Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Recycled Snack Box Notebooks

Apparently I am THAT cheap, enough so that I'm willing to grab empty snack box containers out of the recycling bin and think hmmm...I could use this for something. I ended up with these because ER has been going through blank notebooks like crazy.
She is obsessed with coloring ALL the time. She scribbles and scribbles, one little mark on each page and then rips them out. In no time at all she has an enormous stack of bits and pieces. Then she likes to wad them all up and carry them around with her in one of her little purses. Can she remember the letters in her name, oh heck no, but if I happen to throw one or two papers away, somehow she can tell exactly which one is missing. But this really isn't about that, that's another issue I have to deal with. Right now I'm going with the if it's ripped out it gets thrown away rule, and that seems to helping. Now at least my house doesn't look like a paper shredder.

She loves Finding Nemo, and the fruit snack box is bright and colorful. I used the front and back, my binding machine, and some paper I snagged from junk mail. You know, all those millions of credit card applications, or rate changes with balance switch, or other things you don't need. One side is usually blank, so I saved a bunch up of papers from them, cut to size, and then popped them in. Just make sure the papers you add don't have any important information on the back. ER scribbles so hard any type is obliterated but you should still be careful. I can add more papers when she empties a notebook or just add back to the recycling bin if it's a bit roughed up.

Do you have any money saving tips for art supplies, please share!

12 Friends Said:

maryanne @ mama smiles said...

I think these are super cute - and I'm always looking for frugal art supply ideas!

Queenie Jeannie said...

What a great idea! My Bella is at the same stage, but writes "notes" now as she knows real words. It was cute at first, but dang! the paper she goes through!!!

Ticia said...

No money saving ideas, but I'm jealous of your binding machine.

Belinda C said...

That is such a freakin' cute idea! I love it. And you're not cheap....I've learned to call it "eco-friendly". Makes me feel special when I put it that way! =)

Mozer said...

What a fantastic idea! I'm going to link it up on my altered composition article :http://www.squidoo.com/altered-composition-books

Sami Jo said...

Fabulous Katie! I love them! They are so cute! Tip - a lot of time they put coupons inside the box of items like mac n cheese, muffins, and so on. And just on the box there can be other money saving coupons... So give your boxes a good once over before making them into a notebook *wink*

Katie said...

Ah! You are so resourceful! The bright colorful boxes are very appealing to the kids and make them a great option.

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

I love how these turned out! I bet ER loves them too. My girls seem to go through notebooks like crazy -- great idea!

Anonymous said...

These are really cute, Katie! ♥

Rebecca said...

Just gave you a blog award :)

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

That is a great idea! Aiyana goes through so much paper! My mother in law brought her stacks of scrap paper from her work. Right now, Aiyana's "thing" is making invitations for people. She remembers exactly what invitation belongs to who.

I like your trash rule. I will have to use it. Aiyana never wants me throwing anything away. I usually have to bury it under a dirty diaper or something. Otherwise if she spots it, I play the "how did that get in there?" role.

Anonymous said...

These are cute. I've cut up some cereal boxes and even some old board game boxes when I had to throw the games away due to lost pieces, but I've just never gotten around to binding them up as books yet. I like yours!

Corinna
www.myscrapbooklife.com

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