Monday, May 24, 2010

Preschool Memory Book

I'm done! I feel like such a weight is off my shoulders. I hope now I'll have more time to devote to other crafty pursuits. My style is to create what I'm most inspired by, working on deadline is not something I like to do. I made the majority of 11 memory books, one for each child in ER's preschool class. Everyone else's were passed out at the Mother's Day tea. Except for ER's, I didn't have my own child's done, typical isn't it? I felt kinda bad as everyone else looked at their books and she was empty handed. So I promised her it'd be done by the last day. I had to, otherwise I'd still be working on it when she graduates from high school! I usually have a million projects going at the same time, none of them finished all a work in progress. By finishing yesterday, I made -barely- the unofficial deadline. I can't believe the year is over TOMORROW! I have a large pile of extra scrapbook papers, mostly from paper pads, that I used along with construction paper for most of the kid's books. Not totally acid free, but my budget was nonexistent so I had to work with what I had. Otherwise it would've cost a fortune, having the actual 8X8 scrapbooks donated helped a lot.ER's book was different. I went all out on hers, using only acid free supplies and premium supplies like cute 3D embellished titles and glittery paper. Hey, if I was going to spend all this time working on it, and I spent A LOT of time working on it, it had to be done right.
To make assembly of the other ten books go faster I designed a page for each topic and then worked on them assembly style. ER's took longer because I designed each page individually, the other books actually look quite different. I am very happy with how it came out and ER loves having it read to her. This is a photo heavy post, but after so much work I wanted to show it off☺ The paper for this page is shimmery and flocked, very cool in person!
We were in Walt Disney World for Valentine's Day but each of the kids still gave her a little Valentine. Since they are her first from classmates, I wanted to save them and this pocket page was my solution. I'm on the hunt for a little embellishment, I think the top looks a little plain.
V.I.P. night, a night time event that each child brought one special person to. Ours had a sports theme. I fit a lot of pictures on it by cropping down each photo and arranging on the pages. I filled in with paper and ribbon.The picture of me and ER from the Mother's Day Tea, that big flower is from the Happy Mail I got from my sweet friend Noelle. It matches the school themed paper I bought perfectly.There were fifteen spaces in our class but we never reached total. We started with three more kids but they moved sessions as other spot opened up. We ended with these eleven kids. Names are give below the picture.
ER and her first teacher, who provided a great first school experience. She was very kind and loving with the kids, sweet and nuturing. ER really loves her.
I love this idea, it's inspired by organizer Peter Walsh. He was on Oprah once and suggested people make photobooks out of their kid's artwork to reduce clutter. I streamlined it even more and fit my favorite projects on one double page layout.
My solution for several random pictures from thoughout the year. Turned out great because it shows several different aspects of preschool.
The books all end with another little pocket page for stashing all the little bits and pieces I want to hang on to from the year. The postcard ER's teacher sent her before school started and an example of how she wrote her name at 3 are in there.

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Shared At: DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land, The Girl CreativeSumo Sweet StuffMakingThe DIY Show Off

13 comments:

  1. Seriously you made 11 of these? Color me impressed.

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  2. OMG I am speechless at how awesome these are...and you made one for each kid? That's it I am moving to where ever you are after hubby retires. We need to trade services..lol Your talent is amazing and aw inspiring!

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  3. Awesome, I absolutely love it. What a great mama you are.

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  4. Amazing that you made it for every child! Assembly line and title page for each one helped a lot I'm sure. Love your daughter's book too especially the artwork layout and the pocket pages!
    I'd love if you linked this up to my Scrappy Saturdays: http://myscrappygifts.blogspot.com/2010/05/14th-scrappy-saturdays.html

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  5. Beautiful! I can't believe you made one for each child. You rock!

    I love your artwork and valentine's day solutions.

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  6. As always you are are amazing. What lucky class!! What a lucky ER! EK is not that lucky!

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  7. Hi Katie! :) This post was shared here today:

    http://kindredspiritmommy.com/creative-moms-show-n-tell-linky-moving-to-fridays/

    I can't believe you made these for 11 kids! You're amazing! :)

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  8. Hi Katie!
    Wow, these pages are wonderful! I completely know the feeling to be relieved that a project is done- and you did a beautiful job!
    I just put you on my blogroll- thanks for the inquire:) I have weekend spots open for guest bloggers so let me know if you are interested!
    I also host a Thursday blog hop for scrapbook pages- be sure to link up:) Thanks!

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  9. I love what you made! I have a question--do you use page protectors on books like this one? I normally do not use 3-D embellishments but I'm wanting to branch out.

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  10. WOW! Katie, this is beyond me--I cannot believe how gorgeous this is!
    Congratulations!

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  11. Wow- this blows our classes' books away. I also love the pocket idea. Oh well, at least ours are done too!

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  12. Thank you everyone for the compliments! Sometimes when I see the LO that are in magazines or on other blogs I get discouraged and think mine aren't good enough. You guys have made my day with all the positive words you've left!

    Second Christine to leave a comment, you don't have an email associated with your profile so I can answer you directly. So I hope you check back and get this!

    Yes I do use page protectors, the pages are in a normal post bound 8X8 scrapbook. I use 3D embellishements all the time, you just have to keep in mind that those pages will be thicker overall in your book. You will not be able to fit as many pages in your book and more spacers will be required to give your book the proper profile when it is closed.

    You can email me directly if you have a specific question or need more info☺

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  13. Awesome!!! I can't believe you made one for each student--how creative and generous! I especially love the art collage page.

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