Saturday, 20 June 2015

Altered Sketchbook Cover

This is a sketchbook purchased at Paperchase for a friend's birthday - Sue loves to paint and has taken watercolour classes and is now learning acrylics. We often meet at Starbucks for a coffee and if I had Tim's coffee cup dies I might well have used them, but sadly I don't, so the next best thing was to use butterflies to change the covers for her. (see photos below).


Using the perspective set of stamps I stamped one butterfly on card and one on watercolour paper....


.... and used Tim's stencil monoprint technique for the background.


The quotes come from the same set.


Simple covers with some additional washi tape and a ribbon to keep the book closed.


Front and back covers .....



I used colours to complement the spine ....



... adding this quote on the inside cover.


I am pleased to say Sue absolutely loved her sketchbook / visual diary and wishes I would make some to sell ....


I might have to do that I think.


Earlier in the year Sue and I both went to Wisley gardens when they had the butterflies emerging, the butterfly house was warm and tropical and had some beautiful specimens flying around. We had a lovely day watching them and photographing them. 








Aren't they beautiful?

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you might be inspired by some butterflies this weekend, who knows we might be able to see some in the garden.

Take care.

hugs Brenda xxxx

27 comments:

Unknown said...

This is so beautiful, as well as clean and simple. Love the colours. Photos are gorgeous. xx

Kathyk said...

The butterflies are as beautiful as your altered art

Kathyk

sally said...

What a beautiful transformation Brenda! A bit like the butterflies coming from the cocoons really :-) so maybe you could go into production on these I know I'd be very tempted to buy one.

Sally

Gina said...

Simply beautiful is right....including the butterflies :D XXX

Gio said...

Striking pictures and gorgeous cover, Brenda!

Pamellia said...

Wow, that book sure did get a gorgeous makeover! The butterflies are just stunning, the real ones and the ones on your book, haha!! Love the spattery background and that big luscious bow! That last shot of the white butterfly is something I've never seen before, what a great inspiration photo! have a great weekend. hugs :)

Fliss said...

Really beautiful covers you've created for lucky Sue Brenda and just love the splattered effect and the totally gorgeous buterflies.
Fliss xx

Patty O'Malley said...

The covers look so beautiful, Brenda! I love butterflies. Thanks for sharing the photos of these beauties!

Crafty Humphreys said...

Beautiful book covers hun, and those butterfly photos are wonderful. Suz (Surrey Crafts). Xxx

Meggymay said...

A realy beautiful book, your friend will love it.
Yvonne

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeously dappled Brenda! Totally love your background. Thanks for sharing your lovely butterfly pics too. Nicola x

mamablitger said...

Brenda your book turned out so lovely. You did a fantastic job on the front and back covers. I'm sure your friend will love this book. And thank you for sharing the fabulous pics of the real butterflies. Gosh they are pretty.
Thanks for sharing your lovely project.
Hugs from Monica... Spain

Monika Gulyas said...

What a beautiful sketchbook! I love the colours! And what a synchronicity, it was today too that I had posted photos about butterflies :-)

Redanne said...

Oh wow Brenda, this is such a wonderful transformation, I love the wonderful backgrounds you created and those butterflies are stunning. The Wisley butterflies are stunning too, I loved seeing your photos! Hugs, Anne xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Fabulous color and love those butterflies!!!

Inkypinkycraft said...

a gorgeous gift, love the colours ...delicate and yet beatiful colours too x

Karin said...

Wow the altered book looks stunning!
And the butterflies too!
Groetjes Karin

Terry said...

My jaw is hitting the floor over here! Brenda, I just love the cover, but those butterflies are over the moon gorgeous! The photos are gorgeous as well and look like such a lovely place to visit! Hugs!

Unknown said...

A gorgeous art journal for your friend and beautiful butterflies at Wisley Gardens :) :) XOXO-Shari

barbarayaya62 said...

Love butterflies! They are my fav animals! They are all different and their colors so incredible! Your sketchbook is a masterpiece! Barbarayaya

Marjie Kemper said...

That's one beautiful sketchbook! I can see how the butterflies inspired you. Lovely!

Lucy Edmondson said...

What a gorgeous notebook and reflection of your day,

Lucy x

Julia Aston said...

Your journal covers are so beautiful with the wonderful background and gorgeous butterflies - isn't it nice they have butterfly houses now to protect all these beautiful creatures that we are destroying with all of our pesticide spraying.... Julia xx

Ruth said...

Such a fabulous transformation...gorgeous. Ruth x

Deb Speijers said...

Wow this is amazing, love everything about it. What a lucky friend!

crafty creations said...

An amazing transformation of your book Brenda

beautiful photo's too

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Brenda what a fabulous cover and a brilliant post!! Chrisx