Don't judge a book by its cover!

 Hi there!  Today we have a Get Altered Challenge on the eclectic Paperie blog!  Run over there and check it out!
This challenge is held on the first Thursday of each month and each challenge is an opportunity for you to be inspired by one of the e-Team's creations, and to be entered into a challenge prize drawing!  What fun!!!  We would LOVE to see what you create!
This month, our lovely hostess is Tracy Easson!  She has a beautiful project on the eP blog, so definitely make sure you check it out!  Step by step directions on how she created her altered project too!

So, the challenge that Tracy came up w/ is to alter a book.  I personally only have books that I read over and over again.  I don't have any old books, or any that would withstand being re-covered!  I decided to BUY a book instead!  However, my book isn't any old book.  It's actually a keepsake box!  I bought it at Hobby Lobby.  I should have waited though, because Michael's had their books in the front of their store and they were all on sale the other day!  Darn it!
Anyway, so, I took this large-ish box and figured out how to alter it while still staying true to the book aspect.

Here's what I started with:

 Front and spine

 Inside

 Here's the front!  The closeups are better.  But, this is what the entire front looks like!  All of the paper that was used is from A Ladies' Diary.  The title "A Ladies' Diary" was cut out using an exacto knife.  I have Prima flowers all over it.  The clock you see is from Wendy Vecchi's Blossom Bucket.  I added a few layers of Rock Candy Crackle Paint to distress it!  All of the paper was distressed or torn, and sponged w/ Walnut Stain.     I took a Pink Paislee template and sprayed all over the base layer overtop the template w/ Tattered Leather Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.  All of the hardware is from Ranger/Tim Holtz.

 Here's a closeup of the top cover!

 And a closeup of the bottom cover!

 And a different view of the bottom cover!

 Here you'll see a bit of the spine.  I wanted it to look exactly like the front cover.  I love that the "A Ladies' Diary" bit is in several pages in different sizes, so I was able to add a smaller version of what's on the front cover to the spine!  Essentially keeping the "book" a "book"!

 This is a closeup of the bottom spine.

And the entire spine!

There are so many great elements within this stack!  You definitely should check it out!  Graphic 45 never disappoints!

I hope that I have inspired you today to create an altered book!  I can't wait to see what you create!
Link your creation on the eP blog, and we will come and visit!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Some other products that were used:
Guava Gelato (on some of the flowers!)
Weathered background stamp (SU) (on the spine)
Gold Lame` spray by Heidi Swapp
assorted pearls
burlap strip
Tim Holtz Distress Tool