altered book, the rest of it

Before you start cutting into the actual pages of the book, trace your template onto the first page you'll be cutting. Even if you're cutting a simple shape, you'll have better luck using a template because it will keep your lines straight and uniform through the entire thickness of the book.
Cut 5-10 pages at a time, it will keep your lines crisp and reduce the number of times you have to go back and cut away at those little corners that don't come out willingly. I have a small cutting mat that I can put inside the book to protect the pages underneath, it also adds stability when cutting. Finally, clamp your entire book together, it's important that the spine stay straight otherwise all of your cutting will end up askew. If your book is thin enough you can use binder clips, or like me, you can use spring clamps from the hardware store.

altered book, step two

Step two: get up the nerve to cut the book, this is pretty much the worst part. This book came from a thrift store so I can't just pick up another one if I do something wrong.

This book will have layers that you look through so the first cut I had to make was the hole in the cover. To do this I drew the shape in pencil and then cut through with an x-acto.

altered book, step one

Step one in my altered book process, well aside from picking the book and deciding on content; cutting templates.

Process shot for an altered book.