valentine bookmarks
We just received the dreaded email from Bee's teacher: "Please no candy or edible treats with valentines this year." WHAT? What's a valentine without some candy, especially to a group of 6 and 7 year olds? So we scrambled to think of something the kids will actually use (rather than buying cheap plastic party favors or going the uninspired sticker or pencil route).
Remembering these escort cards and holiday tags, we rounded up some red and white fabric and started making valentine bookmarks. To get started you'll need: white cardstock, an x-acto knife and ruler, a bone folder, a cutting mat, a 1.5" heart craft punch, a glue stick and some fabric scraps (cut to roughly 2" x 2").
First you'll need to print out the template on white or cream cardstock. I use an x-acto knife and a metal ruler, being careful not to cut all the way through the ends of the paper so my template stays together while I am cutting. It also helps to run a bone folder over the line where the bookmark folds (marked with a red dashed line on your template). This will help the card fold smoothly, so you won't have a jagged edge.
Use your heart punch to punch out the heart on the bookmark. If you don't have the right sized punch, you can try cutting the heart with a sharp x-acto knife.
Glue the fabric scrap to the inside of the bookmark, placing it so it will show through the cutout heart when the bookmark is folded. Then apply glue to the entire left side of the bookmark (the side with the heart cutout) especially along the edges and around the heart. Fold your bookmark carefully in half.
Use a bone folder to smooth out the glue and make sure every part of the heart is thoroughly glued down. Pay special attention to the edges. You can use all kinds of fabric, but since such a small amount of fabric shows through the heart, those with a small repeat work best.
For a nice finishing touch, round the edges of the bookmarks with a corner rounder.
I've got a few other ideas up my sleeve for these fabric hearts.. Stay tuned!
02.6.2013
Reader Comments (215)
I love this bookmarks. You gave an idea! I'm off to Michael's to get the corner rounder!
Thank you!
i love this idea :)
I know, right? Valentine's is for candy (when you're a kid). I'm in complete agreeance that my kids come home with too much garbage (edible or not), but it feels like 90% of the time it's because adults are handing it out to them. Every church lesson, class party, Scout activity, random event has to be filled with dessert/sugar. If parents could tone it down a little so that the kids could just give and have fun with it....
Anyway, you did a marvelous job of finding an alternative. :)
You always have the BEST valentine's ideas! I've now used the matchbox's twice;) No candy is cruel. Today I was at Michaels and saw those magnetic 'wooly willy' faces- I quickly bought their stock and plan to make tags with my daughter that say something like "I wooly willy like you", or "You're wooly willy super!" ... another non candy idea, should you need one again.
These bookmarks are sweet:-) Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
so cute. thanks for sharing!
Love this idea! My daughter and I are going to work on this today. Thanks so much for sharing!
Oh, I love these!! We don't have a "no candy" rule at our school, but I want to do these regardless - so much more creative and certainly outlasts the candy:)
We made 61 bookmarks inspired by yours (they don't look quite the same, but that's OK) last night for everyone in my three daughters' classes. My 8 yo middle said "this is so much better than a candy bar because they'll get to keep it forever!" : ) Thanks for the great idea.
are you kidding me?! cutest idea ever! i just copied it; thanks for the template!
http://www.ifshesleeps.com/2013/02/bookmarks.html
So creative and useful -- not two words that can often describe valentines. I love the little bit of red fabric. Might have to make these myself!
These are so cute. My daughter would love to make these.
I'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your bookmark! You can see it here:
http://funfamilycrafts.com/valentine-bookmark/
Thanks for a yet another great project idea!
I love a non-sugary treat and these are simplicity at this best. Thanks for sharing. I could imagine making these with my daughter and your tutorials make that so easy, as always! Happy Making!
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Blogvolin provides great bookmarks for Valentine. Its awesome. Thanks
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