I made these bookmarks to giveaway as Valentines. There are a few more on my table that are half done. I used some old vintage fabric that I picked up at a thrift store a long time ago. The fabric pieces were small, perfect for accenting the canvas.
A few people are doing Valentine exchanges and I wanted do the same. I thought it would be fun to make something that you can use all year long, maybe as a marker for a project in your favorite sewing, art or craft book.
I have 6 left to exchange, so if anyone would like to make me a Valentine in exchange for a Valentine book marker, let me know and we can exchange addresses and hopefully get these in the mail before Valentine’s day. Just to clarify, I am looking for 6 different people to exchange with. Leave a comment saying that you are interested and I’ll get back to you. (thanks!)
If you’d like to make your own bookmarks, here is my ‘how to’.
You’ll need:
Canvas (heavy cotton duck)
pretty fabric scraps
glue stick
white glue
scissors
paper clamps
iron
sewing machine
thread
letter stamps
ink
1. Cut canvas into strips about 2.5 inches wide x 9 inches long.
2. For the back, cut pretty fabric into strips,1 inch (or so) shorter than the canvas and glue to one side of the canvas using a glue stick. Iron. (This step is optional, but it does add some extra sturdiness to the book marker). The bottom inch that isn’t covered with fabric will be the fringe.
3. Fold the top into a point, glue and use paper clamps to keep in place until dry.
4. Cut a small heart (or any other shape) out of fabric. Glue into place with glue stick and iron. This just keep everything in place while sewing.
5. With your sewing machine, sew freestyle around edges. Sew around heart too.
6. Pull threads of canvas to make fringe on the bottom edge.
7. Using stamps and ink (I use versa magic inks), stamp any message you desire. I thought it would be fun to make some that said “reading is sexy”. Heat set with hot iron.
8. Give to your favorite bookish friends for Valentine’s Day.
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February 4th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Can I be one of your valentines?
February 4th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Idea to me plait well! I am in France, it is possible to make one saint international valentin?
See you soon!
February 5th, 2010 at 5:44 am
i admit i’ve been slacking on valentine-making this year… but i’m up for a fabric bookmark swap if you are interested!
February 5th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I’d love to swap! Might take a while to get to you from here in the UK but I’d promise to send it quick
February 5th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Another great idea!
February 5th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
What a beautiful idea!
They look lovely …
I’m pretty lousy at sewing but I think I might just give these a try!
Yasmina
February 6th, 2010 at 3:55 am
these are super cute and so adorable!
February 6th, 2010 at 6:15 am
I love these bookmarks. Is there any way that I could place an order for one?
Also, as you know, I worship over here at Creative Kismet.
I just gave you an award over at my blog for being a huge inspiration for me. Thank you Regina! Love, Jessica
February 6th, 2010 at 6:17 am
Cute! And looks like something I could even do.
February 6th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I love these, I’ve got to make some!
February 7th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
These bookmarks are so sweet!! LOVIN’ the tall skinny houses!
I blogged your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-be-my-valentine-bookmarks/2010/02/07/
–Anne
February 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Just wanted to tell you that I saw these on Craft Gossip today and loved them – love your work on Etsy as well! Beautiful!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:58 am
These bookmarks are lovely! There is something so arty about them. You would feel creative just sticking one in a book!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
These are lovely!
I’d love to swap with you if you still have any left and think there is time for mailing.
Let me know =)
February 8th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
i really love this! sooo sweet! my daughter is always sewing bookmarks! i will show her these in the morning! thanks!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:47 am
I’ve been looking for a cute project like this to do in my Saturday art classes!This weekend there will be 15 five year old kids in Ireland attempting a simplified version of this! Thanks for the inspiration! x
February 9th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Love your bookmarks. Especially the fringe and freehand stitching. My son is making bookmarks for his Valentines at school too, but just cardstock and stamping. As I was looking at them, I envisioned a rocket ship. Wouldn’t these be adorable turned into rockets and given away as a favor at a space birthday party??
February 13th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Super cute! Love these! Thx for sharing!
February 15th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Thanks for your tute. I made some:
http://tamarathomas.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentines-day.html
I don’t have letter stamps, so I wrote with the sewing machine.
February 20th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I love these. I’m trying to make something once a week for the year. I will definitely add these to the list.