Monday, December 14, 2009

Pretty DIY Bookmarks for Christmas




Hi everyone! I wanted to show you a few bookmarks that I made this year to give as presents. I originally saw this idea at Andrea Singarella's blog way back in Jan and then rather surprisingly, my Michael's had a demonstration on how to make them recently!


You can find the flyer at the front of the store and it will give a list of supplies and instructions on the back.




What you need to make the ones I show are ribbon clamps, jump rings (all found in the jewelry making section) various widths of ribbon to fit the ribbon clamps, and charms or vintage jewelry to add to the ends.  You use those straight connector pins if you want to add some beads to the ends but I decided not to do that for these.



  They're really easy to make and not expensive but they look expensive! I think they're a nice present to give to anyone that you know is a bookworm.







Step 1. You measure how long you want your bookmark to be. I made my daughter's (the blue ribbon with the cross) 8 inches.




Step 2. Place one end of the ribbon between the ribbon clamp and close clamp (I used some needle nose pliers). Repeat on the other end. Add the jump ring and your charms to both ends.




They were so easy to make! Really the hardest thing is deciding on the ribbon and jewelry!  I love things that are pretty yet practical.





I'm linky to Cottage Instincts Make It For Monday and Tatertots and Jello's Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash.  **Edited to add:  Also Kathy's Handmade Holidays and  Holly's Thrifty Gifty Party (on Friday 12/18).  Be sure to check out all these ladies blogs for more wonderful ideas!

49 comments:

Julie said...

What a pretty gift! Thanks for sharing.

Ally's Corner said...

Wow, those are so pretty. Who knew Michael's had a demonstration.

Christina said...

Those are pretty! What a great gift idea.

Richella Parham said...

Manuela, these are beautiful! Thanks for the idea. What a fun gift!

Sharon said...

I LOVE those Manuela! They came out beautiful. I had tried looking for ribbon clamps about a year and a half ago but couldn't find them. I'm glad they made their way in the stores. beautiful gift idea :)

Have a wonderful day!

Sharon

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Those are so cute! And I love your new Goodwill piece, that is gonna be so great painted up a nice color.

Anonymous said...

Oh Manuela, those are fabulous bookmarks! Thank you for sharing these! xx

Jennifer said...

Super pretty! What a great idea for a little gift. Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer

Salmagundi said...

That's a great project - love it in that it doesn't require glue or glitter!! Now I need to look for the findings as I must make some. You are going to make me a crafter yet. I plan to blog about my bleached bottle brush tree experience on Wednesday. Have a great week. Sally

My Cozy Cubby said...

How SUPER CUTE are those!!!

Pamela

Millie said...

Thanks for posting this.. if I get time, I know a couple of people who would love these!

Julie Harward said...

I have always loved beautiful book marks..it just feels so special to have one in a book! These are really beautiful too! Great idea! Come say hi :D

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love this, Manuela! {Love that book you pictured, too}! I have to go to Michael's this week and I think I will look for the items needed to make this.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You come up with the best ideas! I love those.
Penny

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a beautiful project Manuela! I love that idea! A great gift for friends or teachers!

Thanks for linking up - I really appreciate it!

XOXO
Jen

Miss Janice said...

Those are beautiful and great for gifts!

Unknown said...

Love these. They are almost too pretty to use as bookmarks. I'll have to check out my Michael's. My gd loves to make fun bookmarks, so it would be fun to make her one. Linda

Unknown said...

What a pretty idea - think I'll make myself one!

Terri Steffes said...

Those are lovely and perfect for my bookclub!

Holly said...

These are lovely Manuela! Great gift idea. I'd love for you to link this post up with my party on Friday if you like!

GlorV1 said...

I like these bookmarks and yes they are so easy to make. Very nice, thanks for sharing. Have a great week Manuela.

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Those are wonderful Manuela!
Now who would think to look for instruction sheets at the front of the store?? Oh yeah YOU would! LOL
Donna

Laura said...

Manuela, these are wonderful.

I so enjoy the Christmas season, and I value all of the wonderful bloggers I have met this year- like you.

You are such an inspiration to us all!

Laura

jennykate77 said...

I know lots of bookworms who would love these!! They are so pretty. Great gift idea!

Anne said...

I'm a huge bookworm and I love giving books as gifts - these would be such an elegant touch to add to a gift!

Little Penpen said...

Love the bookmarks... the jewelry findings are on sale almost every other week at Hobby Lobby. I will keep this on my idea list for quick gifts. I bought some things to make cell phone charms today for a few girls in our church. It was so much fun picking out the charms!

Shilo said...

What a beautiful and LUXURIOUS gift!

Darlene said...

I LOVE those bookmarks and they look like they will stay put in the book. CUTE!!!

Gypsy Heart said...

I saw the schedule for the demo at the Michael's here and then promptly forgot about it! Thanks so much for sharing ~ I love crosses!

Kathy said...

I love quick and easy projects that look beautiful and elegant like these. Thanks for posting this, they're lovely. Love your blog too!

Betsy Brock said...

Pretty! I've made something similar, but just stitched the bangle to the end of the ribbon. This looks a little more professional!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I just love bookmarks. Of course I love books! What great presents. After all, we've all got to "mark our place" whether it's a book or magazine! They're so pretty, Manuela!
Brenda

Anny said...

These are truly beautiful

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the info on the bookmarks. They are lovely! Enjoyed your blog.

CurtissAnn

Glenda/MidSouth said...

They do make pretty gifts. I really like the ones you made - so pretty! I had hoped to make some bookmarks for gifts this year, but time got away from me. Thanks for sharing the information.

Bev said...

Beautiful! I'm so happy you gave the information on how to make them.

Melissa Miller said...

Very pretty idea Manuela!

I sold jewelry for many years and I also read so these are right up my alley. I'm going to Micheals tomorrow for mesh and I'm now adding them to the list.

Thanks for coming by earlier and your kindness. ~Melissa :)

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

So sweet and simple to make! They will make a very pretty gift!

Janelle

Melissa Miller said...

Forgot to tell you I got a new camera for Christmas and I have no idea how to use all of those complex settings yet.

Alex took the night shots for me and he did do a good job.

Thank you for the compliment!

Sweet Designs said...

Wow, those came out great, thanks for sharing.

Angie said...

I would love to get one of these as a gift! So pretty!

Deb said...

Your bookmarks turned out gorgeous Manuela. I had the Michael's flyer tacked up to the kitchen message board for a few weeks but was unable to go to the demonstration last Saturday! Thank you for posting the tutorial :-) I have the ribbon & jump rings, but will have to head over to Michaels for ribbon clamps. I think they make the perfect little gift.

cindy said...

Again I hop over and find yet another GREAT crafty gift idea! I love the ribbons and 'jewels' you put together. Just lovely.

My daughter is really into the New Moon stuff...Wonder if I could make one with a vampire theme?

Thanks again for joining Mi4m!

Ticking and Toile said...

really neat! What a great idea! I am heading to Michaels today~ Then to the antique store to see if I canfind some vintage jewelry!
Thanks for the great tutorial!

Shellagh

arkie said...

Pretty bookmark! I love the book you show with them. I love the look of old books!

Holly said...

Thanks for linking up Manuela. I love these!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

What a lovely gift idea. It would be a great preent yucked into a good book!

KimMalk said...

Very pretty, I need to find time to read!

CallaLilly said...

I was so excited when I saw your pics on this post; Julia McNair Wrights' books are my favorites!!! I found two of them on Cape Cod and snatched them up immediately! :D