I'm using a pre-bound journal from Pentalic which has a nice light, old fashioned looking paper inside, parchment paper it claims. I started by getting a used gift card and dipping it into Golden brand gesso acrylique. I added a liberal coating of the gesso. Once it had dried to the touch I sprayed on a liberal coating of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Hydrangea. Many steps will follow.
Front cover - I am also showing the beginning vs the altered.
Front cover - I am also showing the beginning vs the altered. 
This a view of the inner cover. I ripped the cover flap off and will be replacing it with another paper. I covered the edges with Daler Rowney FW Pearlescent liquid acrylic paint in Moon Violet #116. One of my very favorite colors to use 'o)
I wanted to give a close up on the binding. I actually like the coverage I gained with the gesso and glimmer mist but I am likely to add some ribbon coverage at some point anyway, time will tell.
I actually scared my daughter at this step, she says, "Mom you are going to ruin the paper doing that". Of course my son is the artist and loved it! I held the book closed tightly and sprayed a liberal amount of the glimmer mist all the way around then I held just the pages together and did the same to the front and back cover page. It helps tie it together. If only I had a camera that captured the effect more clearly.
And This will be the back cover.