Handmade Bookmarks – how to make simple bookmarks from craft stash

“Are you donating or buying?” asked Mr M nervously as I pulled on my coat in preparation for a visit recently to our local charity shop. “Both” I replied cheerily “see you later with my spoils.” Once there I noticed a lady, I often see in the village leafing through the paperbacks. She remarked to the staff member “there aren’t many new ones to choose from today are there?” rather like she was visiting the local library. Not for the first time was I struck by how important our charity shops are for many: This lady clearly visited regularly for the enjoyment of a preloved book or two. I myself have an electric device I generally read my novels on these days although I will admit to there being nothing quite like the feel of a book in one’s hands. I have friends who read a great deal and in a nod to World Book Day – 5th March 2020 – I thought I’d try my hand at an idea I’ve had floating around in my head for a while now. Inspired by another crafty account over on Instagram I am making handmade bookmarks this week using of course my stash of cards and fabrics. Do join me for what I promise to be a simple idea and a wonderful gift to yourself or a book loving friend…

One of my favourite accounts to follow over on Instagram is @oysterbridgeandco The lovely Kate makes the most charming tags using her calligraphy skills, gorgeous aged papers and rag ribbons. I have a few myself dotted here and there around the home reminding me what time of year it is lest I should forget. And I once used one as an emergency bookmark since I rather reluctantly refused to turn the corner of my new read and at the time had little else on hand. I wondered then as to handmade bookmarks along similar lines. So, suitably inspired, I began as usual gathering all my treasures.

I determined an appropriate size for my handmade bookmarks to be fifteen centimetres by four and cut accordingly from my card stash. Then using Pinterest for inspiration, I chose an appropriate quote and began typing.

I am pleased to report an improvement in my sharing skills. This snippet of silk is a sample from my interior design days and one of the many treasured pieces I talked of here last week. A lot of oohing, ahhing and stroking time has been poured over this old piece. Its smooth tactile composition should make an ideal reverse for my handmade bookmark, if like me you fiddle whilst reading. I used my pinking scissors to snip a size ever so slightly larger than the cardstock itself and added a quick wipe of a glue stick over the card to help hold both mediums together. Then with teeny running stitches, I carefully travelled around the perimeter of both the card and material using my machine, securing firmly together.

A hole punch offered an appropriate opening for a pretty vintage velvet ribbon which I tied to resemble a luggage tag. Finally, I raided my beautiful bead and jewel bounty to create a colourful dangle from a broken necklace. What do you think?

The pink gingham fabric used in the next handmade bookmark was taken from a faded pillow case once belonging to Little Miss which I tore rather than cut, offering up a frayed and worn edge. Since both the fabric and paper I used here are thin, I sandwiched a small piece of card in between for a little added strength.

And for my third look, I selected a scrap of the fabric I first used on this craft teaming with blue and gold ribbon and tiny trinkets you saw me use once before in this project. Look at this neutral girl embracing colour these days.

I chose not to protect the paper side of any of these bookmarks however if longevity is desired, you could laminate or use sticky back plastic, which I would probably have done if I’d had any left. Since I feel sure neither product can be eco-friendly, I decided against purchasing any new. Besides, a faded and worn look could be quite appealing for such an item. Failing that, they are extremely quick and easy to make and can be simply crafted in a matter of hours. Wouldn’t these handmade bookmarks make lovely gifts for just about anyone accompanied perhaps with either a preloved or brand-new book or maybe even a book token.

If you were about to unsubscribe because you’ve had enough of all the crafts, you might like to hang around a while longer. Next week is Whitewood and Linen’s monthly newsletter In Real Life – thank you so much for such a wonderful response to the first one, I really enjoyed your comments and questions – and the following week I have a rather intriguing up-cycle for you. Until then…x