School’s OUT! Summer’s here…..NOW WHAT?  I know that’s what lots of mom’s are asking themselves about now.  I remember when my kiddo’s were young I always had to have some kind of structure to our day during the summer so that neither I nor they would go crazy!

With that in mind here’s a fabulous idea for a fun art project for those kiddos:

This project uses the retired but still fantastic Stampin’ UP! Unforgrettable Stamp Set. I used it  this spring for a sweet little gal’s birthday party invites, and when I saw these over on a fellow demo’s website I couldn’t resist the temptation to share them with ya’ll.  They’re so easy and a great way to use those scraps of Stampin’ UP! Designer Series Paper that you have lying around. A sure way to encourage those young readers to protect the corners of their books and stop dog-earring them!

Supplies you’ll need:

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Small letters (any kind will do)
Ink: Black Staz-On, Basic Brown, Creamy Caramel
Paper: Stampin’ UP! watercolor paper, Whisper White, Shimmer White, Raspberry Tart or other Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Curly label punch, Crystal Effects, White Gel pen; Red, Rose Red, Cream 5/8″ Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Sewing Machine  or stapler , Markers: Real Red, Burgundy, Celery, Old Olive, Garden Green, Blush Blossom, Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Turquoise, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Summer Sun, More Mustard (Note: Some colors have since been retired but these can easily be coordinated with whatever Designer Series Paper you are using.)

Directions:

1. On watercolor paper stamp images out in Black Staz-On.  Color markers direct on images and use watercolor brush to spread colors around.  Each color was applied one at a time from lightest to darkest.  Each color was allowed to dry before the next was applied.  When done, images are cut out.  Curly label punch was used to punch out 5 labels out of the Shimmer White CS and the edges were sponged with Creamy Caramel.  Grass base was watercolored by scribbling green markers on to something plastic and then picking up color with brush.
2. Bookmarks are cut out 2″ x 5 1/2″ of Whisper White CS as well as 1/2″ strips for words.  DSP was 1/8″ less then bookmark.
3. Because kids can be rough on their bookmarks,  Stampin’ UP! Snail adhesive was used along all lengths of the DSP so that it could not be pulled apart. Ribbon is adhered lightly with Snail and then can be sewen across with your sewing machine or stapled for sturdiness.
4. Curly label was popped up using four dimensionals each and adhered.
5. Letters are on individual blocks so you can tape them together to make it easier when stamping on the strip of CS.  These were then adhered below the curly label.
6. The cut-out image was glued on with crystal effects.  Crystal effects was also used to highlight the eyes and mushroom dots which were first colored with the white gel pen.

Voila! there you have it.  If your kids are too young to use a watercolor brush, the Stampin’ UP! Blender Pens create a great image as well.

The point is, to have fun helping your kids create a great bookmark they can use for their summer reading projects.  This also makes a great activity for neighborhood kids and helps keep busy hands out of trouble!

I hope you’re summer is getting off to a wonderful start.  If I can be of help for your creative projects be sure to drop me a line!

I am having a Stampin’ UP! STAMP & SHOP Class, Tuesday, June 21st at 9:30 a.m. and then again at 2:00 p.m. You’ll have your choice of cards and/or projects to create.  Class is FREE with a $15.00 Stampin UP! order. (Order is not required but a nominal supply fee will apply.)  It’ll be a great time!  So mark your calendars and check back for details!

Thanks for stopping by!

Katherine