Patience and a steady hand. When cutting with an exacto and ruler and making 29 copies, these are helpful qualities. Once I hit my stride though, the die-cut cardstock covers were done pretty quickly.
Here is an excellent cost savings tip: you can purchase cardstock by the reem (250 sheets) at paper suppliers; I went to Frank Parsons Express. I bought both black and white [Neenah classic linen 80 lb. cover] at a cost of $25 for 250, 8.5 x 11 sheets -- a cost of .10 per sheet. The same size sheets at scrapbook supply stores can run about $7 - $8 /for 25 sheets -- or a cost of approx. .31 per sheet. That is a huge savings and I'll keep the extra on hand for more projects. The texture is more subtle than the Bazzil Basics line, but since I am so frugal this works for me. I believe you could also purchase the same stock at an office supply store.
There are so many ways to create a nice memory book that is school-themed. Over the weekend I saw a publication by creating keepsakes (i think this is the one.) entirely for inspiration and ideas in this category. I however, went with simplicity.
The pages are with our digital printer today, and tomorrow I will collate the covers, insert pages, and an "end cap" for page 1 and it's ready for kindergarten graduation, on Wednesday. Isn't that funny? Kindergarten graduation? With my oldest I thought it was an unnecessary whoo-ha, but I've grown to see how special it is that the children are recognized. They have grown from little preschoolers to kids that really know their way around the place. It's cute.
More memory book soon.
