Thursday, March 6, 2014

ePlay Challenge - Alter a Book!

http://eclecticpaperie.blogspot.com/


Welcome to eclectic Paperie’s ePlay Challenge – Push Your Boundaries!  We’re altering our challenges in 2014, creating one, month-long challenge, increasing the prize drawing, holding a design team blog hop, and including a product discount with each new challenge!  Check out the details below:
 
·         We’ve combined our two challenges into one, announced on the first Thursday of each month.  This gives the design team more flexibility with challenge topics and projects and allows you more time to enter! 
·         We’ll also feature a product each month, and during the first day of the challenge, you’ll receive a discount on the featured product….be sure to check for the special code! 
·         Our prize drawing is increasing from $15.00 to a $25.00 gift certificate and the winner of each challenge will be announced on the last Thursday of each month and will be featured on the eP blog. 
·         Each month we’ll hold a blog hop featuring the beautiful artwork from our design team…just scroll down to the bottom of the post for all of the links!  Talk about inspiration!!
 
Our challenges are about encouraging you to explore your creative journey and inspiring you to step outside of your comfort zone.  When you submit your artwork, share a unique card, scrapbook or journal page, a canvas, home décor project, or anything that you’re excited to share!  We’re looking forward to crafting with you!
 
Today’s special is on Liquitex Gesso and for one day only, you can save 10% on a bottle of gesso…perfect for all of your altered projects!  Simply use code GESSO03 when checking out.
 
This month’s challenge is Altering a Book!!  Hello EPeeps!! I am so excited to be hosting the first official ePlay Challenge here on the Eclectic Paperie blog!

 I just love altering books and for this project I used an old children's book.  (I think my husband would love it if I never bought another old book ... I could probably go at least a year without having to buy a new one to alter!!)

I started out with Gesso and just brushed it on as a surface primer!

 Then I wanted texture so I put a stencil into the wet gesso and added more gesso into the stencil.  The gesso is thick enough to stand out and create texture in the shape of the stencil!
After the gesso layer was dry, I started with some paint and tissue paper.  I actually glued it all down with clear gesso ... loved using the gesso this way! I also used the gesso to glue down the Authentique Abroad paper (love it!) and also stamped a little!

And I was having so much fun and my fingers were so covered in gesso that I didn't take any pictures, sorry! But here is the finished cover, I just love the way it turned out!

The colors of the back were too bright .  So I mixed water and regular gesso to make a white-wash to cover the color!  Best trick ever to dull down any overly colorful paper or paint!

 


Voila, the outside is done!  I tried to create a little video for you all to see how I use gesso to get the pages ready! Enjoy the video (it is the first one I have ever made, but I have watched hundreds, so go easy on me!)

 I hope you all play along and alter a book with me this month! I can't wait to see how you alter your book!

Just add your link to the second linky thingy below.
(under the blog hop linky)





14 comments:

  1. Karen, your video is just FANTASTIC with lots of Great tips! LOVE how you altered your journal cover - the papers you used and the tag on the back! The sentiment is so true! THX for such a FUN Challenge this month!

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  2. WOW, this is SUPER cool, I may have to delve into something like this!!!

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  3. I would never have guessed it was your first video - well done, great tips and love your altered journal too!

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  4. Absolutely LOVE your journal!!!! Awesome job!!!

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  5. Fabulous work on the journal ! A great start to the new challenge format. Now I'm going to watch your vid ! Xx

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  6. Karen, that cannot be your first video..... it was flawless (no stammering like I do) Great video! Love your altered book..... they are sooooo much fun and love how you made sure to point out that gesso acts like a glue and can be used a white wash!!!! Yes, gesso is my favorite art tool. Great Travel journal!!!!

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  7. Great job on the video! You have totally inspired me to participate in this month's challenge...you make it look so easy and fun!

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  8. Stunning work Karen, thanks for the challenge!!!
    Big hugs
    Tracy
    xoxox

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  9. Fantastic Karen, and I loved your video ! Sue C x

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  10. I've never seen this done! I'm in love!! Question-do you leave the book open to dry before doing another page? I noticed when you turned the pages you glued together they looked a little warped-after they dry do they turn better or should I expect a little warping? Don't want to freak out that I did something wrong!! I'm doing this TODAY!

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  11. Hey Karen - Sometimes I have the patience to leave it open and wait. But most of the time I use my little ranger dryer to dry up the gesso. Once they are mostly dry, you can put wax paper between the pages to keep them separated so they don't stick together! After they dry they usually aren't warped at all!

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  12. Hi guys, I've been working on my book for a week and just came to enter in the get altered challenge and it says the linky list is closed? I thought we had until the end of the month? Thank for any help!
    Sarah

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  13. Sarah - look for the link again - it is up and running!! I can't wait to see your book!!

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  14. Wow Karen, love your altered book and I'm so excited about this challenge. :) Terrific video too btw!!

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