A Little Wiser Bookmark Card

My nephew, Marcus, turned 10 yesterday and he loves to read.  So, along with a few cool books, I thought a card with a bookmark attached would be the perfect complement to his gift! 

Marcus owl - front  
Marcus owl - whole card

Whoooo wouldn't love to receive this cute card?  It's a tri-fold style and the bookmark flap is perforated, so it can be detached easily without harming the rest of the card.  Too Cool!

Basic Card Construction

You can make your bookmark any width you choose—mine was 2-1/2" wide.  My card stock measurements were 5-1/2 x 11", with scores on the long side at 4-1/4" and 8-1/2".  Perforate along the 8-1/2" score line with your perforating rotary blade from the Cutter Tool Kit, or make manual slot cuts with a craft blade.  Some paper trimmers have perforating blades, too. 

Owl Punch

Mr. Owl is certainly the star of this card, and he is so fun to make!  It's made with the new Two-Step Owl Punch, which punches all the pieces you need to create your hootie friend, including the little heart!  Just think of all the different colors you could dress him in!  Too much fun!  My owl is punched from Early Expresso, with Pear Pizzazz eyes, Play Date Designer Paper vest, and a Real Red heart.

Play Date DSP 117168LPlay Date Designer Paper

All of the decorative paper on this card is from the Play Date DSP.  I received it free at Convention, and I wouldn't have thought to purchase it myself, but I think I'm warming up to it.  It certainly works well for kids or teacher cards! 

And, in addition to the Owl Punch, it also coordinates with a whole lot of other products: Play Date Quick Accents, Play Date Rub-Ons, Play Date File Folders, Play Date Gusseted Envelopes, Broadsheet Alphabet, and the Apple Blossoms Hostess Set.  Ooooo!  Oooo!  Ooo!  Coordination, baby!

Card Front Details

The front of the Chocolate Chip card, as well as the bookmark panel, is embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I cut out and popped up the colored "1" and "0" squares to highlight Marcus' age.  For the scallop circle, I punched a 1-3/4" Circle from So Saffron card stock, then punched the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle over the top of it to make a scallop frame, then lined the center with more Play Date paper.

The "…a little wiser" sentiment, punched and shortened with the Word Window Punch, is from the It's A Thought Hostess Set (this is only available until August 31).

Button Thread TIP: I used a Tempting Turquoise Bright Button, and a retired So Saffron button for accents, but I didn't have any coordinating thread to match.  No problem!  I cut tiny slivers of card stock to thread through the holes and gently tied a knot.  It helps to gently break down the fibers of the card stock on these paper threads, so they are easier to tie without breaking.  


Marcus owl - bookmark Bookmark Details

The bookmark is decorated similarly to the front with a few other additions.  I added a Pear Pizzazz branch from the Bird Punch, and a Real Red scallop border from the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit.  

Every bookmark needs a tassle, right?  So, I added a Jumbo Eyelet with the Crop-A-Dile, then tied some Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain through it.

I had to get creative to find a way to stamp Marcus' name, but, never fear!  I found the whole alphabet, in miniature size, on one of the Cute By The Inch Hostess stamps!  

Cute by the inch 116992L
I colored the individual letters with markers, stamped on white, then punched out each letter with a 1/4" Circle Punch.  Viola! 

Marcus owl - inside 

The inside is created with the Scallop Circle #2 Die and more Play Date paper.  Can you see the owl watermark?  It's the image that goes with the "…a little wiser" stamp that I used on the front.

Marcus with bookHere is Marcus as he was unwrapping his books. 

I sent his card through the mail, because what kid doesn't like to get something in the mail?!  Yesterday, his mom, Pam, sent me an email with the subject line, "Whooooo's the coolest aunt?"  Apparently, I am!  Woohoo!  Marcus liked the card and wanted his mom to put the bookmark "somewhere safe" because it was too nice to use. Awwwwww!  That's so sweet!  I love making someone's day with a handmade card! 

It reminds me of an article I was reading by Shelli Gardner in this month's Stampin' Success Magazine. In it, she said, "Creating and sending cards is at the very heart of what Stampin' Up! is all about….Cards have the power to lift a spirit, brighten a day, lighten a load, and remind someone that they are loved….A simple piece of card stock really does make a difference!"

It is so true!  Have you taken the time to let someone know you care about them with a handmade greeting?  I know I don't do it nearly often enough.  I challenge you, and myself, to send a heartfelt greeting to someone you love this week.  It feels so great to be able to make someone smile!  Do it today!

Angie 

1 thought on “A Little Wiser Bookmark Card”

  1. Great card Angie!!! Love the bookmark idea. I have a few friends who read, but my kids would not know where to begin to use a bookmark. LOL! I love the colors on here and all of the detail. Thanks for sharing!

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