"When the student is ready the teacher will appear." - Lao Tzu

It's school time again! You're probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad that summer is over. You've purchased all the supplies, labeled them and placed them in the new backpacks. The new clothes are all washed and ready to go. The new sneakers are lined up by the door and the lunches are made.

Before school even begins, take some detail shots of those new supplies, the backpack, and even the new shoes! My husband drives the kids into school in the morning, so I am usually not able to get photos in the morning. I take photos of the kids and their backpacks the day before. When I pick them up at school, we take photos in front of the school and I even have them simulate going in the front door. Sometimes I get lucky and I am able to get a photo of them with their new teacher as well!

These scrappers did not let that momentous day. They captured their students on the way off to their first day. Samantha Sibbet created a vintage style layout and even used a vintage action on the photo to give her page more charm. She was sure to include her feelings about her little girl going off to pre-school. Jennifer Barksdale used lots of school themed elements on her page. The numbers die cut paper really adds dimension to her page! Revlie Schuit stayed away from school themed products and added hearts to show her love for her children.

Off You Go by Samantha Sibbet

Supplies: Paper: BoBunny Press, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Neenah Paper, Alphabet Stickers: Pink Paislee, Tags: Elle’s Studio, Buttons: Making Memories, Ink: Memento (Tsukineko), Markers: Copic, Other: baker’s twine. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts, Fiskars, Stamps: Pink Persimmon.

Design Notes: The coloring with Copics took me about 2 hours to complete, of course I was watching television at the same time. Using the right kind of paper with these markers makes a world of difference.

Journaling: turns out, you adore preschool and your teacher. as for me, well it's hard for a momma to let go of her baby girl.

First Day by Jennifer Barksdale

Supplies: Paper: KI Memories, K & Company, Cardstock: Chatterbox, Die Cuts With a View, Chipboard: KI Memories, Alphabet Stickers: K & Company, Clip: K & Company, Die-Cut: Creative Café, Pens: ZIG Memory System (Kuretake), Fonts: Times New Roman, Other: hemp cord, tags, staples. Tools: Punches: ,EK Success, Other: dymo label maker, sewing machine.

Design Notes: When you run out of room on a layout, an easy way to add journaling is tucking a tag or two behind your photos. I included some additional photos on my tags as well.

eerste keer by Revlie Schuit

Supplies: Paper: Jillibean Soup, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Designs, Flowers: American Crafts, Ink: Colorbox, Pens: Sharpie, Other: embroidery floss. Tools: Punch: EK Success.

Design Notes: A great design technique is to use a repetitive shape (in this case a punched heart) to make a 'stream' on your page.

Journaling: August 28, 2009. Rubens first time to preschool, so exciting! Sanne started Group 3 for the first time. Wow! You are so big! Life is moving too fast!