Paperclip Bookmark and a Giveaway!!!

ETA: the winner of the paperclip giveaway is posted at the end of the this post! thanks to everyone who commented!!!

I love a good book and really hate when I have to put it down. I once had a substitute teacher in 2nd grade who told me I was a walking encyclopedia because I always had my nose in a book.

But life tends to interrupt reading time, whether it’s time to start cooking a meal or time to do homework, and everyone needs a cute way to mark the spot where he or she stopped.

When I saw Laura Banasiak’s collab with SpinkyDink Scraps called Well Read in the shop, I knew it was the perfect kit to use to create a few bookmarks for my daughter.

I purchased my 4″ silver paperclips as part of a group bulk buy a month or so ago. It was time to stop hoarding and to start using a few!

This is what I came up with for my daughter:

And here is the kit I used – Well Read:

Additional supplies used:

• lightweight chipboard – I used an empty box from my Staples brand matte presentation paper.
• presentation paper (or paper of choice)
• jumbo paperclip
• Tombow adhesive tape runner (or other adhesive of choice)
• low temp hot glue gun (or other strong adhesive of choice like E600)
• ribbon
• ink – to ink edges
• Sizzix Big Shot and Nestibilities circle and circle scallop dies (optional)

1. Open your program of choice – I use Photoshop Elements.

2. The circle and scallop dies that I wanted to use to create the top of my bookmark are 2.5″ in size. Open a new blank 8.5″ x 11″ canvas. Using the Rectangle Marquee tool, draw a 2.75″ x 2.75″ square on your canvas. Add a new layer.

3. Chose the paper you want to use as the background for the bookmark. Copy and paste into the new layer. Resize to your liking. Duplicate layer. This will be the front and back of your bookmark.

4. Using the Rectangle Marquee tool again, draw another 2.75″ x 2.75″ square on your canvas. Add a new layer. Select the paper you want to use as the center of your bookmark – I chose the neutral colored paper so that my elements show up better. Copy and paste into the new layer. Resize to your liking.

5. Design the center section of your bookmark.

I love in Laura’s kit preview how she staged the table with the globe, books and that cute work right beside that comfy looking chair! In fact, I loved it so much that I recreated it to put on my bookmark!

6. Arrange each layer on your blank canvas so that you can see all the layers that will make up your bookmark.

7. Print using your printer’s best print option.

8. Next, use the circle and scallop circle dies to cut out the pieces for the bookmark. I also cut out lightweight chipboard circles and scallop circles from an old paper box. This will give the bookmark more stability.

note: you do not need circle and/or scallop circle dies to cut your bookmark pieces. Use the Elliptical marquee tool in your photo program to create the round pieces and cut with scissors.

9. Ink the edges of the cut circles and scallop circles.

10. Use an adhesive of choice to apply the background paper to the chipboard pieces and the center section of the bookmark. I used my Tombow adhesive tape runner for this part.

11. Using a strong adhesive, like E600, adhere the paperclip to the inside back of your bookmark. I used low temperature hot glue. Allow to cool. Apply adhesive right on top of the paperclip and position the front of the bookmark in place.

note – I adhered the paperclip to the back of the front panels of my bookmarks which is why my bookmarks are not on the clip straight. Learn from my boo-boo!!!

12. Here they are – almost finished but, to me, still a little naked!

13. Cut a piece of ribbon and tie around the paperclip at the base of the bookmark. Isn’t that better? They just needed a little pop of color!!

And here is one of the bookmarks in action – holding my place in a book that I’ve read several times but still love to read!!

These were so quick and easy to make – I can see making a bunch for my daughter to give her friends and teachers for Christmas.

With that in mind, how would you like to win a dozen of the 4″ silver paperclips so that you can create your own bookmarks? I see you nodding your head and thinking “what do I need to do to win?”

To be eligible to win, just leave a comment here on this post by Saturday, November 13, 2010 11:59pm EST!

A winner will be randomly chosen and announced in this post on Sunday, November 14th. (my oldest son’s 20th birthday!!!)

Thanks to everyone who commented!!! The giveaway is now closed – I had the birthday boy pick a number between 1 and 24. He chose #24 – Melanie[scrappymelly].

Congrats Melanie and check your email!

Other Articles by wildblueeyez:

• Card Caravan: use flowers - April 28th, 2013
• Card Caravan Challenge - Shaped Cards - March 18th, 2013
• Simon Says... Use this free mini kit! - March 4th, 2013
• Card Caravan Challenge #36 – Winter - January 20th, 2013
• Simon Says… use this template! - January 16th, 2013