Back-to-School Gift Set

Good morning, Crafters! I have a fun Authentique Papers project to share today. For those of you with children, grandchildren, or other small folks in your life...it is back to school time! 

I have one son in college, but the rest are all grown up and out in the working world. I don't need to make back-to-school gifts any longer, but I still love to! There is nothing else in the world like new school supplies! I love to visit the office supply or discount store just to look at all the pencils and notebooks and other fun school supplies!

The NEW Authentique Scholastic Collection is perfect for all your back-to-school projects! I used both the 8x8 pad and the 12x12 paper to make this fun gift set. I created a 8 3/4" x 6" notebook, a large (8" x 4") bookmark, and a pencil holder to fit four No. 2 pencils. I love the apple and printing sheets!

To create the notebook, cut one piece of printed paper to 8 3/4" x 12" and score at 6" to make the 8 3/4" x 6" notebook cover (I used the apple print from Scholastic Six.) 

Use computer paper, watercolor paper, grid paper, or anything you wish for the inside signatures of your notebook. Your sheets should be 8 1/2" x 11", folded in half to make 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sections. You can make as many as you wish. I created two sections of computer paper and two of watercolor paper.

To make a signature divider cut a piece of printed paper to 8 1/2" x 11" and score in half to make a divider that is 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". 

Stack all of your paper together with the cover on the outside. Cut a 18" of black elastic cord to hold the note book together. 

Wrap and knot the elastic cord around your stacked papers, with the fold in the center. Trim the cord as needed. 

This is the perfect inexpensive notebook for kids and adults alike! Since it is simply computer paper, folded in half, it comes together presto! Once you fill it up, just make a new one with more paper! I keep one of these for taking sermon notes at church. 

I wanted a divider between the plain paper and the watercolor paper. 

Everyone needs a GIANT bookmark, too! I love a big bookmark, as they are harder to lose!

Cut heavy weight black cardstock to 8" x 4", and trim into a tag shape. (I used a large tag die from Sizzix.) 

Trim decorative paper slightly smaller than the tag shape, and attach to the tag/bookmark. I added another decorative strip to the center by cutting black cardstock to 3" x 4". I added the apple paper, cut to 2 7/8" x 3 7/8". I then trimmed an image from Scholastic Eight and matted it with black cardstock for the center of the tag.

Trim another piece of decorative paper slightly smaller than the tag shape, and attach to the back of the tag/bookmark.

Perfect! 

You will notice that I did not keep the hole in the top of the bookmark. I do NOT like dangling strings or ribbons on my bookmarks! 

Pencil holders make the perfect gift for a classroom of students! They are easy to make and inexpensive to stuff with pencils! 

To make the pencil holder, cut black cardstock to 5 1/2" x 3 1/2". Score on the vertical at 1/2", 3/4", 2", and 2 1/4". Rotate and score on the horizontal at 5 1/4". With your cardstock oriented vertically as shown above, trim on all vertical score lines just up to the 1/4" score. Trim away the left-most tab.   

Fold on all vertical score lines. Place double-sided adhesive on the vertical section where you cut away the bottom tab. 

Fold and attach to make a rectangular "tube." The bottom will be where all the little flaps are located. Glue this closed.  

Four No. 2 pencils will fit snugly into the pencil holder. 

Trim decorative paper to 5 1/8" x 1 1/8" to decorate the front and the back of the holder. To make band, trim black cardstock to 1 1/4" x 3 1/2" and wrap it around the holder and secure at the back.  

Trim decorative paper to 1 1/8" x 1 1/4" to decorate the front and back of the band.

These are so simple to make that you can make loads of them at once. It is a great way to use 8x8 or 6x6 pads of decorative paper, or even paper scraps! 

Pencils are easy to find at the dollar store or other discount store. You can choose plain yellow pencils, or go wild with any color and style you wish! 

Thank you so much for looking! Have fun making your own back-to-school gift set! 

Authentique Supplies Used:
Scholastic 12x12 Pad
Scholastic 8x8 Pad

Additional Supplies Used:  
Cardstock: WorldWin Black
Elastic cord: fabric supply
Computer and watercolor paper: office and art supply
Tools: Corner rounder, Score board, Bone folder
Adhesive: ATG tape, Scor-tape, white glue