Creating 100 Artsy Bookmarks - Using Rubbermoon Stamps

When visiting the Sunview Elementary School 3rd Grade classes a couple weeks ago (as a visiting author - I recently published some books), I really wanted to bring some special giveaway to the kids. A small, simple artsy gift to remind them of the writing pep talk I gave to them. Since the four classes consisted of over 20 kids per class, I decided to create 100 bookmarks (25 per class, so the teacher could keep a couple as well).

So how do you create 100 bookmarks when you really don't have much time on your hands?

Here's how! And it's also very fun!

MATERIALS:

• 2 sheets of 15x20 (or larger) 90 lb watercolor paper.
• Gouache paints
• Brushes of your choosing - and sponges to add textures
• Rubbermoon art stamp (I chose the typewriter - one of my favorite stamps - because I was giving a writing pep talk).
• Exacto knife and/or paper cutter

1. Use a large brush or sponge to create a wash to over the whole paper. I recommend getting both sheets out and painting them simultaneously. I painted one at a time only because I underestimated how many pages I would need to create enough bookmarks - didn't plan properly. Painting both sheets at once will save you time.

2. Just start painting away! Use a variety of brush styles to paint. I like to use a soft brush to make swirly shapes and a stiff bristled brush to create spattering. I also love to use sponges to add texture.

3. After your paintings have dried, it's time to cut them up (you COULD start rubber stamping now or after cutting)! First I used an Exacto knife and ruler to cut large chunks that would be easy for me to slip into my mini paper cutter (which is very small - used for scrapbooking). If you are lucky enough to have a large paper cutter, just use that! Chop strips to the size of your liking. In order to get as many pieces done as possible using two sheets of watercolor paper, I cut mine in various sizes, averaging 1.5"x 3".

4. After cutting all my pieces, and counting to make sure I have the 100 slips of paper I need, then I placed the strips onto a newspaper and started stamping away. Yes, you could do this BEFORE cutting, but it was important to me that every single bookmark had a recognizable amount of the  typewriter image visible on the bookmark. 

And VOILA! You have one hundred bookmarks to use as giveaways!

I wish I would have been prepared enough to add stickers with my website info on the backs, but live and learn, I guess! I highly suggest you use these fun giveaway bookmarks as business cards if you like, adding a stamp or label of your own on the back with your contact and/or website info! This is certainly something I plan to do, because making these bookmarks is SUPER fun!