Now that the holidays and most of our birthdays are over, we have an abundance of cards around the house. I am not talking about one or two cards. I am talking about 40 to 50 cards. This is a lot of cards! And that means this is a lot of paper. And I always feel bad disposing of cards. I mean, people put money into buying or making them. Some of them are very nice, and some not so much. We will focus on the very nice cards and the okay cards. It is a shame to throw them out… So, I have a very simple plan – cute bookmarks made from old cards. So, let’s jump in!
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Supplies needed to make cute bookmarks from old cards
So, this is a short list, but we should still write it out because I am all about lists. So, here is what we need:
- Old cards – preferably one with a nice picture or design on the front or one with sentimental value.
- Books – you need to have some books to place bookmarks into. I mean, you do not NEED to have books, but it helps.
- Scissors or paper cutter – If you are going for the classic rectangle-looking bookmark, the paper cutter is the way to go. But if you want to capture some of the design but not all of it, then scissors are a good option.
- Depending on how many cards you will cut, you require 5 to 10 minutes.
Let’s get started making cute book marks from old cards
I have to be honest with you, I feel bad writing about this, but I did not think of this myself. A dear friend shared this idea with me, and I had to share it with you. So, in case you are missing this addition to your life, let’s do a quick walk-through.
Grab the card or cards that you want to save.
Look them over and see what part you like or do not like.
Using your scissors or paper cutter, cut out the part of the card that you want to keep.
Put the bookmark into your book, and voila! You are done!
And there you have it! Your Cute Book marks from old cards are complete!
Things I learned about crafting while making this project.
You would think that with such a simple project there is not much to learn, but you would be mistaken. So, here with what I learned about making cute bookmarks from old cards:
- You can never have too many bookmarks. I read books with my kids. And each kid has a different book or two on the go. Those all need bookmarks. Then there are books I am actively reading or just books needing pages marked. And then, of course, there are notebooks that need bookmarks to mark where I am. So, trust me, there is a need for lots of bookmarks! So this is a great solution.
- I do not feel bad about cutting up all these cards. At first, I thought I might, but after a while, I realized that at least the cards were getting more use. They are not just going into the recycler or the dump. Even if it is just part of the card being saved.
- I have made a bunch of these bookmarks from this season alone. And I have already returned two to the library… so it is a good thing I have more. But I do not feel bad about losing them. Not like I would if I had paid for the bookmark.
- And if I get bored of these cute bookmarks made of old cards, I can always toss them and make more next season, next birthday, or the next time I get cards.
- Cutting the bookmarks out with scissors can leave something to be desired. My scissor-cutting skills are less than stellar, so any corners or round edges look like a 3-year-old cut them out. So, I recommend cutting out straight lines with a paper cutter.
Frequently Asked Questions about upcycling cards
How long do upcycled bookmarks last?
If you care for them, they will last a very long time. You will sooner lose the bookmark or leave it in a book permanently than it is ruined.
Do you need to seal bookmarks?
You do not need to seal the bookmarks.
However, if you want to, you can laminate it. Simply, cut the surplus laminate off. You can also punch a hole in it and add a tassel.
If your card has glitter on it and you do not want to laminate it, you can use mod-podge to seal the glitter in place. That way, you will not leave glitter in every book you read.
What cards to use to make bookmarks?
Any card will do. I use Christmas cards, Birthday cards, Easter cards, Mother’s Day cards, and Valentine’s Day cards, but if you get a card for any other reason and you like it, why not use it?
The one thing I will point out. If you have a nice card that is thicker because it is layered or has a shaker in it, it will still work as a bookmark, but it may crease your book slightly.
Did you enjoy this upcycling project?
Did you enjoy this upcycling project? Let me know in the comments below. If you tried this out, let me know as well! And let me know if you do this or if this is news to you!
Also, be sure to check out my other upcycling projects here.
If you are more of a paper craft person, check out my paper craft projects here.
