Don't you just love all of the ideas that people have for altering the most common things and making them new again. Who was it who first decided to alter a clipboard? And how about the lunch pails that are so popular now. I believe it takes a special mind to look at a common everyday object, and see an altered purpose for it.

So, what are we doing when we alter something? Basically, we're changing the expected or usual purpose of an object. So, for example, if you are altering a clipboard, you are changing it's use from it's basic purpose as a place to hold papers, to something else...a frame, perhaps.

With this definition, my Gratitude clipboard is altered, while my dear santa one, is not. My dear santa clipboard could be said to be embellished or decorated, rather than altered.

If you're interested in a little how-to information on altering objects, I'm sure there are as many ways to do is as there are people who do it. One of my preferred methods is to lay down a coat of acrylic paint, in a color of my choosing. You can then add different effects on top of the coat of paint, such as using crackle medium, which is another look I love. Something to keep in mind, though, if you are going to paint metal. You may first want to put down a coat of primer, or at least sand the metal so that the paint sticks to it. 

When it comes time to adhere paper to a surface, there are several very good products on the market. One of my favorites is Judikin's Diamond Glaze. Diamond Glaze provides a good strong bond with whatever you use it on, whether it be metal, wood, paper, plastic, etc. Then, if I want a durable finish, I'll follow that, once the Diamond Glaze is dry, with two coats of a decoupage medium.

The possibilities for objects to alter and embellish is limited only by your imagination. A new idea just came into my inbox this morning, though, that I just have to share with you, it is so striking.  Scrapbook Designer Laurie Stamas decorated this Cropper Hopper Vertical To Go bag and made it into a work of art! For more fun ideas, here's a peak at just one of the many scrapbooking galleries out there on the world wide web!