Friday 22 March 2013

... and "Mini Book" Bookmarks

Do you love to read as much as we do? I have had this project in the pipeline for a while now but have only just got round to giving it a go - once I started I became hooked and instead of making one, I made five!!!
I first got the idea from this post by Small World Land. Corinne had made them for a dolls house for her daughter and jewellery for her mother. I first thought of pendants for necklaces but I wasn't sure if people would wear them? But then I saw some other posts on bead and ribbon bookmarks and I was inspired!


The best bit about this project is that if you already have a craft stash of bits and bobs, it really doesn't cost much at all. My basic materials were:
  • Images from Google (printed on normal office paper)
  • Scraps of card
  • Scrap office paper
  • Scrap patterned / scrapbook paper
  • PVA/water mix (home-made Mod Podge!)
  • Hot glue gun
  • Enamel varnish
  • Bits or ribbon, cord etc.
  • Beads
  • Jump rings, head pins and ribbon clampy things (jewellery findings?)
I started by asking friends for their favourite books on Facebook (this came up with some brilliant responses by the way - my friends are very well read!!!). I picked a few at random and found images from Google. Literally I typed "To Kill A Mockingbird" (etc) book cover into Google Images.
I (well alright it was Sian!) sized them using Microsoft Publisher to 3cm x 2cm and printed them out. Some were the complete layout with the spine and back, but most were just the front cover so I "faked" back covers using the patterned paper, trying to make it match as best as possible.
Geek Love - Katherine Dunn
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
The BFG - Roald Dahl            Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

I experimented with different types of card for the actual covers and glued the front and back pieces on - ensuring I left a couple of millimetres for a spine.On Small Work Land, Corinne uses chipboard inside the covers but I decided to go for paper pages. I also wanted some of the books to have a used/ well read feel so I "dyed" the scrap office paper with some well brewed tea and left it to dry. I then chopped some stacks of pages from this to fit each book.
The hook coming out of the books is made from head pins used in beading just because I had loads of these. You could easily use small pieces of wire. I hot glued these into the spine of each book, and then used the PVA/water mix to glue the pages in. To help with the drying process I was able to borrow (and now have kept as my own) Matt's (Sian's husband) clamp. I haven't listed this above as obviously anything else could be used e.g. a pile of books, tins, your fingers etc!!
When dry, I sprayed them with several coats of enamel varnish. I went for a matt finish but they could be glossed also.
Whilst waiting for them to dry, I gathered my ribbons, cord and beads and experimented. I am not a jewellery maker and I was teaching myself how to attach them all together - I think I did an OK job but it definitely got better with practice!! I then assembled the books to their ribbons or cords.
And here they are:
Some of the lucky people who responded with their favourite books will be getting these as special presents. And I think I'm going to keep making more as they are really fun and can be personalised to anyone! 
To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
18th April 2013: Update - this post was featured here at Family Home & Life
Button pic 9

26th April 2013: Update - this post was featured here at Crafts a la mode
 photo grabbutton2_zps7d635a69.png
8th May 2013: Update - this post was featured here at Kid's Crafts Magazine

39 comments:

  1. Wow, those teeny tiny books are just amazing! Thanks for sharing such a great idea :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I really enjoyed doing them!! xx

      Delete
  2. These are beautiful, some of my very favorites here too, the Very Hungry Caterpillar is adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Corinne! That one is my favourite!! xx

      Delete
  3. These are lovely! Would make a lovely little pressie for a book lover. Thanks for sharing.

    A great tutorial :)

    Over from the Sew Crafty link up.

    I shall definitely be checking out more of your blog :), now following :)

    Kate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kate! My thoughts exactly! Welcome! xxx

      Delete
  4. Love books, love bookmarks, love your miniature book bookmarks. Nuff said. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank Di! Love the feedback! Nuff said!! xx

      Delete
  5. Oh my goodness! Those are SO SO cute! I'd love for you to come link up to our party where we can show off all of our old or new projects! :)
    a href="http://www.cutesycrafts.com/2013/03/an-oldie-but-goodie-10.html - Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jessica! We'll definitely pop by! xx

      Delete
  6. I love this so much I'm such a book nerd I hope you'll be adding this to my what we wore, read, and make link party today :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marissa - I am a proper book nerd too. No kindles here!! Would love to link up to your party! xx

      Delete
  7. OMG! that's sooooooo awesome! i am sooo making some of these for friends!

    Wow, i am so impressed! Your newest follower here!!!!

    <a href="http://hkchic.blogspot.com>HongKongChic</a>

    ReplyDelete
  8. AMAZING! I love these :-D Pinning to my Things to Make and Do board now, and for sure will be trying these, thanks for posting!

    Hannah ♫
    Sew Lah Tea Dough

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Hannah! I had the original post saved for months before getting down to do them!! xx

      Delete
  9. super cute! i love to read, and therefore love anything with books on them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. These teensy books are adorable! Great gift idea for readers...will definitely be trying!

    Laura @ dinner-4-eight.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Laura, let us know if you do try them. Would love to see them xx

      Delete
  11. Darling. I'd love to have you share this also at What to do Weekends Party. Lovely craft for a weekend! Following... Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/04/what-to-do-weekends-16.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda, have done so! Thanks for the invite xx

      Delete
  12. Oh, I love this so much!! Very Clever...and a unique gift idea!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I featured these and PINNED them also. thanks for sharing and have a great weekend. Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the feature Linda! There were some great posts on there!! We shall definitely be popping by every week! xx

      Delete
  14. What a great idea! I love the way you put this together. Our Simply Create Link party is going on right now. I would love to have you link up, as I'm sure my followers would like to see what you created too. Hope to see you soon!

    Melissa
    redflycreations.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Melissa! I seem to have missed this so hopefully we can likn up this week instead! xx

      Delete
  15. these are so cute, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love to read and I also have so many friends who read. these are such a wonderful idea for a gift. Now if I can have the skill you have to actually make one.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Loves these as a book lover I can't wait to try and master your skill and create some for my fellow book lovers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debi! I hope you make lots, I'm sure you can do it!! xx

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...