Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Bookmarklets (& a Giveaway!)

At the beginning of the month, I ran across a project printout from Stamphenge that I've been holding onto for years.  Jean's project for bookmarklets caught my eye because I seldom read a book without pen and paper in hand.  I jot down quotations, ideas, web sites, and other information that I don't want to forget once I put down the book or return it to the library.  Bookmarklets are the perfect solution for a reader like me!
Part booklet-part bookmark, bookmarklets are little books where you can jot notes as you read, and then slip into your book to hold your place when you put it down.
Jean gives great directions to carry you through the process.  I thought I'd share some photos from my bookmarklet-creating session:

I used regular computer paper to keep my bookmarklet slim.  (Watercolor paper, for example, would make it much bulkier.)  One sheet of computer paper can be cut into four strips that are 2 inches by 11 inches, with just a little strip leftover.
Using a cutting mat and a razor-type knife freed me from having to use a ruler and a pencil for measuring. 

Then I stacked the four strips and folded them over to make a booklet that measures 2 inches by 5-1/2 inches.  (I used the bone folder to make the crease crisper.)
Next, I chose all the different papers I wanted to use as covers for my bookmarkets.
Those papers then had to be cut into 2 inch x 11 inch strips, and folded over top of the folded white paper booklets.
If I had a long-arm stapler, I could have just stapled on the fold...that would have been an easy way to hold the papers together!  But since I don't have that kind of a stapler, I did a few different kinds of bindings.
One method is to punch a hole in the middle-top of the booklet, and thread fibers or ribbons through. (That's what I did for the top two examples above.)  I also did a pamphlet stitch with bookbinding floss, tying it off with a bow on the outside (bottom left above), and tying it off on the inside and cutting off any excess floss (bottom right above, the "cleanest" look). 

Now I have a place to write down all my notes as I read:
AND, I have a bookmark to keep my spot in between reading sessions:
They are fairly simple to create, so once I got started, I ended up with 20 bookmarklets.
GIVEAWAY:
If you would like to receive one my bookmarklets, leave a comment and I will send you one!  Here's the catch:  You MUST include in your comment a book recommendation for me in order to receive a bookmarklet.  What is a good/ fun/ interesting/ creative/ inspiring read for 2014?

Also, if I don't have your address, you will have to email it to me at aleakaskey@yahoo.com if you want me to send you a bookmarklet.  I will send one to everyone I hear from before January 25, 2014!

Happy reading!

19 comments:

Beverley Baird said...

What a great idea! I usually take a paper, then have papers all over.
I have just started reading "I Dare Me" by Luann Cahn about her year of firsts. She has a blog as well by her name. Makes you think about adding more yeses to your life.
Also loved "Fifteen Minutes" by Karen Kinsbury and "The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion

Victoria said...

Great post Andria!
I'm loving all the wonderful free books I download from Bookbub.
I also bought Blink, which is really interesting about the way we think.

Elisa murphy said...

Great idea! 29 Gifts is on my list to read!

Carin Winkelman said...

I usually put a piece of folded notebookpaper into my books for the exact same reason, but this is so much prettier.

Tina said...

These are such a great idea and will prevent the hundreds of little scrap papers I always have lying around and then can't find what I need when I need it! For a book recommendation, I just got "Stitches" by Anne Lamott for Christmas and I'm loving it!

Esmee Lynne said...

As I promised...I love the Bookmarklets! ...and here are two books for you to read in 2014.
One is a Biography..."Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey"
The other..." Promise Land: Thirteen Books That Changed America.
Happy Reading. Don't forget to check out Goodreads.com

TheSnailMailer said...

Cool look to them! I am currently reading "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama, and the bookmark would be great for that book. I have dog ears for quotes throughout the chapters I have already read.
But my all time favorite book is "Love in the time of Chloera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Jewels said...

What a great idea! If your a Downton Abbey fan you might enjoy Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey ...it was really interesting...

Jewels said...

What a great idea! If your a Downton Abbey fan you might enjoy Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey ...it was really interesting...

Patty Antle said...

Great idea and tutorial, Andria! I'm with Jewels with the Real Downton Abbey. I'm reading that one and could use a bookmarklet!

Anne said...

These are wonderful! Some books just call out for note taking and either there's no paper around or you lose the scraps, or --- well you know. That's why people invent these things!! I'm reading "The Paris Wife", a novel about Ernest Hemingway's first marriage.

Jane LaFazio said...

"Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott, "The Language of Flowers" by Diffenbach.
xo

Jo Murray said...

Thanks for all the info. Great idea for small thank you gifts. My most enjoyable book recently has been 'The Art Of Silliness' by Carla Sonheim. It is a book full of doodling and sketching prompts for a little holiday fun. Each page is an adventure.

Lana said...

What a terrific idea. Wonder if these can be tweaked for sermon notes? Balancing a Bible and a notebook on my lap during the sermon is awkward.

My recommendation is a must for Anglophiles -- A Fine Romance (Falling in love with the English Countryside) by Susan Branch. This hardcover even has a red ribbon bookmark.

Parabolic Muse said...

Hey, Andria! Guess what? I am up early and reading blogs before work! yay!

These are a great idea. I saw something like this on a craft show on TV and always wanted to do it. It wasn't exactly like this, but it had the same concept. What a great idea!

I loved Harriet the Spy as a young girl and I have continued to read it every few years. It's obviously a quick read, but it's funny and has a great heroine. I loved the sequel, The Long Secret just as much. It's all about becoming the person you can be. Very fun. I know it may seem like there's nothing to take notes on, but some of the turns of phrase in those books, and also the concepts of confusion, loyalty, identity, and compassion are all interesting to work over in your own thoughts.

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