Craft Project - grace grits and gardening

How to Make an Altered Book (part two)

February 1, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 6 Comments

Grace Grits and Gardening - Altered Book How To

Grace Grits and Gardening – Altered Book Project

I started working on an altered book several months ago. You can read about it HERE. Since then, I work on it sporadically, often clipping out pictures or jotting down ideas for future pages. Sometimes I actually sit down with my Mod Podge and work for hours. Time has a way of disappearing when I work on my altered book…

I thought I’d let you see a few of my latest pages.

I made two pages from the Christmas cards I received. I love love love the holidays and wanted to have a section in my book devoted to Christmas.

For the next page (below) I cut Christmas cards into circles. As you can see I did it freehanded. The edges aren’t neat and perfect. They don’t need to be. I like the idea of having my cute neighbor kids’ faces in my book.

Below is my “Me” page (front and back). I’m still working on this one. Or maybe it’s finished. I’m not sure.

I also added a calendar insert to my altered book to make it practical as well as inspirational. This year I am planning out my blog posts and other writing three months in advance. As you can see, I change my mind a lot, but I do feel more organized.

I’m working on a few other pages in the garden and kitchen sections of my altered book, but I’ll show you those later.

Grace Grits and Gardening

P.S. I have an Altered Book board on Pinterest. Take a look at the possibilities.

“I dream my painting and I paint my dream.”
― Vincent van Gogh

How to Make a Paperback Book Angel

November 30, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 27 Comments

If you can fold a piece of paper, you can make this paperback book angel.

Book angels, typically made from hymnals, have been around a long time. Since I didn’t have a hymnal, I used a paperback book.

Although I’m not one to destroy books, this Glimmer Train book was the easy choice for me since I received it in the mail as a consolation prize for not winning one of their short story contests. Yep, I just ripped the cover right off and turned it into something more positive (after I read it of course).

Fold page to center. (Initially I folded two pages at a time (as shown in the picture above), but it became quickly apparent this would not work. I started over folding one page at a time.)

Fold the same page to center again.

After the second fold, there will be a triangular piece hanging below the edge of the book. Fold this section under so that the edge is even.

Repeat with 25-30 pages. (The book I used had approximately 150 pages. You will need to adjust the number of pages folded for the base depending upon the length of the book. I recommend folding approximately 2/3 of the book for the base.)

Do the same thing with 25-30 pages on the other side of the spine. This will keep the angel balanced.

The angel will now stand. (If you continue folding the remaining pages, you will have a Christmas tree…)

Once you fold a group of pages on each side of the spine, flip the book upside down and continue folding pages the same way to make wings. Again, fold the same number of pages on each side of the spine.

When there are only about 20 pages remaining, flip the book once more and fold the remainder of the pages to make the back of the angel base. (This part will not be visible from the front when the angel is completed but will help with stability.)

Lightly coat the angel in spray paint. I used a pale blue color.

Decorate wings with glitter paint.

Hot glue embellishments onto the skirt. I used flowers from vintage scrap lace.

Hot glue ornament for head. A pipe cleaner with a bit of glitter makes the perfect halo.

I love the way my book angel turned out. Do you have a favorite Christmas craft?

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

How To: Homemade Lavender Body Scrub

November 21, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 8 Comments

Today I’m blogging about my favorite homemade body scrub at Inspiration Cafe. Quick and easy, this homemade lavender and peppermint body scrub is made with ingredients from my kitchen and garden and makes a great gift. It will keep for weeks without refrigerating.

…not that it will last that long…

CLICK HERE to head over to Inspiration Cafe for the ingredients and step by step instructions.