Altered Composition Book ?: Techniques

Just1more · 04-02-2009, 01:26 PM

I have a question for all of you that have made journals. Have you actually used the journals you made? Do they hold up or do they start falling apart? I was thinking about using my cricuit and adding letters to the front (actually down the side near the binder), but I thought they might come off or something. I'm trying to decide whether to stop while it looks good or add and end up ruining it.

DebbieGall · 04-02-2009, 04:24 PM

I don't have any trouble with mine at all; guess it depends on the adhesive you use.

Silvermel · 04-03-2009, 06:53 AM

When it comes to my visual journals I don't worry about it. I give myself full permission to cut, glue, paint, etc because I am a little more particular with my cards or scrapbook pages. If I don't like what I've done to my journal I try again. But if you use a strong adhesive it should be fine. Some people also cover their embellishments with modge podge as a sealant.

Just1more · 04-03-2009, 07:04 AM

I wonder if modge podge would hold up on the binder.

gingerd · 04-03-2009, 02:50 PM

I use mp to adhere my paper and then I also put 2/3 coats on top of the paper. As far as the binding goes I had initially used pp, but then discovered the colored electrical tape. I use that and have acquired quite a colorful assortment of it.

Walmart has wide colorful tape and Home Depot has colorful tape too although not as wide as Walmart.

Ginger

DebbieGall · 04-04-2009, 09:11 AM

I use Modge podge on mine I've had some of them for years;

honeybee98 · 09-18-2012, 01:57 PM

I used mod podge on a small composition book yesterday and today the front and back cover are both curled out. Anybody have this problem and what did you do to prevent this?

gingerd · 09-18-2012, 02:51 PM

I'm just guessing, but maybe you worked too fast. When I cover a book I take my time allowing the mp to dry. If I don't it ends up a mess.

I begin by coating/sealing the book with mp--letting it dry, then 1 coat/adhere paper and let it dry using a brayer to roll out the bubbles. After that paper drys then I'll add more paper as I usually piece mine together.

It does take me a few days to get a cover done whether that is the front or back.

buggainok · 09-18-2012, 03:28 PM

I've made tons and tons of altered comp books. The ones that get the most wear are the ones I give to my granddaughters, ages 11 and 12. They have held up really well. They use them to doodle in, write lists, daydreams, etc.

I use my ATG gun to adhere the paper on the front, and follow the tutorial in the resources section - EXCEPT I don't cover the black binding. I found that the cardstock wrapped around the binding was what cracked and wore down.

I just use a piece of coordinating ribbon down the seam and wrap to the inside. The inside cover piece hides it. The little strip of black binding that still shows doesn't bother me, once I have the pretty paper and ribbon on the front. I've thought about getting the colored duct tape, but just haven't done that yet.

Here is one of a bunch that I made for Christmas gifts:

Kimberly's book and bookmark by buggainok - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

PS I used Mod Podge for the first one I made a couple of years ago. I hated using it, had trouble getting the wrinkles out, and hated that it took so long to dry. Good bye Mod Podge, Hello ATG!

honeybee98 · 09-18-2012, 04:16 PM

I pretty much put mod podge on the paper and immediately put the paper on the comp book. Put the paper on the front and back and a little strip on the bind. I even added a ribbon and paper embellishment. It was ok yesterday.

If I did it again I wonder if it would help to put some weight like books on it when it dried. That way it would be flat. Anybody try this?

I don't have an ATG gun. Did a quick search and found it costs around $60.....a little more than what I want to spend.

buggainok · 09-18-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee98

I pretty much put mod podge on the paper and immediately put the paper on the comp book. Put the paper on the front and back and a little strip on the bind. I even added a ribbon and paper embellishment. It was ok yesterday.

If I did it again I wonder if it would help to put some weight like books on it when it dried. That way it would be flat. Anybody try this?

I don't have an ATG gun. Did a quick search and found it costs around $60.....a little more than what I want to spend.

Here is the Pink ATG gun at Amazon, with 2 rolls of tape, for $26.96. That is a pretty good price. The Pink gun is also usually at Michaels, but is reasonable if you use a coupon.

There is no difference between the original Scotch ATG gun which is red and costs a lot more, and this one, except the color. And they call this one a "Tape Glider" instead of gun. Go figure.

If you do other papercraft besides books, like cards, scrapbooking, etc. I highly recommend this type of adhesive. There are many threads here on SCS raving about it. I couldn't do without mine.

http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-85-4-In...s=pink+atg+gun

honeybee98 · 09-18-2012, 09:10 PM

Thanks so much. That's a lot more reasonable. Cute books by the way buggainok.

buggainok · 09-18-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee98

Thanks so much. That's a lot more reasonable. Cute books by the way buggainok.

Thank you. I made about 20 of them last Christmas and gave them as gifts to all my female family members and friends. I had found the books at Target really cheap after their back to school sale, and I already had lots of pattern paper, so they were really inexpensive gifts.