Front cover of altered art book.
Working on this craft helped take my mind off worrying about George while he was going through chemo and dealing with cancer and all the issues that go along with it.
I played music, too. I highly recommend art therapy (in whatever form you prefer) and music therapy. The combination worked wonders in keeping my stress level in check.
This is a unique wedding gift for a special couple. Funky and fun. They loved it.
Mixed media includes:
- photographs
- collages
- scrapbooking paper
- card stock
- dried flowers
- calendar pictures
- ribbon
- beaded trim
- braided ribbon yarn
- braided raffia
- jute/twine
- quotes and sayings printed on parchment paper
- gemstone stickers
- paper embellishments
- plastic bubble stickers
- lace fabric
- tulle
- acrylic paint
- glitter glue
- gel pens
- jewelry pieces
- floral wire
- fabric flowers
- mulberry paper
- children’s board book pages
- decorative tape
- Mod Podge
- decorative paper napkins
- ephemera
This slide show is shorter in case you don’t have time to watch the flip-through video. And if you’re super short on time, there are photos below.
Yes, that’s Ryan Seacrest. This was an amusing game played at the bridal shower. Everyone was given a card and a penny to scratch off the hidden face. One of the cards actually had a photo of the groom, and that player was the winner.
Side view: The altered art book is tied together with ribbons. I threaded floral wire through each page to hold the book together.
First spread: Photo on left is the couple’s first picture taken together. The photos are the right are from a party they attended while they were dating.
This photo also serves as a pocket. Only three edges are glued, so there’s a slit to slide this card into.
This photo is on the other side of the card. They’re dressed as nerds for a costume party. I used a pair of Cutter Bee craft scissors to cut the backgrounds out of some of the photos. I think it gives it a cool effect to glue their images onto a different setting.
The groom when he was a whippersnapper. The photo on the left is also a pocket, and there are more pictures of him tucked inside.
There they are. What a cute kid!
The bride when she was a little girl.
An invitation to her 5th birthday party that I’ve saved all these years. It was fun embellishing it. This is altered art, after all, so we can alter things.
The invitation was handwritten by her mother. The year is 1992. The border is made of braided 1/8th-inch pink ribbon.
More photos from when they were dating. In the picture on the left, they’re dancing. Photo on the right: She’s dressed as a peacock and he’s a bird watcher.
The background picture is from a calendar. I used a silver gel pen to outline the trees and branches, then used pieces of jewelry and a dried flower to embellish the corners. The page is bordered with braided white raffia.
More photos of their courtship.
This was in the pocket on the Disneyland page. This quote has a special meaning to the bride.
The marriage proposal in Hawaii.
Fun tags tucked in the pocket.
Background picture is from a calendar and outlined with a silver gel pen. Braided ribbon yarn decorates the border.
When you lift the flap, you find more surprises.
These pages were a ton of fun to create.
More photos from the proposal in Hawaii.
On the left page is the Save-the-Date card. All personal info is covered up. Both photos are from their engagement pictures.
Back side of the Save-the-Date card and a photo from the engagement party. The dried flowers are coated with Mod Podge.
A bookmark glued 0nto the following page peeks out above the pages. I think it adds a nice touch.
These photos are from the bridal shower. The groom arrived right before it ended so he could say hello to everyone and help load up all the gifts.
There’s the photo of the groom on the scratch-off card for the Who Has the Groom? game.
A panorama postcard from The Madonna Inn is folded over and embellished.
A photo of the Gay 90’s room is glued to the postcard.
A collage decorates an envelope that serves to hold more photos and mementos.
The lace lining the inside of the envelope is from a piece of lace that decorated the bride’s chair at the bridal shower. Another game we played was guessing how many candy kisses were in the jar.
Top: Beautiful panorama photo of the front of The Madonna Inn.
The page on the left has a few photos of some of the gifts. Good Wife is a book that’s hilarious to read now, but it was published back in the ’50s or ’60s, maybe, instructing women how to be a good wife!
The cards for the scratch off game featured various celebrities.
Guests were invited to fill out a card with advice and words of wisdom for the bride to be. One of my pieces of advice for her, “Remember the Alamo!”
The page on the left is the invitation to the bridal shower with my added embellishments to alter it. Page on the right is the envelope with the wedding invite.
The envelope with the wedding invitation is attached to a wide piece of magnolia paper, which folds over.
Photos of shopping for the wedding gown, finding the wedding venue, and then a toast when she said Yes to the dress.
Page on the right folds over several times.
The envelope with the RSVP card is attached to the wedding invite envelope.
The wedding invitation envelope already had the beautiful light pink floral illustration above the addressee’s names. The honeymoon destination was Italy. Those photos are from a calendar.
Wedding invitation. Again, the personal info is covered up.
The engagement photo is also a pocket.
The pocket holds a photo of the bride, taken at the bridal shower. On the back another photo is glued to it. It features one of their favorite gifts.
Beautiful personalized blanket from the bride’s grandmother.
Another engagement photo.
Another card (ephemera) that tucks into the pocket.
One of their favorite wedding photos will complete the altered art book.
A cardboard photo frame was used for the front and back pages.
Back cover. Yes, it’s different. I wanted to try something new!
Added earrings and pendants just for fun.
“Live in the moment.” Good advice for the newlyweds and for all of us.
Do you enjoy arts or crafts? What do you do to help you relax and destress? I’d love to hear from you.
Note: I’m an Amazon Associate and will offer merchandise from time to time. Please know if you purchase these items from my site, I will earn a small percentage (maybe 4%) at no cost to you. If you’re not interested, no worries.
I’ve used these scissors for years for my altered art books and other crafts. They’re sharp, well made, and comfortable to hold and cut for long periods.
- Precision-ground tips cut expertly in even the tiniest of places
- Comfort-grip handles prevent “sting” on hands during long-term work
- Includes protective safety cover
- Left or right hand use
- Excellent scissors for gardening, pruning and shaping of flowers, herbs, and small plants
Your altered art books are beyond the beyond, Lynn. This is the best, yet! Wow. How long does it take you to do these? A month or more? I’m sure your altered art books will long outlive you, and will be treasured mementoes handed down through the generations. Stunning!!!
You’re so sweet, Yvette. Thank you! I don’t keep track of how long I spend on them, but the hours just fly by and sometimes I didn’t want to stop and would keep going late into the night.
Ah, such a labor of love, Lynn. Thank you for sharing your “art therapy” and your talent.
Thank you so much, Tracy, for stopping in and leaving such a nice comment!
Wow, that must’ve taken you a long time to put together. Truly a unique gift.
Yes, I spent a lot of time on it, but it was time well spent. The couple loved it. Thanks, Alex!
Just an amazing project. It makes me want to go organize my crafting area and get back to scrap-booking. Beautiful thoughtful gift.
Thank you, Sharon. I hope you do take some time and get some crafting in. It’s so good for us. I need to organize my craft stuff, too. It would be much easier if I had it all organized! Thanks for stopping by!
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