If you would like to have 1-4, or more, page marker ribbons for your rulebooks, RPG books, your history books (any book, actually), here is a simple craft project a grade school student can easily accomplish…
I decided to use Post-It(R) Notes to act as the base for my ribbon page marker strands: the Note's adhesive portion will bond the paper strip to any page I attach it to, without causing discoloration, tearing, or any other type of damage to the page; it can be removed easily, without damage, as well, if necessary. I cut four different colored ribbons to the same length (~24": can be shorter/longer as desired), adhering them to the end of the Note strip which did not have the adhesive on it.
I applied a small amount of PVA Glue to the paper, first, spreading it around with my fingertip; then I applied the ribbon end, more PVA Glue, spreading it evenly with my fingertip, again. Be careful spreading the Glue around, as you do not want to touch the rest of the ribbons getting Glue where you don't want it. I made a mistake in the next step…
MISTAKE: I sandwiched the wet glue, paper strip, and ribbons, between two layers of Freezer Paper (plastic coated on one side), as opposed to Parchment Paper (non-adhesive, even for Hot Glue!). I pressed the paper, ribbons, and Glue, between the two layers of Freezer Paper (plastic side towards the Glue), with weights on top of them, to press everything together, and flat, until the Glue dried. I waited overnight before peeling them apart: the water-based PVA Glue had not fully cured after 12+ hours.
I then carefully peeled the Note paper and ribbons from the plastic side of the Freezer Paper, and I let them air dry for several more hours.
Once dried, I applied the adhesive portion of the Post-It(R) Note strip to a page I did not care about, and one I would likely never open to, as it was an anchor point which I hoped would receive minimal stress, especially as opening to that page might generate on that page's binding: one of my POD RPG rulebook's page. I added four different ribbons, as I believe four will be enough for me. If more than four page marker strips are desired, feel free to use a wider piece of Post-It(R) Note as your anchor for your ribbon strips.
Ribbons come in a variety of colors and styles. They can be found at any fabric store, such as Wal-Mart, Jo-Anne's, etc. Feel free to use whichever ribbon style and color suits your fancy. I used what my wife had on hand at the time, which is why the black ribbon is a different style from the rest. I suggest keeping them narrow, but that is my preference. LOL! Cheers!
goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.
