How to Make Christmas Bookmarks

This easy craft makes use of last year's Christmas cards that you just couldn't throw away. Turning them into bookmarks creates something special to tuck in with your Christmas messages. Hand them out at your book club or donate a stack to the public library to give to their readers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• used Christmas cards
• scissors or a paper cutter
• pencil
• ruler

1. Sort through the Christmas cards looking for good designs. Don't use ones that have handwriting on the back of the picture. Once you have the best cards selected, cut off the back of the card. Now the front part is ready to make into bookmarks.

2. 
    
   A good separation

   Bookmarks are usually 1 1/2 inches by 6 or 9 inches. A little more or a little less is fine. Often you can get two bookmarks from one card. Use care to divide the card so the picture on the bookmark makes sense. You don't want to cut right down the middle of figure just to get two bookmarks.

3. 
    
   Different sizes

   Cards with a general design convert easily into bookmarks. Use the paper cutter to cut bookmark-sized strips from the card design. This can be done also by marking the lines for cutting using the ruler, pencil and scissors.

4. Don't just cut out the bookmarks willy-nilly. If it's a Christmas card, don't cut it so Santa is half on one bookmark and half on another. The object isn't to get the most bookmarks, but to get the most attractive ones. First visualize the design on the card cut into 2 or 3 strips.

5. 
    

   It's tricky to use cards with words in the design. Here are examples of successful bookmarks that include words.

6. 
    

   Most cards lend themselves to vertical bookmarks.

7. 
    

   A few have good horizontal designs that transfer into a nice bookmark.

8. 
    

   Cutting around the graphic adds a special touch to a bookmark.

9. 
    

   You can laminate the bookmarks if you have a laminating machine. This is equipment that a scrap **** might have.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use embroidery silks to tie a tassel on the bookmark. Make a hole with a hole punch to attach the tassel.

[vallain]

on 11/14/2009 Poutine- I'm glad you stopped over to visit eHow from Squidoo. Have fun making the bookmarks.

[poutine]

on 11/14/2009 Just what I was looking for, Thanks.

Maria AKA Poutine on:

http://www.squidoo.com/makingreusableshoppingbags

[poutine]

on 11/14/2009 That's just what I was looking for. Thank you so much for the tips on how to make bookmarks.

Maria AKA Poutine on
http://www.squidoo.com/makingreusableshoppingbags

[LilacGirl]

on 1/14/2009 Good suggestions for a Christmas craft, one that the kids can help you with.

[DUSTYMILLS]

on 12/19/2008 This is quite the useful idea! I always am looking for a bookmark, now I'll be making some. Thanks for the idea :)