Thursday, August 22, 2013

back to school altered notebooks


Its the time of year when the kiddos head back to school and my favorite time of year because there are all kinds of fun back to school supplies in stores! Back when I was in school I couldn't bear to have a boring notebook or folder and (big surprise) I would always alter the outside of my school supplies. After grabbing some cheap composition notebooks for my office, I decided to transform them into something messy and colorful!

I started by painting over the outside of the notebook with white house primer but you could use gesso, house paint or acrylic paint. The goal is to cover everything up!

While my paint was still wet I added a few swipes of color to my first layer of paint and then let everything dry.


This time of year the school supply section is loaded with all kinds of things that can be used in painting and mixed media projects- it just takes a little thinking outside the box! I picked up a package of erasers that were great for stamping! 

I added a layer of stamped circles, more messy swipes of color and some drips.

Once again I let everything dry.

I continued to add layers of color, messy swipes and a little spray paint.

TIP- letting layers dry keeps color vibrant instead of muddy. And if you don't have the patience to wait for things to dry, hit it with a hair dryer until the surface is tacky before adding another layer.

The result are wild and messy notebook covers that would be great at this point but I like to add another layer of fine details and doodles. 

There you have it! TOTALLY unique notebooks perfect for students (or anyone) who likes a little creative expression in their supplies!


28 comments:

Meghan Thimjon said...

Love love love!!! I so look forward to coming to your blog DAILY for all your creative adventures!
I love back to school supplies and you just inspired me to do something fun with them!!!!

Indigo Blue said...

Hi,
I might try and have a go at this before I head back to school (I am a teacher) with one o fmy meeting notbooks. See what the reaction is!
Excellent idea.
x

livethegoldenrule said...

<3 !!!!

dawn said...

ooohhh love love these so much!!

Thanks for always inspiring and sharing ideas on how to turn things into a beautiful piece of art.

Monica said...

FUN! I'll have to show these to my kids before we go out shopping for school supplies!

muriel said...

I am an English teacher in France, going back to work in a little more than a week. Altering my new agenda has been on my mind for some time and your post is just what I needed. Thanks a lot for the inspiration.

Erin Fish said...

What a fabulous idea that even our grand children could do! Love it!

Sandi Keene said...

Totally inspiring!!

AshleyQ said...

So fun! Do you seal the notebooks after all those layers so nothing rubs off on your hands?

astr!d said...

i love these!!!

Brooke said...

I love this! I'm obsessed with note books and journals so this is the perfect way to make them even more awesome :)

Inspiring as always!

Giddings Art said...

These composition notebooks are wonderful!!

Jessica Loughrey said...

These are awesome! Love love love!!

Unknown said...

The books are very fun. I see that you were spraying something on the books - may I ask what that spay is?

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studioGypsy said...

gorgeous!!! LOVE!!! <3

Unknown said...

Do you seal the finished piece with anything?

oklyous said...

looking good.
Almost makes me wish I was still at school (almost! not completely;))
But it does make me wanna do something to my next diary.
Normally I would probably use paper as the main ingredient, make something layered - but now I feel like trying something with paint. :)

schulmanart said...

you absolutely KILL me! I have some composition notebooks in my studio that will definitely get a makeover and I bet my high schooler is going to want to do the same to her new ones for school!!!!!

Unknown said...

Great idea Alisa, love the transformation and love how you always think outside the box.

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Cindy said...

Such a great idea - so much so that you've inspired my 11 year old daughter and myself to alter all her duotangs for this year. She is thrilled to have unique school supplies, and they turned out great! And who knew that white out pens were so magnificent!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Very creative, simple and, above all, so well explained ideas! Only really successful people can share their skills with others, without being afraid of competition. Thanks from Serbia!

Valerie said...

These are so cool/funky/artsy!!! I love them!! Do you put something on the finished journal to seal it?? I am going to make these for some friends!!

Thank you for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Alisa, I have a question for you. When you do things like this altered notebook cover, or the canvas pencil holder, do you spray your creations with anything so the paint doesn't rub off or come off with water? Assuming you are using water soluable stuff. Thanks!

Notebooks Manufacturers said...

Very very creative. I am going to try this out for my next series of notebooks. Thanks for this great idea.

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