Saturday, February 1, 2014

The First Step...er...Page

 I started a new altered book this week and chose this quote from Martin Luther King to mark the beginning since taking the first step is often the hardest part of a new project.  It is not on the first page since I will work randomly in this book, just like the last.
 The book I chose for altering is a sturdy copy of Joy Street by Francis Parkinson Keyes.  I love the name of the book so I used parts of the dust jacket for my altered cover.  I'm sure there is probably something illegal about that and the copyright police will be knocking at my door any minute.
I couldn't resist a little embellishing but I stayed away from very dimensional and dangly things for now.  At least I learned that part of the lesson from last time - lol!  That stuff can come later.  Right now the book feels very stiff for working in.  It will "break in" over time and hopefully not burst in the process.
Several people asked about removing pages.  In the last book I did it as I went but this time I removed a bunch at the start.  I removed 3, glued 2, removed 3 and so on.  Clearly I did not cut them all exactly the same!  I am sure all those glued pages are part of the reason it feels stiff right now.
It is good to have a new friend!

12 comments:

Gail said...

Brilliant! What a perfect book with the perfect cover.
I wouldn't worry too much about the 'copyright' police, after all it's not like you're selling it. It's for your own personal use.........it looks like it will be divine!

Art and Sand said...

I really need to start an altered book and I will listen to you and add the dangly things at the end.

It looks great so far.

Jewels said...

whoot whoot love it! having an art day so may get started on mine too!

Annette said...

I always wondered how that works. Now I know. Not as big a deal as I thought. That is, the removing and glueing.....doing the altering IS a really big deal!!!!

Maureen said...

Awesome Kathy! Congrats on your first step into a new project! You are right; that first step is always the hardest.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm so glad you shared how you start one of these...with a real book that you 'prepare' ahead of time! How awesome. You've got my interest now! Hugs!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

It's going to be another masterpiece! Good idea to leave the embellishments until later. Love the cover already.

Annette said...

Great quote to start the new book, and I love the cover.
I had no idea you removed pages and then glued some together. It makes sense, but I wouldn't have thought about it!

Curtains in My Tree said...

I have a book started, it's someplace in the studio maybe this will give me a boost to work on it
Your is pretty already

CATHY said...

A great way to start the year - and a lovely 1st page. you need to do one page with a horse : )

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

Very Nice. When I was in scrapbooking, I always thought I'd do an altered book but never got to it. Now..I am NOT scrapbooking and want to do an altered book! I hope you will have instructions and discussions/posts about how to make one!
Cheri, the quilting nanny at
www.fabricandmemories.blogspot.com

Laurie said...

You are so inspiring -- you just never stop creating!