Bookmarks with Personality

The final few days before Christmas!!!!!  Is it all done?!  I still have candy to make and one more gift to finish - NOT BUY!  Yes, I am making Christmas presents this year.  I can't wait to show you what I made, but I have to wait until after Christmas so that I do not spoil the surprise.  Yes, my Mom and Mother-in-law read my blog.  But here are some quick gifts that I can share with you...

These were a big hit at my Christmas Gift-ables class.  I think that since they have such a personal touch my ladies could not resist creating them for their friends, coworkers and family.  I have seen several variations of the bookmark on SCS, but I created mine with durability in mind.  The bottom mellow moss ribbon is secured by double-threading it through the ribbon slider available in the Vanilla Hodge-Podge Hardware set.  The top Brocade Blue ribbon is secured with a metallic eyelet.

Materials:

• Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware
• Filigree Brads
• Ballet Blue  5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon - 15 inches
• Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon - 6 inches
• Metallic Brads
• Vanilla Cardstock
• Stamp set of choice (Lovely Letters)
• Crop-a-dile
• Sanding Blocks
• Designer Label Punch
• Crystal Effects
• Thick backing that comes with your 12x12 Designer Series Paper 

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Sand the label shaped Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware piece with a SU! sanding block to create an aged look. 

2.  Using your Crop-a-dile enlarge one of the holes on the end of the hardware piece.  (Note: Simply punch using the larger eyelet hole setting.  Yes, your Crop-a-dile will punch through the metal.)  Thread about 1 inch of your Ballet Blue ribbon through this hole (from front to back). 

3.  Set a metallic brad to secure the ribbon.  These are small eyelets set in a large eyelet hole, but the size of the ribbon will keep it secure.  Feed a filigree brad onto the opposite end of the ribbon and tie a knot to secure.

4.  Feed half of the mellow moss taffeta through the small hole on the hardware piece.  Then feed both pieces together through the ribbon slide to secure.

5.  Stamp your image or monogram onto some Very Vanilla cardstock and punch out using your Designer Label punch.  (I actually used Brocade Blue craft ink and embossed the monogram.)  Punch additional label piece out of some thick white cardstock (i.e. the backing piece in your 12x12 cardstock).  Adhere these two pieces together for extra durability and strength.

6.  Flip the book mark over so that you can see the unfinished edge of the Brocade Blue ribbon and the back of the hardware piece.  Using your Crystal Effects, glue the stamped image onto the hardware piece (apply the glue to the gully that is made between the stamped image and the hardware piece - do not overload).  Trim the small Brocade Blue ribbon piece to about 3/4" and glue it to the back of the long piece.  Now you do not have to worry about fraying.

Do this in assembly line fashion and you will be done with multiple gifts in NO time!  Tomorrow I will be putting the finishing touches on my table.  Until then.....

Be Inspired by Life,

In addition - Kadie mentioned yesterday that she wanted to make some for her husband.  Yes it is quite feminine, but you can give these a more masculine feel.  Create using the silver Hodge Podge Hardware set and maybe the square, rectangle or circle main piece instead of the label.  Instead of the ribbon slider, you could substitute the small star brad and wrap the prongs around the ribbon in the back.  Let your imagination go!

Comments

[Judy Workman]

I came over from SCS and I love your blog. Thanks for the information on these bookmarks.

[Amanda Currier]

This is just beautiful!! I found your bookmark on SCS and thought I'd check out your blog, too!! :) I don't have any filigree brads---do you have another suggestion?

[Erin Blair]

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful bookmark & the directions. I just made them for a class I did. You can see my version here: www.stampwitherin.typepad.com on March 29th

Thanks again...Erin Blair