Everything You Need to Know About Preparing an Altered Book: Altered Book Basics

Preparing an altered book correctly is essential for getting your best results in your layouts. Today I break down how to identify the best book for altering, where to find it, how to tear out pages, and gluing pages together for secure, flat canvasses to create your altered book on. This is a lot of video: consider it a master class in altered book prep.
Here is a link to my altered books playlist here on KZbin with flip throughs and how-tos.
• Altered Books
My online classes are at this link:
kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific...
I sell vintage ephemera boxes. Find out more here:
bookandpaperarts.com/french-e...

[@BookandPaperArts]

Here is a link to my altered books playlist here on KZbin with flip throughs and how-tos. kzbin.info/aero/PLWir7hWgZLNALYvk1FpeLMcK-S0UE2QCc My online classes are at this link: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/collections I sell vintage ephemera boxes. Find out more here: bookandpaperarts.com/french-ephemera-book-arts-boxes/

[@CatherineSunnysideJournals]

I always wait for the gem of a statement from Kelly. "...so you don't glue the whole shebang together" won today! Seriously though, great informative video. Thank you. ~~C.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Catherine. I have done this book-preparing video before but get questions about it week in and week out so thought it might be welcome again. And yes, glue. Why is it when I want a little bit to hold something together, it doesn't, and then I find two huge sections now inseparable because I overlooked the smallest smidgen of the stuff? Glue gremlins?

[@margaretpolly3381]

I've repaired a broken spine by making a hinge with a strip from a tyvek envelope. Tyvek is super strong and can fix a world of sins.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Okay that is a great idea and one I have never tried. Yet. It goes into the pipeline for sure. Thank you, Margaret!

[@ETHANNAH1902]

This was excellent. I feel like I just watched a PBS art show.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Diane. This made me smile as that is pretty much a high goal for me! I appreciate the vote of confidence. 🌼🌻🌷Kelly

[@hazelanakadesign7071]

I love the clear & precise way you explain things in your videos! Thanks, Hazel

[@birdietherecycledhippychic642]

Yes. My feelings also.

[@ediewilson4043]

Just what I needed. I’m about to begin my first book and it really helps to know how to make the right choice before I start. Thank you for sharing.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Edie. So glad to hear this. I spent a long time learning to do this, often by doing it "wrong" and it feels good to help others Skip That Part and having to reinvent the wheel. I hope you like book altering and please let me know if I can help with questions and stuff. Kelly

[@cherewharry]

I attempted to prepare a book that was not a good choice. I still learned a lot and plan to use this as a place to practice. And after gotten my hands gluey, I really appreciate all the advice you have given us. I just watched this for the second time and am ready to go shopping for a better candidate. Your clear and tested instruction is proof you want us to succeed. Thank you, Kelly.

[@amandacreamer05]

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, knowledge and experience with us. This is the second of your videos I’ve watched as I’m interested in learning to alter books. I really appreciate you sharing from your own experiences and work and I love how you share in a kind, sometimes humorous, way that feels full of grace, awareness and filled with deep meaning which I believe we can apply not only to the art of book altering but also to other parts of our lives, experiences, healing journeys and characters-part of the reason I appreciate the practice of book altering and art journaling as well as other interests I have. I love how your wise and gentle character is evident in your videos and heard in your voice, how you share your valuable information and insights with us. Thank you for being an inspiration and providing some peace and calm in my life. I look forward to seeing more of your work and continuing to learn from you through more of your videos.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Dear Amanda, I want to tell you how much this message means to me. While art is my business is it also very much my vocation and as a teacher a lot of what I do is nudge, bribe, nag, pull, and so on so that we can all take a chance and make and not hesitate to shout it from the rooftops that we are creative and creators. I truly believe that as more and more of us do this we will make the world a better (or less bad, at any rate) place. So in a lot of ways it is why I get up in the morning and as such, it means so, so much to me that you get it. Thank you for reaching out and I hope I hear from you again! Wildly, creatively yours, Kelly

[@amandacreamer05]

@@BookandPaperArts 💛💛

[@KriRama]

Just starting the video & im drooling over all these gorgeous covers!!! 😍

[@BookandPaperArts]

I do have quite a stash but again, I always have my open for them. Little by little, it is possible to acquire a pile. Some of these are not going to alter well so I am going to gut them and use them for art journal covers. (Coming in October!)

[@tanjablume6343]

Hi Kelly, I have watched this yesterday, but still wanted to comment because it was another excellent video on "how to altered books" which had some extra valuable info in it🙏 While watching, I realised that my first altered book which I started last winter and have picked up again now, winter again here, has some of the issues you talking about, like a sort of step up from one page to the other, it doesn't lay completely flat. I have used teabags, in almost every signature where I could see issues arising 😬, but I want to keep on going with it, since it's the first book. It's bright yellow from the 1950, I love the name of the writer "Storm Jameson" and the title "The Hidden River", like deep waters, very emotional, in a good way. I actually did the cover image first, it's a duck taking off , landscape below,sky above , and the yellow beak works so well with the yellow book cover🦆 So, I am going to persevere and work with what I've got🙂

[@BookandPaperArts]

So here's the deal. If you care about a piece it is not a mistake to carry on. In fact it would be kind of wrong to abandon it. But - you probably have to accept that it is going to be imperfect and if you do then you are going to enjoy working in it a lot more. So what if it doesn't lie flat? It's your book, lean into it. I have done this a couple of times and while I wasn't able to sell the books in the end, I could enjoy keeping them for myself and learning from the whole process. Tea bags rock! Kelly

[@tanjablume6343]

@@BookandPaperArts Thanks Kelly, I loved reading your response. I am totally ok with imperfect, and like you said, I will learn a lot working in it. I also felt , that it being imperfect so to speak from the beginning gives me more freedom to play and not get uptight about " getting it wrong" 🌻

[@CreativeCrisis-Art]

Very clear explanation! And I love the respect you have for old books.

[@lynnboyd33]

Thank you as always, Ms. Kelly. Just love all of your knowledge and info you share with us. Not to mention, this one was especially nice and long! Over the years, I've made possibly a dozen books, and yet, some of your info was new to me. Kelly, you are amazing, so clever and always full of interesting tid bits. Thanks again my friend, and happy creating!

[@theresapalmer7892]

Great lesson on choosing your book and why. TY

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Theresa. It is exactly what I needed to know about 17 books ago and learned by doing it wrong. Passing it forward makes that time spent feel well worth it. 😺😺

[@judystadler9419]

Absolutely wonderful tutorial, Kelly - so clear and thorough. I have tried altering a books before and now I see why it didn't turn out well. I will try again now that you have provided such good instruction. Thank you!

[@barrylytle5118]

Excellent video! Great inspiration and tutorial. Thank you for sharing! 💙🍄💙

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Barry!

[@JunkIsMyJam]

So incredibly informative. Thank you!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you for touching base, Heather. I do appreciate it. 🌷🌻🌼Kelly

[@traceydesilva4623]

This was a great video. I’m just starting out and I already know u want to do an altered book. This was very helpful!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@lericamims]

Thank you for the beautiful tutorials and the prompts on your website. I appreciate you very much!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Leonora. This is truly nice to hear and it makes me happy. Happy making! Kelly

[@katiemaguire8892]

Thank you Kelly for another wonderful video.i love youre channel and I have learned so much from you over the year.many many thanks and every blessing you're way.katie dublin

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Katie. It really does mean a lot to me to hear this. I often feel as though my videos and teaching are digital messages in virtual bottles so it is a delight to find out that someone "found" one and it connected. 🦋🌷🌻Kelly in Swansea

[@glendapaul8040]

Thanks that was very informative and funily I am wishing I had seen this before I started my first book as I have encounted several of the issues you mentioned. now I know what to look for in a book. much appreciated :)

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Glenda. Thanks for touching base as you are exactly who I made this for! I learned about making altered books the better way by doing it the wrong way for a long time. I just wanted to save someone else the trouble of reinventing the wheel. Happy making! Kelly

[@jandt2344]

This is great! I am going around my house looking for nice thin books. Can't wait to start gluing. Thanks for all the good tips.

[@BookandPaperArts]

This is just what I wanted to hear! Now go make some gorgeous pages and keep me posted. 🦋🦋Kelly

[@cherylmacedo5521]

You are definitely “The Book Whisperer” Kelly 🤍🤍🤍

[@BookandPaperArts]

Golly, thank you. I am already wondering how that would look on a business card. Or T-shirt!

[@MissDaisyParsley]

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Susan. It is my very real pleasure. Sometimes you have to learn the boring stuff to get to make the fun stuff! 😺😺

[@donnaattwell9325]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my real pleasure, Donna, and somehow it helps me rationalise all of the time I spent learning by doing it "wrong" and then coming up with a process that works (mostly).

[@mikaela4912]

Great tutorial! Concise and informative! Thank you

[@BookandPaperArts]

I'm so glad it helped, Mikaela. Thanks for touching base and keep me posted on how your books turn out.

[@a.r.3476]

Thank you. I really like your approach to this.

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my real pleasure. And thank you for touching base and your vote of confidence! Kelly

[@TimelessTreasuresByV]

I have been searching and watching so many tutorials on altered books, and your's just explains it so clearly. Thank you for that. The only thing I do differently, is that I don't tear from the middle of the signature, but rather the opposing pages deeper into the signature - if that makes sense. It's just personal preference, as I feel that tearing at the stitching might weaken the book. Your tutorials are amazing!!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks for comparing notes. I have done this way of tearing and gluing as well. Sometimes I just let the book talk to me and tell me where to start and stop (I bet you know what I mean😉) but it is kind of hard to use that as a base for teaching, especially trying to reach beginners who are already nervous as all get out tearing out pages in the first place. 😺Kelly

[@katzenfrau]

every other video I've seen says to always use glued spines. i've taken sewn signature pages out of old journals, and they still stay together just fine since the outside signature pages are glued together, so I'm glad i found your video before i got started on my first altered book! I'll be thrifting for an old sewn book tomorrow!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello Miss Kitty! Well, maybe there is a technique for working in glued spines but I can't visualise it myself. Still, be sure and try it if you like the lesson/tutorial. Goodness knows I have so much to learn. But do try the sewn bindings, too, and keep me posted on how that goes and what kind of pages you make. 🌷🌻🌼Kelly

[@katzenfrau]

@@BookandPaperArts that technique usually involves gluing the two pages together that are on either side of the torn out pages, so that's probably why it could also work that way too. either way, trial and error, right? I'm excited to try them both!

[@JuanettesCraftingCorner]

Thanks so much for such great information.

[@pamela8873]

So thorough. I've done a few books and have bumped up against the concerns you've outlined here. Now I know how to improve my chances to prep a better book/substrate, which of course can make or break the end product. Thanks.

[@Blodynwen]

Wonderful video Kelly. I admire your creativity. I have so many old books that I'll never read. This might be a good use for them!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Bethan. Thanks for touching base. It really does depend on the book. Some lend themselves structurally to altering better than others. But so many of the books that I alter were bound for the bin or to be pulped so I love giving them new lives. Let me know how it goes. Kelly

[@janett1125]

You are an inspiration Kelly. Thank you for such concise instructions.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Janet. That really does mean a lot to me to hear.🌼🌼🌻🌻🌷🌷Kelly

[@janett1125]

Kelly, is there a reason you don’t use or recommend spray adhesive? Thanks

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@janett1125 Hi Janet. Well, there are often some crazy potentially dangerous chemicals in there. Also, it is hard to guide and make sure it really gets onto the edges thoroughly and in my own experience the seal doesn't hold all that long. But that's just me!

[@janett1125]

@@BookandPaperArts Thank you got such a quick response! I’m a new subscriber and am presently going through all your videos. Again, thanks.

[@alexandraalmeida3661]

I never altered a book, because I think it’s not quite my style when working with books, however, I’ve already felt tempted and I have secondhand books that are perfect for that, according do your video. You explained it very well, and, who knows, perhaps one day I’ll give it a try. Meanwhile, I love to see your videos on altered books 💚💙❤️🧡💛💜💗🖤♥️

[@karenpuschmann4157]

Thank you. Your tutorial answered so many of my questions. Off to create....

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks for touching base, Karen. I knew this one was going to be talk-heavy rather than sexy, vintage paper collage images-heavy but teaching this part of book altering is all about practical stuff that has to be done to get to the fun part. Hope you are having a creative weekend!

[@karenpuschmann4157]

@Book and Paper Arts you do a great job and your inspiration is contagious really enjoy watching you

[@melissaduncan9988]

Super! Thanks!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Melissa. 🌷🌷🌻🌻🌼🌼

[@girleddy]

Thanks so much for all of your great videos!! Your stick thingy is a putty knife. 😊

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you! It's about time someone set me right. I have them in different sizes, too. They are so handy but it is unlikely they will ever see putty on my watch. 😉😉Kelly

[@girleddy]

Well...texture paste is pretty much the same thing as putty. In fact, I have used dry wall joint compound...I think it's also called spackling, with stencils. Anyway, it's about $5 for 32 oz. But you have to paint it or gesso it or it will dissolve. But it's good to learn with when doing this as a fun time. Love your channel! I have learned a lot from you. Also, I tried to comment on an old post on your blog about Raintree Country but it didn't take, probably something on my end though.

[@mariseblanche5943]

J'ai appris beaucoup quant au choix des livres et la séparation des pages. Votre cours est vraiment très intéressant. Je vous en remercie ! Belle journée. Marise I learned a lot about the choice of books and the separation of pages. Your course is really very interesting. Thank you! I used a translator for this comment. Beautiful day

[@BookandPaperArts]

Merci et bienvenue, Marise. J'aime bien les "altered books" (les livres deranges?) et enseigner aussi. Je vais avoir un nouveau video jeudi. A bientot ! Kelly

[@paulainaustria9180]

Sitting here, tearing out pages, I just can't see any parent in our childhood could appreciate what we are doing today. You might have to become an adult to enjoy this sort of freedom.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Paula. Oh you are so right. From time to time I get yelled at here on KZbin and in my studio for "destroying" books. I believe I am giving unwanted books new life and a chance to be cherished. Also, being an adult and being able to get away with stuff is great! Kelly

[@samcollage7682]

It is appalling how many books end up in dumpsters at places like Half-Price Books. I know because I've taken books out of their dumpster.

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@samcollage7682 Amen to this. Sooo many of the books I alter were bound for pulping. (And well done you!😺😺

[@samcollage7682]

The edges of the pages will be flush if the cover side of the book is used to press the glued pages together, instead of the putty knife. The knife, or even an old credit card, or bonefolder, can then be used to press the air out an make everything flat. This way the integrity of the structue is maintained.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Susan. I am preparing a new altered book and will give this a try. Goodness knows keeping the spine alive and well is often a challenge!

[@xXswtXx]

Here in the states, that’s called a “puddy knife” used to float caulk, or sheet rock mud that blends the dry tape wallfishers use to make sheet rock seem seamless.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks for this! Now I can stop calling it that flat-knife-spreader-thingie. 😊

[@xXswtXx]

@@BookandPaperArts you are very welcome. Thank you so much for the understandings n great info for those of us who are starting our new journey. The info truly is priceless

[@samcollage7682]

Putty knife.

[@IamRosebud2]

Greetings! Very helpful video. How many pages are you gluing together? I can’t wait to use this process. 🌸

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there. It VERY much depends on the spine of the book and weight of the paper but as a rule I glue five to seven pages. These videos might help! Keep me posted on how it goes. Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqvLgKeviK2NpLc&pp=gAQBiAQB kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2azZ56tYqimlZI&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@denisebrown4933]

Thanks for this video. My question is, what if the threads are breaking as I pull out pages?

[@ConnyLehmann]

I really like these videos. I have several old books in which I have removed the pages as you show. Now I have the problem that the pages of 2 books are coming off the back. It looks like the book locker is going to break. Would you have any advice for me? KInd regards Conny

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Conny. Well, it is hard to diagnose at a distance but I can say that each book is different and even after doing this for many years I have about one out of three fall apart on me. Perhaps you could try - take a thin but pliable paper (mulberry or rice paper or even tea bags or other thinnish paper from another book) and fold in half. (It doesn't have to cover the whole page so much as the crease where the binding/spine is.) Glue half to one page and half to the other so that you are kind of creating a new spine/binding in the crease of the two pages that are coming apart. If that doesn't work, the last ditch idea is to take out all of the pages and bind blank papers into the book for a fun, handmade blank book. Good luck! And here is another video that might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqvLgKeviK2NpLc&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@ConnyLehmann]

@@BookandPaperArtsThank you so much

[@prayas1673]

I about fainted when I saw that she lets her brushes sit in water!

[@gabrieljacobs2]

I couldn't help noticing that the glued-binding book you showed was a copy of Kelly Boler, A Drinking Companion (!)

[@BookandPaperArts]

Well, you should know!

[@gabrieljacobs2]

Pity your publisher didn't use sewn binding because it would have made a pretty unique altered book.

[@cherylmacedo5521]

Maybe I do have a cinder block….😉

[@BookandPaperArts]

My experience has been that once you have one, you find tons of ways to use them.

[@donnaattwell9325]

Does the title of the book affect the images you use?

[@traceyannsmith123]

I have found that-when gluing pages together-if I work from the last page to the front page, I get less of the shifting. At least that is true for the first half of pages. The second half seems to work better if I glue from front to back.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Tracy Ann, well called. I also work from side to side, switching sides in the middle of the book to cut down on the sliding. Thanks for adding this! Kelly

[@nightowl5395]

@tracyannsmith Thanks for that tip....I can see how that would be the best thing to do (I have been sticking down just from 'front to back' ... 🙄 and will try this next time 👍)

[@gracielaricci9504]

Los libros tienen que ser de tapa dura indefectiblemente?

[@daisy3690]

[@Guammaine]

You're a very good teacher.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you. This is truly, really nice to hear. This message means a lot to me. 🌻🌼🌷Kelly