I couldn’t wait to tell you about these super cute DIY bookmarks I created using my amazing Cricut Machine. It’s incredible how you can add a personal touch by customizing them with the name of someone you love.
You know how much I love reading, right? One of my fondest memories is reading to my son when he was just a little kid—those precious moments created the most beautiful memories that I hold close to my heart. Now that he’s in middle school, our reading time has become less frequent, but his love for books is still there.
With back-to-school approaching, I wanted to find a way to continue nurturing a love of reading for someone his age, and voilà, these DIY bookmarks were born! I have a feeling tweens, teens, and even us adults will fall head over heels for these personalized name bookmarks. They’re adorable and a great reminder of the joy of reading and sharing stories with loved ones. Let’s get crafty and spread the love for reading!
Supplies for Making DIY Bookmarks
- Cardstock paper (in 2 different colors)
- A Brayer (if needed)
- Cricut Machine (Any Cricut Machine will work, but I have a Cricut Explore Air 2)
- Aleene’s Tacky Glue
- Yarn (I used the brand Impeccable)
- Scissors
- A small book
How To Make DIY Bookmarks
Designing Your DIY Bookmarks
First, open your Cricut Design Space App and click “Shapes.” Choose the “Rectangle” option, and don’t forget to unlock it so you can change its size. Make it 8 inches wide and 2 inches tall.
After you’ve created that rectangle, make an exact copy of it by right-clicking and selecting “copy” and then “paste.” Now comes the fun part – change the color of one of the rectangles to whatever you like. I’m personally going with red!
Time to make a third rectangle that’ll go on top of the colorful one we just created. This new one will be a bit smaller, so follow the same steps as before to unlock it and adjust the size to 7 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches tall.
When you put the new rectangle on top, ensure it’s perfectly centered on all four sides. To do that easily, click on the two rectangles and hit “Align” at the top of the screen.
I decided to change the color of the third rectangle to a light yellow so it’s easier for you to see and tell apart the three rectangles as we move along with the instructions. It’s totally up to you if you want to do the same or pick your colors!
Head to the side of the screen and pick the two latest layers (for me, it’s the red and yellow rectangles). Right-click on both of them together, and then click “slice.” Move the yellow and smaller red rectangles to the side and delete them. Now you’ve got a red rectangle with an open center.
Place your red rectangle on top of the black one to see how the layers shape up. Next, click on “text.” Change the color to red, matching the first rectangle, and switch the font to “Cricut Stretch.” It’s all about customizing and making it look fabulous!
Adding the Name to Your DIY Bookmarks
Okay, now let’s add the name! Click on the word “Text” and type the name of the person you’re making the bookmark for, using ALL CAPS. Change the name’s color to red and adjust the size so the top of the name slightly overlaps the red rectangle, just a bit, for a cool effect. The perfect size ended up being 1.67 inches in height.
Click on the name to select it. Next, head up to the top and click “letter spacing.” Keep hitting that “up” button until you feel happy with how the letters are spaced. You’ll know it’s right when there’s a little space on both sides of the name. I can’t give you an exact spacing because it depends on your name’s length. So, have some fun experimenting, make sure it’s centered left to right, and double-check that the name’s top and bottom overlap the bookmark’s outline. That part is crucial for a fantastic finish!
Go to the side and pick the name and the rectangle’s outline. Then, right-click on both and choose “unite.” Now, if you’re wondering, like I did, what’s the diff between “unite” and “weld,” here’s the deal: if you pick “unite,” you can still make changes to your word later. But, if you choose “weld,” you’re stuck like Chuck! You can’t undo it, so be sure it’s exactly how you want it.
Final Design Touches on Cricut Design Space
Alright, let’s put the layers of your bookmark back together. Now, if you’re not into making a tassel, no worries! You can skip this part and go straight to cutting it out. But if you’re up for making a cool tassel, I’ll show you how to make a little hole in your bookmark to put the tassel through. Your choice, either way, it’s going to look amazing!
Click on “shapes,” then select the circle and adjust its size to about 0.2 inches. I made mine yellow for better visibility in this tutorial, but it’s totally up to you. Now, place that circle between the name and the bookmark’s outline, but make sure it’s a little closer to the outline. Move the top layer with the name aside. Then, right-click on the small yellow circle and choose “slice.” Move both the yellow circle and small black circles to the side, and then put the two layers back together.
Here’s a quick fix if your layers got mixed up like mine did! Just right-click on the black layer and select “send backward” to get them in the correct order. And to get rid of the two dots on the side, no worries! Right-click on them and hit “delete” to make them vanish.
Cutting Out Your DIY Bookmarks with Cricut
Alright, now it’s time to cut it out! Click on the “Make It” button. Then, pick what you’ll use to load your project into the Cricut machine. I’ll use my Mat. Make sure your material size matches your paper, so I’ll change it to 8 1/2 by 11. Hit “continue,” and we’re on our way!
Now, place your paper carefully on the Cricut mat. Make sure it’s perfectly lined up and smooth it out. If you want, you can use the Brayer tool to help with that, but it’s totally up to you.
Now, let’s go to your Cricut machine! Hit that “open” button, and double-check your dial is set to “cardstock.” Load the mat into the machine, hit “go,” and let the magic happen! Repeat the same steps with whichever color paper you picked, and cut it out too.
Time to weed your paper from the Cricut mat. If you need to, you can use the weeding tool. My mat wasn’t super sticky, so I didn’t have to, but it’s up to you.
Grab Aleene’s Tacky Glue and apply it to the back of the name layer. Carefully place the name layer on top of the black layer, ensuring it’s even and avoiding messy glue situations.
If you want your bookmark to be extra sturdy, this is the perfect time to laminate it and punch a hole through the plastic where the tassels will go. I’m skipping that step, but if you want your bookmark to last long, go for it, my friend! Your bookmark will be fantastic either way!
How To Make a Tassel with Yarn
We’re going to make tassels for these adorable bookmarks. First, cut a piece of string about a foot long. Lay it along the pages of the closed book. The yarn brand I’m using is called “Impeccable,” if you’re curious.
Take that ball of yarn and wrap it around the book, keeping the twelve-inch piece of yarn in place. How many times you wrap it will decide how thick the tassel becomes. For mine, I wrapped the yarn about 33 times. Remember, smaller books mean smaller tassels, while bigger books mean bigger tassels.
Take that 12-inch yarn lying across the pages and tie it tightly around the yarn wrapped around the book, making a double knot. After that, slide the yarn off the book.
Now, let’s deal with those long pieces you tied around the yarn loops. Set them aside carefully so you don’t accidentally cut them.
Next, tie another piece of yarn, about 12 inches long, around the rolled-up yarn, about an inch down from the top, using a double knot. Now, grab your scissors and cut through the bottom of the loop. To finish it off, trim the tassel ends nice and straight, just like you’re trimming your hair. But be careful not to cut those long pieces because they’re how we’ll attach this beauty to our bookmark. Your adorable tassel is complete!
Attaching the Tassels to the DIY Bookmarks
Alright, now it’s time to attach the tassel to the bookmark. Remember those two long pieces of yarn we left out earlier? Grab them and thread one through the hole of the paper bookmark. Then, tie the two yarn ends together in a double knot close to the bookmark so it doesn’t have too much slack. Once that’s done, grab a pair of scissors and cut the long strings down to size. Now, your cute tassel is securely attached to the bookmark!
Once you have these tiny pieces left, you might want to hide them. If that’s the case, you can push them through the hole to the backside of the bookmark. Alternatively, you can glue them down to the piece of yarn tied around the bookmark. It’s completely your choice!
More Craft Inspiration
Looking for more craft inspiration like this? No worries. I got you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some materials that are easy to find for bookmark-making?
You can use simple and readily available materials like colored paper, old greeting cards, or even cardboard. Don’t forget to grab some stickers, ribbons, or markers to add a fun touch to your bookmarks!
What are some tips for making bookmarks that will last?
To make durable bookmarks, choose sturdy materials like laminated paper or cardstock. Avoid using materials that easily tear or get damaged. Adding a layer of transparent adhesive tape or plastic sleeves can also help protect your bookmarks and make them last longer.
What are some of the benefits of making your own bookmarks?
It lets you express your creativity and style, making each bookmark unique and special. Plus, it’s a fun way to personalize your reading experience and share your crafty talents with friends and family!
Don't Be a Stranger
And there you have it, my Creative Friend! DIY bookmarks made with love and personalized just the way you want them. I hope you will have as much fun creating these cute little treasures as I did. Whether you’re making them for yourself or someone special, these DIY bookmarks are a perfect way to add a personal touch to your reading adventures.
Remember, with your Cricut machine, some colorful cardstock, and a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. You can make these bookmarks as unique as the stories they’ll hold. So, get crafty, have fun, and keep those pages marked in style! Happy reading and happy crafting, book lovers!
