DIY: Cut Away Bookmark

Although I love reading, I must admit that I generally use a scrap piece of paper as a bookmark rather than an actual bookmark. Why do I do this? I’m not sure. Maybe the nice ones are just too nice to use.

But I thought I’d make a bookmark—and maybe I’ll actually use it. It’s a pretty simple bookmark that reminds me a bit of a stained glass window.

SUPPLIES

• Paint Samples/Colored paper
• X-acto knife
• Ruler
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue stick (or you can cut double-sided permanent tape down to size)

DIRECTIONS

— 1 —

Decide the size you want your bookmark to be and cut out of paper. (I used black cardstock and cut out two rectangles 2 x 6 inch.)

— 2 —

On one of the rectangles, create a grid using your ruler and pencil. (My grid is 1.5 x 2.25 inch and made up of 0.25 inch squares).

— 3 —

Using the grid, decide where you want to cut out shapes. You should decide if the grid side will be on the outside of the bookmark or not (if it’s the “front” then the pencil marks will need to be erased later. If the grid side will be turned to the inside of the bookmark, then realize that the cut out image will be “flipped” and cut accordingly).

— 4 —

Cut out shapes from grid using ruler and x-acto knife (with self-healing mat below).

— 5 —

Decide what colors will go behind the cut out shapes. Cut colored paper (or I used paint samples) down to size.

— 6 —

Use your glue stick on the cut out grid area. Place colored paper down. Repeat process until all colored paper is in place.

— 7 —

Take second rectangle paper and glue to the back of the grid rectangle paper. Bookmark complete.