August 21, 2008

Crafty Secrets Bookmark.....Jenni Bowlin inspired

You know how I set up those Inspiration Stations in my craft room? Well, you should see it now...not so inspiring. My little basket is overflowing with junk because I just kept piling inspiring stuff in there. Not a good plan with me. I must put stuff away as I go or else it starts to look like Sanford and Son....does anybody get that phrase by the way? We used to watch that show all the time as kids!! They were junk collectors on the show. It cracks me up when my mom says that too.

Anyyyyyway, I've decided to now get out my inspiring products a little at a time...leave them out for a day or so and then back it all goes. I think I'll call it my Instant Inspiration. How bout that? So on this day, I was inspired by some new Jenni Bowlin goodies I got from Emma's Paperie. That online shop has soooooo many fun goodies. I can get into real trouble with the click of 1 or 2 or 20 buttons! Man I'm chatty today, must be the coffee kicking in already.

So these new Jenni Bowlin papers....4 x 4 size, how cute is that!? They're made for little albums she has too but I think they are the perfect size for cards. I'm always cutting a sheet of 12 x 12 paper into 4 x 4 squares so this works out just perfectly. Along with the pretty papers, I go out some new Making Memories ribbon and some Crafty Secrets stamp sets. I set out to make a bookmark. I've been using receipts as bookmarks and that is SO unattractive.

So on to my bookmark. The Crafty Secrets set I used is called Story of Me. Scroll down at the link and you can also see a set called Book Lovers, which has a lot of book themed images too. To create the bookmark, I used some of the new long Spellbinder's Rectangle and Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities. They're perfect for bookmarks! I love my finished bookmark, it just makes me happy to look at it!
For the main stamped image, I did some paper piecing for the book the child is holding, and added some shading with a Copic marker. The rest of the image is colored with Copics too.
For the top of the book mark, I used various papers from the Jenni Bowlin packet of paper, some Jenni Bowlin brown stickers(star and *read this*) and some ribbon (Making Memories) from Emma's Paperie.
For the bottom of my bookmark, I used some tiny little letter stickers from Making Memories, also available at Emma's Paperie. I got a bunch more at Archiver's too last week. They are FUN little niblets of letters, so cute! I stitched around my bookmark before adhering it to the scallop rectangle. I like my stitches to be concealed. So overall, my bookmark is pretty flat...which is hard for me to create flat stuff. The ribbon adds a little dimension but that portion sticks out of the book anyway, so that's okay. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to create your own bookmark.
So what's on your reading list lately? I'd love to hear about some good books so I can create a list. A bunch of my friends are reading the teenage vampire series with that dreamy Edward boy. I GUUUUUESS I will read them, after much coaxing. I typically enjoy historical fiction type books but the pressure is just too much..so I caved! My librarian friend at the high school is going to hook me up with them. Here we are, a couple of almost 40 year old ladies, scoping out the teenage vampire book section at the high school library!! Snort!
The Elm Creek novels by Jennifer Chiaverini are on my top reading list right now. Nichole suggested them to us when she unveiled my beloved Quilter's Sampler stamp set from Papertrey. I've 4-5 of the books already this summer. They are feel good stories about every day women who are brought together by the love of quilting. Some of the books refer back to the historical days and some are in today's setting. They're all good reads!! Ohhhhhh, I should make a quilting bookmark, why didn't I think of that before? Then when I get to the teenage vampire books, I'll have to make a vampire bookmark, right??? Maybe I'll start reading them about Halloween time and vampires will be in season. I'm done now..really...I must stop babbling. Have a great day everyone!!

33 comments:

Shelly said...

I love your bookmark, just darling. Have to say I so agree about getting overwhelmed with new product. Excellent Ideas!

Dianette Seda said...

Love your bookmark! It is actually delicate, beautiful and just perfect for readers. Thanks for sharing!

Barb said...

All summer I have been reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and never seem to have a bookmark. I just use whatever I can find. Your bookmark is adorable! As always you are such an inspiration.

Keri Jackson said...

Great bookmark! Sounds like a good idea!!

Linda Stamps said...

Love the bookmark. I've been wanting to make on for a while but just haven't done it. Like you I think it will be hard to give in to make it "flat"

That series you speak of...I'm 45 and completely into it. Hope you will read them in order. Stephenie Meyer is great writer. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Always love everything you make! Never miss a day checking out your blog. I'm on book 11 of the Elm Creek books!! I too learned of them from Nichole's blog.

Anonymous said...

I too hestitated over reading the Twilight books, but after much promising I would adore them from my librarians, I caved in. They are really good! I read several books by Mary Kay Andrews this summer. They were mostly centered around Savannah, GA and antique-ing, and I throughly enjoyed them. They had a few wordy dirds in them, but they were still fun! (Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Savannah Blues, and Hissy Fit.) I am reading some quilting books by Emilie Richards right now, and the one I read was really good.

Always LOVE your projects!!!

Bonnie said...

Blurfing, I have discovered, can be terribly expensive! I have been sold on three sites already this morning.....and I have only BEEN to three sites!!! I'm off to purchase this Crafty Secrets set!

Anonymous said...

I was actually looking at the Crafty Secrets Webpage before scoping your blog. Your book mark is so cute. I should make some for my book club.

Right now our club is reading Loving Frank. It is historical fiction about Frank Lloyd Wright, and his affair. Some other really good historical fiction books are those written by Phillipa Gregory. Also, the Red Tent is a really good book! Happy reading! Sally M.

Michelle Tech said...

OK, now I'm going to be singing the Sanford and Sons song all day! We have a Sanford's restaurant here in Rapid City, full of junk! Food is good, service not so much, but we still go occasionally.

Love the bookmark!

The last book I read (I like to read at bedtim) was The Bastard. It's been years since I first read that series, and I hardly remember doing it, so when I saw them lined up on Mom's shelf, I asked to borrow it. A little historical fiction for you!

DeeDee said...

Oh Mish, I had to LOL at your "Sanford & Son" comment....we say that too....my hubby cant throw anything away...."he might need it"....so sometimes around the shed starts to look like S & S....I tell him that and he cleans it up....hee hee!! This is such a sweet little bookmark...love those papers and the stamps too...I don't read...can't sit still that long...but I do luv me some card making mags and I always need a book mark for them...you have inspired me to stop using scraps of paper and make a cute bookmark.....gosh talk about rambling....I wrote a book!!! LOL!!! HUGS!!!

Rene Sharp said...

I recently made some bookmarks for my sons, but seeing yours I have now been inspired to make one for myself. Wish I got more time to read, with all the stamping & scrapping that needs to be done it just doesn't seem to happen too much lately, magazines are about all I have time for. I have had to renew my latest library book 3 times! As always a gorgeous project Michelle.

Anonymous said...

Cute, Cute, Cute!!! And yes, I get the Sanford and Sons comment. Hee Hee Hee! But I'm sure your crafty area never looks like a rusty pile of junk! Most of us would *love* to peruse your "junk pile"!

Linzi Conners said...

Thanks for the book suggestions; I'm off to the library tonight to pick them up! And, thanks to the other commenters...I'm all about reading suggestions! :)

I love the Nora Roberts books--my favorite series is the Chesapeake Bay series. DEFINITELY recommend those. I am also a big Susan Wiggs fan.

Enjoy your day! Thanks for sharing that CUTE bookmark--you know I'm jealous of your talents! lol

Cris A said...

Cute as can be! I'll have to give these a try!

Anonymous said...

If you like historical fiction, look for the Sara Donati series about New England during Revolutionary times. It's older and would be available at libraries. Several books in the series.
Goes without saying I love the bookmark. I love your whole site,and everything on it.

Anonymous said...

we like the babbling! the bookmark is adorable! i love that you now think you have to make one for each theme you read...OCD much? i love it! i am reading henry VIII books...hmmm...what could i make???

one of these days, we will clean out the side yard full of rusty, antique junk so we don't look so 'sanford and sons' around here too! :)
chelle

Anonymous said...

Reminds me of years ago after I read a quilting fictional book, I passed it on to a friend. On the inside I put a little inscription that as quilts are handed down to very special people in our lives so should this book. I asked that it be passed on from friend to friend. Asking each person to put a little note inside of it. About five years later the book was returned to me and I was amazed at how far the little book had traveled. I passed it on again and have not seen it since, but hope it is still bringing joy! Just wish I could remember the name of it!!!!! Thanks for the memories! Josie

CreativeMish said...

I love the bookmark idea! This stamp set is perfect for making them, too!

Cynthia said...

Love the bookmark! May have to get that set! A book series that my mom and I have enjoyed are the Miss Julia books by Ann B Ross.

Anonymous said...

I got some of those Jenni Bowlin 4x4 papers too! They are so cute and tiny! I love your bookmark!!!!

Unknown said...

Very cute project Mish - love that image! And don't you just love Emma's?? She has the BEST selection - lover her! :) Gonna catch up on my Quilt series reading this week too! :)

Pamela Levingston said...

Your bookmark is gorgeous! I'm reading the last of the Teen Vamp books right now. I need a bookmark! QP

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your bookmark and will be buying that set. My sister-in-law is a middle school librarian and this will make a great Christmas gift. I just purchased 6 books from the Elm Creek series based on Nichole's and your recommendations. I am loving them so far. Thanks for your daily postings. You are one of my favorites.

Anonymous said...

How gorgeous is that? I LOVE the bookmark!

Nessie

Anonymous said...

Darling bookmarks and great idea for gifts! Cool! Your work is wonderful and so creative! TFS!

liannallama said...

such a cute project! I am cracking up about your Sanford & Son comments--we used to watch that show too and my room looks just like their yard a lot of the time!

Margo said...

Ohhhhhhhhhh, a vampire bookmark would be perfect for me right now.... I'm in the middle of the "Twilight" series and they are awesome!!!!!!!! :-)

Geny said...

Love this bookmark Mish! I am on book 4 right now, love all of them so far:)!

Debbie Olson said...

Mish, this is just darling--such a cool style!!

Julie S. said...

Oh, I am sure you have read these... but how about the Diana Gabaldon series that starts with the book "Outlander" (Sarah Donati actually mentions the main character in her first novel as a "nod" to Diana Gabaldon ;^)*

There are currently 6 books in the series -- they are BIG -- but fun... and the characters are really interesting and endearing in some ways (you get to decide, of course) -- but in addition to Historical Fiction, they are sort of fantasy/bodice-rippers, too... so not for the faint of heart. VERY well researched historical fiction.

Hope you have fun with all the reading!

kelly said...

The bookmarker is darling!! The elm Creek books got me started on actual quilting(not just dreaming of it!) and they are wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

"The end"

Oh, how cute!!!!! Love it :D

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