Projects for Kids - Graphic 45

Graphic 45 asked some of the team to create projects for the June Newsletter with the theme "Crafts For Kids." It's not as easy as you think to create a project that kids can make, but I have been a homeschool mom for 13 years and have a few tricks in my bag!

I know that many elementary and middle schools have year books these days. However, there is something simple and sweet about an autograph book. When I was in elementary school (way back in the 1970's) we used to use take our autograph albums to school during the last week of class, prior to summer vacation. We would ask our friends and teachers to write in our books. This is a fun tradition in which children may still enjoy participating. Some children also like to take these albums with them when they visit Disneyland or Disney World to use in collecting character's autographs.

I want so share a very easy to make school-themed autograph album with you. This project is simple enough to do with children as young as Kindergarten, with help. Most upper elementary and middle school students should be able to make the album on their own. You don't need any fancy supplies or tools!

Collect the following supplies:

• Tag template (shown below, size to 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches )
• 2 pieces of heavy weight chipboard,approximately 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches each
• 4 pieces of printed paper in theme of album, approximately 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches each
• 25 (approximately) sheets of cardstock, approximately 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches each in white, cream, or kraft
• 1 binding ring, 1 inch diameter
• 2 pieces of ribbon, approximately 8 inches long
• 1/4 sheet 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, in white, cream, or kraft (for album title)
• Various embellishments for decoration
• Alphabet stamps (or alphabet stickers)
• Black and brown dye ink
• Scissors or paper trimmer
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Glue stick, white glue, or tape runner
• Foam tape
• Hole punch

Instructions:

1. Using the template provided, cut two covers from chipboard, four pieces of printed paper, and all album pages. Punch holes with a standard hole punch.

Note: If you are using this project for a classroom activity, you may wish to use a rectangle shape and two binding rings. Cut your rectangles to 7 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches. Your binding holes should be 1/2 and 3 3/4 inches from the top edge, and approximately 1/2 inch from the left edge.

2. Using a glue stick or tape runner, attach the printed paper to all sides the chipboard covers. If desired, ink edges with brown dye ink.

3. On a scrap of cardstock, stamp the title with black dye ink using alphabet stamps. Trim the paper and ink the edges with brown ink. Attach to the cover with foam tape. (You may choose to use alphabet stickers for the title.)

4. Decorate the outside of the album as desired.

5. Optional: Add a bookplate to the inside cover and stamp the child's name using black dye ink and alphabet stamps.

6. Bind the album covers and blank inside pages with a binding ring. Tie two lengths of ribbon to the ring for decoration.

Each child may glue photos of classmates to the inside pages and add autographs and signatures as desired.

So sign up for the Graphic 45 Newsletter, click HERE. To print these project directions, click here for a PDF.

Graphic 45 Papers: An ABC Primer: The Three R's, Alphabet Soup, School Days
Graphic 45 Chipboard: An ABC Primer: Tags 1, Tags 2
Graphic 45 Stamps: Wood Stamp Set Staples
Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Graphic 45 Decades Antiquing Ink: Photogenic, Dark Cashmere
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Kraft
Mini brad, twill ribbon, mini brad: Craft supply
Binding ring: Office supply
Chipboard for covers: Grafix chipboard
Adhesives: Scotch 3M tape, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares, white glue
Tools: Crop-a-Dile hole punch, Fiskars paper trimmer