Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Pretty Place Holders

Here's a little gift idea using a "one sheet wonder" sheet I stamped with Gina K's Summer Harvest, August's Free with Three Set. I put three bookmarks, (1 3/4" x 10.5 " strips of Pink Passion , scored at 5 1/4" and folded in half) in a clear CD case. These are a little different from traditional bookmarks because they hold not only your page, but your place, as I will show below! Packaged together with these binder clips clipped to the spine, they are not only decorative but can be attached to the folded end of the bookmark or used separately for papers and photos. (and the recipient can also repurpose the case...)



These clips were the inspiration for my color scheme, (I have such a hard time getting away from my favorite Red unless I'm smacked over the head with something else!) I was at my favorite Target Dollar Spot a few weeks ago and thought these light and hot pink and peachy berries and cherries were so summery and festive and perfect to go with the "Summer Harvest" stamps!
The narrow grosgrains I tied on are SU! Apple, Apricot, and Rose, and that crazy spotty dotty one I had completely forgotten I had (Ribbon FX from Hobby Lobby $1.99) I picked it up a few months ago planning to use it with my circus animals! :) Could the colors be any more perfect? (now that I know I have it again, expect to see it with another little animal from this past release, coming soon!)

I stamped the cherries and berries all over my CS (4 1/2" x 5") in Palette Noir, turning the stamps as I went , going back and filling in ares as needed. I colored them with my Copics (minus shading to match the bold, solid look of the fruit on my clips) and added some white dots for a cheery highlight and berry seeds with my Signo gel pen (which is dying by the way, I think it's time I go try the Inkssentials pen, do you have one...?)

I cut that one piece into 1 1/2" strips and adhered them to my folded bookmarks. I went and ahead and attached the clip at the folded end after taking it out of the case (isn't that cute?) I like that it is multipurpose, and you can take off the clip (instead of just having ribbon permanently attached) if you need it for something else. I made one of these for the Dirty Dozen gallery years ago (a more masculine one, very different looking from this!), I'd seen this snap on type of bookmark at a bookstore, and thought it was so clever, and necessary for some like me, who aways seems to reread an entire page before figuring out where I left off the night before, do you do that?? Here you just slide it on and snap it shut at the line you left off....


I wanted to use two short pieces of a long roll of adhesive magnetic tape on the insides, but of course I couldn't find it today so I had to use some of these larger magnets (not necessary to have such strong magnets for this project though) I toyed with the idea for a minute of using the Basic Grey snaps I bought last month, but decided against it because I really want to save them for things I want a more professional looking closure on, mini album, purse card, KWIM? (But they would have worked!) :)
TIP: Here you see if you decorate the back also (either with more stamping, DP, or maybe a verse or your own handwritten message, the bookmark looks nice facing either direction (here I have the same bookmark, snapped onto the right hand page...)

You might not think someone needs three bookmarks from you, but if they're like me (or at least like me back when I had time to read LOL!) I often have several books I'm into at once (which makes it extra hard to remember your spot!) ;)
EDITED TO ADD: This finished bookmark measures 1 3/4" x 5 1/4". (which means they are short enough to tuck into an A2 card if you want to send one per person in the mail. See above for additional measurements for each piece.) :)

I have to confess I'm not really reading Jane Eyre right now, just had to find something off the bookshelf that wouldn't look silly in my pic) :) Something I did read recently and highly recommend for the beach, plane ride etc: "No, I Don't Want to Join a Book Club!" by Virginia Ironside. It's been several months now since I checked it out and read it, but I think I'm going to go ahead and buy it, it was one of the funniest things ever, ( lots of insight and tender moments, too), kind of a Bridget Jones diary if Bridget were 60!! ) Warning, this woman can be very naughty, but she is a hoot!

Have a great day! (BTW, how do you like this new formatting...? never mind it looks like it did the wrap around in some places and not others...?)

16 comments:

  1. I love it!! And, yes, I end up reading almost the entire page before I figure out where I left off. I need some of these. Maybe I can talk my sis into making some for me. :)

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  2. What adorable projects!!! Love how many projects you got out of a one sheet wonder!

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  3. I am an educational assistant who works with special needs highschool students, my 12 year old daughter also has a learning disability...I love this...I plan on making several when I return from holidays for my students and my daughter. This will act as a guide for them as they read along...it's perfect...thanks.

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  4. what a find those binder clips are! too cute of an idea. love the bright colors

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  5. Is there any chance of you posting measurements for these bookmarks for a novice like me and maybe others who read your blog? This is such a nice project and I can see making these for gifts, but I don't do well without specific instructions. Thank you for sharing.
    Cheryl Sims

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  6. Wow, great gift that can be given to anybody really! I love it! I love coming here, you always have such great ideas.

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  7. What an awesome gift idea!! I love it !!! You are always soooo good !!!

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  8. Just when I think you can't get any MORE creative you jump right outside the box. This super, girl!

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  9. This is a really nifty idea, Melanie! I have a book club friend who would LOVE it. Note to self: Must look for some little magnets and clips at LSS...

    Your Take Out T Shirt is really cute, too!

    Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  10. Love it! And I love these place markers. They would make such a great gift!

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  11. These are wonderful, Melanie! Love this idea for gift set of 3 too--I can already think of a few spots I where I need these! And yours are so very pretty! Oooh, better get hoppin over to Target! :) tfs your creative and useful project today! So inspiring!

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  12. What a fantastic idea!!! I am going to have to try this!

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  13. This makes the greatest little gift and so pretty and practical. I, too, am always rereading the same page! I may have to make some for me!
    TFS!!

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  14. Ohhhhh..........I LOVE these!!! Of course it helps that I ADORE reading!!! Well, when it doesn't take away from stampin'!!! LOL Jane Eyre is a fave of mine!!! Of course, I can read "other" books too!! LOL These are a wonderful gift idea just in time for teachers, college students, etc! Awesome again Mel!!!

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  15. These are just the cutest. You've got my head spinning for a welcome back gift for the staff in my school. I was going to do little square ones but these are so much more appropriate for teachers. Thanks for the great idea!

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  16. this is just such a cute thing... will make one for my friend, that's just what I needed

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