Book Page Tags

We all use tags, for gifts, to label items, as bookmarks; why not make some from an old book? (Now I don't condone, encourage, or personally use old books that still are readable. I'm talking about books that are barely held together, falling apart, ready for the dump. Please do not use a perfectly good book.)

See the swap image? I found it on tumblr here, and it was exactly what I was thinking.

For this swap, you will have 2 partners. You will send each partner 5 tags. So you will be making a total of 10 tags. (Plus, if you're like me, you'll make a bunch to keep :-) )

Here's how to make these. Easily and simply.

Things you will need: book(s); card stock; glue; decorations

1. Find a book that is ready for the junk pile. You can usually find old dictionaries, encyclopedias, kids books that have been written all in, for very cheap (less than $1) if not free at your local thrift stores, flea markets, or garage sales. You can also talk to your local librarian about their discard books. They normally hold sales (where the books are super cheap) to get rid of them.

2. Determine what shape & size you want these to be. No smaller than 2" x 1.5" and no larger than 5" x 4" (we want them to fit inside a card envelope to keep postage at a minimum).

3. Find some images or sayings or pretty much anything! The one thing I ask is that you check your partners profile for things they do NOT like for this. You don't want to make ones using images from a Disney book if your partner has Disney listed in their dislike list.

4. Cut the card stock to the shape & size desired. This site as a bunch, free, that you can print out directly onto cardstock to use.

5. Cut out your images / words / book page to fit the tags.

6. Use a thin layer of glue to adhere the image to the cardstock. My suggestion is to use modpodge for this step. And only use a thin layer so the paper doesn't bubble. If it does, -gently- press it smooth. (for homemade modpodge mix equal parts of white school glue with water).

7. When it's dry, punch a hole in the top and decorate it.

PS - That old book you only used a little bit out of? Don't throw it out! I'm going to be hosting more swaps using up more of those pages. :-)

PPS - If you enjoy upcycling items, I've started a group, Upcycle Me, for just this sort of thing. However, as long as I get participants, I'll keep the book related crafts here.

I hope this part is not necessary, but I'm putting it just in case... * I will angel if necessary but only after you rate your partner a 1 after the proper amount of time and communication (if able). * If you flake on one of my swaps, you will be ban from all of the swaps I run in -all- the different groups I'm an officer in and public swaps as well. And you will be reported.