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Showing posts with label Reading Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Journal. Show all posts

Tuesday, 25 August 2026

Make a 3D Dragon-Wing Bookmark with a Beaded Tassel—A Magical Romantasy Paper Craft

Beaded Tassel , Book Lover Gift

Turn a printable dragon wing into a dramatic dimensional bookmark with raised burgundy membranes, antique-gold wing bones, jewel accents and a handmade beaded tassel.



This project looks elaborate, but the printable separates the design into clearly numbered layers. Cut out the pieces, stack them in order, and finish the wing with a flexible tassel that hangs outside your book.

The completed bookmark measures approximately 3 inches wide by 6 inches long, excluding the tassel.

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Materials for the Dragon-Wing Bookmark

  • Printed dragon-wing bookmark sheet
  • White matte cardstock, approximately 65–80 lb
  • Heavier 100–110 lb cardstock for the backing, optional
  • Small, sharp detail scissors
  • Craft knife and cutting mat, optional
  • Tacky craft glue or precision paper glue
  • Thin foam adhesive squares or 1 mm foam tape
  • Small hole punch, approximately ⅛ inch
  • Bone folder, stylus or another smooth rounded tool
  • Clear matte paper sealer, optional
  • Metallic-gold marker, optional
  • Burgundy marker or coloured pencil, optional
  • Tweezers, optional

Materials for the Beaded Tassel

  • 8–10 inches of burgundy embroidery cord, waxed cord or thin satin cord
  • One small gold bead with a large centre hole
  • One larger antique-gold decorative bead
  • One burgundy faceted bead
  • One burgundy tassel
  • Optional dragon charm
  • One small jump ring if using a charm
  • Jewellery pliers if using a jump ring
  • Clear jewellery glue or strong craft glue, optional
Bead-selection tip: Choose beads with holes large enough to accept both cord ends. Holes measuring approximately 2–3 mm are the easiest to use.

Step 1: Print the Bookmark Sheet

Print the dragon-wing sheet on 8.5 × 11-inch US Letter paper using these settings:

  • Orientation: Portrait
  • Scale: Actual Size or 100%
  • Print quality: Best or High
  • Double-sided printing: Off
  • Borderless printing: Off

Do not select Fill Page. That setting can enlarge the design and change the intended bookmark dimensions. Matte presentation paper or smooth white cardstock will produce the richest colour and cleanest detail.

Allow the ink to dry completely before cutting.

Step 2: Reinforce the Base Wing

The piece marked 1 BASE supports the entire bookmark.

For a sturdier result, glue the uncut base wing to heavier cardstock before cutting it out. Spread a thin, even layer of glue across the back, press it onto the cardstock and smooth from the centre outward.

Place the piece beneath a heavy book until completely dry to prevent curling or bubbling.

Step 3: Cut Out the Base and Layers

Cut around the pale dashed line surrounding the base wing. Then cut out the groups marked:

  1. BASE
  2. MEMBRANES
  3. GOLD RIBS
  4. ACCENTS

Use small detail scissors for the curves and pointed wing tips. A craft knife can help with narrow interior spaces, but it is optional. The dark outlines and layered construction will disguise minor cutting differences.

Step 4: Shape the Wing Membranes

Place each membrane piece face down on a soft surface. Gently run a bone folder, stylus or rounded tool along the centre without pressing hard enough to crease the paper.

Curve the outer edges slightly upward with your fingers. The goal is a soft natural curve rather than a sharp fold.

Step 5: Attach the Burgundy Membranes

Position each burgundy membrane over its matching section on the base wing. Test the placement before applying adhesive. The gold ribs printed on the base should remain visible around the membranes.

Choose one of these attachment methods:

  • Thin foam squares for the strongest dimensional effect
  • Tiny pieces of 1 mm foam tape for a lower profile
  • Tacky glue near the centre, leaving the edges slightly raised

Avoid thick foam adhesive. The bookmark should remain slim enough to sit comfortably between book pages.

Step 6: Add the Gold Wing-Rib Layer

Position the piece marked 3 GOLD RIBS over the membrane sections. The long ribs should follow the natural divisions between the burgundy panels.

Apply narrow foam-tape pieces behind the thickest parts of the gold framework. Use precision glue behind the delicate tips and narrow ribs. Work from the top joint downward, checking the alignment as you go.

Allowing a few sections to remain slightly raised will make the gold framework look more like carved antique metal.

Step 7: Add the Armour and Jewel Accents

Attach the pieces marked 4 ACCENTS last. These may include:

  • Dragon-head or top-joint armour
  • Small dark-bronze plates
  • Gold claw-like details
  • Burgundy jewel accents
  • Tiny decorative highlights

Use tweezers and tiny dots of glue to position the smallest pieces. Place the dragon-head armour near the top joint where the long ribs meet.

Step 8: Finish the Exposed Edges

This optional step makes the layered paper look more polished. Run a burgundy marker lightly around the exposed edges of the membrane pieces. Use a metallic-gold marker around the gold framework and decorative armour.

Test both markers on scrap cardstock first so you know how quickly the ink flows.

Step 9: Punch the Tassel Hole

Locate the small attachment circle at the bottom of the base wing and create the opening with a ⅛-inch hole punch.

If the area feels fragile, reinforce the back with a small circle of clear tape or matching cardstock before punching. Keep the reinforcement small so it remains hidden.

How to Make the Beaded Tassel Tail

Step 10: Prepare the Cord

Cut an 8–10-inch length of burgundy embroidery cord, waxed cord or thin satin cord. Fold it in half so the two loose ends meet. The folded end will form the attachment loop.

Step 11: Attach the Cord

Push the folded loop through the bookmark hole from front to back. Pull approximately one inch of the loop through the hole, pass both loose ends through it and tighten gently.

This creates a neat lark’s-head knot without requiring glue.

Step 12: Add the Beads

Thread both loose cord ends through the beads in this order:

Small gold bead → Large antique-gold bead → Burgundy jewel → Tassel

Tie a small knot beneath each bead for visible spacing. For a compact stacked appearance, slide all three beads together and tie one firm knot directly beneath the burgundy jewel.

If the bead holes are too small for both cord ends, thread one end through the beads and keep the second cord beside it. Tie the ends together below the final bead. Add a tiny dot of clear jewellery glue to the knot if the cord is slippery.

Step 13: Attach the Tassel or Charm

Place the tassel loop between the two cord ends. Tie a firm double knot around the tassel loop, then trim the excess cord while leaving short tails so the knot cannot slip open.

To use a dragon charm, attach it with a small jump ring and jewellery pliers. You can also combine a central tassel with a charm hanging slightly lower.

Keep it lightweight: Heavy glass or metal beads can strain the cardstock attachment hole. Choose lightweight acrylic, wood or hollow metal beads whenever possible.

Step 14: Protect the Finished Bookmark

Allow all glue to dry completely. If desired, protect the surface with several very light coats of clear matte paper sealer.

Do not laminate the completed layered bookmark because lamination will flatten the raised pieces. For extra strength, laminate only the base before adding the dimensional layers.

Check every point and edge, adding a tiny amount of glue wherever a layer feels loose.

How to Use Your Dragon-Wing Bookmark

Place the flatter lower section between the pages. Allow the pointed upper portion and beaded tassel to extend beyond the top or bottom of the book.

Because the design is dimensional, avoid pressing it inside an extremely tight hardcover. It is especially well suited to reading journals, planners and books with a little space near the spine.

Every finished dragon wing will look slightly different depending on how you curve the membranes, position the armour and arrange the beads. Those individual details are what give it its handmade Romantasy character.

Continue Your Romantasy Adventure

Discover coordinated reading journals, printable crafts, bookmarks and fantasy-inspired collections.

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Sunday, 23 August 2026

How to Create a Gothic Reading Journal with Gold Markers—Draw It or Use Printables

Bookish Crafts , Bullet Journal

Midnight Vanity Journal Tutorial

How to Create a Gothic Reading Journal with Gold Markers

Draw the design yourself with the cheat sheet—or cut out the printable pieces and build the page without drawing every detail.

There is something irresistible about metallic gold on black paper.

It catches the light like old book tooling, while oxblood roses and crescent moons give the page a romantic, slightly mysterious Midnight Vanity mood.

The finished spread may look elaborate, but you do not need to be an experienced illustrator to make it. I created two ways to complete this project, so you can choose the method that feels most enjoyable and accessible.

Choose Your Method

Option 1: Use the cheat sheet as a drawing guide

Keep the one-page Gold Marker Journal Shapes sheet beside you while you work. It demonstrates how to build the frames, title labels, rating stars, writing lines, progress trackers, and simple filigree, one small shape at a time.

Option 2: Cut out the printable pieces

Print the coordinating cut-out sheet, trim around the frames and decorations, then glue them directly into your journal. This is ideal if drawing is not your favourite part, if you have limited hand strength or fine-motor control, or if you simply want a faster project.

Use this page as a drawing guide.


Cut out these pieces and glue them into your journal.

Materials

  • A black-paper journal or loose black cardstock
  • A bright metallic-gold paint marker with a fine tip
  • A medium-tip metallic-gold marker, optional
  • A ruler
  • A pencil or white chalk pencil
  • An oxblood, burgundy, or deep-red coloured pencil
  • A white gel pen for longer journal entries
  • Scissors and a glue stick if you are using the printable pieces
  • Scrap black paper for testing your marker

Method One: Draw the Page with a Gold Marker

1. Plan four review boxes

Open your journal to a clean two-page spread. With a white chalk pencil and ruler, divide the spread into four large rectangles. Leave room around the page edges and beside the centre binding.

2. Add the oxblood colour

Lightly shade the upper-left and lower-right boxes with an oxblood or burgundy pencil. Leave the other two boxes black. Apply the colour gently so the black paper still shows through and creates a deep velvet effect.

3. Draw the gold frames

Use your ruler and fine-tip gold marker to outline each box. Add a second line just inside the first. Finish the corners with small curls, leaves, dots or diamonds. Choose one simple corner motif and repeat it instead of trying to make every corner different.

4. Make the title labels

Draw a long rectangle at the top of each review box. Clip the corners, then add a second inner outline. Leave the centre blank for the book title.

5. Add the useful journal elements

Draw five outlined stars beneath each label. Add four or five writing lines with a ruler. In the lower corner, arrange ten small circles around a crescent moon to make a reading-progress tracker.

6. Finish with easy filigree

Begin with a simple curved S-line. Add two leaves, a few dots and one small diamond. Repeat the motif around the page or beside the centre binding. Keep the actual fold free of ink so the marker does not crack or transfer.

Method Two: Cut and Assemble the Printable

1. Print at the correct size

Print the cut-out sheet on US Letter paper at 100% or Actual Size. Do not choose “Fill Page,” because that may enlarge the pieces and crop the outer edges.

2. Cut out your chosen pieces

You do not need to use everything on the sheet. Select the frames, labels, roses, moons, stars, and filigree that fit your journal. Cut around the pale outlines, leaving a narrow border if you prefer a sticker-like appearance.

3. Test the arrangement before gluing

Place the pieces on the open pages and move them around until the spread feels balanced. Make sure the title areas, writing spaces, and progress trackers remain easy to use.

4. Glue from the largest pieces to the smallest

Attach the large frames first, followed by the title labels. Add roses, corner ornaments, moons, and stars last. Use a thin, even layer of glue so the paper does not ripple.

5. Personalize the page

Add book titles with a gold marker or white gel pen. Fill in the rating stars after finishing each book, write a short review, and colour one tracker circle whenever you reach your chosen reading goal.

Explore the Midnight Vanity Collection

If you love oxblood roses, black lace, moonlit reading pages, and antique-gold details, visit MGT Printable Treasures for more bookish printables and journal designs.

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Which Method Should You Choose?

Choose the drawing method when you want a relaxing creative exercise and a page made completely by hand. Choose the cut-and-paste method when you want the ornate look more quickly or need an easier alternative to detailed drawing. You can also combine them: glue down the main frames, then use your gold marker to add stars, lines, and personal flourishes.

However you build it, the goal is not perfect symmetry. It is to create a beautiful reading page that feels like it belongs to you—and makes recording your books feel a little more magical.

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Saturday, 22 August 2026

Turn One Printable into a Beautiful Victorian Reading Journal Spread—No Drawing Skills Needed

book journal , Bookish Printables

If you love ornate Victorian journals but feel intimidated by hand-drawing elaborate borders, ribbons, lace, and decorative boxes, this easy reading-journal project was made for you.

Using the Victorian Haberdashery cut-apart printable, you can create an elegant reading tracker filled with dusty-rose ribbons, antique books, delicate lace, vintage sewing notions, and beautifully framed writing spaces. Simply print the page, cut out your favourite pieces, and arrange them in your journal.

There is no need to recreate every detail by hand—and no two finished pages have to look exactly alike.

Love vintage, bookish printables?

Visit MGT Printable Treasures on Etsy

What Is a Cut-Apart Journal Printable?

A cut-apart printable is a sheet of individual decorative pieces designed to be cut out and added to a journal, scrapbook, planner, reading log, or handmade book.

Unlike a finished journal page, a cut-apart sheet gives you the freedom to choose:

  • Which pieces you want to use
  • Where you want to place them
  • How large or simple you want your layout to be
  • Which sections you need for your personal reading habits

The Victorian Haberdashery sheet includes decorative writing boxes, tracker circles, book icons, ribbon banners, lace trim, bows, vintage books, thread spools, buttons, a pincushion, and other coordinating embellishments.

You can use the entire sheet to create an elaborate two-page spread or select only a few pieces for a quieter, more practical layout.

Supplies You Will Need

  • Victorian Haberdashery cut-apart printable
  • US Letter paper or matte presentation paper
  • Colour printer
  • Small, sharp scissors
  • Paper trimmer, optional
  • Glue stick or paper-safe adhesive
  • Reading journal, bullet journal, scrapbook or notebook
  • Pencil and ruler
  • Dusty-rose, brown or sepia pen
  • Distress ink and blending brush, optional
  • Metallic-gold marker, optional
  • Foam adhesive squares, optional

For the richest colour and cleanest cutting results, print the sheet on matte presentation paper or lightweight cardstock. Regular printer paper will also work, especially if you do not want to add too much thickness to your journal.

Step 1: Print the Victorian Cut-Apart Sheet

The printable is formatted for 8.5 × 11-inch US Letter paper at 300 DPI.

Before printing, check your printer settings and select:

  • Paper size: US Letter
  • Orientation: Portrait
  • Scale: Actual Size or 100%
  • Print quality: Best or High
  • Double-sided printing: Off
Important printing tip: Do not choose Fill Page, because that setting may enlarge the design and crop pieces near the outer edges. If your printer requires a non-printable margin, choose Fit to Printable Area; the pieces will print slightly smaller but remain complete.

Allow the ink to dry completely before cutting, especially when using presentation paper.

Step 2: Choose the Pieces for Your Layout

Before reaching for the scissors, decide what you want your reading-journal page to track.

The printable includes several useful options:

  • Large ornate boxes for reviews, quotations or reading reflections
  • A ribbon-topped lined box for notes
  • A circular tracker for reading days or completed books
  • A vertical book-and-line list for titles
  • Small book icons for ratings or mini reading goals
  • Ribbon banners for handwritten headings
  • Lace and ribbon trim for page borders
  • Bows and floral dividers for decorative accents
  • Vintage sewing notions for filling small empty spaces

You do not need to use everything at once. Saving a few embellishments for another journal page will help you create a coordinated collection of spreads.

Step 3: Cut Out the Journal Pieces

Use small, sharp scissors to cut around each piece. The pale dashed lines are cutting guides. You can cut directly along them or leave a narrow white border for a sticker-like appearance.

For rectangular tracker blocks, a paper trimmer will create especially clean, straight edges. Use scissors for the bows, lace, books, buttons and other irregular shapes.

Take your time around the delicate lace pieces. You do not have to cut into every tiny opening. Cutting around the overall silhouette will still create a beautiful finished embellishment.

Step 4: Plan the Page Before Gluing

Place the cut pieces loosely on your journal page before applying adhesive.

Begin with the largest element, such as one of the ornate writing boxes or the reading tracker. Then add medium-sized pieces, followed by the smaller decorations.

A balanced single-page layout might include:

  • One large writing box at the top
  • The book-list tracker along one side
  • The circular tracker near the bottom
  • A ribbon banner for the heading
  • A floral divider between sections
  • Two or three small sewing embellishments

For a two-page spread, divide the pieces by purpose. Use one page for your reading list and tracker, and reserve the facing page for reviews, favourite quotations or monthly reflections.

Leave some open space. The ornate artwork will feel more elegant when every section has room to breathe.

Step 5: Add a Soft Vintage Background

The cutouts can be used on plain white, ivory, kraft, dusty rose or black journal paper.

To create an aged Victorian effect on a light-coloured page, lightly blend sepia, antique linen or dusty-rose distress ink around the outer edges. Keep the centre lighter so your writing remains easy to read.

You can also add a faint wash of watered-down dusty-rose paint. Use very little water if your journal paper is thin, and allow the page to dry completely before attaching the printable pieces.

For a cleaner look, skip this step and let the warm ivory colour inside the cutouts provide the vintage effect.

Step 6: Attach the Main Tracker Blocks

Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, glue down the largest pieces first.

Apply a thin, even layer of glue all the way to the edges. This prevents corners from lifting when the journal is opened and closed.

If you want to reuse a tracker shape, trace around the cutout with a pencil before gluing it down. You can then redraw the same box on future pages.

Foam adhesive can be used behind one small embellishment to add dimension, but avoid placing thick foam behind writing areas.

Step 7: Add the Decorative Details

Now add the lace, bows, ribbon trim, flowers, books, buttons, and sewing notions.

Try using the decorations to guide the eye around the page:

  • Place a bow at the top of a heading
  • Add a floral divider between two sections
  • Run the lace-and-ribbon strip along the bottom of the page
  • Place the book stack near your reading list
  • Use buttons to fill small corners
  • Add the thread spools or pincushion beside a notes section

The sewing details are what give the spread its distinctive Victorian Haberdashery personality, but you only need a few to establish the theme.

Step 8: Add Your Headings and Reading Categories

Write your headings inside the blank banners and decorative boxes.

Possible headings include:

  • Books Read
  • Currently Reading
  • Reading Goals
  • Favourite Quotes
  • Monthly Reflections
  • Books to Buy
  • Five-Star Reads
  • Did Not Finish
  • Book Club Notes
  • Reading Challenge
  • Next on My List

Use a sepia, burgundy, dusty-rose or metallic-gold pen to coordinate with the artwork.

Test metallic markers on scrap paper first. Some metallic inks require shaking and priming before they produce a smooth, bright line.

Step 9: Personalize Your Reading Tracker

The circular tracker can represent anything you choose. Colour one circle for:

  • Every day you read
  • Each completed book
  • Every chapter finished
  • Audiobook listening sessions
  • Reading-goal milestones
  • Days you avoided buying another book—if you are feeling particularly ambitious

The small open-book icons can be coloured, numbered or assigned to different genres. You could use dusty rose for romance, sepia for historical fiction, gold for fantasy and ivory for classics.

More Ways to Use the Printable

The cut-apart elements are not limited to reading journals. They can also be used to create:

  • Handmade bookmarks
  • Library-pocket cards
  • Book-review cards
  • Scrapbook embellishments
  • Junk-journal pockets
  • Reading-challenge pages
  • Planner dashboards
  • Book-club invitations
  • Gift tags for book lovers
  • Decorative storage labels
  • Miniature journal cards
  • Victorian collage pages

Print a second copy if you want duplicates of a favourite box, bow, book icon or decorative trim.

Create a Journal That Feels Like Yours

A beautiful journal does not have to begin with a perfectly drawn page.

Cut-apart printables let you enjoy the creative process while still choosing the arrangement, categories, colours and details that suit your reading life. You can follow the original Victorian layout closely or use the pieces to create something entirely your own.

The result is an elegant, handmade journal page with the charm of an old London haberdashery—and enough flexibility to grow with your reading habits.

Find Your Next Bookish Printable

Discover reading-journal pages, printable ephemera, bookmarks, stationery, and coordinated bookish collections.

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Wednesday, 15 April 2026

A Literary Journal for Readers of Quality: Introducing the Free Regency Reading Planner.

Book Tracker , Bridgerton

 

A Literary Journal for Readers of Quality

Introducing the Free Regency Reading Planner.

Access Your Free Regency Reading Planner Immediately:

JOIN THE TON & DOWNLOAD NOW

Dear Reader,

The Ton has been positively abuzz with whispers of a new literary secret, and I am thrilled to finally confirm the scandal: The Regency Reading Planner is here.

A sanctuary for your literary adventures, curated by My Grandma's Teacups.

We all understand the unique joy of a "Ton" read—the lingering glances, the coded language of fans, and the delicious tension of a well-executed trope. But how is a dedicated reader to keep track of every diamond of the season, every brooding hero, and every elegant sentiment?

We believe that your reading life deserves to be as intentional and beautiful as a stroll through the Gunter’s tea room. That is why we curated The Regency Reading Planner, a dedicated digital sanctuary for your historical romance adventures.

This is not a mere list, but a legacy companion:

  • LITERARY LOGS & RATING SYSTEM: Dedicated space to chronicle your reads, Rate the Season's Diamond, and track your Most Lovable Rake.
  • GENTLEMAN'S ENSEMBLE & LADY'S ARRAY: specialized checklists to detail every empire-waist gown and starched waistcoat.
  • BEAU MONDE GUIDE: Map your favorite society locations, from Almack's to the local promenade.
  • ELOQUENT SENTIMENTS repository: A sanctuary for the quotes and prose that steal your heart.

This planner is my legacy to you—a fusion of my love for paper, prose, and the timeless elegance of the Regency era.

Your Premium PDF Companion, Delivered Directly to Your Inbox.

A Gift for the Community

Because this community is the heart of My Grandma’s Teacups, this planner is my gift to you. It is available as a 100% Free Digital Download for all members of our slow-living community.

To access your Free Regency Reading Planner immediately, simply click below to subscribe to our newsletter and join the *Ton*.

Your Free Regency Companion Awaits. Click to Download:

JOIN THE TON & DOWNLOAD NOW

Once subscribed, your premium PDF companion will be delivered directly to your inbox, ready to elevate your very next read.

We are so excited to hear which *Ton* read you chronicle first! Share your aesthetic logs with us using `#MGTRegency` or by tagging `@MyGrandmasTeacups`.

For the Love of Paper & Prose,

My Grandma's Teacups

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