Last Wednesday, my dear friend Annette, aka Voodoo Vixen, who is also one of my biggest supporters of my Altered Book (AB) Class (see my right sidebar for previous posts), asked about covers for our books. Of course, I realize we won't be decorating our covers until the final lesson, but I thought I would show Annette, Julia our fearless WOYWW leader and another huge supporter of my AB class, and all of you who visit, some of my completed ABs.
I know you really came to see the rocking horse and maybe Bleubeard, and don't have a lot of time to stay this week, so I apologize in advance if this is a bit wordy and has a bunch of photos. I couldn't get all the ABs on one table, so I will show them in stages.
So, to make a long post even longer, here is Bleubeard today.
"Tell Neet hi, then leave me alone, please."
Back to sleep and once again keeping his thoughts to himself!
Back to the Altered Book covers, my second ever completed (or at least semi-completed) AB was called "Coffee." You all know how much I love coffee, since I drink it 24/7, except for about an hour on Tea Tuesday. This is a cloth bound book, so I didn't gesso it first. I left this one flat because I can add more spreads in this book. I used metal stamps/punches to create the word "Coffee" in the copper on the spine.
"Time," the first time I used sewn fabric, is one of my favorite covers,
along with my Asian AB. Note the shape of this one, which was hard to work in. In true Asian style, the "back" cover of the book was decorated to be the "front."
For my "Money" book, I cut up an old tee shirt, then added a polymer clay title. The name of the book was "The Fortune," so I left the title intact. This is actually one of my favorite ABs.
Gosh, these don't look too good on the mail desk. I'll just put the ones on the table away and
show them in a better light.
On the left is a "Buffy" AB with a Buffy doll on the front. Those of you who like Buffy will appreciate Mr. Pointy that I made from polymer clay. Note that I left the book title, "Daughter of Darkness" intact.
This was a tip-in book using the book title "Full Circle." The right side has games and game pieces tip-ins, while the left side was flipped upside down (as were all the tip-ins associated with the Oxymoron swap). Note the Bride/Groom oxymoron game pieces I used on the right. It truly was a full circle book.
This was my first ever completed AB. I made it all from catalog, magazine, and junk mail images. No scrapbook supplies were used in this one, nor was a single stamp inked up in it!! I DID embellish with a few fancy fibers and found objects, though. It is called "The Seasons." I see the Four Seasons hotel card I originally had on the back has fallen out of its pocket!
Sorry I was so wordy this week. Blame it on Voodoo Vixen, since she was concerned about making her covers fat! It's a good thing we had an extra Wednesday this year!!
wow, i'm excited to get to work on my book (i didn't realize the lessons were every other week and was checking last monday). these covers are amazing and the shape of the asian book seems like a lot of hard work! so much inspiration here! thanks, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteWow, Elizabeth, I'm a new follower, as your books look great!!I'm new to paper arts but love it already!!(started this year).
ReplyDeleteFantastic books - I am in awe of your creativity and skill - wonderful inspiration (Hazel, WOYWW# 5) x
ReplyDeletewow, your altered books are just amazing!
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW, Deb #14
Well they ALL look fab to me-no way I could pick a fave. Well maybe the Buffy one. I still miss that show.
ReplyDeleteWow hunni im speechless at all those lovely collection of beauitful books.Gosh the various covers all absolutely stunning .Love the buffy one the way you left the title of the book on the side is just great.Thanks for showing .I have got my book but past few weeks havent done anything .But i will follow and get there in the end!
ReplyDeleteHappy woyww
hugs judex10
Beautiful work! I love that you used recycled materials too, it makes it extra-special. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! They are all fabulous, you are so creative amazing work x x x So lovely to see bleubeard enjoying his snooze x x Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeleteFantastic books love the Asian one, hope you have a fab week
ReplyDeleteAnne-marie no 18
Quite a collection there and lots of imagination in them. Lovely to see Bleubeard too and he looks so cuddly.
ReplyDeletejoZarty x
I'm a new follower too and these book covers are just awesome! I love them all!
ReplyDeleteHugs XX
Barbara
Thank you so much for showing us your lovely collection... the class has only just got going and I can see that I am being my normal pain in the butt self!! LOL Now I see yours in all their finished glory I know that I will gesso my covers and leave them till its finished being filled up... now about that niche we have to cut... LOL... only kidding honest!! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat to see some of your books and their covers! I'm fiddling around with mine already. Look forward to the next lesson/instalment. Happy WOYWW!
ReplyDeleteYour altered books are intriguing. I especially like the Asian one.
ReplyDeleteHappy Woyww,
Sandy #33
Wow!! Those book covers are inspiring!! I've purchased gesso btw, but I started using it for my altered clock, and then my head in the clouds boxes... I'm not sure why I avoided it all these years lol. Love that picture of Bleubeard shaking his head :D. #29
ReplyDeleteI had to stop by and take a look! Thanks for sharing, it is always so much fun to see what others are doing.
ReplyDeleteKemma
this week at #42 on WOYWW
What a fun collection of wonderful book covers!!! I bet you have fun writing and drawing on the innards as well.
ReplyDeleteLove to kitty from Henry V.
Wow! Those book covers are amazing! I enjoyed seeing them all. thanks for sharing. dani43
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the range of ideas you've had in your AB's. Can't wait to get started on mine.... I've got the book, pages are out.....I'm ready!
ReplyDelete(btw, I used your tip and am #46 on wyoww this week!)
Oh my...the Buffy book cover takes the cake...such imagination!
ReplyDeleteHowdy,
ReplyDeleteThese ABs are outstanding - wow - I'm so inspired! I'm gonna work on some of my ABs a bit more. thanks for the treat - Happy WOYWW!
Would love for you to stop by when you have a moment or 2!
Peace,
LuLu
http://lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com/2012/02/woyww-02282012-art-journals-ribbons.html
Thanks for showing us the completed books. It was fun to see all the different types you have done.
ReplyDeletewow, looking forward to getting mine this far...
ReplyDeleteWow, we are in for a real treat! Not managed to "save" any bits for my book yet, but I have thinned out the pages! Happy WOYWW. Helen, no 32 ish.
ReplyDeleteLooks fab! Waiting for the next lesson...
ReplyDeleteTuire xx #52 this week
Wow. Your ABs are just amazing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
A x
Hi there, thanks for letting us peek this week and I hope the rest of the week gives you some creative time too. It's lovely to see your AB's on display.
ReplyDeleteNeil #61
Great AB's thanks for sharing them. If I ever get mine started, I definitely think I will be using frayed material, it looked fab.
ReplyDelete** Kate **
Ha ha - the 'disappearing' post, well worth waiting for Elizabeth and very inspirational. All of your book covers are stunning and I can't wait to get started on my first one so that I can do a second. Pages removed and ready for action at the weekend.
ReplyDeleteAnn B
#70
Those AB's are amazing! Happy Wednesday to you, enjoy this week's snoop of oh so creative places & take care. Zo xx 83
ReplyDeleteLove the different book covers...and thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo Sioux
Oh my Elizabeth..I'm very excited about my AB journey..and now a bit scared too! Lovely to see Bleubeard at his busiest too!
ReplyDeleteAwesome books Elizabeth! I have been reading the lessons but haven't the time to start anything new right now. Don't have much in the way of MoJO either! Hope you have a great week. Vickie #47
ReplyDeleteThose book covers are amazing! I started an altered book about 4 years ago and still haven't completed it, and certainly haven't started to think about the cover. Thanks for the inspiration! Caro #84
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! So many altered books! Where do you get the time?
ReplyDeleteWOW! Never seen work like yours before ... it is just amazing. SO glad I popped by! Happy WOYWWing. Love Debbie #89 xXx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the photos of Bleubeard, I was getting worried as I had not seen him for so long. So chuffed he said "hi" to me.
ReplyDeleteLove all your photos, what a lot of work, so much that I am now playing catch up but going away so will miss out again but then can still catch up, hopefully.
Thanks & Hugs, Neet xx
Wonderful collection!! You should have them out so you can enjoy them constantly...or else since you hate clutter, have a spot that you rotate one book at a time through. Change it monthly or something.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard looks so fluffy!
I agree with Halle--I hope you keep these out all the time--they're wonderful!!!!
ReplyDeleteOH WOW WOW WOW those are amazing Thank you for showing us. Lou x
ReplyDeleteAwesome AB's you have. Thanks for sharing. Bleubeard is looking very relaxed.
ReplyDeleteCarol
Those book covers are amazing, Elizabeth! You are so clever and you provide such variety in your pieces ;-) Each and every one of them is a beautiful work of art.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful, art-filled week!
Gaby xo
Wow these are more full than I thought they would be. They are wonderful and each cover is great too. I'm excited to be in your AB class. I've learned a lot already.
ReplyDeleteYou made me chuckle about the tales not tails but bet you missed the mince not mice typo!!
ReplyDeleteJoZarty x
LOVE the books they are fabulous! I can't wait to see what you do next! have a great day
ReplyDeleteFantastic ABs Elizabeth! I'm even more excited now to be joining in. Having found my book (thanks for your comment on my woyww post) - it does have a sewn spine although not too many pages in. I also found some matchboxes when out shopping today too - our stores selling packs of 10 seem to have discontinued doing so for some reason.
ReplyDeleteSherry - WOYWW #6
Oh what it is to be a cat, cost and asleep no matter where they lay! So enjoyable watching them snooze! Enjoy WOYWW Karen 125 x
ReplyDeleteHello Bleubeard (and Elizabeth, too). Thank you for popping in this week and DH says thank you for your birthday wishes. He will be off soon to play with his new toy - a set a bit like the Dremel but stronger. Can't wait to see what he produces with it. Your book covers are great, but I specially love that oriental one, the texture is perfect on that one too. Have a good week. xx Maggie #9
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful and oh-so-inspiring post. I hope you do not mind I HAVE to pin it.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing covers....inspiring ...and it was wonderful to see your beautiful Bluebeard doing what cats do best.xx
ReplyDeleteso many fab altered books,pleased you have showed them,happy crafting,x
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I love these books! I've had Lesson 1 open in my browser since Julia mentioned it. Sadly, I haven't made the time to start my own altered book. I will, though, and definitely appreciate your guidance. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan #140
What an AMAZING collection of AB's they are all quite stunning,best wishes from IreneXX
ReplyDeleteWhat a Fab display of altered Books.... Don't know where you get all the ideas from, or for that matter the time too!! but So glad you shared them with us... and the pics of Bluebeard, what a ham he is!!
ReplyDeleteThe altered books look most interesting. I really like the amount of texture you've used on all the various covers.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard looks pretty content. Evidently he doesn't have a hundred thoughts about altering a book running around in his head like I do.
Darla
Your ABs are so exciting to see! It is making my mind go crazy thinking up creative ways to do my cover! I already bought 3 more books to alter for when I finish the first one.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard is probably wondering where the AB book with him as the subject is!
I don't know if you were too wordy. I'm finding it hard to shut up myself on WOYWW. I thought about including two of my nemesis in my post but left them off, otherwise Bluebeard would have kitty company today. Great, great, GREAT altered book. The Buffy one cracked me up, hubby being a big Buffy fan. Anyway... I think I'll just avoid the whole AB thing since I'll never hold a candle to you. Is that the right saying? That just sounds off... I can't fill your shoes. There, that one's better!
ReplyDeleteOh what a gorgeous collection this is- I could totally see them all together in an exhibit! They're all beautiful, tho' I must admit that I'm partial to the Buffy one being a closet Buffy fan! And Bleubeard looks like he has the show under control enough that he can take time for a nap.....
ReplyDeleteOOOOOOooooo! I am loving these books! I managed to pick up an old Czech book on my recent visit to Prague so I was hoping to sit and play on Sunday. Now I get to see some of your covers before I start!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!
Wow!! The covers on your books are absolutely Fabulous!! So gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJulie
#156
thanks for showing the covers (although some of them didn't download at all!!)
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how many of us have signed up without seeing what we were going to make.
I have done my page prep ans eagerly awaiting the next lesson. I wan tto get inky and painty
he he
janet #36
Your books are amazing, will have to have a look at your lessons.
ReplyDeleteAlso I had a quick look at IA and saw you were the winner, so a huge congratulations. The flowers are awesome.
Have a great week.
Von #45
So much time and thought must go into these lovely altered books. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBRILLIANT BOOKS. I HAVE JUST STASHED ALL MINE AWAY AFTER REVAMPING THE STUDIO AND NOW ATTEMPTING MINIMALISM FOR A BIT. WONT LAST LONG !
ReplyDeleteLYNN
Oh thanks for the spread out views. These are very inspiring, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteIt's official!
ReplyDeleteYou are the Altered Book Queen!!!
that is one fine array of treasures you've created E!
So glad you made it through the storms...they looked really bad on the news...must be scarey to be so close to that kind of devastation
Stay Safe!
oxo
Wow, these are all crazy amazing! I can't imagine the time and effort that goes into this and all the pages. your patience is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on all your AB covers! They are all so creative and make each one so special!
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW!
xoxo Karen #163
WOW Elizabeth those altered books are just stunning, so much work and detail in them all, they are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHave a great WOYWW and a fab week, Luv Karen xx
Fantastic work... Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteReally creative, original and wonderful books - made with love and all so different! Thanks for sharing your space Sarah at 1 - having a peek on Friday!
ReplyDeleteOooh - wow! Such a lot of ABs all in once space. The photos don't do them justice, but they do make me want to come and stroke them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my desk this week - please tickle Bleubeard under the chin for me.
Oh Elizabeth! Those books are amazing, would love a good look close up at some of them, full of detail & skill in making them too Amazing! Love how Bluebeard looks on the pic's ;) too cute! Hope all ok & the Tornado has not done much damage were you are? Take care.
ReplyDeleteLavinia
x
don't know how but I posted on the previous post not this one, I dunno its been a long day im tired! that's my excuse and im sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteI missed your WOYWW posting orginally but glad I thought to cruise through some posts to find this. I am doing your AB class and I was hoping for some talk on it in your blog. Last night I just finished tearing my pages out and am looking forward to getting started on it. It was real nice seeing some of your AB's as I was just thinking the other day what yours looked like! waving hi from the rainy hills of North Carolina :)
ReplyDelete