Team pictures, certificates, ribbons and other keepsakes don’t always fit into a standard photo album. They do, however, fit into a binder that has plastic presentation sleeves.
An album of this kind is easier and less expensive than a normal scrap book. Instead of buying fancy paper, the pages can be decorated using pre-printed stationery that is used in a printer to make party invitations and holiday letters. The pages can also be decorated with stickers, small pictures cut from old greeting cards, and your own artwork.
At the end of the school year, children will have three-ring binders that they don’t want to use again. Children prefer new supplies when the new school year begins. If the rings are still in working order, and the only thing wrong with the notebook is all the drawing and scribbling they did on the cover, the binder can be recycled into a photo album.
Cut or piece together a piece of fabric that will cover the front, back and spine with pockets on each end. If the binder has a 2-inch spine, for example, cut a piece of fabric that is 30 inches long. This will make a cover with 4-inch pockets on each end. Figure the width of the fabric by adding one inch to the height of the cover—13 inches in most cases.
Decorate the front cover with machine embroidery, hand embroidery or applique. Make a rolled hem in each of the two short sides. Lay the notebook open on top of the right side of the fabric. Fold the narrow ends into pockets, and pin in place, marking where the seam should be to give a snug fit. Sew the side seams of each pocket.
Trim the corners and turn the pockets right side out. Run a line of fabric glue, or use Wonder Under to hold the cut edges down on the top and bottom of the cover. Apply fabric glue or all-purpose glue to the notebook cover, spreading the glue out to a thin coat. Puddles of glue will soak through the fabric and leave spots on the outside. Add thin batting or felt to make the cover padded, if desired.
Slip the notebook into the pockets, and close the book. Use clothespins or binder clips to hold the fabric in place until the glue dries.
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