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Friday 30 March 2012

Altered Book!

Isn't it exciting when you have a go at something that is new to you?  I have been looking at Altered Books for a while now and when the lovely ~Elizabeth~ started a free online course I was diving into my book shelves to find a suitable book!  A hard back book on Mary Tudor seemed suitable as my AB is to be about my Mother and there is one thing they definitely have in common....stubborness haha.  Her instructions are very detailed with lots of pictures, which are good for me :-D  The lessons are well spread out over several weeks and if you are looking for them on her blog they are listed down the right hand side.  After finding the right book & tearing out the pages (which I found very hard to start with as I am a real bookie!)  Elizabeth gave us instructions on creating a niche.  Here is my nearly completed niche page...


Although you can't really tell, my niche is about 1cm deep and houses some of my Mums old jewellery...her favourite earings from when I was growing up etc.  The background is just tissue paper with a cut out paper napkin over it.  The photo is oneof my favourites of my Mum, she looks very glamorous :-D  Hard to believe I am not quite 3 in this photo!!!!  The next pic is of my 1st page.  Elizabeth asked us to use gesso, which I have for the background (mixed with a little blue acrylic). 


My Mum is the little girl with the white pinny on.  I have tried to keep this page more austere as it was 1939 and times were very hard on the farm, especially with all those brothers & sisters!!!!!  Can you believe they were allocated 4 evacuees????  I quickly drew & painted their farmhouse, though I haven't done it justice at all!  The mini posters are from Google and the large chickens are paper napkins.  Oh and Elizabeth asked for a tag too.

Thank you for taking a look today & I hope I have done justice to your instructions Elizabeth, HUGS xxx

24 comments:

cheryl said...

oh Hun, I love these books I made one,and yours Hun is just brilliant,oh the photos,of your mum are brilliant Hun,so love the cut out too,just super work hun something to treasure,hugs Cherylxxx

Angelnorth said...

Looks like you're having lots of fun - these pages look fab!

tracy said...

i LOVE your pages karen:) don't you look grown up for 3!!!
and the boy next to 'little' mum doesn't look too impressed LOL
xx

Carol Plume said...

Karen what a great book with a real story - loving the pictures xx

Traceyr said...

This is fabulous Karen your mum will be thrilled with the book.

:)

Sherry said...

Oh Karen, your niche page/spread took my breath away! It's beautiful and what a lovely and special theme you've chosen - LOVE IT!

Your inside page spread looks fab too with the old photo. Looking forward to what comes next...!

Gez Butterworth said...

BEAUTIFUL Karen. What a gorgeous keepsake. I bet this was so much fun to create. You have done a fantastic job.Xxx

Kaz said...

This is fab, what a great keepsake and you can get really messy making it too. She will love it if you can bear parting with it! xxx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You did a fantastic job with your niche. I am a BIG fan of napkins, and that one was perfect for the pages around your niche.

Your theme is SO personal. I was very impressed that you were able to start this and keep it going with such precision and dedication. It will be well worth the effort (and brief angst) you put into it once you are finished.

I was surprised there were so many children in your mother's family. I guess I forgot that farm families were often large. I was truly impressed with your house and how well you drew it. Since I can't draw a straight (or even curvy) line, I am truly impressed. I look forward to the next installation.

BJ said...

Oh Karen I just adore your niche - so special and personal and the flowers just set it and your photo off perfectly. Adoreable - BJ

Sue said...

This is going to be a very interesting project to follow. I love the use of the napkin on the first page, such beautiful flowers.
Sue x

BJ said...

Hi Karen, Thanks for your comments on my AN - Yep rather challenged by the number of pages in my book. Couldn't find a sewn one big enough at the time but have found 2 since but want to finish the course so I know what to do with them completely iyswim. Did you read all my comments back to Elizabeth? I'm really thinking of splitting a double page spread into 4 for this homework (combining 2 of the principles) as the next lesson needs 5 pages/sections aswell, and then another 5 and another! Don't wish to run out before the end. And definitiely want to do a pocket and folded pages and zip (lessons 11-14) Ho Hum. BJ

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Just wanted to reiterate how much I appreciate the attention to detail you use. I was looking at the napkin and how you even incorporated the design in the niche. Well, well done!!

Helen said...

Wow, this looks stunning! What a wonderful way to celebrate your Mum. I've not decorated my niche yet but I've done my gluing for lesson 4.

Terrie said...

My goodness - what a great homage to your mom. This book is going to be beautiful - I love the use of her jewelry....that will make it even more special. I haven't used napkins in my journaling or anything yet but I can't wait to try - I'm watching the sales.

I'm so impressed with your pages - can't wait to see more. Isn't Elizabeth doing a great job leading us along?

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Your niche and pages are so special and well done! They give a real sense of the subject you are honoring! Very nice work.

elle said...

Your niche is gorgeous.

Unknown said...

This is truly beautiful Karen. I can't believe you haven't done this before, your a natural.

Ant thank you for your lovely comment today on my blog ;0)

BJ said...

Hi Karen, Thanks for your comment on my desk for WOYWW - not sure where to find yours if you are taking part this week???

Yes for the Altered Book, don't forget Elizabeth said there weren't any rules and she actually suggested me doing the last lesson in sections rather than consecutive pages, so I thought I'd break the rules myself this week. I did discuss it with her first though. Really want to save pages for the folding, pockets etc.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with. BJ #58

Kathy said...

This is lovely, Karen. So subtle and romantic looking

Jacqueline said...

That is such a beautiful project! It's stunning!

Thanks for sharing,

Jackie x

Hazel said...

I've seen Elizabeth's online course and would love to be able to do something like this - yours is wonderful. Sorry it's been so long since I visited and commented, but life kind of got in the way. I've had a lovely time catching up. I especially love the village in a box - it is truly a magnificent project so beautifully crafted x

BJ said...

Thanks for your comment on my Easter Page. Not sure where I should be replying to you as you have a number of blogs?? Also thought your comment was from a different Karen initially so I nearly slipped up sending this somewhere completely different! Do you work for Tando then? Hope you are enjoying Easter and haven't eaten too much chocolate. BJ

Ann B said...

I'm also doing the AB course so we are class-mates. Not only that but I used a napkin on my gesso page as well. Love what you have done on your book and a lovely idea to use some of your Mum's jewellery in the niche.
Ann B
xx