It was much the same when I was a teacher. In mid-August the excitement began to build as I planned the semester and tried to envision the faces that would soon be in front of me. For close to 40 years, I would announce my belief - that each person is creative. Whether it was a room full of eager first graders or a graduate seminar in visual communications, the process offered endless satisfaction.
Fast-forward to the year 2008: Instead of heading to a classroom, I’m here in the studio. But my mission is the same, spreading the word that the creative process should be a big part of each day.
NEW WAYS TO USE SCRAPBOOK SUPPLIES
To celebrate Back to School, I thought it would be fun to put some of my favorite scrapbook papers, stickers, and chipboard embellishments together as decorative “wraps”.
 | Asian Studies Decorative Binder Beginner Project Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: |
Look through your stash of papers or head for the store and use this project as an excuse for a shopping trip. Make binders for college students and other adult learners, it’s not just the kids who are heading back to school. While you’re at it, make yourself a binder for organizing household projects, medical records, kids’ school work or to hold scrapbooking software and supplies.
 | JGK Assignments & Homework Beginner Project Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: |
IT’S A WRAP
The dimensions of the decorative wrap you make will be determined by the size of the binder you select. The deeper the spine, the longer the wrap will be. A clear or tinted sleeve covers the exterior (the samples shown all have the clear sleeve). Open the binder and lay it flat to insert or remove the decorative wrap. If you change your mind and want to switch to a different design, it takes only a couple of seconds. Without rings, binders are perfect for stacks of photo prints, art work, or manuscripts. With rings, binders hold hole punched papers, plain or pocket style dividers, pages configured for discs and other accessories.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
There are three main areas to consider when making a wrap: The front, spine and back. They can blend into each other or you can use different papers and have three distinct sections, as I’ve done. Accent the spine with a contrasting border or choose papers with enough contrast to define the areas.
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Plan your layout on a piece of newsprint or tracing paper before cutting any papers. Allow at least .5” extra where needed so you can overlap and glue the largest pieces together.
When the wrap is under construction and laid flat on your work table, the front of the binder or disc wallet will be at the right of your wrap, the back will be at the left, the spine is in the middle.
 | JJ’s Stuff and Disc Wallet Beginner Project Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: |
OPTIONS
• Get the kids in on the act. Use solid color papers and let the students decorate their wraps with drawings, memorabilia, cut-outs, and photos.
• Design a space at the top of the front or back of the wrap so the student can slip a daily list of assignments and appointments into the sleeve. Add a decorative clip to hold it in place.
• Make a set of binders and disc wallets, one for each class and subject or for each category of software.
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
