Altered Book Process: Junk Journaling: How to Alter a Book

Hello Loves...it is time for step 1: Tear and Glue!
Don't be afraid! You can do this. Remember...all mistakes can be fixed.
enjoy!
xoxo-
gina
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Altered Book Prepping:
• Altered Book Tutorial:...
Altered Book Process:
• Junk Journal Process: ...

[@ronicaellis7212]

So, are you gluing for strength or for page thickness? I mean, what if you do not glue pages together?

[@stellarjstudios]

Ronica Ellis Great question! I glue them together for both strength and thickness. It is totally optional.

[@elenaion3736]

I didn't glue my pages together in my altered book because I've collaged into the pages and i've drowned with acrylic paints in it and the pages have become thick and the book is very steady.

[@nancyworsley5057]

I just tore the pages out of the book I'm going to use. That was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I felt like I was sinning against the universe. Lol. I'm glad I saw that you save the pages and use them.

[@heatherfy6145]

You’ve explained how to make an altered book so concisely, thank you so much for the details!

[@stellarjstudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rochestermanagementservice6082]

Very helpful, Gina. I've seen other altered book videos, but this is the first one that truly made sense. Love your "think alouds'. I understood completely why you did what you did. Excited to see what comes next! TFS. Cheryl in AZ

[@SimpLeeBeth]

I have started my 1st altered book already. I did choose a glued book. I may or may not have torn out enough pages. I appreciate this tutorial! It is sound advice I can use next time 😊 TFS! 💗xo

[@handmadefromlisa]

I have made altered books in the past and hated them. This was the BEST tutorial ever! Now I know why I hated the ones I made. They were completely wrong 😂. Thanks Gina! I am starting one today! 🤗

[@stellarjstudios]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for letting me know! xoxo- gina

[@CreatorsCall]

Gina, I appreciate having you show us the technique for altering a book with signatures. It's good to have an example so we have options when choosing books. I don't want to feel like I have to put back a book that inspires my creativity just because it may be sewn rather than glued. I investigated the video you suggested (in the comments below) at Fab Crafts and More channel. I found her videos to be very helpful. Thank you for this series, for your enthusiasm over junk journals, and your BIG heart that teaches and encourages the rest of us!

[@stellarjstudios]

Marci, you are so kind! Thank you. I really love to hear how my videos impact and inspire. Happy creating! xoxo- gina

[@julieholleran974]

This is STILL the best tutorial for book altering I've found! Thanks so much Gina...I am ready to begin altering my 2nd Cookbook YAY hugs, Julierose ;)))

[@stellarjstudios]

You are so welcome! This was one of my favorite projects! I am planning on doing more with this in the future.

[@TheYellowsun76]

Hi Gina, this answers a question I asked on the last video I watched. I should know this about your process I have been watching your videos for years! Ha! So better to just start with a sewn spine to avoid problems Got it! I sure appreciate your knowledge, The only things I have made have been hand sewn or ring bound and have been kinda weirded out about doing this.. but I would like to give it a try.

[@joannewachel2505]

I enjoyed your explanations of why you do your book this way and how it affects your pages in the long run. The close up views were helpful. I will look forward to the next video. Thank you.

[@stellarjstudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MissDaisyParsley]

This is a great tutorial! I learned a bunch! Thanks for sharing!

[@funkeyjournals3674]

Glad you showed this so in-depth. TFS❤️

[@annatronson5927]

Hi Gina! Two signatures. Removed half from each in demo! Thick paper! - Last altered book demo I followed... Carpenter text! Lost count so much! Did another round of removing more pages! Nice big text! Will go along again a “new” junk / planner ... fun now that I know what I’m looking for! Thanks again! ☕️👏🆒

[@roxyjinks9643]

I’m working with an old Saturday evening post book, it’s a hard cover but the paper is like newspaper,I had turned it into a junk journal but never finished it so I decided to use it as a junk planner, so you can imagine the fun I’m having deconstructing it 🤦‍♀️but our thrift stores aren’t open yet and it’s what I have to work with, thanks for sharing!

[@stellarjstudios]

Yay! I understand what you mean about having to work with what we have...I'm secretly loving it. xoxo- gina

[@dawnbrey8087]

Hey Gina! I have been watching your channel for a couple of years; and I finally decided to try making a junk planner. I have my book ready to go! Thanks for the video explaining how to alter the book! I am so excited for your next video! Love all the stuff you make!

[@stellarjstudios]

That is awesome! thank you so much! xoxo- gina

[@rachelneely9973]

I really love the font in this book😍

[@kimlatham7583]

That was scary. I have just taken half the pages out!!~ Book printed in 1956. Those little pages have hung in there for 64 years. Until today. . Gluing comin up.

[@jeanne512]

Thanks for the slow and detailed tutorial! Great job!

[@stellarjstudios]

You are so welcome!

[@deserthorses5]

This is WONDERFUL! I so need this! I'm starting another altered book and now I know what to do! :-)

[@stellarjstudios]

You can do it! xoxo- gina

[@deserthorses5]

NOW I understand what you are saying about the gluing...starting in the middle, doing some in the front and then alternating with some in the back so you don't get that unbalanced look! So many great tips here, Gina!

[@deserthorses5]

And....NO MORE WET GLUE! I have tons of glue sticks, fortunately!

[@123uschie]

Your book with the broken spine can be easily fixed - I would glue fabric to it and then you can finish playing in it🥰

[@stellarjstudios]

Thanks for the tip!

[@N3k0N3k0N3k0]

This is the best explanation for prepping an altered book that I have seen! Thank you!

[@stellarjstudios]

Wow, thank you! And, thanks for supporting my Kofi page. xoxo- gina

[@N3k0N3k0N3k0]

@@stellarjstudios You inspired me so much I went through my junk journal book stash to find one that met your specifications. It must be a food thing...I found the perfect book and it was Barbara Cartland's The Romance of Food! Now to start counting pages and tearing out. :)

[@roseanndeighan5872]

Hello Gina, Your creativity is awesome! TFS 💕🌹 peace to you ❤️

[@stellarjstudios]

You are so kind! xoxo- gina

[@anneliask5955]

Thanks to you for this instruction video 😊

[@sherryvanderpool4024]

Tfs I’ve been wanting to start one

[@patriciaruppert201]

Thank you for the video. ❣️

[@lisamorales3914]

Excellent explanation.

[@QueenNoTeetha151]

What do you do if there appears to be no signatures? Sorry if you covered it.I watched it all but only discovered this afterwards!

[@rhondajo7822]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@stellarjstudios]

@@rhondajo7822 Glad you liked it!

[@MsBrickman1]

I found a book with sewn signatures. The pages have a slight sheen. Would that be a problem since I would add gesso to each page after they have been glued?

[@sharonharris2515]

Thanks learned a lot

[@stellarjstudios]

You're welcome Thank you for being so kind. xoxo- gina

[@JennKerrPhotography]

Gina, I had just started this with a book last week and I have all the pages out and I'm ready to glue. You mentioned using a glue stick works great on matte pages, but what do you suggest if the pages are more glossy or semi-glossy? Would a glue stick still work? Thanks so much!

[@stellarjstudios]

Great question. I would give it a try. Glue sticks are always my first choice. xoxo- gina

[@MandaFandaa]

Curious if you explained what a junk planner is. Ty

[@stellarjstudios]

A junk planner is just something I made up. It is part junk journal, part planner. Great question. xoxo- gina

[@debhulks]

Thanks for sharing. What do you do with the torn out pages? Tell me you cook some of the recipes at least! x

[@stellarjstudios]

I use them for art and journal pages. However, I sure do love a good recipe, too! xoxo- gina

[@theresa_lili]

The paper outpost has a long play list on using up the torn out pages. So many great ideas and inspiration.

[@kimerlyhogan6567]

Hello. What I don’t understand about making an altered book is WHY pages have to be pulled out. What are signatures? At first, this sounded like something I’d like to try. Now I’m frustrated all over again. ☹️

[@stellarjstudios]

Hello Kimberly, I am sorry you are frustrated. Signatures are the collection of pages that make up a book. I tear my pages out because I add a lot of stuff to my journals which bulks them up quite a bit. Removing pages is optional. There are a lot of great tutorials out there...a quick search "how to alter a book" led me to this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inWxioqNnLuiZ9E Perhaps this is a good place to start. xoxo- gina

[@kimerlyhogan6567]

TheReBookery Thank you for answering my question so promptly. I will indeed watch the suggested video.

[@theresa_lili]

Kimberly there are many videos on how books are made. Maybe a better place to actually start regarding your understanding. When I make an alter book from scratch I put together, for example, 10 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of paper, fold each in half and stack them together one inside the next. This gives me the first signature of 40 pages. 1 8 1/2 x 11 sheet is 4 pages once folded in half. If I make 5 of these with 10 sheets of paper each I would ha e 200 pages for my book. Sea lemon has the best to the point videos on how to make a book, signature and binding tutorials. Nik the booksmith has a lit of videos as well. She is very chatty!!

[@donnaseeton3568]

I’m not sure how I would use this. I’m enjoying watching, but your previous books look so creative, they sort of scare me. Don’t think I’m that creative.

[@rachelneely9973]

You should try it! See where you end up. It doesn't have to look like Gina's (as awesome as they are!) or anyone else's. You could try art techniques, or play with stickers, use it for gluing in birthday/holiday cards or pictures. You could just make it and stare at the cool blank canvas you made😊 There's no wrong way, just ways to learn. I hope you try it!

[@stellarjstudios]

Donna, I totally understand about being scared. I can be so overwhelming to see a completed journal. Come along with me, and I’ll try to relieve you of some of your fears. Remember, this is about tapping into your creativity (YES...you are creative). Xoxo- Gina

[@stellarjstudios]

Rachel Neely You are a doll, Rachel!

[@rachelneely9973]

@@stellarjstudios ♥️