You have to remove pages differently in sewn in signatures. Usually you remove pages in the center of sewn in signatures, and glue together the adjacent pages from different signatures to strengthen the pages left. We get glues pages in newer books from thrift stores or dollar stores.
I think 'altered book' means different things to many people... I've take a couple altered book classes where we completed the entire book as an art project... one was for a Christmas theme where we found the center of the book, left 15 or so pages on each side of that center. With those 30+ pages, we created a 3D Christmas Tree. We divided the book into 'sections' then took some of the pages we tore out of the book and folded them around those sections. We then decorated, added, and altered the sections to the theme with various items from scrapbook paper, ribbon, lace, embellishments, etc. I've seen others used for journaling, etc. I think all of them are fun and creative. It is a wonderful way of using very inexpensive 'thrift shop' books and altering them to just be creative... even using things that might otherwise be tosses away.
I’m so happy that I found this video! I started an altered book but the only thing I have done is pull the pages out! Looking forward to some inspiration! Thanks!
This is great! I wanted to see you make one of these. Also, thank you for mentioning Barbara from 49 Dragonflies. Like your channel, I look for a post from Barbara everyday and think her channel is so good. Thanks again Helen for all you do for this community. I am a Patreon member and I enjoy the Benifits. God bless!
Hi, Helen. I am very new to junk journaling and had heard the term "altered books." I know little about this, so I searched and watched your video. I learned a lot! From watching your video, I also learned a new term, "slow stitching," so there's another thing to explore. Thanks for sharing your talents with all of us! (P.S. My dear mother's name was Helen -- great name!)
Awesome video Helen! I love the tips you shared. Very helpful. I have done this with two books so far and love it. I so look forward to your videos using this book. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting video..good to see many different methods of altering a book...good idea with the washi tape over the torn 'gaps'..I think, as each book is different, with regard to signatures and amount of pages in each one, it's good to get a feel of the book and work accordingly ☺️
I really enjoyed this. Coincidentally, I started a new book last night. I am not finished taking out all the pages. I was wondering how many pages you are left with to work on. My book is about the same size and I think it’s still too full. Thanks for all your videos.
Cool! I live in a former communist country. There are tons of propaganda books in the thrift shops still waiting to be exorcised. Thanks for the tutorials!
I love your content Helen, it's always wonderful. I am sad, as a Welshwoman, however, to see you altering the Mabinogion, text dating back to the 13th century of ancient welsh mythology.
Thank you for sharing your process of making an altered book journal and would love to make one as well. Question, why are you gluing pages together? I will be going over to the other channels you suggested, thank you agian.
Mainly because you will have big gaps where you have torn pages out. Glueing a page together from either side of the gap will hide this. It also gives more strength to thin pages 🤗💕
Really well done, Helen! Your book looks great already and your cover will be amazing! Looking forward to following you in this! :) Thanks for the mention as well! Hugs, Barbara
It's been about a year since I made an altered book, I was just thinking about making another. Your video was a great refresher for getting started! Thank you!
Thank you for this Helen🌻 I went to the last day of a "Save The Children" and was able to get a few different books at a great price🤓 I have watched a few different channels to find out more about what type of book to get, two of them actually said get a book with signatures🙂 They are both using paint as well. One was Kelly from Book and Paper Arts, the other was Recycled Parts for Art. Both suggested to go to the middle of each signature to pull out the pages, gently. Now I have to decide🤔 which book to use🙂
That’s wonderful that you have some books ready to go Tanja 🥰 I will definitely take a look at those channels. It seems such a fun way to journal and repurpose a book 🤗💕
Helen: thank goodness you are doing this. It is very clear and organized to follow. I’ve seen this before, however, since everyone does it a bit differently, it gets a bit confusing. All of us need basics to begin with and to follow. Then we can do our own thing. I really appreciate this video. Thank you, Carol from California
I’m really happy you enjoyed this Carol. I’ve been wanting to do it for ages but felt a little intimidated to start, so it’s lovely to know you are finding it helpful 🥰💕
Thank you Helen; yes, I'm thinking of making an altered book with you. I so enjoyed this video and am very excited. I'll also be checking out Barbara as well. Thank you so much.
This is a very informative video. I tried to make one once and it was horrible. I think with your guidance that I will try another. I do have a question; do you use a book with glued in or sewn in signatures? Thank you and have a blessed day 🙂.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Lynn and might give it another go. Both of my books have sewn signatures, but I think glued ones would probably work really well 🥰💕
Enjoyed this so much, & I'm looking forward to the next step!! I'm also subscribed to Barbara @ 49dragonflies...LOVE you both!! 💕 I still feel a bit intimidated to get started...I admire your fierceness, Helen, to take on an altered book!! 💖💪🏻
Thank you so much Debbie! I had been putting it off for so long, but decided I really wanted to have a go 😅 Barbara’s videos are wonderful aren’t they 🤗💕
