Hit The Books At Anything But A Card. . . . . . . . .

It's time for another challenge at Anything But A Card and this fortnight we are asking you to create a project using er. . . . . . . books! 

You could create a project based on your favourite book; alter a book; use book pages on your art; create a mini book or journal; make a bookmark or cover - the list is endless!

If you pop over to Anything But A Card, you can have a look at the wonderful creations made by my team mates. There will be more inspiration from the other half of our team in a weeks time too so don't forget to have a look will you?

So, what have I done this week? Firstly, I used the fab Mr Skinner as my inspiration (well, his art and techniques not him personally you understand! He might take offence if he looks at my project and thinks he was the inspiration!!). I'm afraid I've gone slightly Halloween too - had to follow the Maestro's lead, it would be rude not to. . . .  I did the Skinner 'Book Of Secrets' online course in order to try to improve on some techniques visited in previous workshops. My project today is based on those techniques and one that Andy did as a demo piece.

I've altered a little hard backed book which are reasonably priced and very useful to give as gifts or even use yourself.

As usual, I forgot to take a picture of mine but these books are identical to the one I used.

The book then turned into this:

For some reason the colours were difficult to photograph accurately but you can see them more clearly in other images. Look to the spine of the book and you will see that I chose to add a layer of bookbinding paper to improve the look. Once that was in place, I could add all the other layers and elements. Everything was then coated with gesso.

Thought you might like to see the guitar player in all his glory!

Image of the back view. Lots of shades of DecoArt Traditions were used in various ways to add colour. 

Metal skeleton charm playing a guitar, watch parts, Tando chipboard, sticky backed canvas (under the skeleton & just visible);embossed card and modelling paste were all used on the front cover.

This view shows the work before I tamed down the colours which I felt were a little bright in some places.

The modelling paste was used through a stencil, over the top of the canvas. The watch parts and chipboard shapes were pushed into the paste before it dried.

Gradually building up the paint layers on the back of the book. Lots of layers of embossed card too.

Once covered in the book binding paper, the spine was treated to some 'studs' and lots of layers of DecoArt Traditions paints. 

This project was great fun and combined with Andy's ideas on his online course, I feel I have improved certain techniques - wish I could tell you about them but it wouldn't be fair to Mr S if I did that, would it? Want to learn more about online workshops with Andy? Just click on his blog HERE and feast your eyes!

Ok, that's my offering for today. What are you going to make for this challenge?? Remember to check the rules to make sure your entry is a valid one - it's such a shame, isn't it, when people put in lots of effort but the project doesn't come close to what the challenge is asking for? Please make you that's not you won't you?!

Thanks for looking and I hope you like my little book which is a vast improvement on the original. It's up to you know. Can't wait to see what you come up this! Off you go to Anything But A Card and see what the other ladies have come up with.