While we’re social distancing, we are taking the time to do some fun DIY crafting with things we have around the house. Do you hate when your book jackets get ripped, smudged, or just tattered after years of use? This is a great way to upcycle them and give them a new life as adorable heart-shaped bookmarks!
What you’ll need:
- A well-loved but worn-out book jacket (the lovely designed wrap around your hardcover book)
- A pair of scissors
- Clear tape
Step 1:
Cut your book jacket into a rectangle (about 4″ by 9″), and try to flatten it out as much as possible.
Step 2:
Fold your rectangle in half long ways (or hot-dog style for those who prefer that terminology).
Step 3:
Fold it in half again, but the short way this time (hamburger). Don’t leave it folded—you just want to create a strong crease.
Step 4:
Using that new crease as a guide, fold each side of the rectangle along the crease to create a point.
Step 5:
Flip your soon-to-be bookmark over and you’ll see that you have created a small pocket at that pointed tip. You want this to be facing you.
Step 6:
You now have two flaps above your pointed pocket. Fold each down (toward the pocket) about halfway and make a strong crease.
Step 7:
Time to turn this into a heart shape! Fold down the corners at the top of your two flaps. Again, you will need to press down firmly. This is where your tape will come in handy. You can use a small piece of tape on each side of the heart to hold your folds down.
Step 8:
You did it! Turn the bookmark over to reveal an adorable heart! Remember that pocket at the pointed end? Slide that over the corner of your page to mark your spot. Enjoy!
These make great gifts for your friends or book club, especially when paired with a great read. In this post we used the cover of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, which happens to be about a girl whose rare disease forces her to stay inside. Maddy is literally allergic to the outside world, and Olly is the boy who moves in next door . . . and becomes the greatest risk she’s ever taken. Everything, Everything will make you laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. It’s perfect for a virtual book club or long cozy days on the couch!
