It was Boo’s first day of school in a brand new town. I can’t believe the summer is already over.
Boo: I will be happy if I make one friend.
And she did. First day was a big success.
We had a little bit of backpack drama before school started because there aren’t many options in Bryson City so we agreed that she would just use her backpack from last year. It’s actually going on a few years because it was a backpack we had purchased from a yard sale 2 years ago. Because she didn’t get a new backpack for the start of school I made this little zipper pull out of a “found object” charm I picked up at Michaels to add something “shiny and new” to it. This is a very easy and inexpensive project you can whip together before your little one goes to school too…or make one for your own bag:
The ones I got were:
Antique Silver Frame Pendant (Round)
Industrial Chic Photo Pendants (available in store)
The charms/pendants can be opened and shut to change out the contents:
To fill the charm I cut a small piece of paper and I wrote a quick little note on one side using a super skinny sketch pen (size .30):
Penmanship is not high priority when you are writing this small:
On the other side is a sticker:
I used a pair of jewelry pliers to open and close the ring to attach the pull to the backpack’s zipper:
It can be updated and changed out periodically to surprise her!
She’s growing up so fast!
Hope everyone has a great back to school!
A few things from Michaels:
Teachers – It’s time to start planning for the new school year and Michaels has all of the ideas and supplies you need to create a one-of-a-kind classroom, plus you get a 15 percent discount on all classroom purchases! In addition to the products available for teachers, parents and students can find organizational tools to keep on track throughout the year as well as project ideas to personalize school supplies. Check out Michaels’ Back to School Pinterest Board to find fun and creative project ideas to kick the year off right!
Disclaimer: I do receive occasional product from Michaels in exchange for crafty ideas. All ideas are my own.
We bought my girl a nice (but plain) backpack in Kindergarten. I blinged the front pocket the first year. Now we add those cheap iron on patches to it each year to give it some personality and make it feel fresh. She also has special zipper pulls (though they originally started as a way to visually help her remember which pocket had which item. Great job. Glad Boo enjoyed her school.
Hi Ashley,
Just wanted to let you know that we just featured your DIY backpack zipper pull on our Facebook page. I love reading your blog. You have an amazing way with words and it is one of my daily reads.
My company, iBbeautiful, is a monthly box of inspiration for teens + tweens and we would love to send one along to you and Boo. Please give me your mailing address and I’ll get a box in the mail to you.
Cindy Lupica
iBbeautiful
Oops, sorry for putting my note in the comment section, I thought I was posting privately to you. Feel free to send along your address privately to [email protected]
Growing up in the States I got a new backpack each school year. Naturally I assumed my children would as well, but now that I live in Europe, I’ve come to realize that it’s quite different here. Much less commercial. The school kids get a backpack when they start school ( in 1st Grade as Kindergarten is incorporated with preschool) and they use that same backpack every year until they leave the elementary school. Starting in fifth grade they begin jr/sr high and get a new backpack. It’s like a rite of passage. There’s also no pressure to get new clothes before school starts, although I always seem to still buy them or sew them a back to school outfit. Mind you, the backpack is quite different than a standard US backpack…..it’s more ” heavy duty” and ” built to last”. 😉 I have to say, it’s a good feeling not throwing a backpack away each year!
Beautiful comeback to Boo and to the American children. In France it will be in 15 days.
So cute! I hope Boo is having fun at the new school! Here in Spain we didn’t change our backpack unless it was completely destroyed. Or at least that’s what my mom did with ours. We got plain backpacks and then my friends and I paint and draw on them. Not sure now that there’s so many options and they want the newest singer or character of tv on it if they would want to wear it the next year. Also, I wanted to let you know I think the instagram button does not work.
Best of luck to Boo in her new class and school. My son also has a
Mrs Murphy this year! Our schools have a school uniform and bag to match which only gets replaced when totally worn out!
Cheers Bron
Ps- I sent an email from my son to Boo about his time visiting the
Anne Frank House.
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