New Chapter - New Cover

Starting a New Chapter with a New Cover
A Nancyfangles Whimsical Creation

The Beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start a journal, an Art journal, or a vision book. As we begin a new chapter in our lives, so too, can we create a special book, (or books) to help us keep our thoughts, dreams, goals, plans and ideas, and/or even our resolutions.
But why use a ho-hum, run of the mill notebook from a big box store, when you can create the perfect book from a used or even discarded book that may be otherwise headed to the trash bin? I chose to transform these books, found at a thrift store for just .50 cents each, into books that look as though they could have been taken right off of your Grandparent's bookshelf.  Here’s how I did it!

Supplies:

An old Hardcover book
A package of paper clay
A clay mold
Corn starch
Paint and a brush
Dark wax (or a watered down dark paint or stain)
Decorative napkins or paper and/or rub on transfers
A piece of sand paper
Distress ink (or a watered down dark paint or stain)
Metal corners and medallions (jewelry findings)
Wood glue, Modpodge and E6000


What to Do…
Start by cleaning the book covers to remove any surface dust or dirt.
Paint the book in the color of your choice.
(I chose not to paint the cover with the flowers as I liked it as is, but I did follow the rest of the steps.)
*Be sure to paint the exposed inside edges of the cover to match.
Allow the paint to dry.
Lightly dust the mold with a light covering of cornstarch.
Press the air dry clay into your molds, remove and carefully glue them onto the book bindings using the wood glue. Allow to dry.
Glue on any metal embellishments with E6000. I used a corner on one book and a round medallion on the binding of another.
Separate the decorative napkins into one layer and rip it into the shape you like.
*A ripped edge looks more naturally worn than a cut edge.
Carefully glue the ripped napkin or paper onto the book cover with Modpodge and allow to dry.
Once dry, gently and carefully sand over the picture. You want to age it, but not sand it off...
Sand the edges and corners of the book as well to give it an aged affect.
Once dry, paint the mold if desired and allow to dry.
Apply a dark wax or watered down paint or stain to the dry mold and carefully wipe it back off. This will make the detail of the nooks and crannies really pop!
Apply the same around the edges of the book and around the edges of your pictures where they would normally get the most wear.
Carefully apply a light coat of distress ink over your picture to give it an aged affect. You can do this using a makeup sponge, or a soft cloth to wipe it on.
Fill your book with art, dreams, ideas or special memories…
*Would you like some instructions on how to turn the pages into masterpieces? Contact me on my Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/HandmadeinEllijay and let me know…