Hello Karen! I have barely gotten started with altered books … I did a little bit and paused to get more inspiration 💡 I have collected up several fun books that I want to alter. I have started some art journals which I love. Thank you so much for the inspiration 🥰 Big Like 👍 🌹 🌻
Now that I've found you, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I've wanted to alter books, but all the talk of tearing and ripping and gesso put me off. I'll be watching all your videos, and I've subbed to your channel. Thank you.
Love your tips and your book. So glad I found your channel! I’ve always wanted to do an altered book, but all the prep work I’ve seen left me unenthusiastic to start. Who wants to do all that when I could just art! I will have to try your method. Thanks!
Wow!! You are a breath of fresh air. I have always avoided the altered books as it seemed a very regimented process as in cut/rip out pages, glue 2 or 3 pages together, gesso etc.... Plus, I am not patient and would find the prep work extremely tedious. However, as I type this, I am now rummaging in my loft to find my old hardback books and cannot wait to get started. Thanks so much for your video showing your wonderful art! ❤
I love working in readers digest books!! I’m on my 5th one now :) one of them is blackout poetry, two are a lorrimarie jenkins style of altered book. And the other two I’m working in simultaneously and one is Vintage collage and the other is very much like yours as an art journal ❤️❤️❤️
I could listen to your accent ALL DAY! Very soothing! Love your work! Thank you for the tips, especially that you don't gesso EVERY page or tear out EVERY page! I'm lazy, I guess! I've done two altered art journals and I DID gesso every page and glue two or more together and it took... forever!
How have I not found you before now?!? Love this book and such great tips! I do some prepping and I don't. Sometimes I rip and glue and tear and repair and sometimes I just slap stuff in a book. All depends on the mood, I guess! Now I have to binge watch your channel!
I was recommended to watch this video by a professor in one of my classes. Ive never heard of altered books before, but now i'm itching to start my own.
I found your channel from a pin on Pinterest. I've been looking at art journaling for a long time - years, YES, YEARS! I believe your tips have inspired me to try. I haven't found a book yet but I will do something to get moving. Thanks!
Very interesting and helpful; some lovely pages that are giving me ideas 👍 I was surprised at first 😬 when you said you didn't reduce the pages or glue any to strengthen (especially with the wetness of the paint) but it certainly seems to work fine. It makes sense...as you say...as you are not glueing in any heavy-weight 'stuff'.
Karen, great tips, beautiful book! I have made altered books and I have ripped out pages/glued other pages together - I am eager to try your tips! Thanks!
Thanks so much Catherine. Each book is different just take it slowly. The best tip is to work out of order for sure, you can soon spot if there is any strain on the pages or spine. Enjoy!
New subby here, you are so right all the prep tends to put people off.I’m going to try your method n see how I go .cheers from down under, I look forward to more videos from you.xxx
I have collected quite a few old books and they all have signatures and are in good shape. I think your technique is how I'm going to do my first book. I been doing my thing in my art journals but haven't started in the books and going at it in such a simple manner sounds like a good way to break the ice. Thank you so much for much sharing, also I have enough ephemera I have collected over the past 4 to 5 years it will give me the chance I think to actually do them in themes.
I love this video. In everyother tutorial, all of them use gesso. I don't know where to find gesso. I am starting an altered art journal aswell!!!! Yay
Hi Karen, great tips and tutorial :D I'm on my third book, but with my current one, I've pulled out too many pages :( I've spent more time repairing the book than is healthy, so next book I'm just going to art :) New Subscriber.
New to this - so you take an old book and decorate the existing pages with paper items, stickers, paint? Do you add paper pages? Do you remove the original book pages?
Hi Karen! I am in educational support and I want to art journal with my high schoolers. Do you have a video that is sort of just an introduction to the concept and how to get started?
Love your book! I’ve tried twice. First time was 12 years ago and I got 2 spreads done in it, having no idea what I was doing. Second time I used thin book, glued pages together and well...it already became to fall apart before I had a chance to work in it. It has one finished spread and one attempt for another spread 🙈😂 I don’t think altered books are my cup of tea. I do like to rip the books apart and use the paper in my art journals 😁
I rip them up just as much for sure don't worry! I totally had all of the things happen you experienced and honestly it's all down to the book really. Maybe one day you'll find on to give it a go in again when you find the right one
These are great tips. I'm off to look through my books to find one that will work for this. I hardly ever use gesso on anything I do for the same reason- I just can't be bothered lol
Thanks so much! My first totally fell apart as well so you're not alone! Just do the opposite of everything you normally do in your art journal 🤣 have fun!
i love your book but how do you deal with adding more embellishments with regard to making the book bulky and "alligator mouth"? you said you dont pull out any pages....
I just don't add embellishments to my altered book and that's really personal preference. If you want to add them I would recommend that you do so sparingly and space them out through the book. I have tried removing pages and never really gotten on with it so that's why I shared the tips I used for my current book. Hope this helps ❤️
I just ruined a beautiful old, but crumbling bod with the gesso method. 130 years old. It was just too much! I will try to figure out a way to repair my book and go on. Thanks for your video!
Great tips and I loved the flip through! I’m working in an altered book now and I ripped way too many pages out-that wrecked the spine. The paper is amazing and thick, and I haven’t prepped pages at all.
Hi Kyrie, you can use it however you would like it. I think there is never really a "traditional style" when it comes to altered books. I just wanted to share how I use it as I know lots of people are afraid to start it and think there is too much work involves to begin. I hope you get some ideas from the video❤
@@Kyriehubbard we ALL do this! But that's what I love about art journaling and altered books, there is no right way only the way you enjoy. Often it's more about the process for me rather than the end result, just enjoy what you're making ❤️
Hello Karen! I have barely gotten started with altered books … I did a little bit and paused to get more inspiration 💡 I have collected up several fun books that I want to alter. I have started some art journals which I love. Thank you so much for the inspiration 🥰 Big Like 👍 🌹 🌻
Now that I've found you, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I've wanted to alter books, but all the talk of tearing and ripping and gesso put me off. I'll be watching all your videos, and I've subbed to your channel. Thank you.
Same here!
Love your tips and your book. So glad I found your channel! I’ve always wanted to do an altered book, but all the prep work I’ve seen left me unenthusiastic to start. Who wants to do all that when I could just art! I will have to try your method. Thanks!
I liked how you made the whole process easy, simple, and approachable. Your pages are beautiful. Thanks for sharing
Well done! I like the idea of just bouncing around in the book.
I am nervous about starting my own altered book. These tips are very useful.
I always reccomdnd dating all your work. Especilaly if not working from front to back...it allows u to see your progress in your art journey
Thanks for sharing ❤ I'm going to start an altered book. it looks like lots of fun.
I love the simplicity of your altered book making!
Wow!! You are a breath of fresh air. I have always avoided the altered books as it seemed a very regimented process as in cut/rip out pages, glue 2 or 3 pages together, gesso etc.... Plus, I am not patient and would find the prep work extremely tedious. However, as I type this, I am now rummaging in my loft to find my old hardback books and cannot wait to get started. Thanks so much for your video showing your wonderful art! ❤
I love working in readers digest books!! I’m on my 5th one now :) one of them is blackout poetry, two are a lorrimarie jenkins style of altered book. And the other two I’m working in simultaneously and one is Vintage collage and the other is very much like yours as an art journal ❤️❤️❤️
I could listen to your accent ALL DAY! Very soothing! Love your work! Thank you for the tips, especially that you don't gesso EVERY page or tear out EVERY page! I'm lazy, I guess! I've done two altered art journals and I DID gesso every page and glue two or more together and it took... forever!
Off to find a book from my local charity shop !!!!! Yours is so lovely 😊
How have I not found you before now?!? Love this book and such great tips! I do some prepping and I don't. Sometimes I rip and glue and tear and repair and sometimes I just slap stuff in a book. All depends on the mood, I guess! Now I have to binge watch your channel!
I am just getting ready to start! I’m glad I saw this!!😊 TFS!
I was recommended to watch this video by a professor in one of my classes. Ive never heard of altered books before, but now i'm itching to start my own.
I found your channel from a pin on Pinterest. I've been looking at art journaling for a long time - years, YES, YEARS! I believe your tips have inspired me to try. I haven't found a book yet but I will do something to get moving. Thanks!
Great tips, lovely pages in your book. X
Loved your tips. Thank you
Very Sweet Video !! You Have Inspired Me !!
Very interesting and helpful; some lovely pages that are giving me ideas 👍 I was surprised at first 😬 when you said you didn't reduce the pages or glue any to strengthen (especially with the wetness of the paint) but it certainly seems to work fine. It makes sense...as you say...as you are not glueing in any heavy-weight 'stuff'.
Karen, great tips, beautiful book! I have made altered books and I have ripped out pages/glued other pages together - I am eager to try your tips! Thanks!
Thanks so much Catherine. Each book is different just take it slowly. The best tip is to work out of order for sure, you can soon spot if there is any strain on the pages or spine. Enjoy!
Thank you
Love your book. It's so simple but makes a statement. Thank you.
New subby here, you are so right all the prep tends to put people off.I’m going to try your method n see how I go .cheers from down under, I look forward to more videos from you.xxx
I have collected quite a few old books and they all have signatures and are in good shape. I think your technique is how I'm going to do my first book. I been doing my thing in my art journals but haven't started in the books and going at it in such a simple manner sounds like a good way to break the ice. Thank you so much for much sharing, also I have enough ephemera I have collected over the past 4 to 5 years it will give me the chance I think to actually do them in themes.
I love this video. In everyother tutorial, all of them use gesso. I don't know where to find gesso.
I am starting an altered art journal aswell!!!! Yay
These are such great tips! I've also started being "lazy" with not prepping pages in advance. It's a lot more freeing.
A lovely flip, with good tips. Thanks
Thank you Jackie!
Great tips, i like your style. i have prepped books and then never really worked in them, I think this style will suit me better. Thanks.
Old book pages that are yellowed and aged are called well foxed.
Hahaha I'd have called myself after a few drinks! I'd not heard it used in that way before! Love it!
Deborah McClean , do you do a lot of book binding?! ~ Thanks Karen Gaunt for your tips for getting straight , to it!!
These are just the tips I was huntin' for. merci bcp
You're so welcome Liz, glad you enjoyed the video
Fabulous! Must begin working in the few old books i've collected. Like the tip about working on various pages and leaving many unaltered.
Thanks Dori! So glad you found it helpful. Altered books are super fun so let me know how you get on!
Great tips
Just found your page and love it. Especially when you mentioned not using gesso which could delay you starting. Are you still creating?
I love this!
Can books with glossy pages be used
Hi Karen, great tips and tutorial :D I'm on my third book, but with my current one, I've pulled out too many pages :( I've spent more time repairing the book than is healthy, so next book I'm just going to art :) New Subscriber.
Hi Karen, nice book journal I like it a lot.
I do book journal to, but mostly with watercolors.
So glad you liked it Natalia thank you. I love watercolor too although I don't use it as much as I would like!
New to this - so you take an old book and decorate the existing pages with paper items, stickers, paint? Do you add paper pages? Do you remove the original book pages?
Hi Karen! I am in educational support and I want to art journal with my high schoolers. Do you have a video that is sort of just an introduction to the concept and how to get started?
To each our own right...
Love your book! I’ve tried twice. First time was 12 years ago and I got 2 spreads done in it, having no idea what I was doing. Second time I used thin book, glued pages together and well...it already became to fall apart before I had a chance to work in it. It has one finished spread and one attempt for another spread 🙈😂 I don’t think altered books are my cup of tea. I do like to rip the books apart and use the paper in my art journals 😁
I rip them up just as much for sure don't worry! I totally had all of the things happen you experienced and honestly it's all down to the book really. Maybe one day you'll find on to give it a go in again when you find the right one
These are great tips. I'm off to look through my books to find one that will work for this. I hardly ever use gesso on anything I do for the same reason- I just can't be bothered lol
I will be bothered if I know I'm going to add a lot like to my normal journals but not in an altered book for sure!
Great tips i have worked in altered books but my spines fall apart as i over embellish my pages lol. Might try your pain only pages.
Thanks so much! My first totally fell apart as well so you're not alone! Just do the opposite of everything you normally do in your art journal 🤣 have fun!
Love it! New subscriber here!
I love your book and all of your pages are wonderful. I love the color of the cover too, it's so vintage. :-)
Thank you Laurie. I love the cover too. Sometimes I think about painting it but honestly I love it just the way it is!
Agree with you! I have a very similar book and very similar aesthetic and never gesso or prep pages.
i love your book but how do you deal with adding more embellishments with regard to making the book bulky and "alligator mouth"? you said you dont pull out any pages....
I just don't add embellishments to my altered book and that's really personal preference. If you want to add them I would recommend that you do so sparingly and space them out through the book. I have tried removing pages and never really gotten on with it so that's why I shared the tips I used for my current book. Hope this helps ❤️
That would make a difference! I have to forcefully make myself stop adding things!!
So you don't glue any pages or tear any??
:) thank (:
love the tips.thank you
I just ruined a beautiful old, but crumbling bod with the gesso method. 130 years old. It was just too much! I will try to figure out a way to repair my book and go on. Thanks for your video!
Great tips and I loved the flip through! I’m working in an altered book now and I ripped way too many pages out-that wrecked the spine. The paper is amazing and thick, and I haven’t prepped pages at all.
Yes I ripped so many pages from my first one too and it really ruined it. Yah for being able to be lazy and not prep the pages!
So doing this style is more of an art journal rather than a traditional altered book? Its a great way to practice backgrounds and doodles?
Hi Kyrie, you can use it however you would like it. I think there is never really a "traditional style" when it comes to altered books. I just wanted to share how I use it as I know lots of people are afraid to start it and think there is too much work involves to begin. I hope you get some ideas from the video❤
@@KarenGaunt Thank you! I get too caught up on rules and "the right way" to do things instead of just going for it.
@@Kyriehubbard we ALL do this! But that's what I love about art journaling and altered books, there is no right way only the way you enjoy. Often it's more about the process for me rather than the end result, just enjoy what you're making ❤️
@@KarenGaunt That's what I've been told to work on, the process. I need to stop worrying about perfection and the end result :/