When I first discovered Altered Art, I was so excited as it brings me into another level of creativity. Altered Art means changing an ordinary object into a creative piece of art. I supposed I had done a lot of Altered Art before, not knowing that there is a term for it. And of course, I was equally ignorant about archival-quality papers, adhesives and other materials used. These days, with the popularity of scrapbooking, we are just spoilt for choices for all these materials available in craftstore. With all these acid-free paper, materials, acid-neutralising spray; we can preserve cherished memories to share with the future generations; well, at least to slow down the aging process.
There are many different techniques to express your creativity . You can use painting, doodling, stamping, needlework, college, faux finishing, inking; practically anything that can turn your work into your own personalised creations! There is no necessity to follow others' style. In the following ideas page, I will feature some of my works. I hope that you can send in your creations to share with us.
Paper trimmer
Paper puncher
Acrylic paints
Copies of photos
Mod Podge
Glue tapes, glue dots, doubled sided tapes
Rings
Ribbons
Cardstock
Embellishments
Ink pads and stamps
Scissors
Craft knife
Mat
Pattern Paper
Brush
Mini Album
Supplies
2 pieces of 6.5" x 6.5 " chipboard (use craft knife, metal ruler and mat to cut to size) 4 pieces of 6" x 6" chipboard Acrylic paint - DecoArt Eggshell Assortment of ribbons Infuse sugar alphabet stickers Clear Expressions from artistic expression 4 pieces of coordinated pattern paper Cloud 9 Laughter Clear Stamps Autumn Leaves Clear stamps StazOn - Jet Black, Saddle Brown Cardstock Lino roller Distress ink-Brushed corduroy
Steps
Basecoat cover page, front and back of back page and all the edges of the chipboards with Eggshell. Let dry and paint again. Refer to Painting Tips page.
Choose a section of Clear Expressionsfor cover page. Trim to 6.5" x 6.5" using a trimmer
Cut 2 of your pattern papers into 6' x 6' , making 8 pages.
Choose another piece for your front cover, 4.5 x 4.5 and trim. Distress the edges with Brushed Corduroy distress ink.
Trim 3 strps of 1.5" x 4.5" of pattern paper for back cover and distress the edges with Brushed Corduroy
Using Mod Podge, apply on the chipboards a generous layer, working quickly, paste trimmed paper onto the pages. Distress all edges of the pages.
Make sure there are no air bubbles. You can use the roller to straighten the paper, working from centre and pushing glue out of paper. Wipe off the excess glue.
I stamped on the cardstock and trim (with a scissors) about 1/10 in around the edges, called detailed cuttings.
Punch all the holes and attach 2 rings to the pages.
On the front cover, stick letterings 'Come let's'.
On the Clear Expression Cover, stick letterings 'Life', and stamp on top left
corner to balance design.
Attach ribbons to your front and back cover.
(I did not embellish much on the pages, as I prefer the prints of the pattern paper to stand out.)
Just stamp and place embellishments to your liking.
Tie strips of ribbons round the ring.
Hope you enjoy this project! I know I did!
Check out our gallery page, email me if there is any particular project you woulld like to learn. I will try to share with you as soon.
Canvas Book
You need to do this with your children.
What you need
2 pieces of 6.5"x 8.5" chipboard 2 pieces of 7.5" x 9.5" canvas 2 pieces of 6.25" x8.25" canvas 2 pieces of cut- out fabric with kids graphics 2 cut-out felt shapes proxy stickers letterings stickers glittery glue glue dots assortment of colourful ribbons 2 rings craft glue eyelets and eyelet setter(optional) mod podge sponge brush hole puncher acrylic paint- buttermilk.
Steps
Paint all the canvas with buttermilk .
Apply mod podge evenly on chipboard and adhere the bigger canvas over.
Cut the 4 end corners of the canvas at a 45 degree about 1/8" away from the board corners.
Score edges of canvas with a stylus. Glue the edges down to the inside of the book cover.
Attach the smaller canvas on the inside front cover.
Repeat the steps for the back cover.
Use a heavy duty hole puncher, punch 2 holes.
With an eyelet setter, set eyelets on the top of the punched hole, ( over a mat) turn over and firmly strike with a hammer 2 or 3 times till the hole is cut clearly.
Now comes the most interesting steps- decorate- paste the graphics with craft glue.
Decorate with proxy stickers, cut- out shapes, glitter glue and tie ribbons round the rings.
If stickers do not stick too well, apply a coat of varnish over.
Scroll- Container
What you need
mod podge pattern paper, choose a stripped and floral design scroll container assortment of buttons lacy ribbon and silk ribbon cut-out flower 4 brads
Steps
Use a string to measure the diameter of the cylinder.
Cut out the required size for both the top and bottom of container.
Apply mod podge evenly on scroll and paste pattern paper over, making sure that there is no bubbles.
Decorate the cover with buttons.
Decorate the surface with brads , buttons and ribbons.
I bought this scroll for only S$2. You can also customise our own scroll by using recycled kitchen scroll.
Shadow box
What you need
mod podge pattern paper, choose floral design,one with darker print and another with lighter print box 5.5"x 7.75" buttons lacy ribbon and silk flower cut-out owl stamped "love you" acrylic paint- Decoart dusty rose pop dots glue tape acrylic to fit as cover double sided tape
Steps
Paint the inner sides and back of box with dusty rose. Let dry. Refer to tips on painting on wood.
Cut the darker print pattern paper to about 7"x 5" to fit inside of box.
Choose the lighter print, cut strips to fit the 4 sides of box and also another piece 2"x 5".
Apply mod podge, and paste all the pattern paper , one at a time. Wipe off the excess with kitchen towel.
Decorate with silk flowers and owl; raise them with pop dots.
I use my left over letterings for "mum"
The space is for photo.
Cover the box with the fitted acetate, and secure with double sided tape.
Decorate with lace or ribbon of your choose.
Mini Die- cut book
This die-cut watering can is actually a mini wooden die-cut.
Select 4 pattern paper that has small prints.
Trace the outlines of the watering- can over the 4 different print pattern paper. Cut them with a sharp scissors.
Apply a thin layer of mod podge, and paste the pattern paper (which you chose as front cover ) over the mini wooden die-cut.
Apply glue tape on the " handle " of the watering can and paste the 2nd page over. Do the same for page 3 and 4.
Embellish with prima flowers, mini buttons and eproxy. Tie the " handle " with assortment of ribbons.
I clipped a tiny felt birdie on the inside pages.