DIY Envelope Bookmarks

Something a little different today! I'm going to be posting instructions for how to make these handy little DIY envelope bookmarks! I first came across them a few years ago and when I was asked recently where I found them, I couldn't find the original link, so I've decided to share my own tutorial! There are some other wonderful websites out there which provide instructions for some which are a little more creative, but these work best for me because they're simple and quick to make! But if you do feel like being a little more creative, there are some great tutorials on YouTube! 

What You Will Need

All you'll need is:​

• An envelope
• Scissors
• Washi Tape (or any thin, coloured tape)

​And that's it!

Method

First, you need to select the tape you would like to use. You can do it all one design, or you can alternate two designs or even do a different design on every strip - whatever takes your fancy. I chose two designs for this one and decided to alternate the tapes pictured above.

Next, you need to diagonally cut off one of the bottom corners of your envelope to make a triangle, as pictured above. I've found that it doesn't really matter how big you go, it just means that it goes slightly further down the page of the book. (That's another thing I like about these, you don't have to patiently measure things!)

Now, you'll need to decide on your first colour of tape and place it along the bottom of the triangle, leaving the edges too long, but making sure you line up the bottom of the tape with the bottom of the triangle as much as possible. 

Then you turn the triangle over so that the side with the tape is face down because it's easier to trim the tape to the right size by cutting from the back. All you do to trim the tape is take your scissors and cut along the edge of the triangle so that there is no longer any overhanging tape. Do this on both sides so that when you turn the triangle back over, you are left with something like the picture below.

Next, you simply repeat the above steps with the next layer, using either the same design of tape or a different design depending on what you're going for. I like to overlap my second layer of tape slightly on to the first one so that I don't have to worry about lining it up really accurately, but it's up to you whether you overlap, or carefully line them up alongside each other. Once you've finished the second strip of tape, repeat again with your next strip and again until the whole triangle is covered.

You should end up with something like this! (but probably better!)

It's up to you whether you would like to cover both sides but I tend to leave the back of mine blank. If you do want to do both, just repeat what you did on the other side and you'll be good to go!

Here's a few more pictures of the finished product, and another one I made earlier (going a bit Blue Peter-y there!)

I love these bookmarks because they take minutes to make and they're really easy. Not only that but I've found it really handy keeping a few by my bedside as I'm always losing bookmarks and now I'm never left having to use sweet wrappers or bits of cardboard when I eventually put my book down at 3 AM!

Let me know if you decide to have a go at these, I'd love to see photos if you do!