Making A Bookmark - Handmade of course.

Hello Reader,

Do you still read books or are you one of the Kindle readers like those I see on my travels? I don't have a Kindle and don't have any plans to get one right now. I already spend enough time in front of one type of screen or another so I hang on to what some regard as old fashioned.

I have so many books waiting for my attention and I often have more than one book on the go. I like books I can dip and out of like books about gardening and, of course crafting and I like good stories whether based on fact or fiction. I admire the presentation on the book covers and I love pictures when illustrated. Can't enjoy the pleasure of seeing books in a row on a shelf, on a table or in a fellow bus passengers hand when its a Kindle can you?

There are always people reading on the bus as I travel around London, most with books, not Kindles. I'm always curious to see what others are reading and so it was I saw the metal bookmark used by one passenger seated in front of me. It was small and folded over and she slipped it over a few of the pages, marking her place as she prepared to get off the next stop. Neat! For a second I wondered where she got it from and then... well you can guess. I began thinking about how I could make one out of card.

My card making is currently focused on making Fathers Day cards. It is the first time I've been so focused and so busy. I am planning on listing these new items in my shop very soon. In between card making, the day job and gardening I mulled over the idea of making a folded bookmark. I also started reading 'Kitchen Table Entrepreneurs How Eleven Women Escaped Poverty and Became Their Own Bosses'. This is a truly inspirational book whether you identify with the circumstances these women find themselves in or not. This is a book I would recommend to anyone trying to use their skills and learn new ones in order to supplement their income. I definitely relate to these women and find it very encouraging and uplifting to read. The stories told are fascinating, educational and got me hooked and in need of a new bookmark. I folded a piece of paper and used it as a trial bookmark for a week.

Making a bookmark of any type can make great use of scraps of materials. I got all the materials from my scrap stash. I decided to avoid using beads or sequins or anything else that could damage the page. No need for sticky pads in this exercise. It reminded me of making ATCs as you're working in a very small area. As I said everything used to make this bookmark came from my scraps. Even the hearts were left over from a previous project.

I was so excited after making my folded bookmarks that I posted a picture on my Facebook page and on my Twitter feed. I asked if anyone could guess what it was. Looking at the photo now it was a bit tough. How could anyone work out what it was looking at it from that angle?

Sorry everyone who looked at that photo and said 'Huh! How am I supposed to know?'

I am currently using my bookmark in place of the old folded paper. It's working out great. Think I'll make some more :)

After I've read another chapter...

Let us know if you're a real book lover too!