AB, lesson 5

Lesson 5 of Elizabeth's amazing free altered book class is all about design principles and elements.  (Be sure to visit Elizabeth's blog (AlteredBookLover) if you haven't already, and see the detail and obvious work she puts into providing in depth information about how to make an AB)  We've been asked to create at least 5 layouts - one each illustrating harmony, unity, balance, emphasis and proportion.

I learned all about these in interior design classes and always thought the distinction between harmony and unity was pretty obscure.  At any rate, my progress so far:  (remember, my theme is 'quotes')

The quote reads:  "To read is to fly - it is to soar to a vantage which gives view over wide terrains of human variety, ideas, shared experiences, and the fruits of many inquiries." - AC Grayling.  I wrote it over the polka dots using a light green marker so it's almost invisible - more a part of the background. Then I wrote it again on the facing page in a darker, more legible color.  The photograph is of a bookstore front in Madrid.

On this page I made a mini niche cutout using the same techniques of gluing about 40 pages together, cutting out the center, using an awl to poke holes and then using embroidery thread in blue (vertically) and green (horizontally).  You can see through to the page below.....

Above is the other size of the thread grid page, carrying on the reading quote theme.  And then below the page is made with one of my sandwiched tissue paper pages (yellow and blue) and stamped with ladybugs, a dab of washi alpha tape and scrapbook paper scrap.  I love how these pages turned out!

These pages show a simple straightforward balance but probably more directly show the use of a focal point or emphasis.  The thread frame highlights the photo one way and the word soar the other way.

This double page illustrates extremely symmetrical balance where the pages are mirror images framing the quote.  This quote reads "Stumbling and getting up again - that's a journey.  Stumbling and ceasing to try - that's a destination."  - Linda Armstrong (Lance Armstrong's mom - love this quote)  I don't love the results as much on this page - don't love the color scheme or the pink scrapbook squares - may need to doodle those up a bit...

My next layout, below, shows harmony between the 2 pages by using the same color scheme and background materials in a similar way - maps, scrapbook paper, brayered ink, stenciling.  The quote reads, "When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free."  It also shows unity in the repetition of the leaf shape and circles; focal or emphasis with the strong orange leaf attracting the eye instantly; and balance by keeping the eye gently moving about the 2 pages as you read the quote and follow the leaves.

And, below again, this double page layout started out with one idea, didn't like it so went another way....I'm not crazy about it, but rather than obsess over it right now, I'll return to it when I feel more inspired to fix it.

Be sure to visit Elizabeth and join in her AB tutorials.  If you've ever had even a passing interest in creating an altered book, she's the one to help guide you through it.  I can't wait to see what everyone accomplished with this lesson!