Embossed Glue Bookmarks

Heidi Borchers of Inspired at Home shows us how to use glue to create lovely embossed book marks. These bookmarks make great gifts, especially for the members of a book club. Once you have the hang of this project, apply this glue embossing technique to your other papercrafts.

You can also listen to this project as you craft, read by Heidi Borchers.

Materials:

• Cardstock or lightweight cardboard - cut into 1½” x 7” strips
• Hole punch
• Pencil
• Aleene’s® Thick Designer Tacky Glue
• Scotch tape - ¾” to 1” wide
• Spray paint - flat white
• Decorator craft chalk - assorted colors
• Brush - hard bristle (stencil type brush works great)
• Paper towels
• Spray fixative
• Cording or tassel on cording

Instructions:

1. Using photo as guide, lightly trace your designs onto the bookmarks. Punch hole in corner.
    
2. Place a tape nozzle onto the bottle of glue. This technique shows you how to create this nozzle.
    
3. (It is suggested that you practice this next step on waxed paper first.) Draw with glue along the pencil lines. Let dry completely.
    
4. Spray paint the bookmarks. Let paint dry.
    
5. To apply the chalk to the prepared (sprayed) surface, rub the hard bristle brush over the chalk. Then immediately brush chalk onto an embossed area. To change colors, carefully tap off excess chalk and wipe brush on dry paper towel before changing colors. Refill brush with next color and repeat until entire design is colored with the chalk.
    
6. Spray bookmark with fixative to protect/preserve the chalk coloring.

Heidi’s Designer Tip: Instead of flat white spray paint, acrylic paints can be used for a similar look. Just brush on two even coats of paint letting dry completely between coats and dry completely before applying chalk colors.