My Sheri Crafts Challenge #105: Read Across America

Our current challenge @ My Sheri Crafts asks that you create a project that has something to do with reading, for example, bookmarks, projects with a book on it, images of reading or something about your favorite book, etc.

I know several avid readers that will always welcome new bookmarks, so I searched my craft room for ideas. I first took a masculine-looking "K" from my chipboard stash. Using a wide satin ribbon, I folded it in half and ironed with Stitch Witchery. The monogram was added by gluing with fabric glue, but it was 'boring' so I grabbed my Crop-a-Dile and added three eyelets -- much more character now!
Next, I cut an "L" from pink felt and die cut a background from brown felt with Spellbinder's Labels Twenty-three. Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery was woven into a stitched ribbon to give my feminine bookmark more pizazz. Fabric glue attaches the layers.
When I saw the "spring" ribbon and flower in my stash, I decided they would also make a fun bookmark. The flower is a Spellbinders' die secured with a large pearl brad, so I merely punched a hole through the ribbon with my Crop-a-Dile, attached it to the brad's prongs on the back and covered it with a scalloped felt circle -- yep, from my stash. Those formerly unused items can sometimes spark creativity, so see what you find and show us your ideas @ My Sheri Crafts challenge!!!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #092: Back to School!

Browsing the web one day, I stumbled upon this link for monster bookmarks. Though I have no youngsters in my life at the moment, I do have two avid adult readers, so I thought these would be fabulous for them since they both LOVE Halloween. I couldn't resist making them for our current back to school theme @ My Sheri Crafts biweekly challenge !!!

The link to print out the pattern for the monster corner bookmarks is here. It makes assembly simple for even young readers to cut/decorate their own. If you need a rainy day or after-school activity, there are various ideas to embellish the bookmarks at the first link shown above! Or you can make them yourself as a special surprise -- can't you just see the smile on those sweet faces when they unwrap a new book and find this homemade and perhaps even personalized monster bookmark? While searching, I also came across this fun site and just had to make the bookmark/journal wrap from ribbon and elastic on my sewing machine! I really like this for the simple fact that you won't lose it if you just keep it on the front or back cover of your book while reading. It occurred to me that this would make an adorable headband also -- so fun to find an item that could be changed into something else with just a simple size alteration -- LOL! Really looking forward to seeing everyone's back to school projects @ My Sheri Crafts!

JustRite Friday Challenge 023: Bookmark It!

Time for JustRite's Friday Challenge and the perfect opportunity for me to use my JustRite Applique! I thought this designs' sweet little hearts and vines with my striped grosgrain ribbon would look more dainty and feminine with just the center stamp, so I elected not to use the matching border. Love the many options available with JustRite Stamps and was thrilled to find this set works perfectly with my Square & Scalloped Square Nestabilities! My intended recipient is a voracious reader, so I'm quite sure she'll be able to put this little bookmark to great use!

Paper: PTI's White & Reflections' Metallic Pink CS

Stamps: JustRite's Applique & 2" Square Stamper
Ink: Memento's Tuxedo Black

Embellishments: Making Memories Grosgrain Ribbon; Copics R32 and &YG63

Tools: Spellbinders' Square & Scalloped Square Nestabilities; 1/4" Scor-Tape

Birds of a Feather Bookmark

Grabbed a scrap piece of cardstock and made a quick bookmark for a friend who reads a lot. I so LOVE the Palette Berry Sorbet ink by Papertry Ink that I find myself wanting to use it all the time. It's just such a luscious, unique color!!! I'm also very fond of the hummingbirds we have year-round here, so I'm really enjoying their Birds of a Feather stamp set also.
Paper: Scrap from stash
Stamps: Papertrey Ink's Birds of a Feather set
Ink: PTI's Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss & Summer Sunrise Palette Inks
Ribbon: Martha Stewart from Michaels

Bookmarks for Improved Readers

My SBS8 Sister Kelly, http://kelleast.blogspot.com/, needs bookmarks to reward students who have improved their reading skills, so I made some brown/pink flowered ones for the girls. I used Making Memories Cosmoplitan Collection cardstock and patterned them after tutorials on http://technostamper.blogspot.com/by Mary Jo and by Dawn @

http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/ using flowered eyelets instead. Hope the girls like them!

For the boys I used their school colors of red & blue, but instead of white I cut silver holographic sticker paper on my Wishblade to read, "Way to Go!" and made an arrow at the top. I was trying to find something that they'd hopefully like and actually use!

Reading well is truly one important key to success in life, so I hope these teens will continue to improve their skills for a brighter future!

Papers: Making Memories Cosmopolitan Collection; Red/Navy Linen cardstocks

Embellishments: Flower Eyelets from my stash

Tools: COD; Xyron Wishblade