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Rusty texture technique ("DIY Rust Paste"); this is a technique for making an embossed or bas-relief surface look like it is all rusty and neglected. It is a multi-layer technique, not just a single application of a paste to make things look rusty. It requires dark brown (Burnt Umber) paint and rusty-brown (Burnt Sienna) paint for the under-layers; these have a texture powder added to the paint to give it... texture! If you can't get the grit powder, cinnamon will do (it's bark, it isn't going to dissolve or go rotten). Other paints are then added in more layers to get a metallic and patina look.

Make your notebooks & journals unique by painting the edges! Also a great way to revive books on your shelf. It helps to have a book press, but one can use heavy weights or clamps if need be.

Watercolour/Dye/Food-colouring + Epsom Salt + Table Salt + water + paper = pretty! Basically. adding Epsom salt and table salt to watercolour painting means that the salt crystalizes as the paint dries, adding a shimmery surface. Since both Epsom salt and table salt dissolve in warm water, no need for boiling water. Though on the downside, this also means that unless the painting is sealed, the crystals might dissolve away from the painting if it gets wet or humid.

Cardstock + water + stamp + paint = faux leather. This is probably most effective when the colour of the cardstock matches that of raw leather - that beige/tan/peach sort of colour.

This is part 1 of a tutorial in making faux books that open up as drawers. (There are links to the other parts by following the "next post" link on each page) This tutorial does it from scratch, from chip-board, which is rather daunting. But it also has ideas about decorating the resultant faux book, which is good.

Tutorial for decorating a faux book. This one solves the _pages_ problem by using adhesive caulk and texturing it with a plastic fork. I wonder if this would work with air-dry clay?

Decorating a faux book. Really cool ideas. This references a paid tutorial... if I wanted to get all those exact effects it would be worth buying; as it is, this has simply opened my eyes to the possibilities, such as using brass stampings, old newspaper, string, etc.