Bookmarks

“Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.”  - Corrie Ten Boom

On some very special occasions we always give away gifts to people. These gift are reminders.  It reminds us of the people whom we are connected to and their memories. I decided that to make this teacher’s day more special and memorable I would make bookmarks for my teachers. Not only for the teachers who teach me but then why not organize a small exhibition, where students can buy and give it to their teachers. First I planned that I would make at least 50 bookmarks and sell them. For me this was a new challenge because it really not easy to make simple bookmarks. I certainly got confused by many ideas in my mind and it gets difficult to decide how to make them or should I not make them this particular way.  I bought all the materials needed and kept them together. I first planned how my bookmarks would look. I made a blueprint in my mind so that I can make all bookmarks simple and beautiful. My goal was of 50 bookmarks and I was ready for this new challenge. I had three days for this activity so I decided that at least in one day I will make 20 bookmarks.

Day 1

On the first day I decided that first I would cut the base out and then start off with decorating it. I made the base and I really didn’t imagine that I made the base for 40 bookmarks. It was amazing to know that I had increased my speed in the technique of cutting paper. Now I would cut the second base for the bookmarks and that would be only after I measure the paper properly and then cut them out. But I had to match the color of the second base with the first one so I could only make 20 of the second base. The next thing I do is stick the second base on the first one. I did this with all the 20 bookmarks and left them to dry. Till then I started off with quilling. I though why not put some quilling decoration on the book marks. I sketched the design on the book mark and then accordingly I made leaves and petals. Its better to make them in different part because it’s easy to assemble them and the quilling strips wouldn't be wasted. I realized that people who make handmade bookmarks and even customized by computers have to be very careful about the measurement and the design according to it. I was tired therefore I decided I would do the rest next day. I was happy that the first day I completed my goal.

Day 2

I started off by cutting more ten base for the book marks and according I made more 20 second base. After this I stuck the second base according to the colors. I started arrange the leaves and petals which I made from the quilling strips and stuck them together. Now total I had 20 bookmarks ready and 30 left. I did get nervous in between and thought I won’t be able to complete my goal. But then I remembered a quote “In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.” - Nikos Kazantzakis. I then made up my mind that I can do it and I will. Now I stuck the second base to the first one. So now there are more 20 bookmarks and 10 are left. In order to complete my goal I made more 10 bases and second bases. I stuck them and left all the thirty to dry.

 I started off with quilling and more petals and designs. The cutting is really time consuming activity in this. I didn’t measure 5 bases properly which is why I had to do it again. Though I had increased my speed, but I need to be really carefully about the measurements that’s why it took a lot of time. I didn’t have time to stick the petals and leaves so I decided that I would do it tomorrow. I was disappointed that today I could not complete my goal. I felt as if I was failing to achieve my goal. As we learn from our failures, I decided that tomorrow I would complete it anyhow.

Day 3

The only thing I was left was putting up my quilling designs. So I quickly arranged all the designs on the book mark and stuck them one by one carefully. This did take a lot of time because we need to tick the quilling parts carefully otherwise they don’t stick properly and come off. I didn’t want this to happen so I did it slowly and patiently. I finished almost 20 bookmarks now. This task is a very time consuming but I know I had to complete the task. That is why I was determined and showed my commitment. The next twenty bookmarks were made with all the patience I had and with all the creativity in my mind. I was happy that I finally completed my goal. It was really exciting activity for me. By staying determined, confident and committed I have achieved the learning outcomes. And my goal too. At the end of this activity I realized how important it is for a person to be creative all the time. Being creative keeps one’s mind fresh. If I had to change something in this activity then I would want to make bookmarks using reusable things. Helping the environment by reusing is a very great contribution. Because when we start from small things then only we reach big things. But as I couldn’t this time, I would surely try to do it next time. Under taking this new challenge, staying determined and improving my skills helped me complete this activity and my goal.

Till then stay happy!