Super Quick: Record Album Cover Bookmark Tutorial

One of my favorite things about working with all kinds of vintage papers is the way in which a unique paper can completely change a project for the better.

For instance, you could make a serviceable bookmark out of any piece of cardstock, but that’s all that you’d have in the end–a serviceable bookmark. But make this same bookmark out of the cover from your favorite (though now sadly scratched) vinyl record, or the box that your favorite cereal or pizza comes in, and you’ve got a personal, original, graphically outstanding bookmark.

And it’s still serviceable.

You will need:

A record album cover or similar weight of vintage cardstock
Sharp lead pencil, sturdy scissors, and ruler
Hole punch
Narrow ribbon, or embroidery floss, or twine, or similar material

1. Use a scrap piece of your album cover to make a bookmark pattern. My bookmark measures 1.5″x7.5″, and has rounded corners.

2. For the best-looking bookmark, lay your pattern out on a part of the album cover that has the most graphic appeal, or that makes it clear (at least to those in the know) what album your bookmark comes from. Trace around your bookmark and cut it out.

3. Punch a hole, centered, near one end of your bookmark.

4. Cut off about 12 inches of ribbon to use with your bookmark.

5. The best knot to use here is an eye knot. To make an eye knot, pass one end of the ribbon through your punched hole and double up your ribbon, making sure the ends are even. Then, holding both lengths of the ribbon together, tie an overhand knot and snug it down against the top of the bookmark.