Christmas Bookmarks (DIY)

In my dream world/home I would have a cozy library with amazing books and an incredible selection of holiday books.  When I taught first grade I was lucky enough to get free points to use every time my students ordered from Scholastic Book Clubs.  My holiday book addiction began there and hasn't ever left me.  Over my five years of teaching, I acquired quite the collection.  I have books for every holiday, and they have become a fun tradition in our little family.  My boys are so excited to pull them out at the beginning of each new holiday.

Along with my library and holiday books, I dream of having festive bookmarks (silly, crazy, I know!).  I imagine them arranged in a cute baskets around the library for all to use.  Here are a few of the Christmas bookmarks I've been making lately.

HOW TO

I gathered a bunch of red and green scrapbook paper and cut most of my bookmarks down to 2" X 6", but any size works.  The smaller ones actually turn out really cute.  

Then I stamped the word 'Read" on the top (make sure the ink is completely dry before you do the next step).

After that I put a layer of Mod Podge on one side, let it dry, then did the same to the other side.

I then punched a hole in the top and threaded my ribbon through.  My favorite ribbon to use with the bookmarks is the white one below on the green Christmas tree bookmark.  It has just the right elasticity to it.  I bought it at a small local scrapbook store over a year ago, but they closed and I haven't been able to find it since.  Does it look familiar to anyone?  If so, where can I find it?  Play around with different ribbons/strings and see what you like.

The fun part comes next.  I love adding the embellishments!  With my embellishing it's all about layers (I think I need to do a whole post on layering in the future).  You can take a single sticker from drab to fab by layering.  

On the bookmark below, I started with a light green flower (by Martha Stewart) and then added a dark green glittery star, then topped it off with a pearl sticker.  Can I just say these little pearl stickers make EVERYTHING cuter!  I use them constantly.  They are actually border stickers, but I cut mine apart and use them individually.  I found mine at Walmart.  

For this bookmark, I started with a green glittery foam Christmas tree sticker, then added a light green tree sticker, and finished it off with a little red ruby (I had to glue it) on top. 

This last bookmark began with a white glittered papery flower, then a big dark green star, a green peppermint candy sticker, a tiny red glittered flower, and then of course the pearl.

See what a difference the layering makes?!  I found most of these stickers at Walmart for a dollar or two.  They may look a little sad in the package, but don't think of them as standing alone, think of the layering possibilities.

I now need to find some cute Santa or reindeer stickers to make a few Christmas bookmarks for my boys.  Once again, I'm looking for any excuse to add a bit of Christmas everywhere! 

What unusual or unique places do you add bits and pieces of Christmas?

Linking to these parties.