Coloring sides of an altered book

[nascargirl58]

I recently completed several altered composition books. I didn't like the look of the 80 'white' pages on the three sides of the outside of the book. I tried to sponge the white paper edges on the outside of the book, but that didn't work well.

Can someone give me guidance as to the best way to do that? Thank you!

nascargirl58

[stampin stacy]

I cover the ends of spiral notebooks with a strip of cardboard covered with DP or I stamp and decorate the cardboard myself. You need to cut it wide enough to wrap around the end and be glued down to the front and back covers at least a fourth of the way in on both sides. I then cover up the seams with a strip of decorative paper or washi tape. Just be sure to leave it loose enough to be able to open and close the notebook easily without pulling or it will rip and tear. Here is one I did recently:

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascargirl58

I recently completed several altered composition books. I didn't like the look of the 80 'white' pages on the three sides of the outside of the book. I tried to sponge the white paper edges on the outside of the book, but that didn't work well.

Can someone give me guidance as to the best way to do that? Thank you!

nascargirl58

I understand what you are saying about the white edges of the paper. I don't know what you can do if that bothers you. I've seen many, many tutorials for altered comp books, and they all have the white paper edges.

When you think about it, the edges on most books that are published are just the color of the pages themselves, and not colored. I would be inclined to focus on making the covers of the books as lovely as possible, and just not pay attention to the edges of the pages. Others don't usually look at our projects with the same critical eyes as we do ourselves.

[nascargirl58]

It's a bit stark when the paper I am using is black or off white - so I was looking for an alternative. I'll check youtube and see if I can find some suggestions. Thanks for the comments!

[cakhuxel]

Why don't you try staining them before you start the book? I have been thinking about altering some composition books, and that's what I plan to do. I'm going to use ink on one book and pan pastels on the other and see which I like best. Just do it when the book is fresh and you can hold the pages together tightly.

[idletiger]

How about running them across an ink pad before doing anything with the covers? I color the edges of light cardstock that way. I think you might need to pinch the book as you rub it on the ink pad so that the pages don't bend.

[cookiebeagle]

I was thinking maybe sponge some ink on with either a stamping sponge wedge or a sponge dauber. Probably would want to do that before you do the other decorating so you could cover up any that might have gotten onto the covers.