C is for Circus

For the next month, a local art studio, Main and Vine, is displaying altered books. My book is among the pieces on display. We each had a book from a very old encyclopedia to work with. I chose "C" so I could create a circus theme.

I started by making a shadowbook. I used the circus pages from the encyclopedia to cover the background and also on the back of the book.  I used images from an old circus art book, along with vintage circus photos to create the scene inside.

I bought the colorful striped fabric at an estate sale several years ago, but I never had a use for it until now!

The tight rope walkers are my favorite part.

I added ruffled crepe paper and glittered paper flags to complete my "big top" tent.
  

Beach Baby Shadowbook

I will be teaching this project at The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, TX, on July 14 at 12:30.

Cost is $45. Bring your own photo to personalize the project. Call the store to sign up. Visit their website for the list of class supplies needed. I hope to see you there!

Beach Baby

This project is the inspiration for the next class I'm teaching at The Crafty Scrapper (details coming soon).

I created this "shadowbook" using an old book, beautiful Bo Bunny papers, and beach embellishments.

I used an image of my niece frolicking in the sand.
 

I have another beach vacation with her very soon, and we can't wait!
 

Handmade Book

I started making this book months ago. I needed something to work on at crops when I didn't have other projects to do, so I made little altered pages. I finally put them all together and made a book to display them.

I used a 7 Gypsies book board for the cover, and embellished with a Crafty Secrets image, old fabric and trim, and Prima flower.

I bound the book using a piece of printed canvas and embellished it with old tatted trim.

As you can see, I made quite a few little pages for the book.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

I used images of birds, old postcards, and pages from a small art book.

I layered the images with old paper, journaling spots, rub-ons, trim, buttons.

I'm still going back and embellishing some more.



This little book was fun to put together. I don't know if I'll ever consider it "finished," as I'm always finding something else I want to add.

 

The Voodoo Queen

I participated in two swaps for the Wicked Tea event. One was to make a voodoo book inspired by Marie Laveau. I made two books, one to keep and one for my swap partner Jan. I made them as old voodoo books that have been lovingly used for many, many years. Getting a little worn and distressed, but still magical. Here are some pics of the books.

Every voodoo queen needs a bit of widow's veil and purity candles.

I found some inspiring images and then made up spells, instructions, and ancient myths to go with them. I typed everything on my old typewriter to give it more of a worn feel.

For the pages, I used tracing paper, watercolor paper, and drawing paper. I liked the different textures of each. I sprayed, inked, distressed, even burned the pages to give them a well-used feel.

Here is the GORGEOUS book that Jan made for me. Her theme is of Marie Lavaeu writing a book to her daughter, passing along the recipes and needs of her customers. She wrote a beautiful story and included images of the "customers." It is so creative and beautiful. The book itself looks professionally made.

Each page is more beautiful than the next. Every time I go through the book, I see something new. What a talented woman! Thanks, Jan. I will treasure it forever.