You need to try these little gems! Kids not only like to get Valentines, but they love to give them as well! They will be filled with such pride as they help with everything from the design to the fun tassel finish. Everyone will love being a part of this zany bookmark DIY fun!
Items Needed:
- Photographs
- Scissors
- String, Yarn, Ribbon, Embroidery Floss
- Thermal Laminating Pouches
- (you can use contact paper, but this post is about laminating. I have not used the contact paper, but have read articles about it)
- Empty Toilet Paper Roll
- Optional – Laminating Machine
- Optional – Print Shop Program
Cut Out Photo Bookmark ~
The most fun to making this one is the photo session itself. Have the children pose in funny ways with their hands up in the air. Tell them to pretend they are hanging on to a tree limb or rope. They can put both hands up or just one. Encourage them to hold their legs in various ways as if they are suspended in the air. It is also fun to have them make silly expressions. This makes the final product so much more fun!
Traditional Style Bookmark ~
You can have just as much fun creating the more traditional style of bookmark. I love to use The Printshop program to create fun backgrounds and wording. We had fun with the Valentine sayings and created this one saying “Bee Mine” with a little yellow bee fluttering across the top of the heart.
Once your photo session is over or you have selected from photos you have already taken, you will need to print them. You can also have them printed at your nearest photo store if you prefer. I like to print them myself so I can play with the sizing of the photograph. *If you are doing the detailed cutout type, you will want to be sure they are printed large enough to cut a hole in for the tassel. I love to use my print shop program for that.
Print out all photos you are wanting to use first, then laminate them. By doing this you can fit as many pictures as possible into the laminating pouch to alleviate excess waste. I love having a laminating machine. It comes in handy for so many different projects and they are very inexpensive. Get your own laminating machine here for only $21.99.
Of course, you will need laminating sheets as well. I love the pouches. I found mine at the local craft store, but they do have them online as well. Get a pack of 100 thermal laminating pouches for only $14.10!!! I have discovered that buying the larger packs is way more cost efficient. Plus, it is always good to have them on hand whenever you need them.
Once they are laminated, the cutting process can begin. The children can help with this step as well, however, if they are younger you may want to do the more detailed cutting. If you have chosen to make the more traditional square ones, you can have the children cut those out with more ease.
Of course, you can spread the love and add your favorite furry friend to the bookmarks as well!
Making Tassels ~
This is where that used toilet paper roll comes in. Cut the toilet paper roll in half for easier tassel making. Start wrapping your yarn or embroidery thread around the roll. Continue wrapping until you get to the desired size. I wrap mine about 15 to 20 times. This is another fun activity for the kids to get involved in.
Gently ease the wrapped yarn off of the roll. Tie a small piece of the same colored yarn (or get artsy and use a different color) around the wrapped yarn about 1/4″ down from the top and tie tightly. This creates the top of the tassel. Then cut horizontally across the looped bottom portion to create the dangling tassel part.
As you can see, the yarn creates a poofier (is that even a word???) tassel, while embroidery floss makes a more sleek tassel. I suggest experimenting with both to see which style you prefer more.
The sky is the limit with this zany bookmark DIY fun…from the photos, to the sayings, to the tassels. If you don’t have a program to create fun artwork, use old greeting cards or images from magazines. You can also use various sizes of sticker letters. Paper House Productions has tons of fun stickers….you really need to check them out! Check out the HUGE variety of stickers from Paper House Productions here!!! Here are some fun sayings you can use:
- You are my fav❤rite person!
- No bones about it, you are top dog!
- You are beary special!
- Bee mine!
- You’re toadally awesome!
- Hugs!
- You’re a purrrfect friend!
- You shine!
- Sending you hogs & kisses!
- I’m so hoppy you are my friend!
- You have my heart Valentine!
- Valentine you are out of this world!
- You’re #1 in my book!
- I’ve got my eye on you Valentine!
- You are so cool Valentine!
Go gather your materials and get started on the fun….Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!
Hugs~
Shelly
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These are very creative ideas! Great for kids who are crafty too. 🙂
Thanks! The kids love them!
I love these! We gave cut out picture bookmarks to my kids teachers for Christmas one year. They were a hit. These would be great Valentine’s gifts as well.
Awww…I bet the teachers loved them! Always a fun gift!
These are great. Thanks for the idea.
You are welcome! Hope you will enjoy making them too!
I love these bookmark ideas, especially the one with them holding their hands in the air.
They are so much fun…to make and to give! I love the ones with the hands in the air too!
We love making bookmarks too! And we have done a lot of things, but not a picture one. We are totally going to do this for Christmas this year. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah, they truly are so much fun! We just love bookmarks too. I’m glad you found a new way to make some for gifts this year! Would love to hear back from you once you make them and let me know how yours turned out….or any changes you may make. I think embroidery floss makes great tassels too!😊
I absolutely love this! DIY bookmarks sound like such a fun craft idea to do with the kids and/or grandchildren. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Jenna! The grandkids and I had so much fun making them and they LOVED gifting them to their parents!