Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Wicked Halloween Altered Book


Hi everyone! Today I'm sharing a spooky Halloween project that I hope puts you in the mood for fall - I know it has for me! When I saw Tim Holtz's new idea-ology release, my first thought was to make an altered book...something that looked like an old witch's spell book. I headed to the thrift store, found the perfect book to transform, and started playing.

Follow along to see how to make one of your own!

Open your book to the center (my book measures about 5.5" x 7"). Use the Gothic Gate die and the Found Relative cutout to gauge where your opening should be. Mark the corners.

Use a sharp Xacto or razor knife and a straight edge to cut your opening. Be very careful when doing this! Make shallow cuts and remove a small amount at a time, creating an opening about 1/2" deep.

Next, glue the pages of the book together, trying to focus on only adhering the center of the pages. We'll be tucking ephemera into the edges, so you need a bit of room for that. Adhere the ledger design paper from the Materialize Paper Stash to both pages, cutting out the niche on the right hand side. Add patterned paper to the inside of the niche, and cover the edges with Materialize Design Tape. Sand and ink the edges to give a worn appearance. Add Remnant Rubs as shown and use a black Distress Crayon to darken the edges.

Die cut the word 'wicked' and bats using black Kraft Core'dinations paper. Die cut the Gothic Gate from black cardstock and emboss with silver embossing powder. When cool, sand lightly to dull the finish, then rub black Distress Crayon randomly on the gate to give an aged appearance.

Time to decorate!! Apply Remnant Rubs to a ticket from the Curiosities Ephemera pack and adhere to back of niche. Unwind a piece of orange and black jute string and use the black piece to tie two Boneyard Bones together. Adhere them to the bottom of the tag. To create the witch's hat, apply a hat Remnant Rub to a scrap of kraft cardstock and trim closely. Adhere the Found Relative woman to the niche and attach the hat. Glue the fence into place as shown. Use a strong adhesive like Beacon Quick Grip to adhere the broom and pumpkins. Tip! If you gently press the surface of the pumpkins, you'll get a cool crackle effect.

Wrap a length of orange and black jute string around the center of the book. Tie a knot around the chain of a Swivel Clasp. Attach key, cameo, spider, and token with jump rings.

To finish the left side, layer your die cut strip to a slightly wider strip of orange glitter Deco Sheet. Add a spider Remnant Rub to the center of the 'D'. Adhere strip to book as shown.

Finish the book by adding pieces of ephemera between the pages, tearing them to fit if necessary.

I've wanted to do an altered Halloween book for ages and I'm so in love with how it turned out! I can't wait until it gets closer to Halloween so I can display it. Is this week close enough? ;-)

You can find all the supplies I used at Simon Says Stamp via the links below.



Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy my tutorial and are inspired to make a witchy altered book of your own!

26 comments:

  1. Gorgeous Shelly, love the aged feel and the niche you incorporated . Tracy x

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  2. Stunning... I need to head to the thrift shop! I have always wanted to make one. WOW!

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  3. THUD! This is insane! Can't stop drinking in the details. I love the spider in the "d" - you think of everything!

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  4. LOVE this so much, Shelly! Amazing. Now I wanna try one...

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  5. this is wonderfully done; I'm ever so inspired (still ogling those little details) and eagerly anticipate more Halloween wickedness. I say display now - it's never too early! Vicki

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  6. WOW! This is such an awesome idea! Your attention to all the tiny details makes it so special! It is definitely worthy of instant display!

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  7. Such a cool decor piece. Um, ya, next week is perfect for putting it on display! Ha. Love all the ephemera tucked into the pages. I can see one of these for every season or holiday. Fun stuff Shelly!

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  8. I did the same thing when I saw that Gothic Gate die. Your details are absolutely spookily incredible.

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  9. Great alterations to the book Shelly, love how you tucked in all the ephemera xxx

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  10. Shelly,
    Oh how this brings me to "back in the day" when I used to alter books to "hide" things. AND, that old shorthand book, I would love one! Will have to check out my local recycling store.
    Halloween is my most favorite Holiday. Always enjoy your work.
    Pat

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  11. Fabulous altered book Shelly - I want that gate die now !!

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  12. Amazing! I have to make this!

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  13. Wow! I love it, you are always so creative.

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  14. What an awesome tutorial, and an awesome project. Pinned!

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  15. I finally got over to check out all the amazing details! WOW! It's so gorgeous, I love the re-purposed thrift store book. The transformation is incredible. Thanks for sharing the how to. Love Love Love <3

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  16. I posted a photo of my tribute to your work on FB, hope you like it! Brenda

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  17. Love love love this book!! Everything about it, I love, the detail, everything! This project is timeless.

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  18. Beautiful! Gives me inspiration to try altering a book. Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!