How to Make Collage Sheets with Altered Art

Altered art involves embellishing pre-existing pieces, such as pages from books, with stamps or other artistic flourishes. Collage sheets are pages similar to scrapbook backgrounds, with 2D decorations and motifs. These methods are excellent ways to repurpose magazines, but can also be a wonderful way to give new life to books that would otherwise be destroyed. With a little time and the right supplies, anyone can create a piece to use as a gift, home décor, or as part of a bigger craft. Use these instructions as a starting point, and feel free to inject your own creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Pages from a book or manual
• Magazines
• Mod Podge® or other craft adhesive
• Permanent markers
• Felt pens
• Paint pens
• Scrapbooking supplies:
• Stickers
• Squares of decorative paper
• Embellishments
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Cutting mat
• You may also need:
• Picture frame
• Mounting hardware
• Acetate sheets or shellac
• Hole punch
• Scrapbooking knife
• Tape

Instructions

1. Determine the size and shape of your project. Making a gift tag will require different materials and techniques than constructing a wall hanging. This will help you visualize the scope of the project so you don't make something to the wrong scale.

2. Assemble the supplies you will need. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through gluing everything together to realize you are one letter short of spelling someone's name, and having to leave everything to run to a craft store.

3. Once you've determined the size of your collage sheet, choose the materials for the background or base. Choose magazine pages and other materials by the patterns and textures you want to include, keeping in mind the overall goal of the finished piece.

4. Cut and position the elements for the collage sheet. Be sure not to glue anything yet. Use a cutting mat to protect the surface on which you are cutting, and if scissors don't work you might need a scrapbooking knife.

5. Brush or apply the adhesive to each piece of your collage sheet in turn. Carefully lift each piece straight off the sheet to prevent accidentally repositioning other pieces. Adhesives such as Mod Podge will require different drying times based on humidity and altitude, but half an hour is a good starting place. If you plan to add paint or marker to the borders of the pieces, be careful not to let the glue seep under the edges of the glued piece.

6. Add your embellishments: Glitter, ribbon, gems, and a host of other extras can add texture and dimension to the altered art. Use ribbon to border an individual element, or the entire design. Create patterns with gems to highlight a word or picture, or lightly spray adhesive over the piece and sprinkle a pinch of glitter over the sheet.

7. If you're not framing the piece, use acetate sheets or shellac to protect your finished piece. Be sure to do this in a dust-free environment so you don't end up with dust motes blemishing your creation. Wrap the acetate sheets around the piece and tape or glue them in back. Alternatively, spray shellac to seal your project. Like the adhesive, the drying time of shellac is dependent on weather and altitude, but an hour is usually enough for the first coat. You can determine from there if another coat is needed, or if more drying time is required. Use the shellac outdoors to ensure proper ventilation from the fumes. If you are framing the project, simply follow the instructions for the type of frame.

8. To mount the altered art piece, affix the mounting hardware with either screws or adhesive.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use adhesives and shellac in well-ventilated areas.

References

• What Is Altered Art?

Resources

• Altered Art Supplies