Party Gals Linky Party No. 6

Welcome to the Party Gals Linky Party!  We're a group of  CREATIVE PARTY PLANNERS here to share with you our love of parties, entertaining, delicious recipes, DIY ideas and crafts!  Visit us every other Friday to see what's new in our party world and link up with us to share your own fabulous ideas! 

Every other Friday, visit any of us on our blogs to check out a fun party inspired project, idea, recipe or craft. We'll share all our tips and inspiration with you and what's even better is, you get to share your creativity with us too!  Each post will have a linky party tool at the very end where you can link up with other awesome creatives!

To start things off, I'm sharing  how to make an altered composition notebook for back-to-school (and because The Mini Diva hates those black and white ones)

Altered Composition Book

For more party ideas and crafty projects and to see more of my own personal faves from the linky party, visit me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook !  Be sure to use the hashtag  #ThePartyGalsLinky

Here are more great and inspiring ideas, recipes and how-to's from the rest of the Party Gals:

Football Party Tablescape

Tailgate Party Ideas

Chocolate Football Cereal Treats

DIY Homemade Hand Purifier

Double Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

"Thank you for partying with us! "

GRAB A PARTY GALS BUTTON  We'd love for you to also share that you're partying with us by linking to Party Gals Linky on your blog.  You can grab one of our buttons here:"

JOIN OUR LINKY PARTY!

We'd love for you to link up with us too!  Leave a link to a post with a creative idea, craft, diy, recipe or project you would like to share.  We'll select our favorites in a future post and on our Pinterest/Instagram page! 

By participating in our linky party and leaving a link below, you give us permission to share your photo and idea on our blogs and social media pages with a link back to you (we promise).  Links to shops, contests, sweepstakes or giveaways will be removed from the party.  Please link to your own blogs and projects and be sure to leave a comment on your favorite projects!

An InLinkz Link-up

   

Altered Notebook with Foldover Elastic Bookmark

I'm cranking out Back-to-School projects like HOT CAKES, people!  Don't hate the crafter, hate the crafting game.  So, every year, I buy those black and white composition books and EVERY year my daughter says, 'They aren't pink!  EW.' Now, I know you can buy them in all fancy covers these days, but usually they cost a bit more and quite frankly, this mom likes to put scissors and glue to paper and get creative!  So, here's my handy crafty share of the day!  An altered notebook and for kicks, a foldover elastic bookmark/pageholder (yes, I'm aware these are all over Pinterest - but I don't care.....Pinterest will not still my joy).

To make your own notebook you're gonna need a few things:

Composition Books
Scrapbook Paper
Glue Sticks or Mod Podge
Washi Tape
Foldover Elastic
Scissors
Printable Book Plates (Download for FREE here)

To start, line up your paper to the taped edge of the book.  I secured the paper in place with a piece of removable tape because.....

....when you flip it over, you don't want the paper to shift.  Trace around the book; this piece will eventually be adhered to the front and back cover of your book.

Cut out the 'template'.

Rub lots of glue all over the front cover (I used a glue stick, but you can also use Mod Podge).

Add the paper to the cover making sure all the corners are aligned.

Using a bone folder, the edge of a ruler or your hands, smooth down the paper to make sure it's free of air bubbles and wrinkles.

Add a strip of Washi tape to the black taped edge around the outer binding.  You may have to use more than one piece.  You can also buy wider washi and cut it to size.  Repeat the above steps to finish your back cover.

Using the free bookplate label from my Essential Back to School printables, add a label to the front cover of your notebook.

I've had a few yards of foldover elastic that I had no idea what to do with and then decided they'd make perfect bookmarks and page holders.  To make these, you wrap the elastic around the entire length of the book leaving about 2" at the top.

Cut off any excess.

Tie a knot on the ends....

....and you have a simple and easy bookmark.  You can also wrap this around your notebook to hold all your pages together like a journal!

I added a few yarn tassels to mine because they're super cute and The Mini Diva loves them.

This is such a fun and easy project, super easy for kids to do, as well.  Don't forget to download all the freebies from my Essential Back-to-School printables!  Please be sure to tag me at @cwbdparties if you share this idea on social media - I'd love to see what you create!!!

For more party ideas and crafty projects, visit me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook 

25 Quotes for Lunch Box Notes

The kids are heading back to school and on some days they might have a tough time adjusting to new teachers and friends (some who are not so nice).  Just like adults, kids sometimes need a bit of a loving nudge to remind them how special they are.  I designed these lunch box notes for my ESSENTIAL Back-to-School printable pack and will be adding them to my kids' lunches everyday.

You can download the file, print the PDF and then cut!  The cards are blank so you can type in a loving sentiment in the actual document or doodle something by hand that is inspiring and uplifting,  like I did here.

If your brain is a little fried late in the evening or early in the morning when it's time to pack up lunch, and you can't think of something super fabulous to write on your note, I've listed 25 quotes below that you can use to help you out.

1.  Good luck, you will do great today.
2.  Have a great day!
3.  You're awesome
4.  Remember to smile.
5.  Enjoy your day.
6.  I am SO proud of you.
7.  Awesome + kid = Lucky Mom
8.  Walk with purpose.
9.   Stay Awesome
10. Do your very best.
11. You're great beyond measure.
12. Rock Star!
13. Be simply AMAZING today!
14.  You are loved.
15.  Dream big.
16.  Nothing beats failure like a try.
18.  Stay focused.
19.  You got this.
20.  One smart cookie.
21.  Believe that you can and you will.
22.  Apples make the brain grow smarter.
23.  You are EXCELLENT
24.  You're tha bomb dot com.
25.  I love you.

I also really love these Christian prayers for Back-to-School

Our linky party is still in full swing.  Head over and find more awesome Back-to-School ideas from our Party Gals and other bloggers!

Party Gals Linky Party No. 5

Welcome to the Party Gals Linky Party!  We're a group of  CREATIVE PARTY PLANNERS here to share with you our love of parties, entertaining, delicious recipes, DIY ideas and crafts!  Visit us every other Friday to see what's new in our party world and link up with us to share your own fabulous ideas!

Every other Friday, visit any of us on our blogs to check out a fun party inspired project, idea, recipe or craft. We'll share all our tips and inspiration with you and what's even better is, you get to share your creativity with us too!  Each post will have a linky party tool at the very end where you can link up with other awesome creatives!

To start things off, I'm sharing an ESSENTIAL printable pack for going Back-to-School that includes, labels and tags that you can personalize on your own, Back-to-School photo sign and Banner, Motivational Quote Art Print, School Money slips and Emergency Contact Cards, Lunch Notes and a monthly homework calendar!  Follow the link under my Pin-tastic photo to get your download and while you're at it be sure to hit the Pin It button to save for later and share with your other Pin-tastic friends!

Back-to-School Printable Pack

Visit me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook to see more of my own personal faves  - use the hashtag  #ThePartyGalsLinky

Here are more great ideas from the rest of the Party Gals:

Free Lunch Note Printable

Back to School Printable Notes

Super Hero Art Party

Rise and Shine Morning Checklist for Kids

Apple Bread Mason Jar Mix

A-Z Back to School List

"Thank you for partying with us! "

GRAB A PARTY GALS BUTTON  We'd love for you to also share that you're partying with us by linking to Party Gals Linky on your blog.  You can grab one of our buttons here:"

JOIN OUR LINKY PARTY!

We'd love for you to link up with us too!  Leave a link to a post with a creative idea, craft, diy, recipe or project you would like to share.  We'll select our favorites in a future post and on our Pinterest/Instagram pages! 

By participating in our linky party and leaving a link below, you give us permission to share your photo and idea on our blogs and social media pages with a link back to you (we promise).  Links to shops, contests, sweepstakes or giveaways will be removed from the party.  Please link to your own blogs and projects and be sure to leave a comment on your favorite projects!

An InLinkz Link-up