Today I want to share a first spread in an altered book I have started.
Here is the original photograph:
Anyway, I started by ripping out some pages from the old hard back book picked up at a junk shop.
Next I coated the first double page with gesso and when dry added texture with the help of texture paste and some stencils. I also used a texture tool for the texture in one of the corners.
I chose a neutral colour palette to go with the vintage theme using acrylic paints, a baby wipe and some kitchen roll to add further subtle textures to the background.
I stained one of the pages of the book with coffee to use behind the photo.
Put the coffee dipped paper on a flat baking dish on top of some grease proof paper, sprinkle some more coffee grains on, because I used instant they started to kind of "bloom" out, making lovely spots. Next put it in a low oven until it has dried out (about 7 minutes or so) and you are done.
Here is a close up of the page
The other bit of paper behind the photo is a stamped (Finnabair stamp) piece of photocopy paper, inked with Vintage photo. The colour matched the coffee stained paper exactly. I also added flowers, background stamping, tissue tape,some die cuts and some Golden Brand Gold Mica Flake paste. The paste dries completely clear and you are left with some wonderful mica bits in the background. The stenciled word Hope was first coloured with a Faber Castell Big Brush Pen and then highlighted with Treasure Gold.
The final step was to cover the photo with a wet baby wipe and then using some sprays on the embellishments and textured elements to bring them out more.
xxx
42 comments:
What a beautiful altered book, Astrid. I love the textures and that wonderful photo. It all works so brilliantly together. It's also a great idea for an altered book. It's sure to be a treasured heirloom in years to come. xxx
Beautiful book cover Astrid, you really know how to pull the 'right' colours together. Can see this becoming a work of love :-) xxx
What a fabulous way to display family photos Astrid, love this. Carol x
This is absolutely amazing Astrid. So beautiful work, and really gorgeous looking. I love the colors, you´ve used on it too.
What a great idea! I know I have been seeing a lot too and want to create some. I love the photo you used too! It means more when it's family. I just printed off a vintage photo from my husband's Aunt. She has a photo of her cousin from the 30's! So much fun! Love what you did and I haven't used coffee yet...only tea. Hmmmm....
What a fantastic book and keepsake for your grandchildren this will be, Astrid! I love the texture and the gold mica flakes are wonderful. I love altered books but have yet to do one! This is going to be just gorgeous, I know!
This is gorgeous, Astrid. What a great idea to create a lovely memory book but in your beautiful style, so much more personal for your grandchildren than just a traditional scrapbook style. I love it.
Hugs Lisax
An amazing project Astrid xx Jan
What a wonderful and personal make Astrid..
it's just GORGEOUS!
hugs
Susi
O my goodness Astrid, this is so beautiful...the wonderful layers & textures the image & colours are perfect... Love it all...Hugs May x x
Lovely idea, the book will be a treasure for your children. Valerie
What a great treasure Astrid...great use of colours and mixed media...so clever ánd awesome!
Greetings, Alie
beautiful altered book
Fabulous pages Astrid,so many techniques in there . Love old photos and have lots, I did a scrapbook a few years ago but now I want to start an altered book, just need more time and done of your magic!
Joan
Gorgeous pages and what a lovely idea, to make a book to store family photos. I'm sure it will become a much loved family heirloom.
Yvonne x
stunning pages Astrid - that photo is awesome too - brilliant make! Hugs rachel x
What amazing pages Astrid. I wonder why the women of that era wore such dark and sombre clothes. My Great grandmother was similarly dressed. Thanks so much for the tutorial too. Hugs Rita xxx
The beginnings of a truly beautiful family heirloom - do show how it progresses, won't you? xx
Nothing like a good cup of coffee to give off a lovely vintage vibe! Wonderful texture and I do love the family photo. What a treasure this will be! Love it.
Just beautiful!! Your family will treasure it!! Hugs!
Wow great page in your family history book, I really love it, and what a good idea to start with such a book!!!
Greetings
Maria
Gorgeous Vintage Pages Astrid...love the colour tones and the amazing textures. I love the facial expression too and those very fashionable clothes. TFS and huge hugs
Annie x
ps Hope all well with you x will email soon.....very busy, busy at present x
Oh Astrid this keepsake journal is going to be simply amazing and so treasured by your grandchildren. The
Photo is so wonderfully antique of your hubby's g.grandmother. You have such a talent for blending just the right colors, tones and textures.
The whole project is going to be so exciting to create for you and exciting for us to appreciate!
Looking forward to see it grow!
Hugs,
Suzy
Fabulous project and I am sure you will really enjoy making the book. Great idea about sprinkling the grains of coffee--can't wait to try that. Thank you sharing
Love Chrissie x
Gorgeous book Astrid! What a wonderful photo of your husbands great great grandmother. I would love a wall full of old photos, could look at them all day long. Of course I love the background and the space for journaling too. Karen.x
Love this great idea love the colours you have used on this page and the effects from the mixed media. Dee x
Ohh Astrid!!! This is MAGNIFICENT! I'm filled with awe, wonderment and ... two questions.
I'm with you all the way through ... tore pages out of the old book; coffee stained some of them, dried them in oven, and then did all the magical spell things which you've done to the page (which I'm in love with by the way) and then ... how did you get those pages back into the book?
I know the obvious answer is you stuck them back in - but - was is something particular which was/is best suited to this type of project?
My brain is telling me that I must have to discard a lot of pages from the book to begin with otherwise it would no longer close once a couple of decorated and adorned pages were glued back inside it.
So .. how do you know how many pages to discard, - and also how many pages did you glue together to make individual sturdy pages which could take the weight of the finished, decorated pages?
Aww, I'm sorry to be picking your brain like this, but I've wanted to dive in and make something like this for ages, however, fear of the unknown is putting me off. I know where to begin (get an old hard back book from the charity shop) but no firm idea on how to proceed after that.
By the way - I love the Golden Brand Gold Mica Flake paste. What a little gem that is. It's given the pages a texture and dimension which makes things really pop!
I've gone back and forth looking and looking and gazing with dewy eyed wonderment at each of your photographs, and actually saying out loud to my cats and my dog, how amazing you are, how clever, how brilliant ... and how fantastic the pages are which you've conjured up.
To be honest - I don't think I can pick out just one thing which I love more than any other, because everything is so perfect. A true Mary Poppins project. Perfect in Every Way!
Sending love and crafty hugs ~ Cobs.x
This is going to be an absolute treasure for your grandchildren! Beautiful!
Oh so stunning, dear Astrid,- all the beauty of gold and the grey/blue /white/sepia colours , and the texture ofcourse, looks also amazing. You created the most lovely background for writing private notes, and the idea behind this book is great! The right side page flower and texture is amazing!!
Hugs,Dorthe
So beautiful, love it.
Beautiful !
Corrie x
Love your creations, they are so tactile. and the colours you use are so well blended
xoxoxo
Gorgeous design and textures, love it :) I know I keep saying the same thing.... have a great evening, Shirleyx
Beautiful! Love the colours and so many gorgeous details
The gold highlights perfectly, whilst remaking understated and integral to the gorgeous colour sheme
Jools x
What a wonderful idea and fabulous project to be able to hand down- xoxo
A fabulous start to your family book, love all the texture. I started a Gothic arch book for my family photos, must get back to it, and do some more. We have just moved and I need to get rid of some of my stash as well. That was a great idea to sell some of it.
OMG !!! so dreamy and wonderful .. love your work my friend ... xooxo
Astrid, you create the most wonderful textures. The use of shading and colours with the mica flakes is fantastic! Gorgeous colours! This is vintage at its best! Love this! Xx
Beautiful indeed. So special, too, that she is a relative!
I love all that you have done to display this striking photograph Astrid. Your book will be an incredible treasure to wander through. Terrific artistry as always. Nicola x
Beautiful Astrid!! Your grandchildren are going to adore this book. Fab colours and a fantastic idea!! Aren't old photos wonderful?? People always look so stern in them, although I can see a little twinkle in her eye!! Love this!! ox
What a spectacular heirloom this will be. Another great photo - what character in that face, and slight mischief in those eyes, it seems to me! The aged book page makes a perfect setting, and I love the glow of the mica amidst the rich coffee Browns.
Alison xx
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