Back To School Backpacks!

"Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel

And shining morning face,

creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school . . . "

As You Like It - Act II, Scene VII

-William Shakespeare-

Hello!  With the start of a new school year looming on the horizon I decided this week to make a couple of "back to school" backpacks - just large enough to hold a few essentials, and maybe a little treat or two! I live a few doors down from an elementary school and I am always curious as to what is being toted in the backpacks parading past since many seem to be almost as big as the scholars themselves!  Many of the backpacks appear more suited for adventurers embarking on a Mount Everest climbing expedition!  I certainly don't envy these intrepid scholars!!

Just a quick note regarding the basic tools and supplies I used to complete the two backpack projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming paper and cardstock - can also be used for scoring;
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring fold lines - to ensure crisp folds I also burnish all folded scored lines using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors are great for trimming off sections from the expansion pocket panels;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are a great help for picking up and placing small die cuts - the mini spatula is particularly handy when you need to "relocate" an item secured using one of the Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430)😏!; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  

Each backpack measures 6" tall x 4" wide x 2" deep, and has two magnetic closures - I used two 5/8" diameter magnetic discs (a "+" and a "-") for the main flap closure, and two 3/8" diameter magnetic discs (a "+" and a "-") for the pocket flap closure.  Apart from the magnetic discs that I purchased at my local scrapbooking shop, and a few buttons from my stash all supplies used to complete the backpacks are Stampin' Up! products.

For the main box/bag portion of the backpacks I cut two 8" x 6 1/2" pieces of cardstock - scored on the 8" sides at 2" (bottom flaps); and scored on the 6 1/2" sides at 4", 5" (down to 4 1/2"), and 6" (1/2" side tab is the glue tab).  Using a stylus and ruler I scored the diagonal lines from the bottom of the line scored at 4 1/2" on the 6 1/2" side out to the bottom corners of these side panels. I completed the assembly of the box/bag portion of the backpacks and then added the 5 7/8" x 3 7/8" cardstock matting panels, and 5 3/4" x 3 3/4" Designer Series Paper panels to the front panel before adding the main flap.

The final dimensions of the main flap are 4" x 4 5/8" - I started with a piece of cardstock 4" x approximately 5" and used the large curved die from the Around The Bend dies (item 160649) to cut the curved front edge of the flap.  After die cutting the curved edge I placed the cardstock panel on the scoreboard with the straight edge (back edge) of the panel flush with the left side of the scoreboard and scored at 1 1/2" and 2 1/4" - the 1 1/2" portion of the panel was glued to the outside back of the box/bag portion of the backpack with the scored line flush with the top back edge of the box/bag.  The line scored at 2 1/4" provides for a 3/4" wide top for the main flap - to this 3/4" wide panel I attached the carry handle.

Around The Bend dies - 160649

After adding the main flap I added the straps and carry handle,  For each strap I used an 8 1/2" x 1/2" strip of cardstock - scored on the 1/2" side three times at 1/8" intervals down the length, and on the 8 1/2" side scored at 3/4" from each end - these two scored lines are guidelines for gluing the straps to the back of the backpack.  Before gluing the straps and carry handles I used my Bone Folder to slightly curl the cardstock strips - this helps prevent creasing of the cardstock strips when they are being manipulated during the gluing on process.  I glued the straps 1/2" in from each side of the back of the backpack, and when gluing the strap ends to the back of the flap portion lined up the scored lines on the strap with the fold line on the top edge of the back of the flap. For the carry handle I used a 5 1/2" x 1/2" strip of cardstock - decorated either by adding scored lines down the length as I did with the strap strips or adding a 5 1/2" x 3/8" Designer Series Paper panel. I scored the decorated handle at 3/4" from each end on the 5 1/2" side.  When gluing on the handle I lined up these scored lines with the inner edge of the straps.  

For the expansion pocket I used a 6 1/2" x 3" piece of cardstock scored on the 6 1/2" side at 1/2", 1", 1 1/2", 5", 5 1/2", and 6" (mountain/valley/mountain folds on each end); and scored on the 3" side at 1/2" (bottom).  After trimming off the three 1/2" x 1/2" squares on each end of the bottom edge I compressed the mountain/valley/mountain folds on each side, and folded the bottom flap to the back and glued the bottom corers to the bottom corners of the compressed side edges.  

The finished dimensions of the pocket flap are 4" x 3 1/2" but I used an approximately 4 1/8" x 3 1/2" piece of cardstock as I again used the curved die from the Around The Bend dies to cut the flap's curved front edge.  After die cutting the curved edge I placed the flap panel on the scoreboard with the straight bottom edge of the flap panel flush with the left side of the scoreboard and scored at 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" (giving a 1/4" top for the pocket flap).  I glued the flap to the pocket by applying glue to the backs of the bottom and sides of the pocket.  After adding the cardstock matting panel, Designer Series Paper panel, magnetic discs, and flap decorations I glued the pocket to the front of the backpack with the bottom edge of the pocket approximately 1/2" up from the bottom edge of the backpack.

Additional supplies used to complete the first backpack:

• Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) for the box/bag portion, main flap, pocket, pocket flap, matting banner (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - item 159183) for the die cut pencil (cut using the Trusty Tools dies - item 162722);

Stylish Shapes dies - 159183

Trusty Tools dies - 162722

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the straps, handle, matting panels, main flap flag (cut using the Nested Essentials dies - item 161597 -  for extra support I cut two flags and glued them together), additional matting banner for the pencil (cut using the Delicate Forest dies - item 162679), long oval and small flags added over the straps on the back of the backpack (cut using the Changing Leaves dies - item 164138 - and Nested Essentials dies respectively), and matting circle for the books (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - for extra support I cut two circles and glued them together);

Nested Essentials dies - 161597

Delicate Forest dies - 162679

Changing Leaves dies (also includes the Hybrid Embossing Folder) - 164138

• for the die cut pencil:  Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511) - one complete pencil; Real Red cardstock (item 102482) for the shaft; Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793) for the eraser; Basic Black cardstock for the tip; and from a scrap of silver metallic cardstock the ferrule (I trimmed this from one complete die cut pencil on which I had scored additional vertical lines);
• Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp book image on watercolour paper.  I trimmed narrow strips of all-over sticky note paper to mask off the words on the spines of the books while I inked the book stamp from the Potions & Spells stamp set (item 164355).  The stamped image was die cut using the co-ordinating Potions & Spells dies (item 164141).  The Potions & Spells stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Potions & Spells Bundle (item 164357).  I used Real Red ink (item 147084), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) to colour the books;

Potions & Spells dies - 164141

(Bundle - 164357)

• two Mossy Meadow patterned papers from the Take To The Sky 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163436) for the DSP panels, and for the plane image circle die cut (circle cut using the Stylish Shapes dies).  For extra support for the DSP circle die cut I cut a backing circle out of Mossy Meadow cardstock; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the DSP circle (with Mossy Meadow cardstock backing circle) to the Basic Black cardstock flag.

I added two 1/2" diameter black buttons from my stash to the top of the backpack's main flap. 

Of course you need a Pretty In Pink backpack to hold all your pink essentials!  I have noticed that pink backpacks - with a lot of glittery accents - are very popular amongst the scholars at my local elementary school!💗

To complete this backpack I used the following additional supplies:

• Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793) for the box/bag portion, main flap, pocket and pocket flap, straps, handle, die cut circles (for each flap I cut two circles using the Stylish Shapes dies - item 159183 - gluing them together for extra support), and the flower's three petal layers (cut using the Simply Zinnia dies - item 163479);

Simply Zinnia dies - 163479

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the matting panels, matting banner cut using the Delicate Forest dies (item 162679) for the die cut pencil, and small flags and ovals added over straps on back of backpack (cut using, respectively, the Nested Essentials dies - item 161597 - and the Changing Leaves dies - item 164138);
• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924) for the two die cut double-leaves (cut using the Around The Bend dies - item 160649), and the die cut pencil's matting banner (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies); 
• for the die cut pencil:  Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511) for the pencil base (one complete pencil); Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199) for the shaft; Pretty In Pink cardstock for the eraser; Basic Black cardstock for the tip; and a scrap from the Gold 12" x 12" Foil Sheets (item 132622) for the ferrule (trimmed from a die cut partial pencil on which I scored additional vertical lines);
• Crushed Curry cardstock for the flower's large circle center - cut using the Beach Day dies (item 162799);

Beach Day dies - 162799

• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) for the flower's small circle center - cut using the Country Birdhouse dies (item 163400);

Country Birdhouse dies - 163400

• three Pretty In Pink patterns from the 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-2024-2026 In Colour (item 163777) for the matting panels, main flap panel (curved edge cut using the Around The Bend dies), handle strip, pocket flap die cut circle, and 4" x 3/4" strip on backpack's back panel;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) - one used to attach flower's large circle center; and
• Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) - before the completed flower (with leaves attached) was glued to the flap I added a few glittery splatters by whacking the Glitter Brush against my Bone Folder.  Since my Glitter Brush is almost depleted the splatters are a little subtle!

The 5/8" and 1/2" diameter "almost Pretty In Pink" buttons added to the top of the flap and to the back of the backpack are from my stash - sometimes you just get lucky with the colour matching!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on my "back to school" projects!  Although it has been a few years😏 since I personally had to worry about the start of a new school year, and autumn is definitely my favourite season, I still get that stab of anxiety as soon as Labour Day approaches!  Always a kid on the inside I guess!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the following supplies I used in my projects this week are not currently available but I have included the date Stampin' Up! expects each to again be available for ordering - hopefully some dates will be earlier than expected:

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - yikes! - week of September 9, 2024;
• Changing Leaves dies and Hybrid Embossing Folder (item 164138) - week of September 2, 2024; and
• Simply Zinnia dies (item 163479) - week of September 2, 2024.

Just a reminder that the Redemption Period for the annual Bonus Days ends on August 31 - coupons earned on orders placed during July are redeemable on orders placed during August - so why not combine a coupon (or two or more!) with the Designer Series Paper Sale that is also on now until August 31, 2024!  Until August 31 select Designer Series Papers from the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue - including the Take To The Sky Designer Series Paper - are on sale at 15% off!

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin' Up! products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business, and if you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com) - I would be very pleased to be your demonstrator!  The digital version of the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue is available for you to access at your convenience on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/).  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out all the products now available as Online Exclusives - including the Potions & Spells stamp set and co-ordinating dies!

Have fun creating!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

What to do when your favourite show is about to start but the TV remote is just out of reach . . .