This is a time of year where everywhere you turn there is inspiration on scrapping your children's back to school photos. Our very own Write. Click. Scrapbook. gallery theme for the month of September was Back to School themed projects and the Inspiration Collective did not fail to amaze and inspire. Check out the gallery by clicking here.
But there are so many scrappers from so many walks of life in this amazing hobby that I thought I would dedicate today to scrapping Back to School for non-schoolers. I want to offer three suggestions that will inspire you to use this time of year to scrap Back to School pages and projects even if you do not have children in school.
PROJECT 1 - Handwriting Practice Mini
This is for all of you (myself included) who have children under school age. Mine are 4&1/2 and 2&1/2, so Kindergarten will not be in our lives until next Fall. However, my oldest daughter has learned to write her own first name. I made this mini for her to practice writing her name over and over again and I know someday I will open that small book and marvel at her first scrawls on the page.
Additional Ideas: If your child is too young to print their own name, make a similar book for them to color and draw in. My kids both loved to doodle at a young age.
PROJECT 2 - Pre-PreSchool Age child Layout
My youngest daughter, Evangeline, cannot yet write her name. But that doesn't mean she can't have a Back to School inspired layout as well. One day I caught her doodling in the small notebook I carry in my purse. I grabbed my camera and capture the shot which prompted this layout about the way that my daughters hold their crayons correctly from early on, even though I never taught them to.
I kept this layout schoolish looking by using ledger-style paper as the background, but added a feminine touch with the floral patterns. Don't be afraid to mix strong lines with feminine elements, they soften the severe look of linear papers.
Additional Ideas:Document your Pre-PreSchooler's love of reading time at the library, night-time books before bed or even coloring on the walls (eek!)
PROJECT 3 - Adult Learning Layout
Who says you have to be young to make a Back to School inspired project? Here I made a layout about my lifelong love of reading and books. I took this chance to reflect on the impact that learning to read at a young age had on my childhood and my adult life. Most of us are still impacted by books, learning and even life education in the school of hard knocks! Why not document it?
Additional Ideas:The sky is the limit on this one. Document what subject you excelled at in school and how that effects your life now. Record your favorite books. Share a life lesson that was learned out of experience. Share a story of how you learned a new skill whether it's cooking, scrapbooking, quilting or anything else. Share a favorite poem and how it makes you feel. Make a list of books you would like to read in the future or a favorite childhood book and how it sparked your imagination
I hope you are inspired to use the month of September to document learning at ANY age.
Please leave a comment and share a your ideas for school-themed layouts for non-schoolers.
