If you do all your reading on a Kindle, please carry on. If you’re like me though and still enjoy the feel and smell of an actual book in your hands, you’ll appreciate the need for bookmarks.

I know some people ‘dog ear’ the page of a book, but we grew up reading books from the library and book mobile. Dog-earing a book was akin to graffiti. It just wasn’t done.

Now that we have a Little Free Library (LFL) at the curb, I’ve found a built-in excuse to make bookmarks. I made several out of postcards for our LFL dedication and they were a hit. There are only three left.

Postcard bookmarks

Using leftover scraps from card-making and other paper crafts I made another handful of bookmarks. I added stickers I had on hand, punched the curvy top with my tag-maker and voila, instant bookmarks.

Bookmarks made from leftover paper scraps

If your busy and yearning for a quick crafting project, give it a try. You can create a small, functional craft in a short amount of time using minimal tools.  I’ve made bookmarks from the old pages of a wall calendar, glossy fashion magazines, postcards and paper scraps. I made one earlier this year using a seed packet.  Let your imagination be your guide.

Bookmark and an envelope made from a realtor’s calendar

Paper piecing calendar bookmark

What to do with your surplus:

• Tuck extras in your favorite places to read. I keep several in my nightstand drawer
• Use them for stocking stuffers at Christmas
• Set them out as place-markers at a dinner party. Add your guests initial with stickers or fancy lettering
• Give them to your child’s teacher as a small thank you gift
• Drop them off at a LFL in your community

Bookmarks and a recent book donation to the LFL