A wonderful crafty friend, Julie (YT: thriftypapergarder), has two daughters who are both starting as new third grade teachers. She has asked her crafty friends to make bookmarks so that her daughters can use them as little reading encouragement prizes for their students.
I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get out a couple of the cute Art Impressions mini front and back stamp sets and my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers and get my watercoloring on! I used the Art Impressions mini front and backs Cat & Dog Mini Set and the Bunny & Ducky Mini Set and the following Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers:
Dog: Light Gray (091), Brown (060), and Black (010)
Cat: Dark Pink (027) and Black (010)
Bunny: Flourescent Pink (003) and Gray Brown (094)
Ducky: Yellow (050) and Orange (070)
I fussy cut all the fronts an backs of the critters, and I made sure to ink the edges of the critters and also color on the backsides along the edges to make sure that any slight misalignments or white edges wouldn’t show. I think these types of details are important to keeping a clean and finished look to projects, especially in the case of using thick watercolor paper (I used Strathmore 140 lb watercolor paper) like I have here.
For the bookmark bases, I used kraft card stock and used Recollections clear embossing powder to create some shine and texture with the Lawn Fawn wood grain stamp from the Woodgrain Backdrops stamp set. I love how these bookmarks ended up looking like boards from a wood fence, and in addition to adding great depth and texture, the clear heat embossing made the bookmarks feel weighty and sturdier too. And on the back sides of each of the bookmarks I added the following coordinating sentiments that I printed out on my computer that I matted with scrap pattern papers from my scrap box. I positioned them so that the critters looked like they were standing on them to peek over the fence boards.
Dog: “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” — Groucho Marx
Cat: “Books, Cats, Life is Good.” — Edward Gorey
Bunny: Some bunny loves reading! “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” — Margaret Fuller
Ducky: “Just tell yourself, Duckie, you’re really quite lucky!” — Dr. Seuss
The following is a process start to finish video sharing how I made and colored up these bookmarks (there’s also a peak at tomorrow’s post):
These bookmarks are being entered into the following challenges:
Art Impressions Watercolor Stamping Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday Stamp It Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Stamp It Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday Use Your Stamps Challenge
Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Anything Goes Challenge
Fab ‘n’ Funky Fall Colors Challenge
MarkerPOP Watercolor Challenge
Penny Black and More Add a Sentiment Challenge
Creatalicious Anything Goes Challenge
Love how you used the Wood-grain and cute images! So glad that you join the fun over Simon Says Stamp Wednesday” Stamp It” Challenge! Awesome details and design! Super work!
Thanks so very much Virginia! I hope the kiddos that receive these bookmarks enjoy them! 🙂
Oh my goodness! This made me want to be one of those third grade students so I could get one of these bookmarks! They are so cleverly-crafted and I love how you’ve made them so delightful on both the back and the front. I thought your coloring job on your critters was phenomenal, too. The woodgrain was a great choice and gives these bookmarks a wonderful sense of texture. And me, being an English major and total lit nerd, really appreciated the thoughtful quotes you incorporated! Well done all the way around and I’m so glad you shared your stamping talents with us for this week’s Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!
Awww thank you so very much Andrea! Your sweet and thoughtful comments on my bookmarks really made my day! I hope the children who receive them, enjoy them and discover the joy of reading. Big tight hugs and lots of luv, Kristina
Saw your link on WAW and wanted to stop by and say how adorable your little bookmarks are! So cute!
Oh thank you so much! That is so kind of you! I really enjoyed creating these little bookmarks and I hope the children who receive them enjoy using them too. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a sweet comment! Hugs, Kristina
Wow…these are so adorable. Such a clever idea and love the quotes. Thanks for joining us at Fab’n’Funky, Pat K x
Thanks so much Pat! I really like how sturdy the bookmarks came out and I must admit I spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for the “right” quotes, so I am tickled that you thought they were clever. 🙂 TFStopping by! Big hugs, Kristina
These are so cute. I love them.
Thanks for joining us at Fab’n’Funky. Happy crafting!
Catherine x DT
Thanks so much, Catherine! They were really fun to think up and craft these bookmarks for the kids. Hugs, Kristina
Beautiful project with an awesome design! Thanks so much for sharing with us in the Creatalicious Challenges “Anything Goes with optional Anniversary” challenge!
Hugs,
Leslie, Creatalicious DT
Thank you Leslie, for the super sweet words!
Absolutely adorable bookmarks!! Thanks so much for joining us this time at the Creatalicious Challenge, Elizabeth (DT)
Thanks so much Elizabeth. I had so much fun creating these bookmarks for the kids. I hope they like them. 🙂
Thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ Allsorts challenge with these brilliant bookmarks, good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x
Thanks so much, Tracy! I hope these bookmarks bring a smile to the children’s faces! TFStopping by! Hugs, Kristina
FANTASTIC – I adore these and such great quotes too 😀
Hugz
IKE in Greece xoxoxoxox
Thank you so very much Ike! I had so much fun creating these bookmarks and finding “just the right” quotes to work with each critter. 🙂 TFStopping by! Big hugs, Kristina
OMG!!!! So cute! I need these stamps for my front and back collection.
Oh yes, aren’t these critters so darn cute?! I love them!
Clever crafting, sweet bookmarks.
Thank you for sharing over at Penny Black and more;-))m
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope the kids enjoy these bookmarks. 🙂
What a fun idea for bookmarks.. Super Cute. Thanks for joining us at MarkerPop!
Thanks bunches Holly! They were really fun to make and I just hope the kids enjoy them. 🙂
So stinkin’ cute! Now I have to make them for my 6 yr old cousin.
I just wish that I could find them all on sale 🙁
I am in love with them all!! Your tutorial was excellent!
You’re such a good teacher, you make me want to learn more 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to show us your technique
You are so kind to leave such a sweet and thoughtful words! I really appreciate it. I hope you are able to find them on sale somewhere and that you have fun making something like this for your cousin! TFStopping by and taking the time to leave a sweet comment! Big hugs, Kristina
Wonderful bookmarks!
Thank you soo much for taking part in our “anything goes with optional anniversary” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…
Hugs,
Melanie
(DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
(DT Crafty Friends)
(DT The Sketchy Challenges)
PS: Sorry for the late comment, life had been very busy the past couple of weeks…
Thanks so much Melanie!