small composition book altered mini book 7gypsies mixed media altered art

Life Is Good – altered composition book

One of our new 2018 Crew members, Traci Hayner Vanover has a flair for all things vintage with a design style that is appealing and whimsical, with a decidedly quirky twist. She spends happy hours discovering long-hidden vintage design treasures from the past that become the canvas for her own unique voice.

It will be of no surprise that she loved the Architextures composition book and the altering options it allowed…

I love books.

Pretty much ANY kind of book – there’s something about the tactile nature of feeling paper against your fingertips that can’t be replaced by the digital age. That said, it should come as no surprise that once I added digital journal kits to my product lineup, making books followed in VERY short order. I was hooked. Whether I was creating junk journals, mini books, or altering vintage treasures I’d found in my travels — the girl who confidently vowed, “…I’ll never get into papercrafting…I’m strictly a digital designer..” quickly had to eat every one of those words. Never say never, my friends!

I discovered the 7gypsies small composition book while simultaneously surfing the Canvas Corp website, and drooling on my keyboard. I’d been altering mini composition books for a while now… how did I not know about these little beauties?! I anxiously awaited for my shipment to arrive. I scarcely had the box open before I saw it. The heavens opened… the angels sang… bright light… well, you get the idea…

I immediately knew what I needed to do. I was going to create a book for someone like me – someone that loves REAL books, and has memories she wants to preserve. Maybe it would be a trip to a far-off destination, or maybe it would record the story of how she met her soulmate in the international food aisle at Walmart. Either way, she had a story to tell. I wanted to make sure to leave her lots of room for all she may want to write, but I also wanted to add some fun, interactive and unexpected accents that would evoke a smile, and prove handy.

As you will see in the video, I was thrilled to discover that this book had that wonderful, vintage feel already designed into the pages. This enabled me to focus on the little details that would make this book unique.

I hope you enjoyed this little flip through with me.

Something tells me that there are more altered books in my future. Lots of them!

Traci



About

Canvas Corp Brands is the home of Tattered Angels, 7Gypsies and Canvas Corp (Canvas Home Basics). We are a manufacturer of surfaces, paint and vintage reproductions coming to you from Springdale, Arkansas.


'Life Is Good – altered composition book' have 13 comments

  1. December 20, 2017 @ 1:11 pm Julia Cotrim

    I watched your video and I loved your altered composition book! So many details! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply

    • December 22, 2017 @ 11:41 am Traci Vanover

      Julia:
      Thank you so very much! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
      — Traci

      Reply

      • December 25, 2017 @ 4:26 pm Julia Cotrim

        Ohhh you are more than welcome Traci! 😉

        Reply

  2. December 20, 2017 @ 3:34 pm Heather Dreith

    Traci, I’m glad you had to eat your words! Now we get the best of both worlds…your digital images and your physical books! Love what you did with this composition book. I was intrigued by the interiors already being “aged,” so I ordered one. I hope I can do it justice. You certainly did!

    Reply

    • December 22, 2017 @ 11:42 am Traci Vanover

      Hi, Heather!
      I am so glad you enjoyed this project – I KNOW you will love working with this book! If I can be of any assistance to you, just give me a shout. Happy Holidays! — Traci

      Reply

  3. December 20, 2017 @ 10:22 pm Marcia

    Just getting into paper and book altering…..found this very informative.

    Reply

    • December 22, 2017 @ 11:43 am Traci Vanover

      Hi, Marcia!
      Thank you so much for your kind words! Happy Holidays!
      — Traci

      Reply

  4. December 21, 2017 @ 8:28 am Laura

    Another beautiful treasure Traci. Your work is unique and always, without fail, wonderful works of art.

    Reply

    • December 22, 2017 @ 11:44 am Traci Vanover

      Hello, Laura:
      WOW – you really made my day. Thank you so much for checking out this project.
      Happy Holidays to you and your family!

      — Traci

      Reply

  5. December 21, 2017 @ 9:45 am Carrie

    I LOVE this book–especially the adhesive lace!!

    Reply

    • December 22, 2017 @ 11:45 am Traci Vanover

      Hi, Carrie:
      Thank you so much! I am treating that last bit of adhesive lace I have like GOLD while I am on the hunt for more. It is proving more difficult than I thought!

      Happy Holidays!
      — Traci

      Reply

  6. December 21, 2017 @ 2:35 pm Natalie ~ the Coffee and a Book Chick

    So beautiful!

    Reply

    • December 22, 2017 @ 11:46 am Traci Vanover

      Natalie:
      Thank you so much! I am so glad that you liked this book.
      Happy Holidays!
      — Traci

      Reply


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This blog is a compilation of inspiration from the Canvas Corp Brands family including Canvas Corp, Tattered Angels and 7Gypsies.