With my son's class Valentine's Day party looming, I knew I didn't have much time but still wanted to have a little something extra for him to share with his classmates. Typically, there's a lot of candy going around that day, and I just didn't feel like anyone needed more. "Wanted" maybe, but didn't "need." So I decided to make them each a personalized bookmark instead.

They were quite easy with only 5 simple steps. I just need to leave a little more time to do things like this now that there are 23 students in his class, but I tend to leave things to the last minute.

Step 1: Supplies

For supplies, you'll need a variety of fabrics, card stock, and ribbon, plus a way to personalize it with a name. I went with basic red and white (mostly, just what I had on hand) and I used my embroidery machine to stitch the names onto a piece of white linen.

Step 2: Punch

Begin with a piece of white cardstock 1/2" smaller than the size bookmark you would like to make. I made mine 6" x 2". Use a hole punch to put a hole in the center of one end.

Step 3: Punch

Next, use a heart punch to punch a couple of hearts into the opposite end.

Step 4: Glue

Then add a layer of red printed fabric (or paper) onto the card stock. It should be slightly smaller than the piece of card stock. I used red and white polka dot fabric and used pinking shears to add texture to the edges.

Step 5: Stitch

Add the student's name. I used my embroidery machine to stitch their names, then positioned the name on top of the fabric and sewed it in place. You can use any materials to create the name, such as rubber stamps, vinyl letters, or even hand-written with markers or crayons.

Step 6: Tie

Next, tie a ribbon through the punched hold. I used a ribbon that frays when cut to add a little flare to the tied end.

Step 7: Felt

Finally, glue the back of the card stock onto a piece of red felt slightly larger that the piece of card stock. I cut mine 2 1/2" x 6 1/2", then used pinking shears again to finish the edges.

Step 8: Finished

That's it! Ready to use to mark your place.

Step 9: Share the Love of Reading

It was a Valentine's gift that won't rot their teeth, and hopefully will (indirectly) grow their intellect. Definitely beats another piece of candy that will be eaten and forgotten.

To see more of my original tutorials, visit http://childmadetutorials.blogspot.com.