Inspiration

I thought I would document the research for the current Bluebird challenge.

Definition of altered book:

An altered book is a form of mixed media artwork that changes a book from its original form into a different form, altering its meaning.

An altered book artist takes a book (old, new, recycled or multiple) and cuts, tears, glues, burns, folds, paints, adds to, collages, rebinds, gold-leafs, creates pop-ups, rubber-stamps, drills, bolts, and/or be-ribbons it.

The artist may add pockets and niches to hold tags, rocks, ephemera, or other three-dimensional objects. Some change the shape of the book, or use multiple books in the creation of the finished piece of art.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altered_book

Definitions of an art journal:

A diary that chronicles the ideas, memories, and thoughts of an artist. Pages within an art journal include words, pictures and even embellishments.
http://www.paperpiecingpatch.com/Scrapbook_Dictionary_AI.htm
A collection of words and images kept by an artist as a scrapbook.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/art_journal

How to Create an Art Journal

Artist's journals are illustrated diaries and journals on any theme.

An art journal can be a record of your daily thoughts, a travel journal, an exercise or diet diary, a dream journal, a place where you jot down your goals or to-do lists, or... well, almost any record that you'd like to keep in a book or notebook.

They become "art journals" when you add any kind of illustration or embellishment to the pages.
http://www.artistsjournals.com/instruction.htm

Other reading:
Great ideas & examples of altered books.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/illustration_and_illumination/91378