! Regardless, we are as cool as they are prancing the boardwalk in those suits and heels!

The backgrounds are painted with oil paints. Took a  long time to dry I learned! I incorporated lace Nicki hand dyed, vintage lace and a sheer fabric. An old game card from a relic dating game made reference to a beach question, so I sewed it to a bit of scrapbook paper and glued in place.

My first page was opposite Nicki's beautiful page so I tried to keep it in the same tone. The lace trim was layered to make the wavy, cloudy affect. I used two lace/sequined butterflies, a magazine cutout butterfly and a rhinestone butterfly off a Sally Ann's castoff sandal.

I may add a little stamped verbiage. Not sure yet. I had a blast working on these pages and trying to figure out how to do lace my way!

Sneak Peeks

Photos of Kathi's pages, updated with finished pages.

Page 1 - Keeping with Kathi's theme of using an old pattern for the background I did the same on this page, then glazed over it and added some paper and bits. The masthead from "The Saturday Evening Post" is from the month and year Kathi was born, I altered the date to the 18th. Great find at the resale shop in Wisconsin.

Page 2 - Painted and glazed this page with red and yellow. Made pockets by folding the pages and attached them with brads, added a little paper for accent. Found the old pin at the resale shop in Wisconsin, cut a little bit of a nitch and glued the pin into it. Used the "ruler" from the package that the old pattern was in. 

I love tags, made three tags for the pockets.

Page 2 with tags - Detail of the tags - just fun!!!! One tag has dictionary definition of "Vintage", one is a picture of birds, and one is a collage of paper, brad, and ink.

Thanks again to all of you for playing altered books with me.

I mailed...

Nickilee, be on the lookout, I put Colleen's book in the mail today. Are we supposed to show any peeks or anything? I'll give you a hint, Axel: I used some of your book pages and some of my paper and Sharpies and watercolors and glue and fabric and floss and scissors and tweezers and glitter and ......I think that's about all. Hope you like it!

2nd Round for our Altered Books

Where did this fall go? Ok where did the summer go? First round is complete everyone received an altered book. I have Kathi's I've been looking at it for almost two months now. It is talking to me, I have collected "bits" to put in it and my idea is clear, now to find the courage to start painting/glueing in someone else's book.

I didn't think it would be this hard to do. Our first books were scarey but easier because the pages weren't bound I could start over if I made a mistake. Altering in a bound book doesn't feel very "forgiving" if I make a mistake. I know no mistakes they are "Creative Challenges".

This weekend is it I am going to start painting and glueing to pages in Kathi's book.

Updates?

To keep this round moving, holiday's are approaching fast, how about a deadline goal of Nov. 14 to ship the books we each have right now? That way books will arrive before the really crazy holiday mailing/shipping begins. Everyone can have another book to start on if they have a break during the holidays/football season.

Let me know if a Nov. 14th goal ship deadline works.

Since I have not made progress on an altered book here is a photo of our 5-month-old puppy Lisel.

Happy Creating

looking for ideas from the pros....

My daughter is getting married next spring & I am trying to find a classy/elegant table decoration idea that is not going to bankrupt me - I figured i should ask those of you who are pros & have done this before:)

Thanks for your thoughts on this!!

And side note here - sorry nothing new on the altered book front - I always have such good intentions...soon I hope!!

My Altered Book is now in Kathi's hands

Hey girls, I'm  finally am up and running with my new computer (lots to figure out - yikes!) so thought I would post some pictures of my Altered Book.  I sent it out a week or so ago to Kathi so it is now in her Artistic hands.  I had so much fun making this.... can you guess the name of my book?  How about "For the Love of Lace"  Each page was created using some of my dyed laces.... I know I probably went a little overboard in embellishing all the pages but once I got started I couldn't stop.

Charlyn, I am now working on yours and having a ball!  Love it!

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover

Back of Page #1

Inside Back Cover

Back Page of Book

My journal is on its way

Hey girls, Sorry its been so long for me to finally get kicking with this project but it has been one insane summer. I finally got it together and mailed it out to Kathi last week - she should receive it today. I had a ball putting it together (even though it did get kinda messy) and look forward to seeing what ya'll come up with for the added pages.

This post is actually sort of a test. I'm using my new computer and seem to be having problems posting to my own Blog. So... I'm trying here to see how if it'll work.

Testing picture loading - a PC I recently made for a friend.

book update

Hi All,

I plan to get started on Jody's book this weekend - I have an idea!

I was up north last week with Lin & Joy - they wanted to try altered books as our vacation project. We had an awesome time & while there I did a practice page in my new book to see how I would like it for Jody's & it's a go! This one should turn out even better because I have one under my belt now:)

I can't even begin to tell you girls how much fun this is!

Working Someone Elses Altered Book

I spent some time yesterday looking at Kathi's book, it is starting to "talk" to me. Thinking of how I'm going to prep my pages etc and I froze! I know we aren't suppose to worry or stress, but as I started thinking about gluing it seemed so permanent!

Kathi, not to worry, I'll get over it and start creating soon.

Anyone making progress on this next round? Ideas? I'm feeling like glueing, painting, and cutting paper, we'll see what happens...

I Guess I Am Done!

First page.....had to do a niche! I love a niche, a shadowbox, any little cubby to tuck things away in.

Cover. My only request is that true vintage something be used inside. The spoon is tarnished silver, the tab is vintage office supply, the pattern is old and the crepe paper is pretty aged! Start looking around for a rusty, crusty bit or ephemera.
I LOVE doing this! I have been collecting things for years and am so happy to be using them. I even inspired Melissa to start one!
I will get it off to you Jody, ASAP.
Thanks Jody, for suggesting this to us. Love it.

finished tweaking my book

I've received Colleen's awesome book and have a few ideas floating around. I'm enjoying the sneak peeks as it gives me more time to search for goodies.

When does Nickilee get home? I figured since she's runnin the roads I could work a little longer on mine but I'm stopping now, lol. I wound up taking the pages all out and re-sewing them to lay flat, I think it will be a little easier to work on. I inserted the pages, glued the end papers and put it under some books to smoosh it flat. after a couple of days I pulled it out AND ta-da! the pages are upside down, lol. oh well, good thing it's an old accounting textbook and not relevant to my theme. Oh yeah, my Theme = horses, didn't want to make it too easy for you, lol. Take care!

it's in the mail...

OK well not quite, but will be heading to Axel right after work tomorrow:)

I thought I would add a picture of the painted back cover before I covered it over - do you see an image lurking in the paint? Part of me wanted to outline it & leave it as is, but I decide it didn't really go with my theme.

I love altered books, I wonder how I've gone so long without doing this! Thanks for the opportunity girls!

My book is ready to mail

Whew....maybe the glue fumes did get to me...gluing like crazy, Sarah came in and asked if I was getting more creative from all the fumes. I didn't think the glue smelled, guess I was in there too long. Fun weekend working on my book, it is ready to send to Denise.

Thank you all for playing I had a lot of fun working on mine. The only thing better would have been if we could all be together working on them...big bright studio with all kinds of paper, paint, fabric, do-dads, etc. going crazy together.

Here are photos of my book:

cover

 

Inside Cover and Table of Contents

 

Foreword

 

The Contributors

 

Pages for the contributors notes

 

Back Cover

The rest of the book is blank, have fun, I can't wait to see how these books progress. Our first books were so amazing, I find new details each time I look at it. Everyone that sees my book just loves it and is in awe of the creativity in it.

Tory...mailed my book to you today...

Hello Tory!  I mailed my book to you today...Conf. #03010120000138961760

axel

My book is finished...will mail Tuesday...

Hello my AFFs!  My book is finished and I will mail out on Tuesday.  Here are some photos...

Jody...I think whatever you did is making the comment section work now....I was able to comment on the previous entry.  Looking forward to getting some interesting pieces of art in my mailbox from you all!!!

Colleen

I can't seem to comment either...but LOVE your book, Jody!

I, too, love your book cover, Jody!  Makes me excited to see everyone's books.  I have been working steadily on my book and am almost finished...easily will be ready to mail by the 18th.  I will get a few photos taken this weekend...

Colleen

Making Progress

Hope everyone have a wonderful 4th of July holiday. Mine was busy with family, my daughter Emily's birthday is on the 3rd so always a big weekend for us. She turned 26 this year....hard to believe.

I did have some time to mess around with my book, here is the rough layout of the cover. Need to add some color etc and nothing is glued down yet so it could still change.

I tried to send email a week ago, not sure it ever went through, got an odd message that it went to my "outbox" anyway. Hope everyone is having fun with this project, from the responses it sounded like we all needed a little more time to prep for mailing. I know Nicki is on vacation until the end of the month, but how does Mon., July 18 sound for a mailing date? If you can make that great if not just post  or email the group so we know when to be looking for the package.

Mailing rotation:
Jody sends to Denise
Denise sends to Colleen
Colleen sends to Charlyn
Charlyn sends to Nicki
Nicki sends to Kathi
Kathi sends to Jody


I did do some checking on the issue of not being able to leave comments. Seems to be an issue with blogger.com, several people are complaining about it. I have not seen any resolve posted by blogger, I'll keep checking.

How is everyone doing?

How is it going? Is everyone making some progress? Keeping this stress free, anyone need more time to finish prepping their book for mailing the first round? Let me know and propose a new mail date.

I am finding "drying time" is slowing me down a bit. Ok a new puppy is also slowing me down a bit!

I'm using Perfect Paper Adhesive to glue pages together, having trouble keeping them from wrinkling. Anyone have a better glue solution? I do have Gel Medium, but I think that will wrinkle too. I've been using a plastic hotel keycard to smooth the pages as I glue.

Please check in on the mail date, no worries if we need to move the date, let's keep this stress free.

I almost feel naughty...

I almost feel naughty defacing this beautiful old book!
 

lurking but not posting

Hey again! Just letting ya'll know I'm still lurking around, lol. I still can't comment on any posts, your's or my own. I'm creating a new post from the window that lets me edit my blogs so I don't think it's a 'permission' issue, perhaps just a glitch of some type. Anywho, I didn't want ya'll to think I'm ignoring your posts, just reading and enjoying, lol. Have a good weekend!

June 6 already!

Hi girls!  Hope you are having a good summer so far!  Busy, as usual!  It is 99 degrees in Nebraska today...not used to it!  Back in the 80s later this week-whew!

So...about altered books...I did a little u-tubing and found MANY videos to watch showing all the basics and many, many books.  I am sure you, Jody, have already seen all of these videos but they were new to me.  Quite the deal!  I must admit, I have always loved this kind of art and have even dabbled a bit with it when the stamping craze first started.  Then stamping became so organized and seemingly less original to me that I gave away all of my stamps and inks and accessories and didn't really have time for it then anyway.  So, fast forward a decade or two and here I am LOVING doing all of this cloth/paper/scissors kind of stuff and now wish I still had my stamps and etc!  You should never get rid of anything! 

Anyhoo, I am really excited to work on this project...very different from what we do with CQ and yet, such a compliment to what we do with CQ!  Can hardly wait! I found my book...PERFECT book...at a garage sale this weekend and can hardly wait to get started.  I am a bit worried though because the book is a little small...it is woven binding so I am thinking it will be fine, just have smaller "sections" than I was first thinking.

Anyway, Jody, thank you for taking this on to lead us through this next challenge.  What a treat this will be!

Colleen

I'm having blog trouble...

I can create a new post but I can't comment on any of yours. Can anyone give me some blog guidance, please?

Hi AFF's

I have a few books that I've been looking at & trying to decide on my theme - I have several ideas, just need to narrow it down:)

I had a thought about readying our books for the rounds - I was thinking that it might make sense to section off & paperclip together pages for each round (for each person) rather than gluing them. The reason being maybe someones design idea may require a different thickness of pages & if they come to us pre-glued it may limit the ideas?? Each person could prepare & glue their sections themselves. Anyway, just a thought - I am surely not an expert by any means on altered books, lol :)

I am so excited to get started on my book!

Altered Books Getting Started

I have my book and started cutting out pages making space for altering and I think I have a theme. After reading the articles about preparing a book for altering and planning a layout I think I have a plan. Hope to spend some time this weekend going through paper and "stuff" I already own to see what might work for my book/cover. Can't wait to get "messy".

Is anyone having trouble finding a book to alter? I have a couple extra hardbound, sewn books if anyone needs one. I had a few "printer" samples at work, my boss was bugging me about cleaning things out at the office so I took them home, thinking they might come in handy. The subject matter of the books is boring, but they are sturdy and will hold up to some altering. Let me know if you need a book.

Happy Creating!

I'm in!

Good morning! Just wanted to drop in and see if I could post. How is everyone? I need to get over to the thrift store and see if I can find a decent book. Thought I had a good one but it has a glued spine :( I may still rip out the pages and use them because the chapters had interesting titles like: "first ride" "don't 'try'" "a portion of genius". Thought it might be interesting to let you intepret whichever chapters appealed to you. Hope I'm not giving away too much info?
Yesterday I spent 6 hours at the pool climbing in & out of the pool re-newing my Lifeguard certification. Needless to say I'm a crispy critter inspite of sun screen . I don't generally feel much different than when I was a teen UNTIL I spend 6 hours listening to the inane chatter and giggling of teen/early 20s girls posturing for guys in swimsuits. THEN I feel much wiser and more mature, lol.
I hope ya'll have a wonderful day, I'll be thinking about you!

Finished!! Here are my pages for Jody's book...Better late than never, right? :)

Heading to the post office shortly