(Some of) Elizabeth's STUDENTS homework and two of my ABs

This is wrong.  It is ALL wrong.  It started with me saying I had planned to show my students' homework, but has morphed into me complaining there is something wrong with Blogger, or maybe it is just MY Blogger.  I started this post last Monday, then my computer went down on Tuesday morning.  When I came back online yesterday, there was no search box at the top of my blog, and I couldn't find search boxes on any of the blogs I wanted to take photos from.  So what you see below is what I had on Monday.  I apologize because I wanted to get SO many photos, but my Linky links are gone, too.  I even created a "google approved" blogger search tool (see my left sidebar), but it won't load.  

But that was just the beginning.  One of the first things I noticed was my Followers were no longer showing.  I knew that was supposed to happen at some point, but I didn't think Blogger would remove all the photos, too.  Even the Linky blog followers are no longer showing, which should NOT have been affected by Blogger.  On the right sidebar, my clocks are gone, and my weather and Euro rates are missing.  

Of course, all those added fru-frus were of little importance to what was also happening. Now I can no longer load some of the blogs I visit, and those that WILL load, I can't leave comments on (that includes you, Dawn, with a message to you I can't seem to be able to leave).  Like a few months ago, the embedded comments have no comment box to leave a message, and this time, the pop-up boxes don't pop up.  This problem is ONLY ON BLOGGER, because I can leave comments on sites that are not under the Blogger/Google umbrella.  Am I alone?  Is this just affecting ME, or are you having trouble with your Blogger blog, too?

My usual sunny disposition and normally positive attitude have been tested to the limit and thrown for a loop.  I'm not sure what the problem is, but I am more than a little distressed about this problem Blogger has created for me and possibly others.  However, I am determined to keep my head above water, and show at least what LITTLE I was able to get prior to my computer and Blogger going haywire at the exact same time.

So here is what I had so far:

We started this AB journey way back in February of this year.  We talked about what makes a good altered book and what to avoid.  We learned there is only ONE rule in ABs and that is you MUST use a book with sewn pages.  Anything else and your book will soon fall apart.

After deciding on our theme, and deciding what supplies and glue we needed, we learned to remove pages from our books.  I showed two ways and the choice was the student's.  We also sectioned off pages to create a niche.

Here Annette (Voodoo Vixen) shows the book she chose and the pages she removed and sectioned.

Fairy Thoughts learned after she started removing pages, she had a First Edition.  She seemed to take it all in stride, although it bothered me this happened.

Debbie cut out about a third of her book, then sectioned off at least half for her niche.

Tuire also removed about one third of her book pages while saving a large section for her niche.


Our next task was to create a niche.

Helen had all the requisite tools to create hers.

Sandee not only waved hi from the hills, her mermaid also waved from her spot on Sandee's decorated niche.  And look at those primary colors she used!

Since BJ's niche was in the back of her book, she chose to decorate it with a winter scene.

Annette (Voodoo Vixen) had her niche finished early, even though it was a very deep one. I feel bad that she had to pack her unfinished AB due to her move to not just a different home, but a different country!

And even before it was covered, the cuts on Tuire's niche were perfect.

And sadly, that is as far as I got.  However, I do have a big surprise for you.  Before my internet problems, I scanned two of my books and scheduled posts to show the pages. They are now posted.  They are every page from:

my TIME altered book, which is here (the link opens in a new window)

and my  Money altered book, which you will find here (it also opens in a new window).

There are many, many techniques in these two books, and several that were not covered in the classes are explained.  However, if you are not a fan of magazine images (and some of you said that in your comments), you might be disappointed.  Also, all the embellishments were created using whatever I had on hand. 

Speaking of whatever I had on hand, some of you have indicated in your comments that you think I have a lot of supplies that many of you do not.  That is simply not the case.  I want to clear up that misconception.  In fact, I'm always looking for inexpensive alternatives to costly art supplies.  One example is to use Bingo dabbers instead of those pricey Tim Holtz dabbers.  My craft budget is sorely limited to what I can find at my Household Hazardous Waste Swap and Shop (free), at my favorite thrift store, in my neighbor's dumpster, at garage sales, or on the clearance table at Michael's or JoAnn's.  

I have been known to buy a few new items, though.  When I must buy something new, I reach for coupons and never EVER pay full price for anything. 

I have also been gifted with many art supplies over the years, not the least of which comes from my friend Kathy, who tires of scrapbook paper and other items and passes them on to me.  That's how I got all the color washes you will see in my MONEY AB.  Even though she lives in a different city, she still shares her die cut machine and other tools and toys.

Additionally, I have three friends who save their junk mail, old postage stamps, ribbon, buttons, thread, and items they would normally send to the trash.  My friend and neighbor Sally has gifted me with many paper products, as well as used sheets and other fabric.

Don't ever be afraid to ask friends and family for items from their junk drawer.  After all, everyone I know has at least one!

I hope that has laid your concerns over supplies to rest.    When I first started this class, I told you to use what you had on hand.  Don't try to replicate what I make, because that stifles creativity.  I'm not that guy or gal who is trying to sell you anything.  I never recommend or require you use a certain product.  I show the supplies and process(es) I use, then expect you to modify it/them to fit what tools and supplies you have on hand.

And finally, other than BJ (and possibly Debbie) whose book is full, and chomping at the bit to finish her AB, I would ask each of you who has contributed even ONE lesson after Lesson 3, please leave me a comment, providing you are able to do so, and I will visit IF and when Blogger decides to cooperate, and try to find your lesson(s) you participated in.  If enough people leave a comment (again, providing I am the only person who can't leave comments) letting me know which lesson(s) they participated in, I will add an extra week, which will give you time to work on more pages (sorry BJ) and give me the chance to show your work.  It would be a shame if I missed anyone, such as Elle and Dawn, who I know have kept up with their ABs, although I show none of their work above.  It would also be a shame to not share all the beauty and creativity so many of you have shown.

I would like to thank each of you for your participation, whether it was just reading these lessons, leaving a comment, or completing a homework assignment (or all).  You have made me proud.  I hope each of you can take something positive away from this class, because it's been fun seeing what each of you has created and how your books have grown.  Thank you again.

Now, please visit either my MONEY AB, or my Time AB, or both.