Saturday, April 28, 2012

Marking My Place

Special Post for Killer Hobbies Readers
by Sophie KellyI like bookmarks. That’s probably because I have several books on the go at once and I like to know where I left off in each of them. I’ve been known to pick up whatever’s handy if I don’t have a proper bookmark to hold my place. I’ve used bobby pins, receipts, a bit of ribbon and even a dried leaf. I like seeing what other people use as well. Just last week I discovered a take-out menu from the Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood in a cookbook I’d borrowed from the library.

And I like to make bookmarks. Here are a couple of the traditional type with tails:

One has a favorite quote from the Peanuts comic strip, the other is one of several I gave away with my last Magical Cats mystery, Sleight of Paw.

The only down side to this kind of flat bookmark is that sometimes it falls out of the book, especially if like me, you tend to stuff a book or two into your bag or briefcase. So I’ve been looking for a bookmark that’s a little harder to dislodge. When I discovered a headband in the dollar store made from half a dozen lengths of stretchy cord, I decided what I needed was a Bookband, basically a headband for my book.

The first thing I did when I got the headband home was to separate it into six separate strands. Then I pulled out some of the beads I keep on my art table.

I threaded three beads, which all had small rings attached like tiny pendants, onto the cord, moving them to the middle. I slipped one bead down over both ends of the cord, snugging it up against the three hanging pendants.

Then I tied the two free ends in a knot, about six inches from that purple bead. The cord has enough stretch to stay in place without damaging the pages of a book. The beads are really just for fun.

I made three different Bookbands. That’s “Matt Lauer” showing them off. (I made him too.)

If you’d like to win a Bookband, along with a copy of my latest book, Copycat Killing, which will be out May 1st, please leave a comment. And if you have any suggestions for more bookmarks, please share those too.

10 comments:

Chrystle Fiedler said...

What a great idea! Thanks for visiting! Chrystle

Carol S said...

Bookbands, lovely idea and name. Great way for using up extra beads and embellishments. Congrats on the new book to be published also.

Liz said...

Multiple threads are great for nonfiction, when flipping from text to those pesky footnotes.

Sofie said...

Liz, you're right--multiple threads would be great for non-fiction. I'm going to see what I can come up with. Thanks for the suggestion.

Anonymous said...

I love your series. What a great combination- libraries and cats. The books are fun reads with Hercules and Owen.

Your book bands are a wonderful way to keep place in the books. My cats would like them, too.

I hope there are plans for many more books in the series.

Mish said...

I like your idea. I like to use magnetic bookmarks. They are little squares with magnets on the inside. I used to order them from the website, magneticbookmark.com, but Barnes and noble started selling them recently. I go there now. I have been using them forever and I buy them for family and friends.

cyn209 said...

i've become a bookmark collector the past few months, but i find that the basic cardboard types work best for me.........
thank you for the giveaway!!!

cyn209 at juno dot com

Michelle said...

I'd love to win a bookmark and copy of your book. I just found your blog this morning and added it to the sidebar on my own blog so I won't miss anything.

BW said...

What a great idea! They are so cute!!

Dee W said...

I admit it, I'm hooked on your books. I bought Copycat yesterday when I was out, because I couldn't wait! Thanks for a fun series.