How I Make an Altered Book Art Journal
2024 ж. 5 Қаң.
1 913 Рет қаралды
This is how I prep an old book to use as an art journal! Saturday Freebies are back - here is the link to this week's downloadable FREE print: / saturday-freebie-95973757
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I’m enjoying this video and all of your comments explaining why you do what you do. I haven’t tried this. Just keep collecting old books and ephemera.
I am glad you enjoyed the video and I hope that you do give it a go, I know what you mean about collecting old books and ephemera! 💗💗
I LOVE an altered book junk/art/journal What a great idea to have so many things going on before one even starts. Makes it MUCH easier (especially for beginners) to get started if there's already something there to work with, spring from. FEARLESS ART! YES!!! I'm all in! What a great mantra for the year! 😎 Great idea to "spackle" the imprinted cover, brilliant! Can FEEEEEL your renewed energy here ✨
Thanks Ker, I love altered books so much and they are a great substrate for all sorts of art. Yes, having things on the page already, break that fear of the blank page and makes doing something a lot easier. I am also not intending to work in it chronologically, as that can cause a bit of a mental block too. More to come in future videos! 💗💗
Thanks for reminding me about fold outs and how being imperfect is just perfect 🥰
Thanks Julie - I love a fold out and yes, imperfection is perfect in itself! 💗💗
Loving the handwritten minutes and aghast to hear they may be covered up 😱😱
I will try to preserve as much of them as I can, they are great, aren't they? 💗💗
Wonderful history of your art and experiences in your hands. Thanks for showing us what to look for and how to prepare a book for our art and remembrances. Xx
Thank you so much, Kate, I used to have more altered books, but I think I lost some in previous house moves, at least I have these and I am glad I still have my London one! I love using old books for art journals, part of the work is already done for us with the text background! 💗💗
I love art journaling because it’s personal my art is generally neat; the examples are very inspiring and I love the idea of transforming a real book
Thank you, yes, you are right, it is a very personal thing and that is what I love about art journaling too. Using a real book is a great way to create art journal pages, because the start is already done for you, if you know what I mean! 💗💗
I am so glad that I found your channel. I am new to art journalling and creativity in general and have been feeling a little intimidated by all the different materials, techniques etc. Your approach to journalling is so freeing, "Messy is great" gives me permission to just go for it, helping me to let go of trying to reach perfection and instead to just play and explore. Thank you.
Thanks Josie, yes just having a go and allowing any messes to happen is quite freeing, for me, art journaling is more about the process than the end result. 🥰🥰
That was brilliant Kari. Loved it what fun you had😊 Looked like a fabulous book to start with too❤
Thanks Toni, it is going to be a delight to work in and yes, it was a lovely book to start with!💗💗
@@KariGibsonArt fun times ahead 👍
So glad that you are showcasing altered book art. I made one years ago and have seen very few modern tutorials on how to do it. I used a lot of brown wrapping paper in mine and now I can’t wait to start another one. Thank you.
That sounds lovely Catherine, yes, altered books were very popular, but they seem to have lost favour with people these days - let's bring them back! Thanks for watching and for your kind comment! 😊💗
Thanks for the tutorial and inspiration, Kari! Looking forward to new creations in the journal. xx
Thanks so much, Lynne, I am excited to get started in it! 😊💗
I love them all but especially the insect one... just fabulous... :)
Thanks Kay, the insect one was a very enjoyable project! 🥰
Thank you for this great tutorial. I like the way you used the gelli plate and the stencil, thanks for showing this method 😍
Thanks so much - I throw everything at it, LOL, I am glad you like it! 😊💗
So useful and just what I need! Thanks so much - Forgot to ask about the kitty!
Thanks Jane, I am glad you like it, I was a bit worried that I was the only one loving it - a kitty update will be coming soon! 💗💗
@@KariGibsonArt What's not to love? And YAY!!
I like the messy look because my art tends to get that way even when I try to make it nice and neat! Messy is easier for me. I started making journals last year, the time has gone so fast because it is very enjoyable. I get lots of ideas from you and really appreciate that you share your processes. Happy New Year!
Thanks Christine, I have to force myself to be messy, my natural instinct is to be too neat. I am so glad you are enjoying making journals, it is very addictive and a lot of fun. Happy New Year to you too! 💗💗
I absolutely love this!!! This is what I’ve been looking for!! Thx you!!
Oh, that's so good to know, Michelle, it's my favourite journal! 🥰
Fabulous! 😘
Thanks so much Fran! 💗💗
I am novice at this. I would love to see storage ideas for all the bits and bobs created and needed
Oh, heheh, it is mostly just drawers full of stuff - and shelves - none of it all that well organised to be honest! 💗💗
Serendipity!! Again!! You've got an uncanny knack of seeing inside my addled neuro-divergent brain and making a vid that matches my newest obsession! LOL I've also got a book shop buddy that so kindly gives me books. But...2023 was so bloody busy that I haven't had the time to do anything with them. I've gotten all 5 of my commissions out of here now. I'd been working on them since October and dreaming of the time I'd be "free" to work on my own path. LOVED this video, Kari! I'm very excited to give this a go. Thank you, thank you for showing us how to do this. It's not as complicated as I'd worried it would be. You are a star! Much, much love and bless to you and to wee Mabel! xooxoxo
Thanks Lindsey, I am so glad you are past your very busy time and those commissions are out of the way, I stress terribly over those. Yes, altered books are easier than you think, I love the history of them, plus I love that we can turn something destined for landfill, into a work of art. Mabel is here, watching me type and wondering why she can't catch the cursor, LOL. I hope you can find some "you" time now and much love and bless to you too! 💗💗
Thank you so much!!!! ❤ I love the big words on that cover!!!!
Thanks Tina, the words made the cover look much more "journaly", if that makes any sense, LOL! 💗💗
I loved this. It’s rare you see beyond removing the pages. I love making books and journals, but my issue is I always try to do it as 1 project instead of staggered. ❤
Thank you! Oh, I know what you mean - I have done them as a whole project before and it is hard work! This way is much easier, not only that, but I am not going to work on it chronologically, if you know what I mean, I am going to work in it here and there to stop any feelings of pressure - it is going to be fun! 💗💗
I Love to alter books. I just started 2. For my Granddaughter and myself. She was thrilled to have her own. I average about 2 a year with all the other crafts and journals I make. I'm excited to see where you go with yours. I'll be sure to watch with her. ❤❤
Oh, I love that you are making one with your granddaughter, that is a memory she will treasure forever. Yes, 2 a year sounds about right, there is always so much to do! Keep me updated on both your progress, I would love to hear about it. 😊💗
Ive been wanting to try art journaling perfect timing 😀 will get my book ready and look forward to learning from you as you do this book from you Kari, gorgeous work as always xx
Thanks Carol, I am so glad you are going to join in with me, we will have fun and we both shall learn as we go! 😊💗
Hello and thank you for sharing this process! I had prepped my first art journal from an old glee club book in a similar way but was feeling stuck. Your addition of these different types of papers and textures (and sewing!) is just the inspiration I need to move forward. At some point, I may even get around to making some art in it! 🙂
Hi Cristina, that glee club book sounds fabulous and yes, just add some bits here and there that you feel call you and then you will be free to make some art in it, it makes it a lot easier once you do that. Above all, have fun! 💗💗
I'm new to art journalling, I've done a few pages but I feel intimidated by it. I like the sound of "fearless art" though so I'm hoping that if I follow along with you I can lessen that fear and enjoy it. I always feel like I need to justify using my products to end up with a usable item, so I want to learn how to play and use my art materials for me and focus on the process rather than an end goal. You make this seem possible, so thank you. X
Thanks Jo, I am so glad you are giving art journaling a go, yes, my aim is to encourage everyone to just have fun and not worry too much about a perfect page. The only wasted art materials are the ones that are unused, so dive in and enjoy the process! 💗💗
I am new to art journaling. I am looking forward to to your new series. I am not particularly artistic but I do know what I like. Thanks for the tips
Thank you so much Patti, you have a fun journey ahead of you as you find out what you like and how to express yourself, just enjoy it and explore, your own style will emerge as you do it! 💗💗
@@KariGibsonArt thank you for the encouragement!
I love altered books! My 1st journal was using this method when I transitioned from painting on canvas. I love the freedom it allows...don't you? Blessings~
Yes, I love altered books, I saw my first one when I was at university (a long time ago now) and I have been hooked ever since! Blessings to you too, Sonja! 💗💗
Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you very much Caroline! 😊💗
Just started working in a similar altered book for art journaling. Haven’t done my cover yet. 😊 Love this series. This will be fun. 💙🦋
That is great, Lisa, great minds think alike! I love an altered book for art journaling, it is already started, in a way, with the typed pages. It WILL be fun, yes! 💗💗
@@KariGibsonArt 💗
Thanks for the tips- I would love to try this!
Thank you - oh you should try it, you can do it any way you prefer, this was just an example! 💗💗
Beautiful and inspiring work! I tried to make one small journal for me while back but it really didn't turn out much anything. So I guess I'm considering myself as a beginner still. ;) Thank you for the video, lovely to watch it and follow you.
Thank you so much Sirkka!
Great journal Kari :) I have just made an art journal to really have a go at it this year :) I will be following along, thanks x
Yay, that is great to see, you will have such a fun time - thank you for watching! 💗💗
Hi! New sub here, first video- I love your style and your vibe! I'm sometimes considered "young" in this world(late 30's), but I've been an artist all my life and what blows my mind is I was making junk and art journals all the way back in H.S. and before, I'm a big writer too, and I'd always have a journal with me, but it was never just writing it was sketches, glued in or taped, depending what medium I had, sometimes the stapler if it was in class, lol, ephemera as I went through the day, trinkets like poptabs, I'd always write n doodle all over my worksheets and when I'd get it back I'd rip it in pieces and put it in... it's crazy for me to see the multi... probably billion dollar industry that is now junk Journaling. I was just a little blue haired punk teenage artist who wanted to chronical the world around me, and with a lens of more than just words. I think it's great though, I think anything that brings more art and more happiness or expression to the world is great. I'm not huge into digital kits- but if I get then in swaps or trade or freebies, I tear em up, I age them, repaint them, go over the faces to change them slightly... I'm very much about art being personal. Anyway, I loved this video- I'm actually currently working on a mini art journal that is an old, old book... I think it's like 1905 or around there, used SO many of the pgs for different projects, and now it will get it's final honor of becoming an art journal to be passed down hopefully for generations. I love that you mentioned the landfill part... I have gotten into it with ppl who are telling me what I'm doing should be criminal... saving old books and honoring them by making them live on through love, creativity and art should be criminal? Get your head checked, lol 😅. Looking forward to watching more videos as I have horrible insomnia anyway, and my fiancé is sick😢, so, I'm SoooooOOOOOoooo happy the algorithm sent you my way! ~blessed be!🖤💜🖤💜🖤
Oh yes, you are an artist at heart and I agree about changing kits etc up to make them your own. Take care, I hope you don't get what your fiancé has! 💗💗💗
I was looking for some arty channels and came across yours. Your work is beautiful and can't wait to see more. It's great seeing an arty channel from a fellow Brit. You have a sub from me. ♥
Thank you so much, yay, it's great you are from the UK too - I am so glad you are here with me, thank you also for subscribing! 💗💗
Love it ❤️❤️ cover is fab... I do love old books with that sort of paper. I have a few Dutch ones I have turned into Art journals, mainly collage in them but not much yet... I am determined to try and get some done this year, I cant wait to see you attack this one with your usual flair 💖💖👍🏻😁😁
Thanks Elaine, those Dutch ones sound great, I just wish there were more hours in the day to do all the things that I want to do (and a bit more energy would be useful too)! 💗💗
@@KariGibsonArt yes I'm with you there, I can't get much done right now with hubbies back going again, he did it badly this time 🙄😒
Oh no, Elaine, just what you both need! I hope it recovers quickly! ❤
@@KariGibsonArt thank you, I was having to pull him out of his chair as he couldn't do it on his own but he is moving about on his own again now, it will be a slow progress I think this time. 🙄😩
A fun and ambitious project. Have you ever figured how much time you spend preparing a book for journaling? It is a lovely way to repurpose old books!
Thanks Becca, it was a lot of fun and I am going to have a great time working in it. I think it took about 3 days, a couple of hours or so a day with drying time in between. 💗💗
@@KariGibsonArt That is not too bad on the amount of time, and in the end time doesn't matter anyway if you are enjoying it!
I love an altered book. Creases are OK, but to a minimum, for me. Art journals are my new thing, but my gelli plate plays her part in it too! Would using matte or gel medium be good instead of pva? Love your preparation. Mx
Hi Margaret, thank you, oh yes, matte medium or gel medium would work great, I forgot to mention that. I find it a bit expensive and as I have a ton of PVA, I use that for reasons of economy, but the gel matt mediums are definitely far superior and less likely to cause wrinkling! 💗💗
Found an old book & removed pages from signatures, would like to sew some pages but wonder of it's difficult with ordinary sewing machine.??
Give it a try, I just use an ordinary sewing machine.