Customer Reviews

Altered Board Book Basics & Beyond: For Creative Scrapbooks, Altered Books & Artful Journals

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is one of the worst books on bookbinding it has been my misfortune to purchase. It lacks detailed information on techniques and substitutes what is generally a "go out and buy" attitude. It encourages the purchase of materials such as premade scrapbooking items rather than giving ideas for an individual to make and incorporate in the creative act.

Altering books is one of the crafts that affords the integration of everyday materials in a way that is fun and INEXPENSIVE. This book should have a shopping list in the back and get it over with.

Showing examples of other artist's work is fine but if that is all there is the author could just put together a book of "other people's ideas".

There are numerous other books on altered books and journals and I would encourage anyone interested in engaging in this craft look to those instead.

Lots of inspirational pictures by the author and other artists, but there is little description of how some of the more interesting techniques were done, like accordian board books and other binding techniques. Found it overall a little disappointing, but at least it wasn't too expensive. Also I wish there was less use of scrapbooking supplies and more use of original background techniques or art papers.

Overall, I think that this book has a lot of information, great photos of lots of examples. The only reason I gave it four stars was that I think it could be better organized. It jumps around a bit and does not explain how some of the books are constructed. That may be simplistic for non-beginners, but this seems to be a beginning book! I found myself enjoying the pictures of the books, but wondering how some of them were made with rings, etc. This book is actually a very good value, but I wish there had been some photos of a book in progress, instead of jumping right in to finished pages! Overall, I am glad that I bought it, even though the instuctions are pretty general.

Although the size of the book is not large, the scope is great. It is full of solid text and ideas supplemented with wonderful illustrations. It combines how-tos and inspiration in meaningful ways. A true source of ideas for anyone who pursues, or would like to pursue, these crafts. Thanks to all her contributors - there are some great creations presented.

Altered Board Books provides tons of inspiration and creativity for the altered book enthusist who is seasoned or who is trying the techniques for the first time. Combining personal memorbellia with outstanding, easy to accomplish technqiues, Jan Smiley has created a book that is worth the investment.

I may be the only one who says this, but this is the worst book I have ever had the chance of owning. First of all, it is a gallery of altered art books already made and not a "how to" book. Second of all, many of these projects remind me of things I have made in the third grade. I for one do not believe in recycling everything mostly trashy items like bottle caps, 100 year old buttons and paper scraps. I think there is a time in our lives when stuff just needs to go into the trash and there is a fine line between calling it art. The books themselves are messy and I cannot, just cannot stand anything all over the place and messy. There is one project featuring a scary woman's face and buttons all over her head. What does it mean? What is the artist trying to point out? Why does it always have to be scary women faces from the last century? I can see a concept of recycling unwanted books, which could definitely bring out something nice, but why does it have to be with 100 year old pictures and leftover candy wrappers? Another thing I fail to understand in this and altered art in general is why do the bodies need to be switched out and replaced with children's heads? This book almost brings out things that are creepy and downright grotesque. It is a gallery book of creepy recyclable art, but at least if it is a gallery, by all means show how to make them for the people who are interested.