How to Make Flip Flop Bookmarks From Craft Foam

Craft foam can be used to make a variety of things. A bookmark in the shape of a flip flop constructed from craft foam can be a party favor for a writer's group or a Mother's Day gift from an older child. This summer, head to the beach with a good book and a flip flop--topped bookmark you made yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 sheet of light-colored craft foam
• 1 sheet of dark-colored craft foam
• Pen or pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Brass-plated fastener
• Craft foam glue

1. 
    
   Cut out the bookmark body.

   Measure and mark a 2-by-8½-inch rectangle on the light-colored craft foam. Cut out the rectangle.

2. Measure and mark a 1½-by-2½-inch rectangle on the dark-colored craft foam. Cut out the rectangle.

3. 
    
   Cutting out the sole of the flip flop.

   Sketch the shape of the sole of a flip flop on the wrong side of the smaller rectangle with a pencil. If you make a mistake, erase and redraw the lines until the shape looks like the sole of a flip flop, wider at the toe and narrower at the heel. Cut out the flip flop shape.

4. 
    
   The four craft foam pieces used to make the bookmark.

   Measure and mark two ½-inch-by-1½-inch strips on the light-colored craft foam. Cut out the strips.

5. 
    
   The bookmark folded in half.

   Make a dot on the wrong side of the large light-colored rectangle 4 inches from the top and in the center. Fold the bookmark in half lengthwise with the dot showing on the fold.

6. 
    
   The V-cut.

   Hold the bookmark in a folded position and cut from the dot with the scissors at an angle toward the edges. Do not cut all the way; stop cutting ½ inch from the edge. You are making a cut in the shape of a V.

7. 
    
   Cutting the side slits to make a prong.

   Cut a slit parallel to the edge and about 1½ inches long on each side. This makes a V-shaped prong to fit over the top of the book page.

8. 
    
   Pushing the fastener prongs through the first piece.

   Poke the prongs of the brass-plated fastener through the end of one of the small craft foam strips.

9. 
    
   Through the second piece.

   Poke the prongs of the brass-plated fastener through the end of the other small craft foam strip. Hold the two foam strips in a V shape.

10. Poke the prongs of the brass-plated fastener through the toe end of the craft foam flip flop sole, about ½ inch from the toe end. Make sure the V shape is upside down with the point toward the toe of the flip flop.

11. Position the flip flop sole lengthwise at the top of the rectangular bookmark. The toe of the flip flop will be at the top and the slot that will fit over the book page will point toward the bottom of the bookmark. Poke the prongs of the brass-plated fastener through the bookmark to fasten the flip flop to the bookmark.

12. Flatten the ends of the fastener on the wrong side to secure the four thicknesses of foam together.

13. Glue the ends of the small strips to the edges of the flip flop sole with craft glue.

14. Trim the edges of the strips with scissors along the contour of the flip flop sole. Glue the heel of the flip flop sole to the bookmark.

15. Place a book over the top of the bookmark for 24 hours or until the craft glue is thoroughly dry.

Tips & Warnings

• A box cutter or razor blade utility knife may be used to cut the V-shaped prong in the bookmark. Small decorations like stickers, seed beads, or jewel decorations can be glued onto the flip flop.

Resources

• Another kind of flip flop bookmark using craft foam and a large paper clip.
• More ideas for decorating flip flop bookmarks.