Altered Book Project

As discussed in a previous article, consumers and retailers throw out calendars of all sizes and shapes every year. We're going to look at several ways to turn these calendars into usable items and art pieces. For the particular project, we're going to go step by step into how to create an altered book out of an outdated calendar. You may have all the items need to complete this project on hand, but be prepared to make a list and head to the store just in-case.

Here's what you need to create your altered book:
1: a calendar that's roughly 5 inches x 7 inches (they come slightly larger and slightly smaller depending on the publisher)
2: gel medium
3: glue sticks
4: acrylic paint
5: scissors
6: pieces of cardboard (cut the size of the calendar's cover)
7: decorative paper
8: twelve handmade envelopes (try using envelopes of assorted sizes - create them using templates found in the resource box)
9: gel pens
10: brown paper bag
11: newspaper
12: paper towels
13: sponge brushes (for your colors and adhesive)
14: bowls of water to wash out brushes

If you haven't already done so, trace, cut and assemble your handmade envelopes. Set them aside for later. At this point, you'll also want to determine the theme of your book and see if you need to stock up on supplies before starting.

Here's how you'll create your altered book:
Step 1: prep your work surface with sheets of newspaper
Step 2: take the two pieces of cardboard and, using the gel medium, affix them to the cover of the calendar
Step 3: using the glue sticks, adhere decorative papers to each of the page spreads throughout the "book"
Step 4: add an envelope to each page spread (avoid putting them in the same place on each spread
Step 5: set the project aside under a heavy stack of books to dry completely
Step 6: using the acrylic paints, decorate the edges of each page spread (allowing each spread to dry completely before starting on the next)
Step 7: take the brown paper bag and cut it into one flat piece. Cover over the outside of the book "school book cover" style, but don't add any adhesive along the spine. Use the adhesive only on the piece of cardboard. That way, there will be some "wiggle room" when the book starts to expand from adding elements and from frequent page turning.
Step 8: using scraps from the interior pages of the book and the acrylic paint, embellish the cover of the book

Now you have a "base" for more creativity. You can collage on each page, create a mini-scrapbook, create a memory book, use it as a journal and so on. A tip for keeping your book from bowing out too much is to keep it under something heavy for several days and in between each time it's work with. The book will still bow out some, but it won't be quite as dramatic. (Unless that's a look you like and, in that case, leave it alone.)

Another option to consider if you have several of these calendars is to leave out the addition of the cardboard cover and paper bag cover wrap and use each calendar as a "signature" in a larger "tip in" altered book project. Signatures are defined by wikipedia.com as the following:

"A signature is a large sheet printed with several pages, intended to form four or more leaves in the finished book. The pages are arranged on the sheet so that all of the pages orient the same way and are in proper sequence after the sheet is folded. Arranging these pages correctly is called imposition. (Signature also refers to a sequence number or code printed on the sheet so that the several signatures that make a complete book may be properly sequenced; this signature is often trimmed off after binding.) The signature may be folded in several ways, depending on the number of leaves it will form; it is then stitched together down the last fold."

And, a "tip in" is defined as the following:

"Tipping in, or gluing works best for me and can be done before or after a book is sewn.

If the page can be pasted in on the front of a signature that is ideal but tipping in can be done after a book is sewn and trimmed, but not yet cased in." --http://www.philobiblon.com

There are many other options to consider, so keep your options and your imagination open.