The Summer of Dads and Grads

Summer is not only the time to celebrate our dads, but a big season to celebrate our grads as well! The graduation is filled with so many mixed emotions for both the graduate and the family. Of course there are the “big” graduations, high school and college, where tearful moms and dads meet excited, trepid students to figure out where they’ll go in the world. You see parents and grandparents who are radiating with pride, but at the same time not quite sure how their little one got to be this big and independent so very quickly.

Not only are the big students graduating, but also the little people have their own graduations. It seems that preschool and kindergarten graduations are nearly as big as high school and college! We have our own cute kindergartener that graduated in our family and although it’s only kindergarten, I already wonder where the time has gone. Wasn’t I just changing diapers and feeding bottles yesterday? I think the little ones look so absolutely adorable in their miniature caps and gowns, just beaming with pride!

Kindergarten Grad by Cari Locken

Supplies: Paper: Imaginisce, Cardstock: Core'dinations, Alphabet: die-cut from Cricut, Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories, Die Cuts: Stars from Cricut, Buttons: Buttons Galore and more, Ink: Colorbox (Clearsnap), Floss: Divine Twine, Sketch: Valerie Salmon, Fonts: Arial and Courier New, Other: Ribbon, Double sided tape, Pop dots, Imaginisce Glam Rocks. Tools: Electronic Cutter: Cricut Expressions, Cartridges: Birthday Bash (alphabet), Plantin Schoolbook (stars), Punches: EK Success, Border Punches: Fiskars, Other: Imaginisce i-rock tool.

Design Notes: I took a small rectangle of white cardstock, rolled it up and stuck it with double sided tape. I then inked the edges and tied a piece of ribbon around it. For the graduation cap I drew it freehand, cut it and stuck wth pop dots. Adds just that little bit extra!

Journaling: You loved Kindergarten and your teacher, Mrs. New was the best! It was a rather bittersweet moment to see you stand at the front of the auditorium and receive your kindergarten diploma. I was happy for you because you were so excited, but I was also sad that my little boy was growing up so quickly.

School Memories by Carolyn Lontin

Supplies:Paper: Karen Foster Design, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Core'dinations, Stickers: Karen Foster Designs, Floss, Charms, Brads, Frames: Karen Foster Designs, Pens: American Crafts, Ink: Tim Holtz (Ranger Industries). Tools: Other: Basic Grey File Set, Making Memories Edge Scraper, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.

Editor's Note: It’s fun to combine the serious and the not so serious photos in a series, especially when it’s a layout highlighting young children. The cardstock with the alphabet is a great way to highlight a school page.

Graduation Memory Book Box by Liz Chidester

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard, Stickers: Best Creation Inc., Paint: Delta, Ink: Colorbox, Other: Wooden stars, Wooden container, Craft wire.

Design Notes: I made this memory box for my nephew who will soon be graduating from high school. I bought the wooden container at my local craft store and covered it with graduation papers, matching chipboard and stickers. I covered the little wooden stars with paper and attached them with colored craft wire.