How to Make Homemade Book Markers & Cards

With just a couple of clicks through a number of different computer software programs, you can design your own bookmarks and cards. Instead of settling for generic, store-bought designs, add a bit of personalization for the next time you pick up a new bestseller or send a greeting in the mail. Each software program allows for an unlimited amount of design options, letting you create an entire homemade collection of paper goods to suit any occasion, holiday or artistic urge.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Publisher
• Windows Paint
• Adobe Photoshop

Instructions

Make Greeting Cards in Publisher

1. Open Publisher, click "Publications for Print" and select "Greeting Cards." Scroll through the card templates and double-click one, which opens in the Publisher workspace.

2. Click your cursor into a line of placeholder text on the card, which becomes highlighted. Type directly over the text with your own message, such as "Congratulations" or "Happy Anniversary." Highlight the new text and use the toolbar at the top of the screen to change the words' font, size, position and color. Repeat to change the text throughout the rest of the card.

3. Right-click a placeholder picture on the card and select "Change Picture." Select "Clip Art," then type a word or phrase into the "Search for" box, such as "cat," "knitting," "birthday" or "welcome home." Click "Go," scroll through the results and double-click an image, which takes the place of the original on the card. Repeat throughout the card.

4. Click the "Color Schemes" link on the "Greeting Card Options" pane on the right side of the screen. Scroll through the color groups and double-click one to automatically change the colors on the card in the workspace.

5. Pull down the "File" menu, click "Save As," name the greeting card and save it to your computer.

Make Bookmarks in Paint

1. Open Paint, pull down the "Image" menu and click "Attributes." Set the bookmark's dimensions, such as 3-inches by 7-inches and click the "OK" button. The Paint workspace automatically adjusts.

2. Click the "Pencil" tool and select a color from the "Color Picker" at the bottom of the screen. Draw the outline of a design at the top of the bookmark, such as a paw print, pumpkin, book page or religious symbol. Click the "Paint Bucket" tool and click inside the design, which fills with color. Click back to the "Pencil," switch to a new paint color and add accents to the design.

3. Click the "Text" tool, which looks like an "A" and click the white space of the bookmark. If a text toolbar does not appear, pull down the "View" menu and click "Text Toolbar." Select a font and a small font size, then type a book quote, favorite religious passage, personal message or a name.

4. Select a paint color from the "Color Picker" you haven't used yet, then click the "Paint Bucket." Click the white space of the bookmark, which fills with color behind the text and graphic, giving it a background.

5. Click the "File" menu and select "Save As." Type a name for the bookmark and save it to your computer.

Make Note Cards in Photoshop

1. Open Photoshop, click "File" and select "New." Name the file "NoteCard" and set your dimensions, such as 6 inches by 4 inches and click the "OK" button. A blank card space appears.

2. Double-click the top left square of the "Color Picker," which is the two overlapping colored square boxes on the "Tools" palette. Select a color for the paint and click "OK." Click the "Paintbrush" tool, pull down the "Brush" menu and choose a solid, round brush head such as #13.

3. Draw your initials on the card; to make a monogram, draw your first initial, draw your last initial slightly larger, then draw your middle initial.

4. Give the note card an eye-catching background pattern by clicking the "Paint Bucket" tool, pulling down the "Fill" menu and selecting "Pattern." Click into the "Pattern" box beside it and select a pattern, such as tie-dye, bubbles or crushed silk. Click the white space of the card, which fills with the color behind your initials.

5. Pull down the "File" menu, choose "Save As" and save the card file to your computer.

References

• In Pictures: Microsoft Publisher
• Microsoft: Using Paint
• University of Washington: Photoshop Painting