DIY: The Cutest Photo Bookmark You’ll Ever Make

Mother's Day is less than a month away and if you want to send Grandma a very personalized gift--I've got just the thing! We're all on quarantine so she probably hasn't seen the grandkids in awhile right? I bet she's also doing more reading than usual too. What about a sending her one of your kids to keep her page? Of course we can't do that literally, but we can do the next best thing with a picture bookmark!

Lots of our kids' elementary teachers make sure the kids have a little craft ready for mom come Mother's Day. And if your kids are like mine, they have a hard time waiting until Sunday to show it to you. I got a bookmark like this from my daughter six years ago as a second grader.

Nifai came across her bookmark in one of my books and wanted to "hold my place" too so we made this bookmark together of him. Since you've already been stepping in as their main educator, go ahead and step into the role of art/craft teacher too and give them a chance to make something they will be proud to give to a loved one. This is a great service or ministering gift too!

What you need:

Photograph of kid(s)
String, yarn, thread, ribbon or anything to make the tassel
Laminating paper & Laminating machine OR clear packing tape OR clear contact paper
Hole punch
Scissors

Directions:

1. First you'll need a photograph. You can find one you already have on hand OR take a new picture with a fun and creative pose. Nifai wanted to make a bookmark exactly like his older sister so he chose to pose just like she did--by creating an opening so it looks like he/she is holding on to the tassel string. We took his picture against a white wall, sent it to Wal-Greens for their one-hour photo and paid about .33 cents for a 5x7 (we also got a 3x5 but it came out smaller than we wanted). I*f you DO take a new photo, make sure you do it so the picture itself is longways or longer up and down rather than across.

2. Once your photo has been printed, cut out the shape of your cute kid model.

Before laminating it, it's a good idea to write a message, name or date on the back for memory and documentation.

3. Laminate the photo to make it more durable and long lasting. I prefer using a laminate machine because I'm a teacher and apparently laminating things at school is just so useful that teachers will often buy a small one to keep at home. BUT, for demonstration purposes, I'll show you how to do it using clear packing tape.

*If you are using clear packing tape or contact paper, I would suggest laying the photo on the table then placing the top layer of tape/contact paper directly over it as wrinkle free as possible. When applying a back layer of tape/contact paper to the opposite side of the photo try to smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles.

4. Cut around the photo leaving about 1/8" of space between the photo and the clear edges. This will keep the seal intact.

5. Using a hole punch, punch a hole in the top of whichever area you want the tassel to be hanging from. Keeping this in mind is great for making creative "holds" for the kids to do with their hands as it looks like they are "hanging" from or onto the bookmark string.

6. To make the tassel, take the yarn or string and wrap it around the four fingers of your hand about 5-7 times.

7. When you cut it, be sure both of the loose ends are hanging downward.

8. Take your scissors and cut through the bottom of the loops. Set the tassel strands aside momentarily.

9. Next you'll cut a 12 inch piece of string. This will have the bookmark photo at one end and the tassel at the other end.

10. Insert your 12 inch string into the hole of the photo

11. Tie a knot at the end leaving about 1 1/2 inches of string at the ends.

12. Take one string from the tassel strands and set it aside.

12. With the rest of your tassel strands, put them through the longer string, folding tassel strands over it's knot.

13. You'll need an extra pair of hands to hold the photo end and pull it taught while you hold the folded tassel strands at the other end. Take the tassel string you separated earlier and and place it behind the other tassel strands so you can tie all the tassel strands together.

14. Wrap both ends around toward the front and tie it in a knot.

15. Double knot it.

16. Use your scissors to cut even out the strands making the tassel about 1-2 inches in length.

17. At the other end near the hole of the photo, take the string and make a loop to create a knot by wrapping the tassel around the back of the loop and pushing it through the opening. This will keep the photo from sliding around on the string.