Altered books is taking existing books and reworking them into works of art.

Altered books are an old way of recycling◦11th century Italian monks recycled old manuscripts

◦19th century old books used as scrap books, family albums, even containing recipes

Select a book with sewn / stitched signatures, they are stronger to work with◦ Old, worn books are great for this project

Choose a theme◦ Explore a social issue-poverty, homelessness,

politics, free speech, etc◦ Use a character trait-tolerance, commitment,

responsibility, respect, etc.◦ Visually tell another story or poem◦ Visually tell the story of the book◦ Use some words from the text to create different

messages

Folded pages

Pasted paper with stamps

TAPE TRANSFER◦ Cut letters of name from magazine◦ Place letters face up◦ Place piece of packing tape over the letters◦ Put tape with letters in a tray of warm water for

approximately 15 minutes◦ Remove from water and gently rub magazine

paper off tape leaving ink◦ Let dry, trim if desired, press into book◦ Gently burnish tape to blend (burnish is rubbing

with a spoon or other hard instrument)

Trace your hand with open or closed fingers on the cover of the book

Fill with patterns and/or textures◦ Must have at least 5 different patterns and

textures drawn with no lines crossing another unintentionally

Paint around the hand and tape on your name from the tape transfer