Graphic 45 Altered Art Album

I have been noticing many crafty folks making "art albums" as a way to keep a record of their experiments with mixed media techniques. (My dear friend Pat, who does not have a blog, has made an AMAZING example of an art album. She has inspired me!)

I decided that I would create my own "mixed media" scrapbook album by turning the 12x12 Graphic 45 Easel Album Staples into a scrapbooking "altered notebook"!

I wanted the album to be fun, creative, and messy! I pulled out my inks and paints and let my creative juices flow. Since I am such a fan of Graphic 45 papers and I have a stash of older papers, I pulled them all out and just had fun creating. My motto is "use what you love." It does not matter if something is older. You can give it new life by pairing it with a new collection or with new techniques! (You can see a tiny bit of FrenchCountry A La Carte peeking out of the upper right corner.)

I cut the stand off the bottom of the Easel Album and then flipped the album sideways so that the binding spiral is on the left side. The album is now a "book" rather than an easel album. I decorated the front and back outside covers, as well as the inside covers.

I don't really care if the album closes properly as this is not a practical, photo-safe project, but rather this is a way for me to display some art and photos by placing the album onto a shelf or coffee table.

I covered the front of the album with black cardstock and a sheet of Renaissance Faire Tudor Rose paper. (Renaissance Faire is a retired collection, but you may be able to find it online. Try doing a Google search.) I stamped the paper with mixed media ink and a variety of background stamps to create some interest on the paper.  I sprayed a paper doily with mists to give it a tie-dye look.

To create an album "latch" I painted an OrnateMetal Label Holder Staples. I placed a scrap of Steampunk Debutante Eclectic Emporium paper behind the label holder. (The Steampuk line is also retired.)

After painting some chipboard pieces with white paint, I added glitter and ink. (All the chipboard is from Imaginarium Designs.)  I added paper flowers to my chipboard arch. The little pops of orange are perfect next to all the blue! (I buy most of my paper flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. A few of these are Prima.)

To decorate the inside front cover I used alcohol markers to color some of the flowers on a sheet of Kraft Reflections Bed of Roses paper. (The pattern on Renaissance Faire Tudor Rose and Kraft Reflections Bed of Roses is essentially the same!) I stamped with white mixed media ink using some background stamps. 

Once the ink was dry, I sprayed the paper with various mists. I added a "book plate" by cutting out one of the sentiments from the Kraft Reflections Quote...Unquote paper. I colored part of the sentiment with alcohol markers.

To decorate the inside back cover, I tore a sheet of Renaissance Faire Tudor Rose paper in half and attached it to a sheet of Kraft Reflections Bed of Roses paper, making sure to line up the print. 

I decorated the back cover with another sheet of Renaissance Faire Tudor Rose paper, which I stamped with various background stamps and white mixed media ink. The circles are actually the ink container lid! I dipped it into the ink and stamped with it. I added a tiny bit of French Country paper to the lower left corner. (In case you are wondering, I had a stack of the Tudor Rose paper left over from a class I taught a few years ago!)

I plan to create a title page, 12 monthly pages, and an end page. I am giving this album to my daughter as a graduation gift, therefore I will not be adding photos. I will attach the layouts with photo mats so that she can add her own photos.

I have created the title page and the page for September. I will share those soon!

Graphic 45 paper:
French Country: A La Carte
Kraft Reflections: Bed of Roses, Quote...Unquote
Steampunk Debutante: Eclectic Emporium
Renaissance Faire: Tudor Rose

Graphic 45 12 x12 Easel Album Staples
Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Label Holder Staples

Paint: Plaid Folk Art White Acrylic
Mist:
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist: Cork, Almost Black, Tuscan Sun, Peach Delight
Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray: Fresh Lime, Vibrant Turquoise
Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Mix'd Media Inx Jasmine, Black, Copic alcohol markers
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Mixed Media, Unity A Little Bit Washi, 7 Gypsies Steampunk, Oxford Impressions School Days
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Treasures Pitch Black
Chipboard: Imaginarium Designs
Pearls: Want2Scrap
Glitter: Stephanie Barnard Sprinkles Chunky Glitter
Flowers: Petaloo, Prima, Wild Orchid Crafts
Doily: Wilton