What Are Altered Composition Books?
The Materials
You will need the following supplies:
Composition Notebook (mini-composition books work great too)
Pattern Paper
Strong Adhesive such as Xyron 900 Permanent Adhesive 
Paper Trimmer
X-Acto
pattern papers
misc. items to decorate the journal such as stamps, stickers, rub-ons, ribbons, charms etc.
Getting Started
1. Decide on a theme or design for your notebook. Gather supplies.
2. Cut papers 8"x10"
3.Adhere the paper to the outside covers with a strong adhesive. Be sure to get full coverage on the back of the paper. Use the Xyron, spray glue or any other strong tape adhesive.
4. Trim the edges with an X-acto knife. Using a glass mat with the X-acto allows for better control. (My glass mat was glass from a photo frame that has a photo stuck on it)
5. If desired, cover the inside covers and trim the excess.
Xyron XRN900 9-Inch Creative Station Multi Function Crafting System
Amazon Price: $67.00 (as of 05/28/2012)
I've had the Xyron 900 in my crafting arsenal for over 7 years. The Xyron is a versatile product that allows crafters to apply adhesive to large surfaces which makes it a sticker, laminate items, and create magnets all with the same machine. The product cartridges are easy to switch in and out and the project options are endless.
Decorating the Notebook
Now that the paper is on the notebook, decorating can begin. Remember, it is a notebook which will be used for writing, so you may want to avoid using bulky items that would make writing difficult.
I decided to keep my notebook simple. I used ribbon along the pattern paper border. The best way to attach ribbon is to use the Xyron or Super Tape. Next I printed out a digital quote and flower onto cardstock. I tore the edges and then used Super Tape to attach to the notebook.
Bible Verse Brushes by Ali Edwards @ Designer Digitals.com
Decorating Ideas:
- stamp or emboss images
- make a collage cover by cutting out different images, fabric pieces, photos etc.
- use stickers and/or rub-ons
- use patches
- layer ribbons or fibers
- draw your own images, sketches or doodles
- utilize anything that is used for traditional scrapbooking
- download and print digital scrapbooking supplies(You could create the whole cover digitally and then adhere to the book)
Other Creative Notebook Ideas
Sara, from Happy Brown House, shares her Love Notes Journal.Visit her site for directions and ideas on how to use this journal in your marriage.
Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot came up a way to use old cereal boxes, or snack boxes to create a notebook for her daughter. You could use as-is, or you could use those boxes as a base for an altered notebook. Decorate and then bind. Either way this is a fantastic way to recycle!
- Janna Wilson: Printable Prayer Journal Project
- For the LOVE of all things crafty: scrapbooking, paper crafts, sewing and who knows what all!
More Altered Art on Squidoo
Altered Composition Books from the Web
- Silk Way – 2012
- ?On May 17 a general reconnaissance will start, in the process of which all the preliminary work which was done already in the autumn of last year will be checked and material for the composition of road book will be chosen. It will certainly be kept ...
- All Natural, or Not Quite
- "I fell on my boobs and they saved me," Ms. Lindsey tells science journalist Florence Williams, whose exceptional book, "Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History," deftly charts the ways in which modernity has altered ours. In Ms. Lindsey's case the ...
- Re-Engineering the Business of Law
- Instead, the measures become balancing rate growth versus discounted fees, lawyer productivity measured in tenths of hours, recruiting the partner with a book of business from one firm to another and similar yardsticks. These address the traditional ...
More About Spell Outloud
Comments
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ce2consulting
Sep 16, 2011 @ 10:38 pm | delete
- I've made a few of these, so easy and fun!
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Intuitive
Apr 1, 2011 @ 8:35 am | delete
- Great idea! I'll have to try making one.
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JackieLee Feb 21, 2011 @ 5:46 pm | delete
- This is gorgeous! I love composition notebooks. They are so cheap and good for so many things. They would be so much more lovely to have around if they looked like this one. ;)
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theraggededge
Feb 12, 2011 @ 8:31 am | delete
- Been here before and loved it. Blessed by the Art Journaling Squid Angel :-)
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HarmonyArtMom
Jan 28, 2011 @ 7:52 pm | delete
- Love this lens!
***Blessed by an Angel***
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- Load More
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Maureen has dabbled with altered art projects over the years and has had several published in craft magazines and idea books. Her other hobbies include... more »
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Xyron Creative Station
Xyron XRN900 9-Inch Creative Station Multi Function Crafting System
Amazon Price: $67.00 (as of 05/28/2012)
The Xyron 900 Creative Station makes creating projects a breeze. You can laminate, add adhesive or magnets to almost anything.
Spell Outloud
