CHRISTMAS FUN - DECEMBER 4, 2013

You all know that I had blogged about bookmarks a few days ago. Well, if we are doing holiday related activities, and especially reading holiday books, how about a nice holiday bookmark? Or two or three? Fancy ones that you can make yourself. The picture I will provide below will give you an idea of the finished product, but imagine when you look at the picture that you can use any type of ribbon, such as satin, and you can make the bookmarks in Christmas colors. I do not think a book lover would turn this gift down. Or, you do not even have to wait until Christmas to give someone a nice bookmark. It is inexpensive so you can just make a book reader's day.

RIBBON BOOKMARKS

Martha Stewart: A specially chosen book is always the perfect gift, and a handmade ribbon bookmark makes it all the more personal. These lovely keepsakes can be embellished as you like, and the directions can be modified to use any type or width of ribbon you desire.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

2 1/4-inch-wide ribbon (16 inches long)
1 1/2-inch-wide ribbon (14 inches long)
Pencil
Ruler
Utility knife
A needle and thread

BOOKMARK HOW-TO

Cut ribbons to a length a bit longer than the book they're intended for. On the wrong side of the wider ribbon, use a ruler and pencil to make evenly spaced horizontal lines 1 1/2 inches long.

Using a utility knife, and the edge of the ruler as a guide, carefully cut slits along pencil marks. Weave thin ribbon through slits on wide ribbon. [See image 2 above.] To hold ribbons in place, stitch straight across the top and bottom edges of the bookmark.

To create a fringed edge, stitch across the bottom of the bookmark, about 1/2 inch from the bottom; then pull away the threads running crosswise. Or adorn an edge with a button, bell, or charm.

Aren't they beautiful and unique? I have tons of ribbons of all types in my craft room. I believe I will be making a lot of bookmarks for people this year as a little something extra to go along with their Christmas gifts.

I hope you have fun with this!