So today I had planned to spend the afternoon working on an Altered Book. I’ve never made one but a local bookstore hosts a weekly craft get together where you can make these. I enjoy doing collage, playing with glue and basically just having fun with paper so I thought this would be a blast. Unfortunately the group didn’t meet today. What a bummer but I’ve got it down on my calendar for next week and I promise to share pics of whatever I make.
My trip to the bookstore wasn’t wasted though because I wandered around the stacks to check out their selection. Frugal Media is a used bookstore (similar to Half Price Books), and while I didn’t find their shelves as overflowing as those at HPB it’s still nice to have another bookstore to visit.
The biggest surprise was that I found a book in German for my husband. So I didn’t buy anything for me but he’s excited to start his new crime novel, Tanz mit dem Engel by Åke Edwardson. I’ve been meaning to try a book from this Swedish author but haven’t yet. It looks like my husband will beat me to this series.
Ok, now back to my books. I’ve still got the same pile I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. It seems like I’m moving slowly through these books but I’m enjoying them so that’s what counts.
I love your updates! So your husband reads German and you read Swedish? What an international household!
That altered book sounds neat! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
I do like the sound of an Altered Book…very cool idea!
I definitely want to see your altered book: especially if you take pics during the whole process! 😀
Sandy – Oh no, I don’t read any Swedish at all – that would be cool. My husband is German so he prefers to read fiction in German. I can speak Spanish but usually read books in English. So I guess we are a bit of an international home though 🙂
Ladytink_534 – Doesn’t that sound like fun? I have seen some and I have ideas of what I’d like to try but I guess I’m feeling a bit stuck as to where to start? I’ll keep you posted! 🙂
Claire – I know right? The best part I think is that you are altering books which probably no one would ever look at again or just get moldy and dusty over time. I see it as giving it a new life!
Eva – I even had my camera with me this time too! Darn 🙂 I promise to take pics!
Very cool about the altered books.
I had a couple of lessons about it. Looking forward reading to what you learned.
I’m fascinated by altered books. I’m afraid I’m a little hesitant about destroying a book myself, but I really like to look at some of the beautiful creations people come up with. I guess it’s the librarian in me. But, as you say, hopefully, the books used are those that would be neglected anyway. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
I’m not sure what an altered book is, but it sounds very fun. So, do you cut out the innards and stuffs?
Isabel – You are the one who got me interested in them to begin with! 🙂 I really hope they don’t cancel next time as I want to give ’em a try.
Lisa – I totally understand. At one point before I knew more about altered books and art I didn’t like the idea too much but I’ve seen the possibilities and in a way I see it as saving some of these books that might be destined for a shredder! Granted there are still only certain books I would consider ok to alter – certainly no special imprints or books in good condition. From what I’ve heard they really do use books that are falling apart already.
Matthew – Yep! You take a scalpel and cut out stuff but you can also paste stuff. I just like the idea of turning an already made book into your own journal. I know some people use them like that. I’m not sure if I would ever do that but again I’m willing to try!
I love the altered book craft get together. I would love to create some altered books using photographs in a historical process. Someone sent me a link to this photographer: http://www.robbkendrick.com/
Sounds like you had a good trip to the bookstore to make up for the cancellation. Look forward to hearing about future craftiness!
I tried doing an altered book. Actually I was in a group where everyone sent their book out and each person worked on it. The thing was I never got my book back–I’m not sure what happened–the group sort of fizzled. I was so disappointed as I had put a lot of work into it. I’ve never had any problems with needlework “round robins”, but I’ve had lots of problems with altered art groups and not getting my work back. And like you I sometimes seem to be just reading and reading and never finishing anything!! But the reading part is still always fun.
Christine – Ooh that would be cool! Have you done image transfers? There are so many methods. I tried one once but I hesitate to do it again because of the fumes! Ha… I guess I need to be outdoors to that.
Danielle – That’s terrible! I belonged to one group where we did round robins too but I had to leave the group after some of the members developed quite the attitude if you didn’t participate every month. I mean this is supposed to be fun but oh well. Glad at least your needlework groups are good about that. Have you shown us some of your round robin projects? I’d love to see one!
Altered books sound neat, and I’m looking forward to pics of yours. I’ve never heard of them until this post.