Going Back to School Organized and Bright!

This post brought to you by Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is almost time for the boys to go back to school. Many parents look forward to this time of year, but I just plain dread it! Our care-free, schedule-free lives are about to end and I miss my kids when they are at school. But there are a few nice things about school starting and so I will focus on those. One of the nice things is that it is a new year, a fresh start, and a time to get organized. And since school supplies are so inexpensive, it is nice to throw out old crayons, pencils, etc. and stock up with fresh new ones for homework projects or coloring pages at home.

 

 

The kids and I created these fun art cans to organize their art supplies. We will keep them in the office area in our new house (when our house is finally finished!) and they can just grab a can of whatever they need!

Creating these little art cans was super simple. If you would like to make some with your kids you will need:

Empty cans (we used 15 oz. cans)

AstroBrights papers

Tape, glue sticks

Art mediums such as: crayons, colored pencils, markers

Accessories: stickers, etc.

Scissors

 

First we peeled off the labels on the cans. If your cans have a sharp edge or areas that are sharp, just cover the edge with a piece of tape to smooth it out.

To figure out how much paper you'll need, use one of your AstroBrights papers, hold it up to your can, fold the bottom edge up and then cut it to fit the can. The kids used this first band of paper as a pattern for the other cans.

Then set the kids loose and let their creativity flow! When they have finished decorating their band, wrap the can and secure the over-lapping edges with a piece of tape. Fill with your art supplies and you are all set and one step further in being organized for this new school year!

Aaron drew on his as well as taped strips of paper on his can. Dallin chose to create a comic-looking can, and Kaylee glued  strips of paper and colored hers with markers. I love how unique they each turned out.

 

 

I love using AstroBright paper for projects like this. The colors are so vibrant {there are 23 to choose from!} and the papers are nice and sturdy. Sometimes card stock is just too thick, but copy paper is too flimsy. That is why I love using the AstroBrights papers. They are perfect for school or office and I like using them when creating a lesson for the children at church. Whether I am using them for the black board for a presentation, or copying a fun handout on them, they really make the project stand out.

AstroBrights papers "Give a Brighter Year" Back-to-School campaign has launched and will continue through September 10th on their new Facebook Page! Visitors who "LIKE" the page and submit a short online form will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes to win school supplies worth $30,000 for the elementary school of his or her choice.  Visitors can earn additional entries every week by revisiting the page and answering a few simple questions. 

In addition to the sweepstakes, they are running bi-weekly design challenges for all skill levels with a chance to win AstroBrights papers and other prizes. The bi-weekly challenges are simple and clear so anyone can enter!

Good luck and best wishes for the new school year!