An idea

It's the end of the school year, and like many, myhouse is filled with bits of art, notes from teachers, and photos of the kids' friends.  I keep a little drawer in the breakfast room for both Sophia and Oliver to catch all the loose BIG things that make their way home.  Now what?  I've written before that I am not much of a scrapbooker.  I find it intimidating and something that I know I won't keep up with.  But I found a solution.

Similar to so many other projects, I was inspired by the humble paper shopping sack.  Hopefully you're not yet bored to tears with this material.

I removed the handles and cut the bottom out, leaving a nice long piece of sturdy craft paper.

I folded up the length and width to add sturdiness but left it larger than a 12 by 12 piece of paper.  I then gathered up a stack of random 12 X 12 sheets and stapled them into a tidy book.  I glued the front and end papers into the brown paper "cover".

I wanted it to feel like a portfolio, so I punched holes into the covers and the handles that I had removed, and refastened them with pretty little brads.

Then it was time to get to work.  Oliver had a great time gluing art and ephemera to the pages of his book.

He is so very proud of the finished product (as am I!) and calls it his "briefcase".

We left a few empty pages and lots of blank space for the odds and ends that may turn up, and little anecdotes that Ollie might want to add. Sophia is so excited to get to work on her special book.

amy

   

Comments

[kassi]

what a great idea!
i may have to do this for tannyn since her drawer (also in my kitchen) is almost full with all her work from kindergarten - thanks so much for the idea, amy!

[Elizabeth Telford]

Love this! Especially that you incorporated the paper bag- such an eco-friendly twist that I admire.

xoxo
izz

[Sherri B.]

What a great idea. What child would not love to add their treasures to that!

[Amy]

Very cool idea - thanks for sharing!
I love your blog, and your name is cool too! hehe.

Love
Amy
x

[Rachel Mason]

super cute idea amy!

[Rach]

what a fab idea at no extra cost + look how happy everyone is!!
Hope your back is feeling a bit better?

[Danielle]

that is a total keepsake!! love it!

[mommarocks]

Brilliant!

[Ellabelladesignstudios.blogspot.com]

Love it! And most importantly your kids love it, too! What a wonderful project. I will have to try that. :-)

[Irene at Gone Scrapbooking]

Great project idea and tutorial! I linked to it from today’s scrapbook news at http://exm.nr/ceYB4B

[-CK]

Very cool!

[Julie @ Practically Spent]

I love simple, inexpensive, darling projects. This certainly qualifies!

[Debbie J]

I love this! I don't have the paper bag with the handles, but I do have the heavy brown craft paper that I can use. Since I have 15 grandchildren, this will be a good thing to keep for each of them. Or to give them to fill up for Grandma and Grandpa.

[Debbie D.]

What a great idea. My son is in college and I have many pages of work from all the years of school - just in boxes. This will be a great way to organize the papers to show to his kids - someday (far in the future). Thanks for sharing!

[Air Jordans]

*Above all, serve the truth. Above all, serve every being.

[Jordan Spiz'ike]

Unbelievable. Just simply unbelievable.

[ClubPenguinCheats]

Especially that you incorporated the paper bag- such an eco-friendly twist that I admire.

[burn games]

Nellie, I have spent an evening for this task and you know, I am very satisfied with the end-result. My daughter was very glad to get this beautiful album.
Thank you for your work.

Ann