'08 Halloween #12: Making Creepy Books

I love old dusty books that look like they came from another time containing forgotten knowledge or secrets. I thought I'd make a few to accent some of the interior decorating this year.

Here's how I make a fun, stylized one. As usual, it's my "instant creative gratification" fast and cheap method. The same process can be expanded on using a variety of different materials. A general note, you could remove the cover for this project and glue back on once done, but I just chose to mask off the interior pages. Click on images to enlarge.

1) I like recycling materials so I used a old water damaged book I had. I traced it's size onto cardboard which was the back of a drawing paper pad. I then sketched out the design.



2) Using a craft knife, I cut out the pieces and simply glued them on the book. I didn't stress over poor cutting, gaps or excess glue as it would all disappear in the next step. Besides, imperfections add to the aged look.



3) For a "old world" bound feel, I cut 4 short strips and wrapped the edge. To create the leather feel, I decoupaged on paper towel sheets (I was lucky here that one sheet perfectly fit). I used a thinned mixture of Mod Podge but white glue and water works great too. I started in the center and over saturating the paper towel worked outwards, mushing into all the nooks and crannies. I wrapped the edges like a present.


4) While it was still wet, I went ahead and painted my base coat and shading so it would bleed and have a washed out look.



5) Once dry, I added highlights with dry brush and colored pencil. I made a title label on the computer and glued it on. The label and page edges were aged using watercolor.



While at it, I thought my sketchbook could use a makeover...