Stay Crafty Self Care Bookmarks

When I’m able to take some personal time during the week for self care, I enjoy paper crafts and reading. Today, for some additional inspiration for the current Hero Arts Stay Crafty Challenge, I’ve combined those interests and I’m sharing a set of bookmarks that I made with a few of my favorite simple techniques.

Although each finished bookmark is different, I used the same basic steps making them. First, I trimmed panels of heavyweight Hero Hues Premium Cardstock to 2-1/2” by 6”. Next, using assorted dies, I cut small stencils from acetate. I inked over the die cut shapes and repositioned the stencils repeatedly to create patterned backgrounds. I also stamped a message from the No Trespassing Stamp & Cut set multiple times on each panel. Then, I stamped, colored, and die cut a variety of images, shapes and positive sentiments that I clustered together to embellish each bookmark. Arranging the elements is so much fun and so satisfying!

To make my first bookmark, I used Navy and Sea Salt inks to create the background and stamped images. I also used several of the Nesting Clouds Infinity Dies. I used the adorable Fun in The Rain stamp set and the handy coordinating dies to create the cute images and timely message. On a few of the bookmarks, I included travel embellishments made with the From the Vault Travel set and coordinating dies. I secured the pieces to the bookmark with adhesive dots and double-sided tape.

For the next bookmark, I used the Tea Pots and Handles Infinity Dies and the Cups and Handles Infinity Dies to make the stenciled background. I created a collection of coffee themed elements with the Cup of Love stamp set and Cup of Love Frame Cuts. Two of the images I embossed on vellum. For variety, I embossed the sentiment onto a tag die that I cut with the Tag Infinity Dies. On each of the bookmarks, I also added a single enamel dot.

For the floral bookmark, I created a butterfly background with the From the Vault Bugs Frame Cuts and Aquatic ink. I stamped, colored and die cut a pair of beautiful flowers and a sentiment with the Hero Florals Tulips set and dies. For the other assorted elements, I used the From the Vault Celestial set, the From the Vault Bugs set, and the Nesting Circle Infinity Dies.

For the final bookmark, I created a heart background and a few heart shapes with the Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies. Since I plan to send this one to my niece, I included a cute image of a bear and a sweet sentiment from the Unbearably Thankful set. Although I decided not to embellish these bookmarks further, including a ribbon at the top of a bookmark is as easy as punching a hole near the top edge at the center and then looping a length of ribbon through the hole.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope that you are well and that you are finding time for self care. Happy crafting!

Click on products to shop:
PS763 Acetate Sheets 3" x 4.75" -...
[ HA ]
DC275 No Trespassing Stamp & Cut -...
[ HA ]
DI426 Nesting Cloudy Infinity Dies...
[ HA ]
CM152 Fun In The Rain - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
DI370 Fun In The Rain Frame Cuts (D)...
[ HA ]
CM358 From the Vault Travel - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
DI639 From the Vault Travel Frame...
[ HA ]
DI564 Tea Pots and Handles Infinity...
[ HA ]
DI565 Cups and Handles Infinity Dies...
[ HA ]
CM433 Cup of Love - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
DI733 Cup of Love Frame Cuts (C) -...
[ HA ]
DI197 Tag Infinity Dies (H) - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
CM354 From the Vault Bugs - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
DI636 From The Vault Bugs Frame Cuts...
[ HA ]
CM420 Hero Florals Tulips - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
DI726 Hero Florals Tulips Frame Cuts...
[ HA ]
CM357 From the Vault Celestial - Hero...
[ HA ]
DI199 Nesting Circle Infinity Dies...
[ HA ]
CM434 Unbearably Thankful - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
DI734 Unbearably Thankful Frame Cuts...
[ HA ]
Nesting Hearts Dies - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
AF339 Aquatic Bold Ink - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
AF234 Navy Mid-Tone Shadow Ink - Hero...
[ HA ]
AF434 Sea Salt Reactive Ink - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
PW110 White Embossing Powder - Hero Arts
[ HA ]
PS772 Classic Vellum Layering Paper...
[ HA ]
CH324 Pinks Hero Hues Enamel Dots -...
[ HA ]
PS330 Hero Hues Sampler Pack 2020...
[ HA ]

  • Teri S.

    I adore these Jayne! What a great idea to make your own stencils out of acetate. I am an avid reader also & card maker so during this time of self-isolation I’m doing a lot of both, as well as trying to motivate myself to spring clean. :) Thanks for the inspiration.

  • Sunshine HoneyBee

    Like the use of vellum.

  • Cindy C.

    Jayne these are all so beautiful and inspiring! I really enjoy seeing them!