Altered Book Covers

I love old worn book covers and this project has oodles of art possibilities. For this project the books are done in 5 x 7 sizes, in which I embellished the fronts and added little wire hangers to display. My mind was wandering to all the nifty projects these could become. Since the covers can easily be re-sized in Microsoft Word they could also be made into cards, tags, ornaments, etc. I would love to see where your imagination takes you with this project!

Supplies:
Studio 490 Art Parts
Tiny Wooden Spools
Craft Wire
Old Book 07 PNG
Adornment Charms
Charm Pin Ups
Metamica Paints
Perfect Paper Adhesive
Beautiful Face – Digi Sheet 267
Star Wreath – Dark Red Cream
Lace Trim
Stickles
Jute Twine
Words – Digi 180
Words – Digi 237
Butterflies Digi 267
Eyelet Setter
Brown Craft Paint
Chipboard

Instructions:

To create the altered book covers I inserted the images into my Microsoft Word sizing them to 5 x 7 inches. You will want to print two of each image. Cut out the book images and distress edges with ink. Lay out on chipboard and make pencil marks on chipboard and cut out one piece with an X-Acto or utility knife. Paint edges of chipboard brown. Apply matte gel or Perfect paper adhesive to matte board and add book cover. Once dry, flip chipboard and apply second cover. Make sure the image “binding” is in the same area. Apply another coat of sealer to front and back sides of book. Using an eyelet punch, mark two holes at the top of each book. Twist a wire hanger through each to hang. You may also use ribbon, twine, jewelry chain, etc. as your hanger. Decorate the front of each book.

Burgundy Book:
I decorated the front using a darling Star Wreath – Dark Red Cream and tucked a wee tag in the center. A snippet of word art and a butterfly adorn the tag. Tie a ribbon on the hanger and viola…you have a festive fall decoration.

Blue Book:
I used the Beautiful Face – Sheet 267 as my focal center. Then framed the image in a Studio 490 Art Parts that was painted with Metamica Paints and decorated with Stickles. A border of Lace Trim was added to the bottom of the book cover. Little wooden spools were also covered with Metamica Paints and strung on the wire hanger. Finishing touches were Adornment Charms and buttons.

Green Book:
I covered this book by tearing small bits of Kraft Glassine Paper and alcohol stamped on DMC floss cards. Cut out Butterflies Digi 267 and Charm Pin Ups with beads were added to the centers. Glue into place on front of book, and add a small button to center. Add Words – Digi 180 to the bottom.

Variations:
Print book images in smaller sizes and create wee tags or ornaments. The book background would also be darling for an ATC.

Nancy Maxwell James for PaperWhimsy