Think Crate :: Back-to-School Projects

The school year is readily upon the vast majority of you, with kids in tow, making their way to the classroom as the clock ticks "9", bells ringing. We've all been there, a full twelve years of math, science, reading, art and more - each one fully engraved and forever remembered because of the dedicated teachers and friends that met us along the way. It's a fleeting time, which is reason enough to put it down on paper inside an album to be admired later. And so, this week we're helping you to do just that; record those precious school memories. Also on the roster are must-try school DIY projects; teacher gifts, book wraps, notebooks, etc. Come take a seat - it's Think Crate week and we'd love to have you...

CP Gal: Janna Werner

I am a list girl - I love checking things on my to-do lists. I usually carry a notepad around everywhere I go. Sadly, most of the bought ones do not look all that fancy. Therefore, I decided to create a notepad holder that can be used for any occasion - whether for your children to write down their homework, as a teacher's gift or for yourself to help remember what you need to organize when your kids go back to school.

The holder can be created easily and quite fast: take a notepad and put it on a piece of cardstock. Cut the cardstock to the desired height. The width of the cardstock remains the same. Now fold the cardstock on both sides of the notepad, create a second fold on both sides, directly next to the ones you made before. The width between the folds on each side depends on how big the notepad is. If you'd like to add a ribbon, make a cut anywhere on the first fold on both sides. Make sure the cut is the same height on both sides - now you can thread the ribbon through the cuts. Decorate the outside and inside of the mini book and adhere the notepad and you are done!

**The supplies I used are from the NEW Crate Paper Maggie Holmes "Flea Market" collection.

 

CP Gal: Megan Klauer

Just as everyone warns us: our little ones grow all too quickly. A few weeks ago, I took our youngest to her first day of Preschool. After signing in, they handed her a notebook and asked her to sign her name. I thought, "Wow, epic fail." I hadn't prepared her as I should have. Well, although the first few days were just squiggles on the paper; now a week later, she keeps getting better and better! I'm so proud of her and I wanted to document that in her album. The technique I used was simple. I asked Ella to write her name on a manilla tag using a white crayon. I then used a few different colors of mist to "reveal" her letters. The wax of the crayons acts as a resist to the mist; creating a unique way to highlight such a special accomplishment.

 

CP Gal: Marie Lottermoser

Now that the kids are back in school, I thought it would be a fun project to makeover some items on my daughter's desk. Homework is always a little more fun when you have pretty items to use, right? I recovered her pencil holder and dictionaries using paper from the DIY Shop collection. All is took was a little measuring.

To make the book covers, lay a book on a piece of patterned paper, and mark the length of the book to use as a cutting guide. Cut the paper the same length as the book. Now, measure once more, marking the edges and spine of the book. Fold and score each edge and then just slip the book into the jacket. Make sure you add a pretty label on the cover and on the spine. The pencil holder cover can be made in the same way. Just cut out a strip of paper the same length as the can, wrap it around and secure the ends with double-stick tape, or even a piece of washi tape or a cute sticker.

I finished off my project by typing my daughter's school schedule on one of the journaling cards, which she can tack up on her bulletin board. And there you have it! In just a few short steps she has a whole new desk set, which she is loving. I hope you'll give some of these projects a try!

Comments

[biby scrap]

OMG!! beautiful 100%!!!

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Wow!! These are gorgeous!! I am loving the book covers!!!

[Keri]

What great, easy, functional ideas here, love them! Love the white crayon/misted tag idea for a little one's name or even art would be fun too. And my oldest would absolutely love the dictionary/pencil case makeover. So glad I stopped by the Crate blog this morning! :)

[Kristy, Life-n-Reflection]

I love these projects! I will be "sweeten up" my dictionary I use everyday - ASAP!!