The Folio School Album

How would you like to make an album for each one of your children or grandchildren in just a few days? I want to share one of my fun ideas with you! I call it "The Folio School Album." I start with one of my favorite Close To My Heart products—the True Fit™ Folios! I’ll tell you a primary reason I created the folio: because as a mom (and now a “nana”) I love all the little things kids bring home from school, but I had trouble showcasing them in albums and keeping them organized. I loved the idea of a product that was a little bit scrapbook and a little bit folder, and the best of both worlds.

I have decorated a series of True Fit Folio Albums for each of my children’s school years—starting with kindergarten through their senior year in high school. I begin with a paper packet that captures their personality, then, using a Reflections® pattern, I add their school photo to the front of the folio along with some key pieces of information: the school and teacher’s name, the grade, and cool things important to the child. Tucked away inside the folio, I can add a whole bunch of memories—drawings and doodles, report cards, notes from the teacher, extra photos, and more. It’s an absolutely perfect way to capture a year’s worth of school memorabilia in a compact and beautiful space.

Here, I’ve included a photo of the True Fit Folio page I created for my grandson Noah’s first-grade year. I also created a coordinating layout for the facing page. I selected the “It’s a Guy Thing” paper packet for his album.

I’m so excited to continue this tradition with my adorable grandkids—and now is a great time for you to start the tradition yourself with your family. It’s an easy and rewarding idea that will help you keep your favorite “homework” from every year. Here’s how to get started:

Album Supplies
13 – True Fit™ Folios

3 – 12" x 12" My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets. Choose a kit that reflects your child.
Coordinating My Stickease™ artwork
Coordinating embellishments, ribbons, and accessories
Coordinating 12" x 12" album

Album Instructions
Right Page (folio) – Reflections pattern 9d, Treasure Pocket—Folio™, on page 119 in the Reflections book. This pattern lets you put a 5" x 7" photo in the bottom right corner of each folio page. It’s fun to turn each page and see your child grow up right before your eyes. I'm also giving you the template for journaling some of your child's school information. You can see I've included it next to the 5" x 7" photo on the folio. Click here for the school journaling template.

Left Page – Choose one Reflections pattern for each layout. Some great suggestions include:
1b, Title Topper–Billboard™
1e, Title Topper–Equal Portions™
1i, Title Topper–Basic™
3a, Sidebar–Original™
3e, Sidebar–Quartet™
6h, Half & Half–Balanced™
10g, Sampler Collage™

You’ll want to make all 13 layouts now so each new school year they’ll be ready for you to add all your photos and prized school projects!