Creating projects within projects is a lot of fun, but it can be challenging coming up with new ideas. Let's look at some!
TAPE IT UP! Medical tape takes on many uses when used by a mixed media artist.
- Use this tape to assemble pieces of cardboard into an accordion book, use it to add texture to a page and use it to tape in miniature books. How? Simply peel and stick. It's that's easy.
- This tape can also be painted and colored over using chalks, pastels, and inks.
- Don't forget using it to create borders around clip art or photography, as well.
- There's also use of duct tape (black, in particular), electrical tape (with a sturdy adhesive for extra stick) and painter's tape (this stuff is great if you want to paint and peel in specific areas of your project).
TIE IT IN! Are you working with a spiral bound art journal or a spiral bound calendar for altering?
- Create smaller booklets to insert between the pages. You can do this by creating the booklet and fastening the binding using eyelets. Then, thread cording, twine, ribbon, or wire through the eyelets and tie it to the spiral binding.
- Do several "tie-ins" in various sizes (and shapes!) to add interest, additional pages to thin books and dimension to the entire project.
- This project is of particular interest to children because it allows them to create books containing discoveries and hiding places.
STITCH IT UP! Use of small sewing machines in art projects has been the rage for years and, with the increase in popularity in recent years, it's no wonder mixed media artists are jumping on the bandwagon.
- Create clear pockets to add to art projects by stitching together report covers with dental floss.
- Stitch page pullouts by stitching paper to the edges of pages to altered books and art journals.
- Stitch borders around pages and stitch together page signatures for handmade books.
- There are also opportunities where stitching on buttons and beads to paper projects and paintings to add extra texture, interest and dimension to the piece.
- Don't forget adding stitched elements to scrapbook layouts, handmade greeting cards and mixed-media picture frames!
PIECE IT OUT! Create pieces within the pages of your art journals and altered books by punching out portions of the page and gluing them on to another page.
- Another option is to create a collage or draw a picture (or attach an image) on the page and cut around the entire border. Piece it out by adding pieces of random ribbon or rick rack.
- Another option to consider is adding library card pockets (there are templates available online and in supply catalogs) and adding small pieces of art (ATCs, altered tags, etc.) inside each one.
There's so much more to explore! Don't be afraid to cut it up, mix it up and make a mess!
The copyright of the article Add Interactive Elements to Art in Altered Books is owned by Jenn Greenleaf. Permission to republish Add Interactive Elements to Art in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
