1. Visual Art Journals & Altered Books

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. FOCAL POINT The place the eye is drawn to naturally. Dare to place your focal point left or right of center.

5. MISTAKES 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.

6. 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.

7. Decorating Supplies Rubber Stamps Stencils Foam Stamps Transfer Papers & Transfer Mediums Papers Embellishments

8. 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

9. 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

10. Attachers Wires Screws Eyelets Clips Staples Photo corners Tacks Hook & loops Safety pins Sewing thread Embroidery floss

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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!!!!

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

15. 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

16. Pockets and Layered Pockets

17. Stiching and Needlework

18. Binding and Edges

19. Woven and Folded

20. Tags and Embellishments

21. Collage and Drawing

22. Photographs

23. Editions and Tabs