Magnetic Book Marks

/ Bluebird Gardens/

Magnetic Book Marks

I’ve included magnetic book marks over the years in most of my gift books. Sometimes I use photos, the favorite book mark, as well as a holiday cards.

You probably already have possible book marks at home but you may need to buy the magnetic strips.

You will need:

  • Cardboard, either new stock or re-use holiday and birthday cards.

  • Magnet strips, available at most craft stores. You can also re-use magnet strips from other projects.

  • Different-colored marking pens.

  • Magazine cut-outs, copies of favorite photos, stickers.

  • Paper glue.

  • Paper scissors.

To make:

Cut cardboard into 4x1.5 inch cardboard strips. You can make them bigger or smaller as long as it is a rectangle.

Fold so one side is slightly smaller than the other. Decide whether to attach at the top of the page or to the right side.

Decorate the smaller size with a photo or design. Decorate the larger side with a dedication and signature.

Cut magnet strip into two pieces. Remove backing. Glue magnet inside the shorter size; glue the other magnet to the first piece, then fold cardboard to the second magnet so both magnet pieces match. Allow15 minutes to dry.

Apply to a book, or a gift book, as page markers or give all by themselves as handmade gifts.

I made myself a few out of cards and use them every day!

Charlotte

Attend Book Parties for Gift Ideas

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setting up my seating area for the november 9, 2023 online national garden bureau and garden communicators international book partyl (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Attend Book Parties for Gift Ideas

There are a number of ways one can pursue to decide what books to give as gifts. Thanks to our 2020 pandemic, one of the easiest ways is to attend online book parties where one can get to know the authors and get a feel for what is in their books.

Here’s one coming up, National Garden Bureau and Garden Communicators International's virtual book party “Authors Talk Gardening” Thursday, November 9, 2023 6 P.M. CST/7:00 PM ET online. They will feature four exciting gardening books and their authors, followed by one-on-one author breakout rooms. Pre-register via Zoom

So who are you going to meet besides me?

•   "Susan Betz is an Honorary Master Gardener, author and garden communicator.  She has been actively involved in growing and using herbs to educate the public about gardening and the natural world for more than 35 years. Susan is a member of the International Herb Association, Garden Communicators, the Ecological Landscape Alliance, and National Garden Bureau. She is a life member of the Herb Society of America and a charter member of their Native Herb Conservation committee and the Society’s sustainable garden initiative. She is the author of How to Grow Beautiful Herbs Indoors, For Flavor, Fragrance and Fun.

•   Shelley Cramm loves to see the ancient words of Scripture come alive in today’s gardens. She is the author of My Father is the Gardener, writes regularly for her Devotions Blog and speaks to garden clubs and faith groups about plants of the Bible and the garden connection. Her background includes a Master of Architecture, work in architectural and garden design, and leadership of Bible study groups, Toastmasters International, and Garden Communicators International. Inspiration to write about plants grew out of a routine of morning journaling and an enduring hope to finish the laundry and get out to the garden.

•   Michael Perry, AKA Mr. Plant Geek, hails from the U&K and is a fun and cheeky persona who has been involved in gardening and plants since he was just five years old. Mr. Plant Geek encompasses both an online and TV personality. He also fronts a successful blog and has created a unique range of clothing and accessories made for “Plant Geeks.” His book is Hortus Curious, a visual menagerie of the weirdest and wackiest plant species, written in a very accessible way.

•   Charlotte Ekker Wiggins is an award-winning author, beekeeper and gardener. Her one acre Missouri garden, where her neighbors said nothing would grow, is now a Monarch Way Station, Certified Wildlife Habitat and working apiary. She featured how she developed Bluebird Gardens April 2019 in her TEDx “why bugs matter.”  As a Master Gardener Emeritus, she focuses on native plants that provide food and cover for native bees and other pollinators. She is also a Great Plains Master Beekeeping Certified Master Beekeeper, developing books and classes to help beekeepers learn scientifically based best management practices. She keeps native and honey bees, mostly outdoors."
 
Besides meeting the authors, there will be book giveaways for in-person attendees. I’ve been to two previous book parties and enjoyed getting to know the authors and why they wrote their books.

So mark your calendars for November 9, plan on what tea you're going to sip and pre-register here.

See you November 9!   Charlotte