Cool for School

Aug 31

Perhaps you're scrapbooking older students, or maybe you simply do not like products that boldly announce their themes. If you're more interested in product that is subtle, there's great news. More and more of that type of product is being released lately. I have several suggestions today, as well as a new layout and some ideas for journaling, for making the most of your school scrapbooking.Too cool for school:Bella Blvd "Midterm" Scrapbook.com | Two PeasBo Bunny "Cambridge" Scrapbook.comJillibean Soup "Atomic Soup" Scrapbook.com | Two PeasPink Paislee "Old School" {coming soon}Studio Calico "Elementary" {coming soon}Another great way to find the perfect product for your school pages is to search for items that are only loosely related or remind you of school.

Fall products
Staples, rulers, office supplies
Notebook or journal style paper
Alphabet or text products
Primary colored (red, yellow, and blue) collections that aren't school themed

Think about what school means to you, and search for products that fit your needs. Tim Holtz, 7 Gypsies, Jenni Bowlin, and Cosmo Cricket are some companies that come to mind as frequently having school-friendly (but very versatile) product to work with. The important thing is to find products that you want to work with, and that work for the student you have in mind.3 Primary color (and cool for school) collections:Jenni Bowlin "Play Date" Scrapbook.com | Two PeasGlitz Designs "Kismet" Scrapbook.com Lily Bee "Hello Sunshine" Scrapbook.com | Two PeasFive journaling tips for school layouts:

Interview the child or have the child write down notes/thoughts about school. This doesn't have to be on the first day - it could be at any point in the school year.
Have the child write their name to document how their penmanship is right now.
Take notes on the child's wardrobe, attitude, and what they seem excited about, and otherwise add your own commentary.
Remember, it's all in the details. The details of a high school senior are wildly different than a freshman, a kindergarten student, or any other grade in between. Focus on what makes that grade different or special.
Share a specific story. Are you looking back and not remembering exact details? That's ok! Share a story that comes to mind and relates. It could be yours, or the child's in question.

Using a favorite photo, I set out to make a starting page for my eldest daughter's album. I anticipate a lot of single page layouts in her school album accented with artwork, report cards, photos in divided page protectors, as well as other memorabilia. It will be more 'old school' scrapbooking, where ephemera is just as important as the photos themselves. I'm not aiming for the most complicated album ever - I'm looking for a book that tells her story and makes us smile. I'm happy to have this page (with Pink Paislee papers coming to stores very soon!) to start me off in the right direction.Supplies:Pink Paislee "Old School" collection patterned papers {coming soon!}Jenni Bowlin Butterfly Scrapbook.com | Two PeasPrima flower Scrapbook.com | Two PeasFiskars "in stitches" border punch {coming soon!}Smooch Ink in Molasses Scrapbook.comTim Holtz for Sizzix Vintage Market alphabet dies Scrapbook.com | Two PeasTim Holtz Distress Stickles in rock candy Scrapbook.comTim Holtz photo corner Scrapbook.com | Two PeasDespite my love of product that I think is cool, the key to great school pages is to capture the stories, details, and photos of the person moing from childhood towards adulthood, and to capture the growing up and a few great tales from that place where so much of a child's day is spent, where friends are made, and drama ensues: school.I'm just getting warmed up with ideas - check back in for more school inspired projects and articles still to come this week!