Book of Dreams: Week Two {Layers}

When you think of altered books, you may think of pages with lots of stuff. Lots of layers of color, images, ephemera, and text. This week we're going to work on having some depth to our pages, by exploring layers. Here some inspiration for creating with lots of layers.

Let us begin with some basic collage work. Rip or cut out whichever items you'd like to use and adhere them to the page. I use Golden Gel Medium for adhering collage work. Once you have them on the page how you want them to look, then we can start adding color. You can use a make-up sponge and ink and apply it to the entire page or just in certain areas. This will help to start unifying all the pieces of the page together. With this layout I stopped there.
On this layout, which I shared the other day, I "distressed" with ink and then I did a layer of glaze. To make glaze I use regular acrylic paint and add Golden Glaze. This will make the paint more transparent when you brush it onto your page. It's sometimes neat to see the text of the page through the paint. You can also wipe off some of the paint when it's still wet to achieve more of a transparent look.

This page was really fun, because I layered backwards. I ripped a hole in one page, then a smaller whole in the page after it and then a smaller one after that. It gives a "window" layered effect. I then painted and adhered the pages together.
On the corresponding page I used napkins to add layers. I peeled the napkins to the very last sheet, so it's just the image and it's very, very thin (and fragile). I then put Golden Gel medium on the page and carefully laid the napkin down on top. I waited a few minutes for it to dry and then I peeled away some of the napkin to expose some of the text on the page. You could also leave it as is. I then used glaze acrylics on top to add color.
This topic is truly endless. Have fun playing around with layers. You can layer paper, napkins, tissue, fabric, images, whatever you want! Can't wait to see what you create.

I also thought I'd show you my updated pocket page from last week. I used a simple polka dot stamp I got from Paperbag Studios. Roben has the most amazing stamps!!