Back-to-school-season is in full swing, and while some kids may not be excited about this, many avid scrapbookers have been looking forward to this time of year due to the plethora of photo opportunities that comes with it and can’t wait to get back to their craft room! But with all those photos, have you ever found that you accumulated so many that you simply couldn’t fit them all onto one page? With the Essentials collection and Peekaboo Pockets™, you can give these projects the feeling of possibilities and excitement – check out the beautiful two-page school scrapbook layout that was created by blog contributor Karen!
Blog Contributor Karen’s Inspiration:
In Georgia, we went back to school on August 6, so the Essentials collection was released just in time for back-to-school pictures! My daughter couldn’t wait to be a kindergartner and ride the bus! Thankfully, she loves riding the bus and going to school… and I love the primary colors and the foil accents in this collection for her back-to-school photos!
To create this page, you will need:
- Essentials Accent Paper Pack
- Essentials Tone-on-Tone Paper Pack
- Back to School Essentials Stickers
- Black Sans Serif ABC/123 Stickers
- White 12×12 Pages or 12×12 Pocket Pages
- 12-inch Straight Trimmer
- Peekaboo Pockets™
- Tape Runner and Repositionable Tape Runner Refill
- Foam Squares
- Black Dual-Tip Pen
Step 1: Use the blue polka dot patterned paper and the multi-color squiggled patterned paper as the bases for this two-page layout.
Step 2: Use the 12-inch Straight Trimmer to cut two strips of green patterned paper to measure 1-1/4″ x 12″. Adhere these pieces to the outer edges of each page. Then, add the bus border stickers to the green strips. Tip: I always cut out a sticker and place it on the layout prior to taking off the backing. I like to make sure it works on the page. Since I started doing this, I have saved stickers, layouts and time.
Step 3: For the photo mats, cut two pieces of striped foil paper to measure 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″. Then, use the reverse side and cut two pieces of red patterned paper to measure 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Lastly, cut two pieces of yellow patterned paper to measure 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″.
Step 4: Adhere the photos to the mats and then to the layout as shown.
Step 5: Select your desired Back to School Essentials Stickers and add them to your two-page layout. Adhere some stickers using Foam Squares for added dimension.
Step 6: Adhere ABC/123 Stickers for the date and journal as desired. Make sure to add a little arrow for the Peekaboo Pocket™!
Step 7: Add your pages to 12×12 White Refill Pages and insert a Page Protector over both pages or use 12×12 Pocket Pages. Then, adhere a Peekaboo Pocket™ to the bottom left picture on the outside of the Page Protector. Insert pages into your album and share with others!

No matter what grade your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews are going into this autumn, celebrate that first day of school in style with the Essentials collection. It’s the best way to show off your star student! What are your favorite traditions for the first day of school? Comment below!
Great use of paper and tips for stickers! Love this collection!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Back to school pages were always some of my favorite creations and these are my favorite colors to create them with! My kids are grown now. Grandchildren are coming!!
Love the simplicity of your layout. The focus is on the adorable pictures. It’s great that you were able to include six pictures in this layout.
Love the simple designs where it is more about the pictures and the event.