98 UHeart Organizing: Creating a School Memory Bank

Once every year or two, my husband and I pull out our family memory bins and take trips down memory lane.  It is fun to shuffle through items that are from our childhood days, and to share stories about elementary school friendships, the homes we lived in and those adventurous family road trips.  We are thankful that our parents held on to a few of our school moments; report cards, photos and writing assignments are always the first things we grab for.  Not everything requires a spot on the wall or even needs to be saved for future reminiscing sessions, but it is nice when you can offer your kiddos a condensed version of their life during their school years to look back on. 

With that, one of the reasons I heart having a contributing team of writers is because they often times inspire me to rethink my own systems.  They bring so much more to the organizing table than I could do all on my own, and for that I am very grateful.  We have been using our school paperwork organization method for quite a few years now (and it still ranks as one of my most popular posts), but Karen of A House Full of Sunshine has added a few new twists that I am majorly crushing over.  I am so glad that she is here today to share her process for preserving her children's school memories and milestones so that one day they can share their stories with their own families.

Nothing leads to chaos in the home so much as lack of a system.  So when your kids start at school and you haven't yet worked out what to do with all the masses of stuff they come home with... Let's just say that things can end up in a giant muddle verrrrry quickly.  (Can you tell I'm talking from experience here?) 

You kind of get thrown in the deep end when your kids hit school age. I was a teacher for goodness' sake, and yet I still had NO IDEA about the quantity of paperwork I'd have to deal with as a mom. It truly is mind-boggling. And I'm not just talking about permission notes and information letters, which can be dealt with and tossed. The real problem in this house are the things with sentimental value that we want to keep (or the ones we haven't decided yet whether we should keep); the artwork, merit certificates, sporting ribbons, school photos, report cards, and writing samples. All the memorabilia of school life.

Over the past couple of years I've stuffed things in drawers, thrown things in the filing cabinet, stuck paperwork in folders, and no doubt misplaced a lot of things along the way. 

My problem? Lack of a centralized system. I was making it up as I went along, and getting myself into a bigger and bigger mess as time went by. 

No more!

I had a think about what my ideal system would look like, and decided that I wanted a box for each child, with a folder for each grade level. I decided on folders because they keep the contents protected and can be taken out and flipped through at a glance.

I started by purchasing a whole stack of display folders, one per grade level per child, plus an extra for before-school-age art and memorabilia.

The first thing I always do when using a display folder is to slip the spine out and flip it over backwards so the display pockets can be refilled from the back. There's nothing more annoying than running out of room in your folder and having to take every single slippery page out in order to add a few extra pockets at the end. This way, you merely have to remove the back cover to refill it - the pages all stay in place.

Next, I labelled the spines by grade level, using my label maker with transparent tape.

I found opaque hanging files, which I love for their clean and streamlined look.

I used clear plastic file boxes and added the kids' names using pre-cut vinyl letter stickers.

Each child is allocated a different color, so it's easy to see at a glance which folder belongs to who.

I started by printing personalized cover sheets for each folder. If you want to make your own custom cover sheets, you can do it easily in Word - it only took me about fifteen minutes to make and print all 27 covers I needed. I inserted a box a little bigger than 5" x 7" to fit a standard-sized school photo. The font for the child's name is Always in my Heart and for the Grade level I used Bebas Neue. Then I just kept changing the grade level and printing as I went, until I had a full set for each child.

I then designed a series of cover pages to divide each folder into categories, with sections allocated for school reports, awards, artworks and writing samples.  I kept mine simple and graphic so they won't quickly date.

You can download a free copy of the Childhood Questionnaire and cover pages HERE.

I printed the cover pages onto cardstock so that the slightly heavier weight guides navigation through the folder by touch - you feel the thicker cover pages as you flip through. You could also add tabs to the top of your pages if desired, but personally I didn't want anything sticking out. I've found the system is very easy to navigate as-is.

I also designed a simple memory-catcher questionnaire to fill out with your child each year. It has basic stats like age, height and weight, as well as space to record your child's best friends, their favorite activities at school, things they love to do, and what they want to be when they grow up. There's room for a smaller photo in the top corner, or you could have your child draw a self-portrait there.

Down at the bottom is space for a hand print so you can keep a record of your child's growth over the years.

I've ordered my folders as follows:

1.  Personalized cover sheet with photo
2.  Class photo
3.  Questionnaire sheet

4. Report cards

5. Awards

6. Art works

7. Writing

Lastly, I purchased a clear acrylic magazine holder (Jen is so amazing she would probably be able to whip one of these up herself) so I can keep the folders for my kids' current year levels at my fingertips in the cupboard. Now, as they come home from school or day-care with their latest masterpiece, I can easily slip it into the appropriate section of the folder. 

At the end of the year I'll go through the folder and tidy it up, culling some pieces if need be, and then file it into that child's school memory box.

I can't tell you how good it feels to have a system! My eldest child is in Grade One this year, so I'm glad I started sooner rather than later. Now my kids' precious memories have the home they deserve. They already love flipping through their "books" and seeing what they've produced and achieved over the course of a year.

Thanks so much for having me here today, Jen!

 _____________________

Karen lives in Australia and has listed all of the sources for her project on her blog as well:

Clear file boxes - Howard's Storage World
Pre-cut vinyl letters - Officeworks
Clear hanging files - K-mart
Display folders - Officeworks.

I am working to locate and add a few similar sources for the U.S. as well (it seems here in the US we call these "presentation books"). 

You can download a free copy of the Childhood Questionnaire and cover pages HERE.

_____________________

Hi friends, I’m Karen from A House Full of Sunshine. Do you see that grin I can’t wipe off my face? That’s how thrilled I am to be here! I live in Australia where I’m blessed to be a stay-home mummy to my three little people. I’m also a part-time interior decorator and a former teacher of Creative Arts. Basically, I’m happiest when I’m squeezing every drop of creativity out of life – whether that means decorating a room, inventing a fun new activity to do with the kids, thinking up pretty organizing solutions or putting together a DIY project. I believe life is meant to be beautiful, and home is an expression of the heart. My blog, A house full of sunshine, is the place where I share my adventures in creative home-making with kids. The coffee’s on and the welcome mat is out – I’d love to see you there!

63 The 2016 IKEA Catalog: Items iHeart!

Over the course of the year, there are quite a few special dates I look forward to...  My children's birthdays, our anniversary, family road trips, the release of the IKEA catalog...

Is that not normal?  Someone please tell me that is OK.

Although I am trying to break away from too much IKEA in our home, it is still an annual guilty pleasure to dive head first into their colorful catalog pages.  IKEA is known for creating smart storage for small spaces, and the organizing loving gal I am can't get enough of their creative solutions.  Last year I even took a multiple hour stroll through the store and shared everything new that caught my eye here.

This year I had my family with me when we stopped in quickly after a baseball game, so I didn't have the opportunity to touch and feel and ooh and ahh over all of the new goodness.  However, just in the few moments we were there, a few things did jump out at me.  And since that trip I have browsed the beautiful and inspiration filled book a few times, flagging page after page.  So many fab things stole my heart again this year!  (You can view the digital version of the 2016 IKEA catalog here).

That table.  I am 100% lusting for that table.  I now wish that our current table would accidentally fall apart after a wild and crazy table top dance party, so that I could justify the purchase of the new table.  I am really digging a variety of natural wood tones lately, and something about the coloring and visible grain in the table above makes my eyes go gaga.  And it is even better in the store.

Although small and clear, those sweet little glass vases still managed to catch my eye.  And is that a pink tray table?  Why sure it is!

IKEA has a variety of beautiful new glassware; everything from canisters to jars to bottles.  That casserole cooker made me look twice as well.  It looks large enough to feed our always hungry and growing boys.  Those beautiful ARV plates are the reason I went to the store in the first place.

Caddies get me every time.  So many ways I can think of to use the new RISATORP wire basket; cutlery, bath toys, sun & bug spray, crafts, sewing supplies, cleaning supplies, shower toiletries....

Although I don't see them listed online just yet, you can bet one of those cutting boards will eventually end up on our new counters.

Something else I am considering for our counters is the new BITTERGURKA plant pot.  Say that word five times fast.  Even typing it makes me giggle. BITTERGURKA, BITTERGURKA, BITTERGURKA....

Dining should also be relaxing and those grey chairs look like they would just give you a little hug while you eat.  They also remind me of some of the pricier chairs that catch my eye at West Elm.  That clear glass cabinet peeking through is a stunning addition to any dining space.

In fact, IKEA's cabinet options are one of the main reasons that I had back to the store time and time again.

Getting back to cozy seating options, the new STOCKSUND line looks quite comfortable and family friendly.  I am a fan of the cleaner lines paired with the rolled arms.  Anyone have experience with IKEA seating?  I can't personally speak to it, but I sort of want to give one of those chairs a whirl!

The woven stools are not new this year, but I have been tempted to toss them into my shopping cart time and time again.  Not only do they stack nicely, they also offer versatile seating for little ones, both indoors and out!

I have a feeling that plaids and checks are going to continue to be hot for awhile.  The grey SMÅNATE cushion cover is a superfab price!

I know not everything needs to be sprayed or gilded in gold, but that task lamp is definitely asking for it big time.  Especially with that sleek black shade, it would be an amazing update.

Let's get back to a few smart and inexpensive storage solutions.   The tree-like hook organizer is versatile enough to work in an entryway for accessories, a closet for jewelry or in a child's bedroom for backpacks and sporting gear.

IKEA's kitchen wall storage is another "go to" for me in areas all over our home.  Anytime you can pair rails with hooks, baskets and organizers, you will find wins for your crafts, kitchen gadgets and toiletries.

New suction cup bins, baskets and hooks also keep your bathroom surfaces flowing with functionality.

Let's take a moment to collectively sigh in delight over that tiered storage tower.  And I am happy to testify my love for those green flexi-bins.  I have a couple and they are awesome for kids and outdoor toys.

The flexible NORDRANA drawer organizers look cozy enough to wear.  I really love their texture and the fact they look good enough to be left out on the counter.

And for acrylic lovers like myself, they have thought of us as well.  They even went above and beyond by adding lids to their drawer organizers, which is something I rarely find!

Looking for another way to make a big impact on a budget? Think about tiling multiple noticeboards to create an abundance of surface for important papers and memos, while also adding decorative detailing to your walls.

Being organized in the home office can really make or break your finances and budget.  IKEA has a slew of smart, colorful and functional storage options.  Every time I go to IKEA I try to find a reason to need those green office supply drawers....

Boxes big and small, wall pockets, shelving and work surfaces?  They have you covered with it all.

Of course, IKEA knows how to help you maximize your closet.  If you are renting, they even have a variety of solutions for over your closet doors that are not permanent.  They also supply drawers, dressers, wardrobes, boxes and free standing shelving, all of which can be mixed and matched to eliminate any wasted space.  Their catalog is full of ideas and ways to take advantage of the space that you have available, no matter the size of your home.

I am loving the new TROFAST bin colors, IKEA makes me want to be a kid again.  And little toy sacks that hang from hooks are also my jelly jam.

Tag, you are it!  I would love to know what is on your IKEA wish list this year and what caught your eye in the newest catalog?  Are you planning any good IKEA hacks this year?  Do you also have the IKEA catalog release date scribbled down in your planner surrounded by hearts and stickers and highlighter?

Psssst!  IKEA does not sponsor or pay me for these posts.  It is just annual fun for me and you!