Altered Book TUTORIAL 

I have great memories of the Carol Duvall Show. That is where we first met a young guy from Ranger named Tim Holtz. How far he has come since those early days.

Oh how I wish Aleene and Carol Duvall were still available on tv now!! I used to love watching any craft show that would come on! I remember my room being "wallpapered" with the hotties out of Teen Beat and Tiger Beat!! LOL! Great memories! Thanks for your tutorial - very helpful and fun!! :)

Hmmm I think we are the same age....I had Sean Cassidy pinned to my wall! Lovely altered journal techniques, enjoyed your video.

This was helpful to me, because I was searching how to make an Altered Book, and your video came up. Thanks for sharing.

My fave mag was Tiger Beat!! I still have an issue somewhere!? 😜 David and Shaun as well as the Osmonds!!🥰 Thank you so much for this!! I’m going to start on a combination guest book/album for my wedding in Jan!! So sorry to hear about your mom. You’re an awesome daughter!! Bless you!🙌🏻☺️

Omg teen beat!! Shawn Cassidy! We must be the same age,lol remember Leif Garrett? Tfs love your videos!

This video was super helpful! LOL...I was picturing myself wrestling with a book and feeding it through my sewing machine!

Bless your sweet care of your mama♥️🙏🏼We did the same with my mother in law until her passing in 2021.

I just watched your altered book tutorial. It was fantastic. My question is are you still creating on RU-vid? I think that can really learn alot from you. I hope to hear back soon!!!!

I’ve been wanting to make a book exactly like this but I couldn’t find a tutorial that had all the factors I wanted to incorporate and also find a tutorial that showed each step…until literally just now I found you! Your voice is pleasant enough to listen to and your books have all the elements that I want to incorporate into my journal and your explanations are well thought out, nicely executed step-by-step and easy to understand AND you have examples of EVERY stage you are explaining!!! You have made an instant fan and gained a new subscriber. Thank you for sharing

OMGosh... I can't believe you remember Carol Duvall... she one of the crafters who got me started. LOVE her! Thank you for sharing that moment. :o)

Thank you for sharing. Your Mum obviously raised you to be very caring. Mums are very precious.

This is my current favorite method of making a journal! It takes more time but they are BEAUTIFUL!!! TFS,!!!

Lovely journal making process!! Really enjoyed your how to vid. I am really sorry to hear about your mom having Alzheimers type dementia....my gram had that and I know how things can be...prayers to you and you mom. ox

Love your video tutorial! I have done all the gluing. Tried different glues and glue stick lays the flattest, but love how the other wet glues give the pages character. You and your Mom are always in my prayers. I always look so forward to watching all of your videos, your voice is so perfect and very relaxing. Hugs, Cindy Lou

Thank you for sharing this. Teen Beat, Shawn Cassidy, Tiger Beat, plastering my walls with Peter Frampton pictures and filling up books with his stories and pictures....those were the good ole days. : )

Hi I'm a beginner I just subscribed to your channel I like the way you make your Junk journal I will start on mine today tfs. Oh do u have a tutorial of u putting stuff in the Junk journal

I'm a new subscriber to you channel and so glad I found your channel. My question is when you glue your paper that you sewed in do you put glue all over the page or just like when you first glue your pages together only the top and bottom.? Thank you so much for sharing all your work. Beautiful.

I watched Carol Duvall when she did crafting in Toledo, Ohio for the store Anderson’s. I loved her as a kid!

Date yourself. I'm in the same club. I have segments from both of their programs on VHS that I still refer back to. I'm guessing we're about the same age :-) Back when life was more simple. Creative Blessings

Did you changed your youtube name or something? I havent seen you making a new videos, hope all is well with you. Love all your videos. Thanks for all the videos you shared and all the videos you are planning to make. ❤😊

lol....I was a teenager during the Beatles and "16" magazine was the one I cut out...:) GREAT video!

I love Carol Duvall and watched her all the time!! I attribute my love of working with paper to her. Thanks for bringing back a wonderful memory! Would love to see her shows again. Blessings to you! (I love YOUR shows as well!)

You brought back some fun memories for me. Remember when Carol Duval used to host her HGTV show with Tim Holtz when he was young and just starting out? Your videos are the best!!

Had to laugh. I actually coffee dyed papers from a "Partridge Family" paper back. tfs

LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!! Going to try the stitching on the paper. It was so pretty!

Thanks Irene for showing us how you do your sewn pages. It's always good to learn new techniques. Big hugs.Linda

Hello Irene. Thank you for your wonderful videos. I love your gentle, caring voice. I lost my mother 15 years ago to Alzheimer's after caring for her at home for several years. I've heard you mention other phases your mother is going through and I am familiar with all of them. It takes a special person to care for someone with Alzheimer and it is especially difficult when it is a parent. Stay strong and remember to take care of yourself. You will never regret the sacrifices I know you are making to care for your mother. Take care and God Bless.

Your junk journals are truly works of heART! Love them! Thanks for sharing! :) Jill

I remember Carol Duvall. Thanks for the memories.

Yes...Teen Beat and Tiger Beat. :) My fella was David Cassidy!! And I loved Carol Duval and the Saturday craft shows with Aleene when I was young married. :) Thank you for sharing!!! :) k

This is such a great tutorial!! Thank you !!!!!! 💜💕

I LOVE THIS TUTORIAL!!!! I am making my first altered book today! Thank you so much for sharing!

Hi there glad to see you back. What a great idea thank you so much for sharing. Your mom is so lucky to have such a loving daughter as you. Hugs Nola

I just found this video and it’s exactly what I was looking for...and more. Back in the day I collaged glossy photos of David McCallum & the Beatles on the walls in my room so I might be a tad older LOL. But Carol Duvall and Aleene on tv?!? They beat out soap operas in our house! Thanks for sharing your love and your memories. Hugs to you in losing your mum. Mine passed away 25 yrs ago from a stroke. I miss her everyday and art journaling is my new therapy in retirement.

So happy for your video! I have looked all over the place but your tutorials are the ones I needed-i like this style, it's how I planned in my head but really wanted to see it done first! I am starting today thanks to you and your video!

great video. It taught me so much. I am off to get a book so I can make one.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience in altering books. I'd like to try this and you've saved me a ton of trial and error time. My sister let me know about your channel! I really appreciate the practical no nonsense way you present your tutorials.

Thank you. Your tutorial was short, sweet and to the point. Thank you for taking your valuable time to show all of us how to alter a book. You are an angel. You, your family and your mom are in my thoughts. God bless!

Brilliant Tutorial Irene, thanks so much for sharing your technique with us. I hope when people do try this out that they will give you the credit for their inspiration. big hugs.

Thank you for your video. Now i understand.

Finally! A clear, simple, easy tutorial on how to alter a book. Your explanation was so understandable, and I loved seeing the examples. I can think of so many ways to customize this process for various purposes. Thank you!

Love so much!!Thanks and can't wait to do my first book with your sewing technique❤️❤️❤️

Shaun Cassidy's and Leif!!!!! My loves!!!!! Lol!!!!! I bought the same magazines!!!!!! We must be the same age!!!!!!! Lol

I loved loved paper dolls... you just reminded me of them.. ♥️❤️♥️❤️

Please come back. Really miss you. And I bet I am not the only one. You are an awesome craft teacher.

I watched Carol Duvall all the time too! I seriously attribute my life path to Carol! My mom and I were so sad when she passed.

Your altered books are always so beautiful, thank you for taking the time to show how you do it! Yes I remember Teen Beat! haven't thought of those for years. Like Lynette Clark said I remember Leif Garret!

How do you sew a page into a book? This is so intriguing

Hey Irina. I was a BIG fan of Aleene & her daughters. I loved Carol Duvall even more! I've practiced this prep in composition books but haven't tried a hard back book yet. I'm assuming you sew the pages before gluing into the book. I think it would be difficult to sew a page while its attached to a book. Great job! Now I won't have to try & figure out how many pages to tear out. My Mom had Alzheimer's & died from a stroke a few year ago. She had 12 kids & I am the oldest. Tfs. Tere

Thank you so much for sharing how you start your altered book journals and the sewing! I love to watch your videos and see the beautiful journals you create.

Thank you for sharing! I can't wait to do my first book!❤

Hi Irene, I hope you see this comment. I want you to know, I love you and miss you xxxx

Ahhh, Carol Duvall -- a blast from the past! The timing of finding your video was wonderful. I just tried making my first book for altering (I've bound books from scratch or used Dylusions journals in the past), chose a book that had stitched signatures rather than the "perfect binding" (that's what the industry calls it) that you recommend and I didn't tear out enough pages. The results was lumpy, wrinkly and practically impossible to work on. I'll be stopping at the dollar store or thrift shop and looking for the perfect bound books. Thank you again -- and strength to you in carrying the care of your mother. THAT is a labor of love!

Thank you so much for this concise and clear tutorial! It's all new to me, so I am soaking up as much information as I can! I love the finished look you have shown.

Hi Irene, love listening to you explain things in your tutorials, and that tip on sewing the decorative paper to a page and then gluing ... wowsers :) trust all is well with you and your family

Omg I used to love teen beat too! I am probably the same age you are. This is an awesome way to make journals. Tyfs. 💞😍

Thank you for posting these videos! You've taught me so much:) I hope you & your family are well.. it's been a while.. sending love and Prayers! 💕

I remember Carol Duval, Teen Beat, and Shaun Cassidy. My sister went to our first concert and it was SHAUN CASSIDY. Quite honestly, Shaun was her favorite. My was Parker Stevenson. .... Girl you just took me WAYYYYY BACK!😃

Amazing. Thank you for sharing. You do the most amazing things with your junk journal. You took the mystery out of several processes for me.

Love this! Very clear instructions. I remember Carol Duval, also! I wish they had a craft channel today. Tfs!!😊

Sewing is a great idea but is one is not a sewer can they just glue the decorative paper on instead. I know it would be a different look but should still work I would think?

Hi Irene, thanks for the tut. I as wondering how you created these. They are so beautiful. Now I need to review the books I bought to see how the pages were added. Thanks again. Blessings to you and Mom!!

You are so sweet. Are you still crafting?

Yes, I love Carol Duvall, Alieenes show, I watched it every weekend, I've always loved crafts, I lost all my stuff in a move years ago, and I'm barely getting back into it. I'm gonna make my first album in a swap with Janscrazylife here on YT. Thank you so much for the lessons.

Now you glue your book pages together THEN you sew decorative paper and then glue those sewed paper onto your book pages. Right?

I just love your projects. Thank you so much for sharing.

Hi Irina....trying to attempt my very first altered book and I need your help please.... The book is 9 ‘’ by 6.75’’ and the book has 835 pages. How many pages would you suggest I remove each time? Appreciate your input and thank you for inspiring me. Greetings from Malta (Europe). Joanne x

thank you so much for the share , I love how you do this, :) tfs big hugs yorlis... hugs to you mommy too

Hello! Am new at this. I was a bullet journal drop out & discovered junk journaling from Pam at the paper outpost. And just found a video from Mike in the UK using an altered book. He leaves 4 & tears out 8. What's best in your experience? He suggested glued pages rather than sewn signatures. Just learning & am a bit concerned. I don't have a sewing machine anymore but may be next on my wishlist. Yes a David Cassidy fan.

Wow, thank you!!!

I met Carol Duval, she's really nice. I even got her signature in my Stampin' Up! catalog, but then it got wet and all the pages fused together. Thank you very much for your information, because I'm getting ready to make some altered books. This was very helpful. Hope you are well.

Omg! I used to like be Carol Duval!!

I use to watch Donna Dewberry and Aleenes Crafting.. and I loved Teen Beat and Tiger Beat. I loved All those magazines. WOW. Thanks for Sharing 😊👍 I had posters of Robby Benson.😍

Wow . Today was my lucky day. I happened to stumble across your RU-vid channel. Boy did you being back some memories I also loved teen, oh and dolly. You must be an amazing person to still care for your mum ❤️ 💕 It takes a lot to do this. I loved the technique you used thank you for sharing. I am now following you and will try and binge your RU-vid channel Blessed be Jody❤

I remember all.of the things you mentioned. Carol Duval was my favorite.

Thank you so much for this!! I am doing my first altered book and luckily i chose the right type of book. Purely by accident lol your video is very helpful! And i love your pages , beautiful job . Thanks so much , and have a great day !! My other half has Altzhimers too. I do alot of crafting lately, helps to get through.❤ if you would ever like to talk just let me know , i would be happy to ❤🤗🌷

Hello, I love this, I was wondering if you could give me in idea on the margin space. Do you give yourself about a quarter of an inch all the way around the page? I mean when glueing it looks like a bit of the original book page shows? Does this help with closing the book? Thank you!

Tfs all these great tips.

Love the idea of sewing the pages before and then gluing them in. Never thought to do that was wondering how they did that. Thanks for sharing this.

Thank you for sharing this technique! I love the tip about the sewing of the pages. Definitely going to put this on my do list! Hugs, Vicki

I remember watching Carol too. And Shaun Cassidy..loved him!!

Poot. I have been picking books wrong. Completely backwards what I was supposed to do. Urg.

Absolutely beautiful! Very helpful and informative! Thank you so much for sharing your tips and tricks with us! The Carol Duvall Show, I loved watching that show!!! Hugs and blessings to you and mom! Andi

Hi Irina, I'm new to Altered and I have a question. The books that you get at the dollar store, which dollar store? Is it Dollar Tree?

My pages are more “ripply” than yours.

Shawn Cassidy was my first ever concert. My daughter bought me Shawn Cassidy and Andy Gibb albums and an old fashioned looking record player. Lol

Good morning Irena I hope you’re doing well. I’m just checking on you and hopefully you get this email. I do not know how to contact you otherwise. I think you often because you have taught me a lot. Joyce McGraw.

Thanks for sharing. So happy that you are back making videos again. I just love listening to you talk.

Shaun Cassidy, Parker Stevenson, Leif Garrett...yup. They were all over my bedroom walls! lol I enjoyed the videos very much. Thanks for the tips! It never occurred to me to start from the back. Duh...solves many problems!

I choose the opposite books as you ~ I prefer sewn signatures rather than glued in pages cuz the pages are less likely to come out later. You're right tho that you have to be a lot more careful removing the pages.

thank you for caring for your Mom, blessings to you

Really do miss watching Carol Duval, Lynette Jennings, actually saved to VHS different clips from all those crafty shows.

Ohhh!!! I was going to marry Shaun caasidy!! Lol...Live your book!

Hello, Irene! You brought back memories talking about Teen Beat Magazine and Carole Duvaul!! I used to watch her also. My memory is of having a "clear" skateboard when I was 13 years old, and I taped a picture of Leif Garrett to the bottom facing up, so that I could see him. First crush was Donny Osmond.... second crush was Leif Garrett. Keep up the great videos.

Thank you so much. This was a great tutorial. ❤️

Super!! I started making altered books years, many years ago, and even did the good old round robins before utube , pinterest, etc. In those years we used books with sewn signatures... What an accident waiting to happen. Your tutorial makes me want to make an altered book again. So... here I go, rip, rip, rip, fold, fold, fold. thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much Irene. I was one of the people asking for a tutorial. I love your junk journals so much. I am very appreciative that you took the time to share this information. Bless you, Tink

I love this video. I am new to making journals. Gayle Agostinelli recommended to watch yours in one of her videos. Need Help please! Need possible rule of thumb for pages allowed vs. width of spine on how to avoid this V shape (alligator mouth) when done? This is a hard cover journal I'm making. It had 346 numbered pages or 173 actual flip pages with a 1-1/2" spine. I removed 112 full pages. I used the 61 pages to make 48 pages, glued some together to make top or side pockets. Ended up with 24 actual 2 sided pages. Obviously having less pages or less embellishments on a page would help, but how do you know how to judge the number of pages you need vs. Spine width for the finished journal when starting out?

So let’s say I found a 500 page book I really liked, could I just take out more pages (maybe 12 or so)? Think I’d still get that alligator mouth? Thanks