Too Cool For School!!!

It was recently brought to my attention that I make an awful lot of things for my youngest niece Kirra, and many of you might remember the craft blitz I did for my oldest niece, Ronnica's wedding this summer (if not, click here.) Plus, I had quite a few projects for my nephew Jackson between his baby shower projects and the onesies I painted for him (that you can see here.)

So I decided to make a few things for my twin nieces, Rylee and Tylar, to send them back to the 4th grade in style and score a few awesome Auntie points in the process.

I grabbed several composition books and some ball point pens on a recent Target expedition, knowing that I could come up with some way to make them much cooler. 

The first idea I copied found on Come Together Kids and their chalkboard notebook idea. They made their own chalkboard paint with craft paint and non-sanded tile grout, which let them chose whatever color they wanted. I, however, have leftover black chalkboard paint from several projects that I'm trying to use up, so I went for basic black. A little boring, I know, but it still has the same cool effect! 

The next idea I stole borrowed from A Girl In Paradise who made her own glitter notebooks after her daughter saw one in a store selling for almost $5. I don't blame her for making her own, $5 is a lot to pay for a notebook! She used mod podge to glitter a composition book. I was so excited when I saw this idea because I already had glitter in orange (Tylar's favorite color) and black (Rylee's favorite color) so I already had all the supplies I needed. I love when that happens! 

The last notebook idea I've seen so many different places that I'm not totally sure who to credit with the idea. But I basically took scrapbook paper and mod podged it to the outside of the composition book. 

 Now, you can't write in these awesome new notebooks with just any old pen. I used this idea from Cori Ann's Creative Living to make feather pens! I did change it up a little since the feathers I had were a little smaller, and since I'm really cheap trying to use up what I have in my stash, I used zebra printed duck tape to wrap the pens instead of floral tape. But I think with the wild colored feathers that I had that it worked out really well. 

I also made some pens using an idea that an old co-worker had made. I used fake flowers and green painters tape to make some flower pens as well. 

I gathered up all their supplies into two gift bags I had on hand and added a special little touch idea that I got from Quiver Full of Blessings - jean pockets full of smarties and a little note to wish them an awesome first day of school. 

I might be a little bit bias, but I think Rylee and Tylar are all set for an awesome first day of school! 

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