So I thought I'd share the school album that I just made because it turned out really well and I'm very excited about it. Basically, the idea of the album is to be a place to hold my kids' school portraits through the years (2 years of preschool through 12th grade).
As you can see the basic layout is a strip of patterned paper at the top, a title block (circle in this case) identifying the grade, and two photo mats - each with room for a 5x7 photo and the child's signature that year. I thought that would be so fun to keep a record of their handwriting across the years. Good thing I'm starting this now! On the back it looks basically the same (no title block there) with room for two more photos. So, if you want to copy this idea and you have more than 4 kids I don't know what to tell ya.
SUPPLY LIST
- 3 sheets 12x12 patterned paper (for strips - I used Rusty Pickle)
- 1 sheet of 12x12 patterned paper or cardstock (for the title block - I used Making Memories Ledger Paper)
- 15 sheets 12x12 cardstock (for background)
- 30 sheets 8.5 x 11 cardstock (photo mats)
- various stamps, ink, paint, black pen. I used Autumn Leaves journaling stamps for my title circle with black stamping ink;, Making Memories foam stamps for the grade numbers with 3 colors of acrylic paint.
- black photo corners
- a few sheets of white cardstock for signature blocks
HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
I always like to pre-cut all my papers and then put things together in a somewhat assembly line fashion. I think it makes it go a lot faster.
Cut all of your patterned paper into 1x12 inch strips -- a total of 36 strips (you'll only need 30)
Cut all of your 8.5x11 cardstock in half -- so you end up with 60 mats that are 5.5x8.5.
Cut the white cardstock into 1x3.5 inch strips for the signatures -- you will need 60
For the title blocks: Stamp the journaling circle on the MM Ledger paper with black ink. Use scissors to cut out each one. Then stamp the grade number with acrylic paint and fill in the rest of the details with a thick black pen.
Assemble the pages as shown here -- pretty quick and simple.
Add the school portraits to the photo mat with black photo corners (I use the lick and stick kind). Adhere the signature blocks after your child signs it. I plan on keeping the blank strips in a separate sheet protector and then add them as I need them. That way if one of the kids messes up on their name, I don't have to tear out something that's already glued down to the page.
Wa-la! No more misplaced school portraits. Now they're documented, out in the open for everyone to enjoy instead of hiding in a folder or filing cabinet because you don't know what the heck to do with them (that was me for the last 2 years). And I think it will be so much fun to see the kids side by side each year to make comparisons. I'm anxious for them to start another school year just so I can fill the album a bit more!
