Scrapbooking Stuff That Comes Home In His Backpack

Simon's backpack is a treasure chest.

At least once a week I find something pretty darn special inside that blue REI backpack he's had since kindergarten: handwriting samples (plentiful), drawings (few & far between), notes from teachers/aides, and sometimes wonderful little written or drawn sentiments that give a glimpse into his thoughts right now.

When I go through his backpack I
immediately decide to either keep or recycle the contents (and do it right then). Some days I
keep nothing and other days I feel like I have hit the jackpot in terms
of papers that can be used to tell his stories.

Last April I wrote a post called Organizing All The Stuff That Kids Bring Home From School (there were a ton of great ideas and suggestions in the comments of that post - definitely worth a read). In that post I talk about wanting to get to a certain place where as I go through the papers I immediately either add them to an album (just slipped into a page protector) or add them to a "to-make-something" pile on my desk. I'm still not quite there but I am getting closer. I have a to-make spot set-up (using a 12x12 Cropper Hopper Page Planner envelope to store the papers, artwork, etc I know I want to use) and I am making pages using those bits of life.

One of those bits of school life to make its way home on the bus last fall was the school-photo-option sheet you see in the layout today. I immediately knew I wanted to incorporate it into a layout at some point. I love that it has all those images (some of which are totally random), his name, etc. I knew that I wanted to pair it with different photo (something more "real life") and when I took this one of him working on his homework the other day it all clicked.

Here's a closer look:

AE_SecondGradeLeft_Low
On the right side the journaling was added directly to the photo in Photoshop and printed
here at home. You can do this same thing and have it printed at a
developer.

I did cut off the top of one of his returned worksheets and just used the portion with his name for the top of this layout. Don't be afraid to cut things up (most likely there is more where that came from) and on the flip side, don't be afraid to leave things whole just like I did on the first page.

AE_SecondGradeRight_Low

LAYOUT SUPPLIES
PENCIL PATTERN PAPER :
Cosmo Cricket "The Boyfriend Homework Paper"
METAL #2 : Tim Holtz "Numerals"
CHIPBOARD "s" : American Crafts "Mustard Typo"
FABRIC BRAD : Sassafras Lass "Vintage Gems Brads"
RULER STICKER : October Afternoon "Report Card 12x12 Sticker Shapes"

Sponsor Giveaways coming early tomorrow morning. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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52 thoughts

  1. Monika T says…
    02/05/2010

    Hi Ali,
    This layout is so classic and timeless. You always continue to inspire us with all you do.
    Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Suzette Mahoney says…
    02/05/2010

    so cute, Ali. Your blog is always first on my blog stops...always inspiring!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Alida Post says…
    02/05/2010

    Loving these 2010 layouts as I do all your work.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Amy says…
    02/05/2010

    Loving that you are sharing your layouts still. I, too, have lots of papers from schoolwork. I made the kindergarten album that you shared a while back and love the simplicity of it.
    Thanks so much!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jen says…
    02/05/2010

    Ali, you are such an inspiration...thank you for this layout. I have so many school treasures building up and I really didn't know what to do with them...this is the perfect jumping off project.
    On another note - I love how shiny your table is in all the photos!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    ~jen~

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. tania says…
    02/05/2010

    this post came at the perfect time! i have the whole day off and piles upon piles of school papers to tend to. i'm clearly interested in clicking over to re-read your organizing school papers post. i looooooooove how you've used the cutoff strip of just his name. so awesome.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. tara pakosta says…
    02/05/2010

    school papers are so dear to me. I especially LOVE how our school does a "writing notebook" and they do journal writing and stories in it for a grade. 2nd grade was the BEST because they got to write whatever they wanted! 3rd grade is not as fun because they just write about the books they are reading, but it's still cute. I just LOVE seeing into their world! I found these cool thinner 8.5x11 bins at target with a snap on lid that I am using for each grade. so by the time they graduate they will have probably at least 8-12 depending on how many years I save stuff! Those bins work out perfectly because they aren't too big or thick! I love how you incorporate your stuff into pages though! makes me want to pull it all out and give it a try! you are such an inspiration! tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Jacky S says…
    02/05/2010

    Just love these layouts.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Tappin' Tamara says…
    02/05/2010

    Love the LO! You mention the backpack but another one of my favorite things is little boy's pockets! When I do laundry I always find the strangest collection of things in my son's pants!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Denise Laborde says…
    02/05/2010

    The cutting up tip (Simon's name in his own handwriting above the photo)is a great one! I hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Leora says…
    02/05/2010

    This is so cool! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Leslie says…
    02/05/2010

    Will have to go back and look at that post. I have a pile of stuff that needs to be sorted. HOw lucky you are to start organized. I just kept things from each year, oldest being in 8th grade now. Because it isn't really organized I haven't really used much of it.
    And oh my! Is Simon really in second grade already?!! Time sure flies!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Dana N says…
    02/05/2010

    We have huge piles of my daughters school work. I guess it's time to sort through them and get scrapping (while I still remember the little stories). Any ideas on how to scrapbook each year? Would you ever consider making some digital templates for the store? I would buy them for sure! Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. stephanie c says…
    02/05/2010

    thanks for the great ideas - and for validating that it's okay to recycle stuff immediately if you don't think it's a treasure!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Mary Rogers says…
    02/05/2010

    you are so darn creative ali!
    this is just fabulous and what a treasure for simon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Holly S says…
    02/05/2010

    I love how you incorportate Simon's handwritten name on this layout! Love it!
    BTW, I adore the photo on today's post at simple mom! (thanks to you for finding this blog for me-love it!)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. nic says…
    02/05/2010

    I think I love that you are not working for CK anymore - I come away from your blog with so much inspiration and joy - I love seeing your work!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Linn says…
    02/05/2010

    Ali, you've totally inspired me in this area. Ever since I first saw you include a school worksheet in your album I've been saving little everyday pieces of artwork from my preschooler (you know, all that random art that doesn't have a home) and put them right into my albums in page protectors. If it weren't for you, it would have all been lost or hidden away in a box we'd never look at. Thank you for the great idea!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Panamomma says…
    02/05/2010

    Great idea Ali. Super page as always. I have been scanning the things that I know we want to keep. I do still have lots of the little pages, most of my work is digital due to space constraints, so scanning is a necessity.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Lynette says…
    02/05/2010

    This is just beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Karen G says…
    02/05/2010

    I am literally drowing in what my kidlet brings home from school (and what the other produces at home, since she's too young for school yet, but truly is a budding artist!).....okay, so I'm not drowing, but my scrap desk is!! I'll definitely have to go back and read your 'organizing' it post!! Really like the text on the large photo....I'll have to try that! :>

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jonnelle says…
    02/05/2010

    I have Alex's proof sheet - I was going to cut it up and use all of the little pictures, but I like this better. Thanks for the idea!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Annette says…
    02/05/2010

    love it!!! what concentration on his face.....

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Emily says…
    02/05/2010

    Thanks for sharing these ideas. Simple, cute, cool.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Deb J says…
    02/05/2010

    Such great ideas. YOu always have something new to inspire me and help me scrap outside of the box.

    Reply 0 Replies

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