Kinder Grad

I had 3 graduates last year. Shelby graduated from Pre-K, Cody from Kindergarten and Brian from 8th Grade, Junior High. I had printed up all their photos a while back and found them Monday during my little cleaning spree. I knew right away that the Elementary collection from Simple Stories would be PERFECT for my layouts.

Little Cody really seemed to come into his own in Kindergarten. He seemed like such a big boy after graduation. The layout I created for his graduation pic was loosely interpreted from this Page Maps sketch...

My original plan was to adapt the sketch into an 8.5 x 11 layout but the more I worked with the products, the more I thought 12 x 12 would be better. Here's Cody's layout...

I LOVE how Simple Stories takes the 12 x 12 sheets and creates borders and other elements within it. I started with the Bookworm page then layered a 4 x 12 border along the bottom. Next, I cut a one of the 6 x 8 photo elements. I wanted to add more dimension so I adhered the paper to a piece of chipboard then adhered it to my background paper. Next, I cut a file folder from the Teacher's Pet paper using the Lifestyle Crafts File Folder set. I trimmed my photo, matted it with some chocolate cardstock then adhered it to the front of the file folder which I attached to my chipboard mat. I added a Journaling spot tab under the top of the photo then where I put the month and year the photo was taken. Then I added another the left of the photo with foam tape so it would stand up. I found some old Scenic Route chipboard alphas in my stash and mixed the fonts to create my title. I really like how it turned out. I topped off the file folder and the journaling tab with alpha stickers from the Documented collection. The little paper clip holds the file closed. I used the Lifestyle Crafts DIY Pennant to create the pennant under the photo. To get the smaller patterned paper, I simply die cut the pennants from the cover sheet in the collection pack. Here's a peek at the file folder when it's open...

I cut out the Kindergarten 4 x 6 element and adhered it to the bottom of the file folder and filled in his information from the year. I added a red checkmark from the Lifesyle Crafts Doodles die set. I took advantage of the open space and added some personal journaling to the top half. It reads:

Cody, After attending Pre-K in Pretty Water, I was concerned you would struggle to make friends in a new school. Thankfully, I was wrong! you are so full of life. It seems you always have a smile on your face. Making friends comes natural to you, as does learning. By the time Kindergarten was done you seemed like such a big boy. You were always trying to read sigs and sound out words. We are so proud of who you are. Love you, Mom.

Cody's my last little boy. It's hard to see him grow up so fast but he is such a gem. Okay, back to my layout before I start to cry. ;) Here's a closer view of the elements on the front of the file folder...

You can really see some of the dimension created by the chipboard and foam tape in this photo. I added the A+ from the LC Doodles die set to fill in the "white space" above the file folder.

I really love how this layout turned out and the Simple Stories products are so easy to work with! Tomorrow I am headed to the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Louisville, KY. If you're in that area, stop by the Scrap-Mart booth and say hi! If not, enjoy the rest of your week and I'll see (here) you when I return!