How to Glue Perfect Flat Pages and Images That Stay Flat

I am often asked the secret to gluing perfect flat pages that stay flat so here is a video with page-gluing-hacks galore. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!
If you like video tutorials about altered books, art journals, or other paper-y arts, please subscribe to my channel. Also check out my website at:
bookandpaperarts.com/
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Thanks again for watching and for getting out the word. I really do appreciate it.
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[@ladyflimflam]

I had given up on gel medium as a collage glue precisely because of the lack of adhesion you demonstrated with the flower, but hadn’t tried pressing it in with a layer of paper between my bone folder and the piece. I’ve been using uhu glue stick as an adhesive, then sealing my pages with the gel medium. If people don’t have heavy books another thing that works well is placing a casserole pan on top of the piece and adding weight into the casserole pan. It can be canned food, bags of rice or beans, a kettlebell, whatever you have. The casserole pan helps distribute the weight and contains things that might otherwise slump off (a bag of birdseed, for example) if you were to just plop that on top.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there. Thanks for the tip on using rice in a casserole. It seems so obvious once you know about it. I sometimes say to press pages under a stack of dictionaries then it occurs to me that people don't have stacks of dictionaries anymore.😮😮I do like UHU sticks. I buy them in bulk. Thanks for stopping by! Kelly

[@elizabethglenbentley7882]

I am so endebted to you Kelly for the best instructional videos ever! I love how you incorporate everybody's level. We're able to learn so much from each others comments and questions as well! from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Elizabeth. You are so kind and your message has truly made my day. 🌷🌻🌼

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

I think warping and buckling is a bigger problem in a dry environment, because the glue dries so fast. I feel like my work warps immediately. I have a collection of 3 bricks, a flat marble slab and 2 antique irons that I use to weigh things down. I also keep cereal box liners to protect pages (like you use parchment). But I never knew that bone folder method to get all the glue flat and evenly distributed. That will be super helpful! Thank you.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there, Kristin. Yeah, that tracing paper makes a lot of itself but you can wrangle it. 😁Antique irons sound as charming as they are practical. I do sometimes still have buckling and for me it is less about the weather than the paper and after all these years I still sometimes get it wrong. Thanks for checking in! Kelly

[@kikiokellern7351]

the wax paper is one of those ****OH! why didn't I think of that!!! *****great but simple ideas!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kiki. I should buy that stuff in bulk I use so much of it! 😺

[@magnoliabird]

You’re very patient ❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Maybe. Sometimes. The thing is I love altering books so, so much and in their case there is no choice except to approach them patiently. 😺

[@groovychic]

so pretty!

[@yesimadeitmyself]

Very informative and enjoyable watching 👍

[@stacylinn3102]

Thanks so much for sharing this info! I am ordering the glue today and subscribed to your newsletter already 🤩

[@ochervelvet9687]

Good tips, thank you.

[@anamaymi2179]

Thank you so much for this. This works like a charm. Excellent!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Ana May. That is what I like to hear!

[@libriniserenagobbo9717]

Very useful, I immediately try Everything 😁

[@angelahoynes5649]

Very useful thank you.

[@stephaniehanson3461]

Great tutorial and thank you for the downloads.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Stephanie. This is truly nice to hear. Kelly

[@lynnparise9841]

Thank you Kelly, always so much tasty info on your tutes! Always really enjoy watching you work. Thank you as well for the generous pages we can print out for free! Your amazing, creative friend!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Lynn. I am sometimes surprised at how good it is to go over the basics so that we can get to the fun parts. Let me know if you have suggestions! You can email me if you have ideas. Or whatnot. Have a creative weekend, my dear!

[@elinordrake7129]

I use a cinderblock to press my books. Less than a dollar at H.D. The only thing is that I tend to work mostly with newer books from the thrift. If a book is fragile & particularly precious, it might be too heavy. For any newer books or simply flattening mixed media art, its worked better than anything else for Really flattening.

[@BookandPaperArts]

That is great idea. The important thing is using what you have and improvising. When I was at my sister's in Alabama and wanted to work, I took some of her cast iron skillets and piled heavy stuff in them and that worked fine. 😺

[@karmaleenash2841]

Thank you for sharing this process!!!🦋🦋🦋

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Karma Lee, it is my real pleasure. Hope you make some fun pages! Kelly

[@MissDaisyParsley]

These are great tips! Thanks for sharing!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Susan, it is a pleasure. Have a great weekend! (Or try. 🌞🌞🌞)

[@gloriwest]

So glad I found you! Thanks for sharing!❤️

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Glori, and welcome. I am so pleased you touched base. It is really nice to hear from the outside world.😊 Here's hoping you have a creative week.🌼🌻🌷Kelly

[@kerryhansing1671]

You have the best voice and pace in your videos. I really appreciate you.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Kerry. That is truly nice to read this morning. 🌷🌼🌻Kelly

[@donnacarraway9182]

Thank you for the advice!!💕

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my pleasure, Donna. I hope you make gorgeous pages and layouts. 🌷🌻🌼Kelly

[@babsiegirl1440]

Thank you so much for sharing your gluing techniques with us! Your video was very helpful to me!

[@BookandPaperArts]

You are very welcome. It is funny - when I started making videos, I thought I would be asked about vision and expressing it and all of this high-minded ideas and nope - the single most repeated question I got was, "How do you get your pages so flat"? So much for vision and expressing it. 😎😎But it does help expressing if you have flat pages. Kelly

[@colleenmckenney6500]

Thanks for this! It’s so helpful. You have such a nice calm way of presenting that it was enjoyable to listen.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Colleen, that is really nice to hear this morning. Happy making!

[@jillpontiere1814]

Great video. Thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Jill, it is my real pleasure! Kelly

[@bettylongshore9594]

Great advice!!!!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Betty. Hope you are going to make gorgeous pages! Kelly

[@kathleenmmay1237]

So happy that this video showed up in my feed this morning. I just subbed to your channel and can’t wait to watch more of your content!❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kathleen and welcome. Thanks for touching base and for subscribing. I am unpacking from a long trip and may not get a video up this weekend but stay posted because I have a new one in the pipeline soon. Kelly

[@sondragayle6949]

Wow! Awesome video! I just found you 30 minutes ago and already subscribed to your newsletter! I am looking forward to catching up on all your videos!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Sondra. Thank you for this. You have made my day!

[@thirteenhens]

Great instruction! Mind blown and I agree with Patti, new subscriber here!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello, thank you, and welcome, Alexis! It is funny, because when I started altered book instruction I assumed I would be asked about inspiration, etc, but nope, it is always about how to make flat pages. So much for inspiration! 😁😉

[@shondra6]

This upis a great video. Thankyou for sharing your inspirations. 🙏💜🇦🇺🙏💜🇦🇺

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, dear Shondra. I hope you make some gorgeous and fun pages. Keep me posted! Kelly

[@matthewsbelinda]

At first I thought those were very thick pages. But now I love them, they are very sturdy, and compared to the previous books I have made with single pages I love these so much more, and I will continue doing it this way, I love your ideas and yes, I am greatly inspired by your techniques.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks for this, Belinda. Yeah, it is a pain to glue pages and let them dry, repeat repeat but sometimes if you add wet media - paint, glue, elements - to a single or even double page it will end in tears. Good luck with the altering! Kelly

[@kimm8965]

I’m so glad you shared these tips! I always have trouble with wonky pages! I would love to receive the newsletter you talked about and the beautiful botanicals!! Thanks! I went over to your website and filled out the info.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello Kim and welcome! Look for downloads here and this is the page where you can subscribe to the newsletter. Let me know if it doesn't work! bookandpaperarts.com/free-scans/

[@Alice-rb6uz]

Thank you for this video, that helped me overcome problems like glueing labels together and using your book method it worked perfectly. I have been so frustrated with PVA and most other glues that gave imperfect outcomes. I was delighted to try your method and voila, it was fantastic and now I will stick to what has really worked for me for the very first time. I cannot give you enough thumbs up!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Alice. I apologise for the late response and don't know how I missed this! Thank you for this thoughtful message. One of the (several) reasons that I make videos is to get the strategies and systems out there so we don't all have to reinvent the wheel, making-mistakes-wise. I'm glad this one hit the mark. Kelly

[@Alice-rb6uz]

Hello Kelly, I am glad you did get this message and also through your videos, I found those incredible Bee EK fussy cut scissors that works better than the 14 odd other scissors I have that could not get the job done. Sharing your "know how" experience is truly invaluable and showing true love. I love you back. : )

[@caronwood1316]

Hm. The advice I never knew I needed. Subscribed now.😊

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Caron. You know it's funny - when I first started teaching I just knew that I was going to be asked about vision and inspiration, etc., and what ended up happening was the question I heard the most then and now is - how do I get flat pages? Which makes me smile and there we go. Welcome! Kelly

[@magistra137]

Thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my real pleasure. Thank you for getting in touch. Happy making! Kelly

[@moongl0]

Such good tips here, Kelly! I have yet to get into my altered books but this is an excellent introductory video for that! 👍🏼 I have some books I picked up from a friend who couldn't sell them at a garage sale last year. Need to bust them out!

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is a good time to start a new way of working - goodness knows we aren't going anywhere soon. 😁Also, as I say, these gluing techniques are great for other projects, too. Happy making!

[@stellashepherd844]

I was wondering! I’m glad others asked. :) I love your videos. I’m in the process of watching them all. Maybe one of them will answer my other questions, like how you finish the pages (fixative). :)

[@MrsBednar]

Good question.

[@suemiller6759]

Glad I found you !!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Sue. It is good to be found! Kelly

[@ccbewell3304]

Your pages are the finest layouts I have seen! They inspired me to alter a book, which I finished today. Not nearly as well done as yours, but I am learning, watching and rewatching them for more tips.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, CC. You have made my day! Congratulations on your altered book. It is no mean feat and let me tell you, some parts about book altering will always be tricky - it is the nature of the thing. But it is very possible to learn to negotiate the tricky and I try to get what I know about it out there to shorten that learning curve for somebody like you. Happy making! Kelly 🌷🌷🌼🌼🌻🌻

[@craftygrandma56]

Thanks for a great video!!! I enjoyed the fact that you took your time in doing the demo whereas so many presenters just rush through the video leaving you to say huh?? I find a child's rolling pin or even my big rolling pin works wonder to squeeze out any excess glue!!! I even found myself rolling a glue stick on it!! Well, you gotta use what you have!!! LOL!!! Glad to have found you in cleaning up my old videos and have resubscribed to your site. 😍

[@BookandPaperArts]

Well, I have used a glue stick as a roller more than once myself. And thanks for the vote of confidence on slower videos. This one was a gamble, I mean, we are watching glue dry, basically. But when needs must, or something like that. Kelly

[@caroldurst1855]

Thank you

[@kathwallace1811]

Thank you gor yhis vid❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kath, it is my real pleasure. Thank you for touching base! Kelly

[@WhiteError37]

Invaluable information thank you for this, making a travel diary of trips me and my partner have been on. Saved flight tickets and special passes like museums. Excited to crack on

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches. I also have a ton of videos on making travel diaries and illustrated journals. The playlist is here. Hope you make great pages! Kelly kzbin.info/aero/PLWir7hWgZLNAB06JvX1PIF2EkvFiY2rdR

[@maryannscheblein-dawson9202]

I would love the botanical prints you mentioned at the beginning of this tutorial!!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, MaryAnn. Here is the link. I hope you make beautiful things. 🌷🌻🌼 bookandpaperarts.com/vintage-wildflower-scans-and-how-to-use-them-%f0%9f%8c%b7%f0%9f%8c%bb%f0%9f%8c%bc/

[@TheJoynoel]

It's the bookpress...works every time

[@kellercrucita550]

Lovely! New suscriber.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Keller, and thanks bunches! Kelly

[@patioelf]

this is beautiful and very helpful / how do you not have thousands more views???

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello, Patti. This is a question I ask myself every darn day! And I even do all the advice stuff recommended for better exposure. 😮🤐 But still, I am happy with the community who does turn in and we compare notes and learn stuff and that's not nothing. Okay, off to make today's video now! Thanks for stopping by.

[@JoAnneMOwens]

Excellent, thank you for solving the mystery as to how to achieve flat pages! I do have one question…is it best to glue front to back or start in the back of the book and move forward? I seem to always have buckling in my pages no matter how hard it try to line the pages up as I go. Thx! I subscribed and signed up for your news letter :)

[@matthewsbelinda]

I just found you, I love your techniques, I cannot find the link to subscribe to your newsletter. --thank you

[@KariGibsonArt]

That is great advice, there is always something heavy and flat we can use to weigh the pages down while they are drying!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Kari, when I was working at my sister's in Alabama and away from my studio, I even used her cast iron for weights. I put a big cast iron casserole into a big cast iron skillet and plopped it on top of a damp book and it worked a treat! Always improvise, no excuses. 😁🌞😁🌞😊

[@terryfrank3107]

My favorite weights for collage are the 3 flat irons my grandmother left me. I am 81 and she said she learned to iron with them, so they have been around a long time. But they work really well to flatten collage!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there, Terry. How resourceful! Also, I love it when items double as keepsakes or souvenirs AND art supplies. I hope you have a creative weekend! Kelly

[@terryfrank3107]

@@BookandPaperArts Thanks, Kelly! Yes, I love that too. I seldom pick them up that I don’t think of her.

[@fionajE]

Thank you! I always wonder how your pages are so beautifully flat!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks, Debra. I do get asked about it quite a bit. Sometimes forget about the basics on the way to the "fun" parts. Now let's get making!😁

[@alicenwonderland5505]

I love your work and how well you explain your process. Do you still have a newsletter? I go to your website but cannot find anywhere to sign up. I did find the free scans link but these botanicals are not there. Are these still available to downoad?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello Alice and thank you! After two years I gave up on the newsletter. It was so much work and was expensive and just wasn't growing. I am, however, going to be making video "newsletters" here on KZbin starting in June. And if you want to send me your email address, I am happy to get you these wildflower scans! Kelly [e-mail]

[@CydPiper]

Hi Kelly, I'm new to your channel and a beginner. I am enjoying and learning from your videos. Q: what brushes do you use for gluing and what do you use to clean your glue brushes for storage in between projects? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and tutorials. Cynthia

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Cynthia! What a good question that I have never once answered in a video. 😁 But I will, it is a good one so here's the deal. For gluing, however, I go to the big box store and get a bag of cheap craft brushes in mixed sizes. One is a medium size and flat and perfect for gluing pages, and when it gets done in, as it will, I get another bag. Also check out the kid's art section of a shop; they often have brushes in good sizes that are cheap. In the past I have also used flat brushes from the hardware section - they are meant for painting furniture but the smaller ones are good for paper. Thanks for the idea - this is going into a video soon!

[@CydPiper]

@@BookandPaperArts Thank you! x

[@lauriekuyk8663]

Thank you so much for addressing this! I have made a few books and my biggest frustration and complaint is the rippling on the page edges. I’m definitely going to try your tips and tricks!

[@BookandPaperArts]

That is good to hear, Laurie. When I started making tutorials I assumed I would be asked about oh, vision and creative spirit, that kind of thing but no, the question I got over and over was about how to make flat pages, so there. 😉They still may buckle, it really depends on the weight of the paper, but this should shorten the learning curve. Kelly

[@lauriekuyk8663]

I’m so excited, because I just bought a manual book press! When you press your wet pages, do you open the book and press it flat, or do you press it closed? I’m unsure on which method to use.

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@lauriekuyk8663 Your own book press. How exciting! I close the book before pressing. If you pressed it open I suspect it would put too much stress on the spine. Even closed, aim for firm pressure but not the tightest tight as again this can crush the book. Hmmm, this sounds tricky but it is not. Just let the book talk to you. And let me know if I can troubleshoot! Kelly

[@lauriekuyk8663]

Thank you so much for the insight! I am currently following several of your videos. I love your technique of having your pages flow as one canvas and have started using your suggested Matte gel. I am also listening to your How to Make Six No Sew Books and plan to get started on some soon!

[@lauradubose7233]

I want to see you use the Book press! ❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

You and me both, Laura. I put some flowers in there to dry months ago and still haven't taken them out. Soon. 🌻🌻🌼🌼🌷🌷

[@kathytrakas772]

Thank you for the very instructive video. I have a couple of questions I hope you won’t mind answering..The type of glue you use was very good to know. Did you say that you use glossy medium? Would matte work as well? Also, would you glue five or six pages before using the heavy books and how many sets of glued pages would you make at one time? Sorry, one last question-how many pages would you tear out between the blocks of glued pages? I love your work and always look forward to your videos..

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kathy. Thanks for stopping by. 1. I actually prefer matte gel medium but I buy what is on offer/sale and for some reason glossy is often cheaper. I find the adhesion is the same so - no difference. 2. It is possible to glue two sections THEN weight it but in my long years of doing this I find I make way, way fewer mistakes such as gluing the wrong folds together and so on if I only do one section at a time. Glue, weight, wait, repeat. One thing I do to use all of that down time is work on two books at the same time and cycle through one while the other is drying. 3. It very much depends on the spine and the weight of the paper and stuff like that. Have a look at this video and see if it answers the question. If not, please come back at me and I'll see if I clarify better. Happy altering! Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ2mkqObd6tkY80&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@elenatorres1561]

Pretty smart. Thanks for that great tip. I’m so tired of lumpy lay-outs. It looks so kindergarten to me. Lol.

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my pleasure, Elena. And it's funny all the same: I have done this for years and once in awhile one will buckle all the same. Depends on the paper. Had to give up on a book earlier this week that was going all wavy on me. 😁😉

[@anisaonofre]

Hi, thank you for this tutorial. Can you tell me how to work and care for your glue brushes, or are they disposable? Thank you! I love your channel. 🙏🏽

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Anisa. First off, for years now I have used brushes that I bought in the kid's section of the craft store, a pack that has lots of brushes in different sizes and types. They might not be the thing for fine art but they are great for gluing and are robust and cheap. After I glue for the day I rinse them well in a cup of water I keep on my desk and leave them there and don't worry about them. Usually they last for months. Hope this makes sense! Kelly

[@anisaonofre]

@@BookandPaperArts yes, thank you!

[@lynnelively6018]

Excellent job. How do you clean matte medium off your brushes?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there, Lynne. The truth is that I just shake them well in a cup of water and have never had a problem. I use cheap brushes from the kid's section of the art section of a local big box store. 😁

[@marcellelavae]

Hi! This has given me hope! :). Wish I had seen this long ago. I have a question. Do/can you glue the 5 pages together in the same sitting before pressing? It's not one page glue at a time is it? And can you do more than one glued "section" at a time or is that not recommended? Thanks so much!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there, Marcelle. I do go ahead and glue the several pages of one section in one go but then usually weight and press that section before doing another. Using a flat edge thing to flatten and smooth as you glue will keep them in place long enough. Now, you can do more than one section - I sometimes do two if I am on a roll 😁 but I rarely do more than two. One of the reasons these books take so long (and cost so much when I sell one!) is that it is safest to wait and see with each (or a couple at most) of the sections are settling, whether they will pull another one too much and go wonky. If you wait you may be able to fix it, if you plow through then you have just wasted more time than it takes to do it patiently. Please let me know if this makes sense! I am always happy to troubleshoot. Have you seen these two videos on how to prep a book? Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqvLgKeviK2NpLc kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8

[@keeperofwords2348]

Do you prep your base page with a medium?

[@bettymetz3746]

I’m a new follower, so perhaps you talked about removing pages in another video???

[@johnbryant327]

I have learnt a lot from your video. Thanks very muh. How can I get your giveawat pages. I think they are brilliant. By the way i live in Gozo one of the islands in the Maltese Islands

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, John. Thank you for touching base and getting in touch. Gozo? I must look that up. 😺Here is the link to my free scans. The flowers are on the third row. bookandpaperarts.com/free-scans/ I also have scans for sale on Etsy if you care to have a look: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandPaperArts I hope you have a creative weekend! Kelly

[@robinburdette7201]

A stock pot with canned goods inside of it is an excellent “weight” and usually big enough to cover most books!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Robin, you are so right. When I visit my sister in Alabama I use her cast iron skillet with some beans and rice sacks on top. Be resourceful! 😎😁

[@honestly8015]

Kelly, question one: and this might be answered later in the video, but if I wait until the end I will forget. When using the matte or gel medium do you glue a number of pages before closing the book and weighting it? Such as 5 five sheet sections? Hope that made sense to you. I have a heat press, which I can use without heat to provide the pressure. Thought I'd love to have a real bookpress, too. DIane

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Diane, I do glue several pages together with the gel medium. It depends on the weight of the paper and the "feel" of the binding and spine but as a general rule it is four to six pages glued together to make a sturdier "page" for working on. Here is another video about preparing your book that might help. Happy making! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8

[@marionblake8491]

I would be grateful for the botanical free download please. Marion

[@BookandPaperArts]

Yes indeed. Just sent an email with links, Marion. 🌷🌼🌻

[@sandracarter2493]

Everything here is beautiful. Inspired to start my own altered book. Could I also have your link please. I’m in Australia & have just discovered journals and love the creative & learning process

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@sandracarter2493 Hi, Sandra. Thank you so much and well done on starting making altered books! The link to my newsletter is in the text below the video and in the About box on my channel or you can go here: bookandpaperarts.com/

[@BonesAndButtons]

Aha! That's what I needed to know! I've been suffering from wrinkly pages! Good glue is hard to come by, in this country, so I have to use paint. Last thing I would have thought of is to ADD water. One question: You dont rip out pages to avoid the book getting chunky? I'm a beginner. A total newby. (But already totally addicted!) BTW, may I suggest a piece of wood and a kettle wieght would make a good book press...?)

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello R.J. What country are you? You can look online and search for a recipe for homemade book glue. For centuries it was made this way and it is not difficult. You could always try it as an alternative to paint if you like. Here is a link to a video I made about preparing your books. Short answer is I tend to work with thinner books in the first place so I have less tearing out to do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8 and in this video I show how to make pockets while preparing your book.: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6ScmpVjmK5ne6s I have a ton of videos showing how to layout pages, so welcome! I also have an online newsletter with lots of good stuff, if you would like to subscribe: bookandpaperarts.com/ Have a creative weekend! Kelly

[@BonesAndButtons]

@@BookandPaperArts Hello, Kelly! Thank you for taking the time to reply. Appreciate that. Ah, autocorrect must have changed PVA to paint. I'm in New Zealand. Thanks for the links to your other videos👍🏼 And I'm very interested in the DIY book glue. Thank you! 🙂Rebekah.

[@rgporter1957]

Kelly, I'm having trouble receiving your newsletter. I've subscribed a few tunes to no avail. Any suggestions? Are the items you include in your newsletter also on your website? I'm going over your older videos and this set of botanicals you showed us really caught my eye. And last question, you may have talked about this before but my memory is lacking. I think it's more recall, but whatever! Anyway, as you glue several pages of your books together, do you also remove pages? And if so, how many? Some people will remove every sixth or eighth one; some actually have a formula based on the number of pages in the book. Thank you for this and all other videos. I always learn something in every one. 💗

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hiya. Robyn, I discontinued the newsletter. After two years of monthly posting (and expense, both financial and time-wise) it just wasn't thriving. A lot of the posts that were in it during that time are on my site under Blog. There are some flower scans both for sale on Etsy AND others for free on my site under Free Scans. I do remove pages but my first rule for choosing a book to alter is to choose a thin one in the first place so remove fewer pages and keep the spine healthy. Here are two videos that might help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqvLgKeviK2NpLc

[@BookandPaperArts]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8 Okay, let me know if this helps! Kelly

[@mabel8179]

Thank you. I've been meaning to start a first altered book. I have quite a few heavy old books including encyclopedias for weighing down pages. Could I use Modge Podge instead of liquidex? I've always got some of that.

[@BookandPaperArts]

I have seen very good work with Modge Podge so play around with it. The biggest thing you need in an adhesive is "slip". I find that when I use PVA or something similar, I have to add some water to give it more slip but then it sometimes buckles, depends on the paper. So - play around with samples until you find a technique for you. Happy making!

[@mabel8179]

@@BookandPaperArts Thank you for the tip. I had never known about "slip" until I watched your video. The PVA I have doesn't seem to be that thick so it might not need much water for slip. I am going to start a first altered book this week. The first one will be a learning curve! I will do some pages with Modge Podge and others with PVA and see which works the best. one thing I have found is that Modge Podge is great for sealing cut outs (paper) onto wood and also as a sealant when I have painted it in acrylics. I use gloss and matte.I have been using washing up sponges to smooth the paper down but I do sometimes get a wrinkle or two, but often it works for the art I've made ( when the concept is something old and worn looking ).

[@nancyriege6776]

I’d love to get those scans of botanical images. Can you send me a link? BTW…..you are fantastic!!!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Nancy. What a lovely thing to hear. And here you go! Kelly bookandpaperarts.com/free-wildflower-scans/

[@jennifercambridge6837]

Hi, I'm a new subscriber and found you because I was looking for help with my altered book. The book I'm using is very thick and the pages are thin and they are just creasing and looking a mess. Would you say some books are better than others to alter or is it just a case of using the right methods? I'm going to subscribe because your channel looks intriguing. Thank you

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Jennifer. The deal is some books are better than others without a doubt and the ones with thin paper and a nightmare. It is very hard to tell someone the right thing to look for but here is a link to another video that might explain a little about that. I always recommend starting with an inexpensive book and just use it to practice and make mistakes and that is the best way to learn. However, my video this Wednesday will be about mending a broken spine so I am trying to troubleshoot, even though much of it is trial and error. Also, I have a free, monthly online newsletter that explains stuff if you want to subscribe and join me there! Please let me know if you have more questions. Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8

[@jennifercambridge6837]

@@BookandPaperArts thank you so much for replying Kelly and I will look at the other recommended video and continue practicing. I will subscribe too!

[@eileennielsen5165]

So do you use Liqutex acrylic gel medium to glue every single item down, in every project? Doesn't that get too expensive? What about a Composition Notebk.? Should you use the Limited to glue those pgs. together and any item you glue on the pgs.? Also should you put a medium on a page AFTER you paint a partial pg.? Meaning only where you painted. Or is that where Greek comes in? I'm new at this. Have only been using more expensive glue sticks, to glue pgs. together. Thank you.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Eileen. Thanks for touching base. I do use gel medium a lot but that is partly because this is my job and I sell my pieces. A lot of altered book artists use modge podge but I think that it is just PVA mixed with water, basically. So, on the odd times that I do use PVA I put some in a little bowl and add one part water to two parts PVA. This gives the glue more "slip" so you can paint it on more easily - a thin coat to reduce buckling. Have a look at this recent video on preparing a book for altering. If I was doing a composition book I would remove quite a few pages so that it could bulk up AND so that I would straight-up be gluing fewer pages. Let me know if this makes sense or if I can elaborate. Always happy to help troubleshoot. Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ2mkqObd6tkY80

[@cindycarmichael9768]

Thank you for info. But I was wondering, do you tear any pages out? Or are you just gluing all the extra pages together? 👍🤔🐱

[@CatherineSunnysideJournals]

Kelly thank you SO much for this tutorial! Honestly my mouth was hanging open at my screen the first few videos of yours and I'd watch you turn the pages and they were so flat and beautiful. I do have a question: do you remove any book pages during your gluing process in order to reduce making it over-full when you will be adding in more papers and images for your artwork? Many thanks... ~~Catherine

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi, Catherine. I was kind of amazed at how flipping many times people have asked about perfect, flat pages. Who knew? Anyway, I do remove pages and will be making a video about that soon but the short answer is I just choose thin (thinnish) books in the first place which means I removed fewer pages and it is less fiddly and difficult and is easier on the remaining binding. Does that make sense? Thanks for keeping in touch!

[@mabel8179]

@@BookandPaperArts I had seen so many tutorials where they remove pages and I thought it looked fiddly and might mess up the binding and spine, so choosing thinner books with less pages to start with makes more sense to me x

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@mabel8179 Why hello there! Have you seen the new batch of old movies on IPlayer? 😍 Altered books is my favourite thing IN THE WORLD but yes, they are fiddly in the best of times. It is the nature of the (book) beast. For me, taking it down in scale let's me get started and then lets me complete a project within six weeks rather than six years. Or never.😁

[@mabel8179]

@@BookandPaperArts You mean BBC iplayer? Yes I have! Been enjoying them whilst having lunch. the one with Cary Grant where he plays an angel was a hoot! I thought you are American though? Unless you had moved over here? I tend to have a few art works on the go like you, but I haven't done any art for couple of months as I've been busy with a huge home tidy up and sort out, in between being very sleepy due to the short poorly lit days.I bought a 1930s book on London ( with photos in it ) on Ebay yesterday. I have some ideas for a 1930s themed altered book. But it might turn out the book is so good that I won't have the heart to alter it! We'll see. I will read it first anyway! Can't wait for the second hand book shop in town to re open as he always has books on a stand and boxes for 10 pence and 50 pence!

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@mabel8179 I have been a UK citizen since 2011 (thank heaven!) and an old movie fan since I was 11. Bachelor Knight on IPlayer is also hilarious, with Cary Grant and the gorgeous Myrna Loy. And I Remember Mama is one of my favourites- funny, warm, and so well done. I live in Swansea. And you? And yes, I am running out of old books to alter - no car boots AT ALL this year and 2nd hand bookstores closed for most of it. Blergh.

[@kashmira46]

At last I have my grease proof paper!

[@BookandPaperArts]

The secret weapon! Let me know how your pages turn out. 🌸

[@mabel8179]

I always have that in the kitchen as it's great when cooking in roasting trays!

[@lauramarycann9590]

Hi Kelly just revisiting how to altered books. Do you remove pages before gluing 3,4,5 etc pages together. Cheers Laura

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there, Laura Mary. I do tear out one or two pages in the centre of each signature but try not to do much more. Have you seen this video about it? Maybe it will help. Happy Sunday! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8

[@lauramarycann9590]

Yes l forgot about that one l will have a look again cheers

[@mamamode1312]

My Glue choices for available in my area: Elmers School Modge Podge Original Tacky Glue Clear Gel Tacky Glue Quick Dry Tacky Glue Fabric Fusion Fabri-Tac Most are expensive before I spend the money, which is/are the right one(s)?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there. Well, if you are gluing pages for a journal or altered book, I'd say either Modge Podge or Elmer's. Elmer's white glue is actually a PVA and is often used. I like to thin it with a spoon or two of water to give it more "slip" - so that it moves around the page more easily when you brush it over the page. Modge Podge does a decent job but in my opinion you can make a version of your Modge Podge with the PVA (Elmers) and a touch of water. Way cheaper. Let me know how it turns out! Kelly

[@mamamode1312]

@@BookandPaperArts Thank you. I was afraid it would wrinkle my pages like when I was a school girl. I'm an old lady now and want to do glue books, nurture my inner child.

[@Narenstudio]

7

[@shelleycollison8022]

Kelly where do I subscribe to your newsletter?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Shelley, I am sorry to say that the newsletter is no more but thank you for wanting to subscribe. Please stay tuned because in the new year I mean to try a video version of the newsletter on KZbin. Thanks bunches! Kelly

[@kerryhansing1671]

You haven't addressed acid in the past Ers that you use from magazines, old books etc.. How do I protect photos I want to put in an altered book from the acid in those papers, especially the book?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Ah. Well, the thing is, I don't. I just get to work and take my chances. I do get asked about this from time to time, especially if people are working with one-of-a-kind family photos in which case it is safest to make a high-quality copy and use that. But for me, I am happy to be more careless as the older I get the more I realise that even non-archival quality paper and glue will long outlast me. Now to answer your email! Kelly

[@valoriefontaine100]

Can I please get your newsletter link.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why hello Valorie. Here is the link to sign up. You can also find free scans under that tab. Welcome! bookandpaperarts.com/

[@kirbierose2589]

Might be a silly question; but when you say you glue five or six pages together, do you mean that those five pages become one page, or that you do the process with five or six pages to make a few pages?I hope that makes sense. It's hard to word the question 😅

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kirbie, that is a sound question and I think I get it. What I do is take four, five, or six consecutive separate sheets and glue each one to the other so that it makes a section. Then I take the next five-ish sheets and glue those one another for another section and so on for the whole book. This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8 Let me know if I can clarify! Kelly

[@kirbierose2589]

@@BookandPaperArts perfect! Thank you so much 😊

[@patriciarogers3358]

When you glue down 3 or so pages together, can you do lots of the pages at the same time and then weigh them down or do you recommend doing only the 3 + pages at a time?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Good question. The truth is it depends on the book but mostly I only do one section at a time then let it dry before moving onto the next. Sometimes if the books is holding together well I might do two sections but that is the most. It takes longer and it's boring but I found out the hard way that if you do too many sections in one go and then dry the book that the spine wants to "float" or lean too much in one direction and can't be fixed.

[@lmoore2828]

Am I able to still get these botanical sheets?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Yes indeed. Try this link. If there is a glitch just let me know. Thanks for checking in! 🌷🌼🌻Kelly bookandpaperarts.com/free-wildflower-scans/

[@sandyhairston3943]

Sometimes I use a rubber like nail file

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Sandy, this makes sense. I do like finding/making art supplies out of stuff I find in the cosmetics/cooking/gardening section of the shops! Kelly

[@marzanneslabbertbloemfonte2252]

Hi! After gluing the pages, do you then put on the clear gesso on each spread and wait for it to dry before you add collage or how does it work. Also do you glue 5 to 6 spreads together to make for thicker paper but you wait after you have glued each spread and weighed it down? Sorry I'm a little confused and don't want to get it wrong. Much appreciated. I'm a newbie.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Welcome, Marzanne. After gluing the pages I do NOT prime them with gesso but work directly on the paper, but that's just me. Clear gesso would give more "slip" if you were going to be drawing and painting, however. Not sure I understand the question about gluing - I glue a few pages together to make a section and I almost always weight and dry the book section by section. It takes a long (long!) time but for me the result is flatter pages/substrates. Then I move on and glue four or five pages together for the next section, weight, dry, and proceed. Have a link at these links as they may talk more about this and let me know if I can help. 😺😺Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqvLgKeviK2NpLc&pp=gAQBiAQB kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ2mkqObd6tkY80&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@marzanneslabbertbloemfonte2252]

@@BookandPaperArts thank you so so much!! 💓 me comprehendo finally! 😂

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my pleasure!

[@annatronson5927]

May be … a redundant question … do you take some of the signatures out … with sewed in ones?!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello Anna, I do remove pages at the signature but I deliberately choose thin books so I take out fewer. These videos may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqvLgKeviK2NpLc

[@bettymetz3746]

Could you talk about removing pages In altered books, or don’t you?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Betty, the short version is I try to choose thin books in the first place. Then I do remove pages but only about two per signature. Have a look at this and see if it helps. Also, I am doing a video showing preparing a new altered book from in the next two weeks so stay tuned! Kelly

[@magnoliabird]

Hi would it be possible to get a link to your botanicals please ❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there, Deborah. Here is the link and there are more free scans on my website: bookandpaperarts.com/free-wildflower-scans/ Now go get 'em and make some gorgeous stuff! 🌷🌻🌼 Kelly

[@magnoliabird]

@@BookandPaperArts thank you so much ☺️

[@StitchAround]

Hi Kelly, are the botanical digitals still available? Thanks, Stacy

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Stacy, try this. Let me know if it doesn't work but if it does, go get 'em! 🌷🌻🌷🌻🌼🌼Kelly

[@StitchAround]

I found them! Thanks so much. 😊 Looking forward to watching more of your videos! ❤️

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@StitchAround Yippee! I hope you make beautiful pages. Kelly

[@saskiabongers6158]

👍💖👋

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches!

[@dedefitzpatrick4092]

I make collage cards on regular card stock. I use various lightweight papers and my cards curl up, even after being weighted down for long periods of time. Is there something that can help with this?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hmmm. I know exactly what you mean but I am not sure of the remedy. What kind of glue are you using - the more moisture the more curling. Also, I get better results when I let elements dry before I add another layer - it takes forever but is worth it in the long run. Let me know how this goes and I will keep thinking. Kelly

[@dedefitzpatrick4092]

@@BookandPaperArts I use matte medium thinned with water.

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@dedefitzpatrick4092 Ah. Have you tried acrylic gel medium without the added water? That is what I use for all of my work and one of the reasons it is my adhesive of choice is precisely that it has less liquid and so is less likely to buckle and bend. Try brushing the matte medium on straight in a very thin layer, then flattening it with a bone folder or similar over a piece of greaseproof paper (I use parchment paper), then letting it dry under weights, then add next layer in the same way. Keep me posted!

[@dedefitzpatrick4092]

@@BookandPaperArts Yes, that makes a lot of sense! Thank you for your kind response. I am new at collaging and every piece of advice helps!

[@Watchlady196]

What is PVA ??

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there. PVA is a white craft glue. Elmer's school glue, for instance, is a PVA although you can also buy a higher quality one at craft or art supply stores but that's basically it. Happy making!

[@Watchlady196]

Thank you❤️

[@stinkylovescooter]

Is it still possible for me to get email copies of these beautiful prints you offered? ❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Yes, indeed. Send me your email address and I will get them to you! [e-mail]

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kerri Ann, I actually have the link here for you. Let me know if it works! Kelly bookandpaperarts.com/free-wildflower-scans/

[@patriciarogers3358]

Just found you 1

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there and welcome, Patricia. 😺

[@marymcdermed3680]

Do u take pages out of books?I know some people do.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello Mary. I tend to choose very thin books in the first place to cut down on having to tear out pages. I do remove a few and you can see more about that here! Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXapiZpth9Orna8

[@marymcdermed3680]

@@BookandPaperArts Thank you I found your video, very helpful 👍

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@marymcdermed3680 Mary, it is my real pleasure. Just let me if I can help as you get up and running. Kelly

[@marymcdermed3680]

Thanks! Can't do much right now, long story,but I like watching your videos and learning new techniques. 🦋❤️

[@SaintMolotov]

Since I can't get ahold of old encyclopedias, I use a bag of rice.

[@BookandPaperArts]

That is so clever. I may have to borrow that. I have used old cast iron skillets at my sister's!

[@kershy09]

Hi I’m new too this sort of stuff and im wondering if there’s any way I could flatten a page that I’ve already done ? If that’s possible 🥲

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Kershy, I'm going to go with no, don't think so. BUT - how about leaning into it? Maybe you can cover the page with a pretty tissue paper and wrinkle it as it goes on, for a deliberate, messy finish you can then paint or glue on. That kind of masks the imperfection by emphasising it! (I do this a lot.) So be resourceful and see if you can find a way to just have fun with it anyway. Keep me posted! Kelly

[@StitchAround]

And remember, it’s all about the journey, not the destination! Embrace and enjoy where you are in your journey, focus on what parts you like and enjoyed doing, not always what you don’t like. ❤ 😊

[@pattipostcard8489]

Thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why Patti, it is a pleasure. Thanks for stopping by!

[@barbararivera2380]

Thank you