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I am big on creating memories and make crafts to help savor them! The first day of school is no exception! Check out these three easy DIY projects to create back to school memories for every first day of school! First up is an accordion notebook to not only record memories from the first day of school but all year round!

• Foam Board
• Decorative Paper
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue
• Scissors
• Sticker Letters/Numbers
• Ribbon (I made personalized ribbon with our P-Touch Embellish)
• Poster Board

1. Cut 2 pieces of foam board into rectangles. I suggest 5 inches x 7 inches.
2. Cut 2 pieces of decorative paper 1 inch larger than the foam board pieces. If you are doing a 5-inch x 7-inch notebook, the decorative paper pieces should be 6 inches x 8 inches.
3. Place the scrapbook paper decorative side face down and center the foam board on the back of the paper.
4. Use the hot glue gun to glue the foam board to the paper.
5. Cut the corners of the paper off on all four sides.
6. Fold over each side of the paper to cover the edges of the foam board. Secure with hot glue.
7. Repeat step 3-6 for the back cover.
8. Cut a piece of poster board 7 inches by the length of the poster board.
9. Accordion fold poster board every 5 inches.
10. Cut a piece a ribbon 18 inches. I created a custom ribbon using my P-Touch Embellish.
11. Place the back cover decorative side down. Fold the ribbon in half.
12. Place a 4-inch strip of hot glue in the center of the back cover.
13. Attach the center of the ribbon and let the loose ends fall on either side of the cover.
14. Take the last flap of the poster board and glue it to the back cover. The poster board will go over the ribbon. Make sure the ends of the ribbon are still hanging loose. They will dangle out in between the cover and poster board. 
15. Glue the front page of the poster board to the back of the front cover.
16. You now have an accordion notebook.
17. Close the notebook and secure by tying the ribbon in a bow.
18. Add stickers to the front to commemorate your child's name and grade.

Label each page of the notebook for an occasion throughout the school year (first day of school, field trips, field day, class parties, last day of school, etc). Have your child add photos and other memories. I recommend making it a tradition to make a notebook for each year of school. Think about how fun it will be to look back at each notebook as your child gets older! I love this craft because it is something you and your child can do together! 

1. Cut the center square out of the foam board using the Xacto knife, leaving a 3-4 inch border on the top and sides, a 5-6 inch border on the bottom.
2. Cut yellow poster board to the same size as the foam board. You will need to use two posters to cover the whole board.
3. Attach the yellow poster board to the foam board with hot glue.
4. Paint the plaque with chalkboard paint.
5. Cut the roof of the bus out of the black poster board. Use the frame to measure and sketch out the roof.
6. Add stickers to spell out "School Bus" and your child's name.
7. Cut circles out the red and orange construction paper to create school bus lights.
8. Attach school bus lights to the frame with hot glue.
9. Attach the plaque at the bottom (like a license plate) with hot glue.
10. Use the chalk to write the year and grade on the plaque.
11. Get your kiddo ready to pose on the first day of school.