INSIDE: How to use old school papers to make DIY photo frames for lifelong memories.
My mother-in-law has been stopping by recently and dropping off some of my husband’s 40-year-old things. We’ve inherited old yearbooks, the leather folder his college degree came in, a collection of old toys and a rather large manila folder of his elementary school report cards. Oldies but goodies?!
Some of the items have been easier to slip into the recycle bin than others! But I did hold onto his old report cards. I had an idea on how to re-purpose them into a craft for our children and keep these old school memories…
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diy photo frames from kids school papers
All these years, I’ve always assumed my mother was the saver (check out what I turned a 30-some year old Fisher Price toy into). But to learn my mother-in-law is a “secret saver” is kinda surprising. It makes me slightly nervous for what we’ll find when the day comes they move houses!
So when she dropped off a large stack of report cards dating back to the early ’80s – all of them either hand-written or typed out on a {gasp!} typewriter – we had fun reading about his progress in reading and punctuation and mathematics. How do you toss memories like that into the bin?
Gather Your Supplies, Kids
– Picture frames (you want a flat border, like this)
– Report cards or school work
– Mod Podge
– Paint (optional if using dark frames and/or want color on sides)
– Scissors, ruler, pencil and paintbrush
how to frame kids classroom photos
I gave the frames a quick coat of white paint to cover the dark brown frame since the report cards were all written on white paper. Once dry, I gave the four sides a coat of colorful paint.
Measure the length and width of the frame and decide where on the report cards (or school work, book report, artwork) you want to cut based on what graphics you want displayed on the frame.
Apply the report card strips with Mod Podge.
Insert your school or class photos, or just have the frames ready for when they actually enter school like in the case of my kids #2 and #3!
So don’t toss your memories in the recycling bin; turn them into useful decor that can last for years to come.
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Tabitha Blue says
That’s a cute idea 🙂 And a great way to still save things without just being stored away in boxes!
Debrashoppeno5 says
This is a sweet idea. After a while you don’t know what to do with all of these things and this is a good way to display sentimental things.
[email protected] says
Thanks! I love to purge but some things are harder to toss than others.
Teresa says
I love these! how beautiful!
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage says
Your frames turned out really wonderful! What a great repurpose of those old report cards. Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
What a cute idea! Great way to display and preserve memories of something that is put away and very seldom seen, if even seen at all.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Thanks! They look cute with the kids school pictures in them. Better than tossing, right?
[email protected] says
Absolutely adorable. These would also make great teacher gifts. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoharoodle.
Keri says
What a great way to repurpose those old report cards! Love the frames you made with them!
Beverly says
What a great way to use those mementos. The frames are adorable.
Bev
Sharon says
Too cute. Thank you for sharing your great tutorial with us at Vintage Charm
Kathryn Griffin says
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/09/make-pretty-monday-week-191.html Happy week to you! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse