Off the Shelf Book Review – Altered Art Circus: Techniques for Journals, Paper Dolls, Art Cars and Assembles by Lisa Kettell

From the cover inward . Altered Art Circus: Techniques
for Journals, Paper Dolls, Art Cards, and Assemblages by Lisa Kettell  (Quarry Press, 2009, 128pp. ISBN-10: 1592534872 ISBN-13:
978-1592534876, $24.99)
is a treat for the senses!

But before I go
any further, I have to issue a disclaimer. 
Yes! I am one of the featured artists in the gallery of this book but no
apologies forthcoming for the following good review. It IS a good and fun book,
and I cannot stop looking at it. And, yes, I do look at other pages besides my
own- at least half the time!

All of the projects are
simply amazing eye candy creations and demonstrate the whimsy and wonder of the
author, artist Lisa Kettell, who was profiled right here on Vintage Indie .
Lisa’s projects are easy enough that you can recreate them yourself, and fun
enough that you can do them with children. Or if not, then just let the book
bring out the child in you! There is a generous
section of copyright-free art to get you started, and then there the gallery of
ideas from contributing artists.

Unlike other art
how-to books, however, this one retains Lisa’s magical, mythical style with
projects like “Alistair’s Closet of Mystery,” “The Traveling Bumbelinas,” “Miss
Spellbinder’s Magic Cookbook” and “Trixie-the-Pixie’s Journal.” Each one gives
you a sneak peek into the colorful imagination of the author as she adds a bit
of historical whimsy to each project.

For instance, who
knew the Bumbelina sisters, Ada, Chloe, Maisey, Maude and Winnie, had a
traveling circus with their father or an end-of-season masquerade ball? And
what about Pierre LeRouge’s traveling circus-slash-opera? It’s all there, if
you let your imagination work like a child’s once again.

Even if you've
never made an artist trading card before, there is a how-to section for ATCs.
By far, my favorite projects are the circus wagon cars and the embellished
circus animals. As sort of the namesakes of the book, they are enchanting,
imaginative, colorful and delightful. You'll find yourself heading to the craft
store for rubber animals in no time. I did.

Other how-to
projects include a tussy-mussy, wands, jar fairies, crowns, shadow boxes and
more. There are little bits of “real” history throughout, such as an
explanation of artist trading cards and their history and the history of
pointed hats.

Even if you never
make a thing, this book is one for your inspiration shelf. And even if you
still don’t feel like an artist after you read it, I bet you’ll feel just a
little bit younger and whimsical.

– Contributing Editor Gina Smith aka Lilly*s of London*ish,
started making jewelry about six years ago and has since tied this in
with a love of vintage finds, Blythe, crochet and altered art in her
etsy shop.
Growing up in an antiquing family gives her a background and
appreciation for all things vintage, especially dinnerware, jewelry and
Americana advertising prints and products

{All contributed content Gina Smith © Lilly*s of London*ish}