I wanted to create a handmade keepsake for my daughter's teacher that would capture a glimpse of this point in her career and provide inspiration.
Thank you to all the parents for providing pictures of their children and for indulging my experimentation. Special thanks to Jenny Barry for her keen editing, good cheer and help assembling.
Here's how I put it together:
materials:
blank chipboard book: 7 gypsies
paint: making memories
chipboard shapes: Maya Road
Chipboard numbers: Heidi Swapp
3 sheets white textured cardstock for five (5) 6.5"x6" pages: Bazzill Basics
4 sheets smooth white cardstock for 31 3"x5.25" tags
6 sheets, coordinating patterned cardstock: My Mind's Eye
Canvas words: custom-made printed on Office Depot printable canvas cloths
inkjet transparencies film: Office Depot
index tabs: Avery
ribbon: Target
stamps: Autumn Leaves
fonts: Californian, Swiss, Castellar, Avenier
corner rounder: EK Success
fine grit sanding block
other: staples
photos
1, 2x2 for cover
5, scaled to 6.5 x 6, printed on transparency
5, 4x4, corners rounded, edges sanded to distress
31 (30 students + teacher) formatted to 6.5 x 3.75
Instructions:
1. Paint chipboard elements: covers, numbers, and square frame.
2. Prepare note tags. Print children's initials in half-tone on cardstock, one for each child in the class. Cut to size (3x5.25) and distribute for the children to write a personal note. Another, more simple option that I thought of later was to simply use ruled 3x5 cards which are less expensive, time consuming and the lines look great to support the theme of learning.
3. Cut two sheets of patterned cardstock to 6.5x6, line up with covers, mark for holes and punch. Afix to covers. Sand off edges. Adhere photos.
4. Prepare pocket pages. I formatted and sent them to a digital color copy service* for printing on matt cardstock. This was a less bulky option than applying actual photos to the page and also, less expensive than the alternative cost of my color ink cartridges.
Cut digital pages to finished size. Cut a variety of patterned cardstock to 6.5 x 2.25 for the pockets. I needed 31 pockets, one for each student plus the teacher. Hold two pockets back to back, with your photo page between; staple in four places. Hole punch each finished page.
5. Design text pages, a thank you note plus 4 quotes. Add stamping with green cover paint to blank cardstock; let dry. Then run through printer.
6. Add 4x4 photos to back side of quote pages. Add fabric words.
7. Print transparencies. When printing on transparency the image will need to be reversed. Lay a transparency photo over each text page and hole punch together.
8. Line up avery tabs as one unit; stamp. Let dry. Fix to transparencies to invite turning.
9. Assemble book in this order: cover, transparency, text, several pocket pages, repeat.
10. Use corner rounder on kids' note cards. Afix schooll portraits to reverse side. Insert in pockets.
11. Finish cover by adhering chipboard elements, photo and ribbon.
text pages are:
inspired (personal note) printed front and make it your own (personal note) on back
warmth, Jung quote
Marvel, Casals quote
wonder, Carson quote
worth, Foundation for Inner Peace quote
Notes:
Use a sturdy, good quality hole punch. I tried an older one first and it did not go cleanly through the transparency.
* The Outer Office, Fulton, MD (301) 604-8400. They don't have a web site to link here, however, I watned to be sure and give them a great reference. I cannot say enough good things about working with Kelly there. This is one of several projects that I have sent here in the last few months and all have been pleasantly, accurately and affordably produced.
Here are some pictures of the finished book:
Okay, that's a lot of pictures. But, that's not all; more can be viewed in the photo album for mini books. I truly hope that this book is meaningful for its recipient. She is a kind, patient and thoughtful soul.