Using and Saving Your Children’s Artwork: Handmade Journals and Party Favor
My kids are constantly drawing or writing at home and we go thru a lot of paper and paper journals. I was at the store the other day and they were selling those simple “composition” journals for 50 cents! (love those back-to-school specials!) My kids like to use the blank page journals so I bought–a lot.
I love the price, but have never loved the look of those composition journals. I suddenly got the idea (which maybe many other moms have already thought of) to make covers out of beautiful watercolor paintings my children have done.
Using my paper cutter and Elmer’s “Extreme” heavy duty glue stick, my son and I were able to securely cover many journals in no time. And, I felt so happy because each journal used almost a full piece of artwork!
As I was working, I thought that at 50 cents each, these journals would make great party favors. We are going out to dinner soon with a group of five children and I thought it would be nice to bring these journals with a few colored pencils for the kids to use while waiting for dinner.
The absolute best part of these handmade journals though is that my children love to use them. They see their own art and feel so proud. I’m heading back to the store to buy more journals to cover!
And please stay tuned…I’ll share an idea from my son’s teacher to use children’s artwork in a later post…
Sharing this idea on New House New home new life, Embracing Change, Katherine’s Corner, For the Kids Friday, Creative Mondays
These are so pretty, especially tied with the pencils and yarn!!! I have done the same with my my husband’s old paintings from when he was in Waldorf school. My MIL saved everything.
http://madebyjoey.blogspot.ca/2011/07/waldorf-inspired-creativity.html
http://madebyjoey.blogspot.ca/2012/06/math-gnomes-and-watercolour-notebooks.html
I need some new ideas so I’m enjoying your posts! Thank you!
xoxo
~ joey
Hi Joey,
You have a wonderful blog…thanks for sharing. I knew that using artwork as covers was so simple that many moms must also be doing it. I love yours! Aloha, Lori
Oh, I love these!! Just wonderul. I’m so thrilled to have found your beautiful blog. My kids are young adults now, but I think at heart I will always be a teacher of young kids! I’m following your blog and will be back.
Pam recently posted..Stamped Tumbled Tile Coasters
Hi Pam,
Many thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments. My kids are growing up, but I still find myself wanting to make toys for young children. I can relate to your feeling of always being a teacher of young children at heart!
Thank you again and aloha, Lori
Twitter: GoAskKatie
says:
These are lovely, vibrant, wonderful. Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo
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Hi Katherine,
I really love and appreciate your Thursday Favorite Things! Thanks so stopping by…Aloha, Lori
Great idea, very colorful and who wouldnt be inspired to use them? Nice post!
Here from Inspire me Monday and really enjoyed your journals.
Diane
Diane recently posted..Making Whole: Re-imagine Happiness
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I LOVE your colorful and thrifty journals!
Congrats – you’ve been featured this week at Inspire Me Monday at
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
Create With Joy recently posted..Inspire Me Monday – Week 40
What an honor–thank you so much!
Beautiful journal covers – Joining from Inspire Me Monday – http://allthoseartsygirls.blogspot.com/
Dani – ATA Girls recently posted..Egg Dioramas: The Traditional Holiday Ornament
Twitter: clairejustineo
says:
These are such a love idea,great for gifts too
thanks for sharing with us at Creative Mondays ….
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Hi Claire,
Yes, they are quick gifts–thank you for stopping by! Lori
Twitter: clairejustineo
says:
Thanks again for linking up
featuring this week …
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Twitter: susancasetexas
says:
I blog at Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers and am the author of 2 books. I would love to use your journal photo with a link to your blog on a Kid Blogger Network Series I am working on – about Children Learning through Creativity. Would that be all right? What a lovely blog and photos you have!
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