Flower Frenzy

 

Flowers-first

 

I volunteered to make mini flower bookmarks for Rachel’s bridal shower. Each guest is going to receive a small gift bag filled with goodies. We had paper scraps from making the invitations, couldn’t let them go to waste! The card stock has a nice linen texture on one side. I thought that would make a nice backing.

Step 1: cut watercolor paper 1 in. x 2.5 in.
Step 2: cut backing paper 1.25 in. x 2.75 in.
Step 3: paint flowers (I used acrylics)
Step 4: paint top area
Step 5: glue front to back place under a stack of books to dry.

flower mini bookmarks, sheiladelgado.com
Step 6: cover entire front area, (including the backing paper edges) with One Step Crackle paint. You want to have a fairly thick layer of that. Let dry.
Step 7: Choose a contrasting paint color from your artwork. I chose the dark color from my background area. Brush the color over the entire front area, (Do one at a time.) Quickly wipe off color with a paper towel. If you find some paint left that you don’t want, use a damp paper towel to clean it up. The paint settles highlights the cracks.

All-cracked-up

Step 8: I take an old pink nail file (fine grit) and clean up the edges of the bookmarks.
Step 9: cut magnetic tape (roll) to size. The tape has a sticky side, but you will need to glue it to the paper. Peel off the protective paper, and put a strip of all-purpose Tacky glue down the middle of the magnet. Place magnets under a stack of books to dry.

magnet strip on back

I made 45 , about a dozen extras just to be safe.

Finished magnet bookmark, sheiladelgado.com

 

 

 

8 thoughts on “Flower Frenzy

  1. Val van der Poel

    These are charming although I was surprised by the magnetic strip – fridge magnet bookmarks – how unusual! I use the book method for flattening my watercolors too, it may take time but it works!

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      They started as bookmarks, and then the mother of the bride thought it would be good to make them a magnet instead. Thanks for visiting Val, hope you have a great weekend 🙂

      Reply
  2. Corinna

    The crackle finish is really fun. Think how great all those pieces will look in their homes…a beautiful piece of art to remember the event by.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Rachel is really close to her friends, they have been friends for such a long time. And for all of the family members that will be coming, I wanted to contribute something special as Rachel herself 🙂

      Reply
  3. Dotty

    Sheila, fun to see what you’ve been up to. What you’ve been up to is WAY BUSY—45 mini bookmarks! Lucky lucky Rachel and her bridal shower guests to have your handpainted art as gifts of your heart. Thanks for sharing the process. My favorite part was the steps where you put your work under a stack of books to dry after gluing—been there, done that recently myself.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Old school trick, I do that with my paintings sometimes too. If the watercolor paper curls, I dampen the back the back and let it dry in a magazine under a stack of book. Easy peasy 🙂

      Reply

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