Blessings Altered Book

I noticed that my Blessings book in the last post was a bit on the smallish side, so I thought that I'd post some larger photos along with a tutorial on how to make it.

Here is a photo of the front.

The spine.
The back.
Inside.
Closeup of the inside flower.

Supply List

Pattern paper: 7 Gypsies alpha, campania, veneto, text from old book
Stamps: Fred B Mullett Feather; Tin Can Mall Louvre; Inque Boutique encircled, what a feeling; Technique Tuesday; Heidi Swapp clock; Judikins; Stampers Anonymous
Ink: Ranger Black Soot; Ranger Walnut Tintz
Ribbon:
Rub-ons: Other: Paper mache book purchased at Joanns; Ranger Distress crackle paint vintage photo; Heidi Swapp chipboard alphabet, Prima flower, jewels are from broken earrings

Directions

1. Tear 3x3 squares (not exact) of text and adhere in willy-nilly style to the inside and side where the pages would be (if this was a real book and not paper mache). Use Mod Podge glue and a junky paint brush. Allow to dry.

2. Tear 7 gypsies paper and adhere to front and back in a way that pleases you. Use Mod Podge and paintbrush again.

3. Using Walnut Ink tintz, dye adhered, dried text yellow. Allow to dry. Turn on a fan to make it go faster.

4. Using a bunch of stamps, play around. Have fun. This isn't technical. I used the text stamps first to establish a background. The diamonds and swirls were applied last.

5. Using crackle paint, paint edges where paper doesn't meet. Cover up all those mistakes. Allow to dry. The crackle looks better the next day. Kind-of like lemon cake tastes better after sitting for 24 hours, or so I've heard. (I've never made it 24 hours without inhaling the entire thing, but that has nothing to do with this project.)

6. Add ink to edges of book. This really pulls everything together. You'll see.

7. Paint chipboard and sand like crazy. Make it look very distressed. Adhere with Mod Podge in way that pleases you. Ink it if you wish.

8. Add swirls and diamonds around title. Find an old gaudy earring. Distress it with sandpaper. Ink it up with black ink. It's starting to look less gaudy and more like something found in a pirate's chest. Distress flower with black ink too. Wad it up and make it look like something given to you by a sweet 2-year-old boy.

9. Adhere everything. Step back and admire your handiwork. Good job!