Save cherished masterpieces and encourage kids to read with this Bookmark craft—a terrific project for groups.

What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Measure and mark back of artwork into rectangle(s) of bookmark size. (1 1/2" by 5" (4 by 12 cm) is a good size.)
2. Cut out bookmark carefully.
3. Cut out 2 rectangles of Con-Tact Paper for each bookmark that are 1/2" (1 cm) wider and longer. (2" by 5 1/2" or 5 by 13 cm)
4. Remove backing from one piece of Con-Tact Paper and carefully center artwork rectangle on sticky side. Press down.
5. Remove backing from the other piece of Con-Tact Paper and carefully place on other side of artwork, making a sandwich.
6. Air bubbles can be smoothed out using the edge of the ruler.
7. If the edges of the Con-Tact Paper are not even, they can be trimmed slightly after first drawing a new straight line as a guide.

Tips:

These bookmarks are simply made from artwork that you are willing to cut up and two pieces of Con-Tact Paper that will make the bookmark sturdy. Sometimes a piece of art has one good section that you might like to preserve, but the rest wasn't that pretty. Kids' finger-painted pictures sometimes look very nice when cut into rectangles — but don't use ones that are too thick with paint. Magazine pictures can also be used — they would need plain colored construction (or computer) paper glued to the back before being encased in Con-Tact Paper.