31 Cute Back to School Tutorials

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It’s August, which means two things.  Cooler temperatures coming and time for Back to School!

It’s strange for me to make a big deal about that since I’m been out of school forever and I don’t have kids of my own going either.  But I still get excited when I see sales on school supplies and find myself stocking up on notebooks and such, call them “office supplies”.  And these “office supplies” need a personal touch.

So let the school crafts begin.

Cute Back to School Tutorial Round Up

Pouches and Cases

Because you can’t have enough places to stash supplies.

• Diy Watermelon Zipper Pouch – You can also try making lemon or orange pouches.
• 3 Creative School DIYs: DIY Ice Cream & Piano Pencil Cases + DIY Animal Pencil Cases out of Socks – It’s a video with some cute ideas.
• Monster Pencil Case Back to School Craft for Kids – This one is easy for kids to make.
• Binder Pouch Tutorial – It’s a nice pouch, uses grommets and some vinyl.
• Three Ring Binder Pencil Case Sewing Tutorial – A zippered pouch with two sections.
• Pencil cases – These ones are very cute and use Velcro.
• Roll up Cord Holder – Good for chargers or ear buds.
• Upcycled Soda Box Pencil Cases – This one looks surprisingly cool.

Pencils and Pens

Cute ways to jot down everything from homework to shopping lists.

• Sparkler Pencils – Great for Summer too.
• Ribbon Wrapped Pens Tutorial – My own tutorial.
• Diy Neon Pens – Super easy and cool.
• Painted Back to School Pencils – A classic.
• Diy Confetti Pencils – This one’s my favorite. :)

Notebooks and Binders

Cute binders make organizing fun and notebook make great gifts!

• Notebook Folder Tutorial – It’s like a case for a notepad.
• Fabric Covered Books – A great alternative to store-bought book covers.
• Easy Heart Design Journal – This one is particularly cute and easy.
• Diy Notebooks – Decorate notebooks with pretty paper and labels.
• Diy Washi Tape Binder Covers – This one is brilliant!

Backpacks and Bags

Carry your books or lunch in cute style.

• DIY Easy Backpack from Scratch | DIY Rilakkuma Backpack – Who wouldn’t want a bear shaped back pack?
• Lunch Box Bag Tutorial – Has a more sophisticated look to it, but I would love to see it made from a kawaii print fabric.
• Diy Rainbow Watercolor Backpack – This looks so pretty and easy too.
• Notebook Lunch bag Tutorial – This one looks really cool.

Organization

Because back to school clutter happens.

• Free Printable Binder Clip Labels – Intended for the classroom, but it works at home too.
• Button Bookmarks – Made with paper clips, could use just as clips too.
• Mug Organizer – This one would make a nice teacher gift too.
• Rainbow Crayon Holder – Uses recycled cans and would be good to teach kids their colors.
• Diy Wood Caddy – Similar idea to the crayon holder.
• Organize Office Supplies in Style with a Plastic Parts Chest. – This one is my favorite.

School Supplies for Dolls and Toys

Because they are so darn cute!

• American Girl Doll Diy Mini Notebooks – Teeny little notebooks for your favorite doll.
• Miniature Kawaii Crayons (Actually Works) and Box –  A cute video, make this cute box of crayons or just watch.
• DIY - How to Make:  POKEMON - Doll Draw String Backpack – A simple drawstring backpack with a familiar face.

A few useful supplies:

• Coats & Clark All-Purpose Plastic Zipper
• FolkArt® Acrylic Colors 2 oz.
• Crate Paper Cute Girl Pack of 36 6''x6'' Paper Pad
• Norcom Spiral Notebook 5pk 70 pgs. 8.5" x 10"
• BIC® Xtra Life Ballpoint Pens 10ct
• #2 Wood Pencils 8 ct
• Universal® Mini Binder Clips 1/4" 12 pk

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Learned It In The Scouts

I had intended to post this Saturday, but the usual stuff got in the way, again.

While hunting for back-to-school deals last month, I managed to score a pack of mechanical pencils for 19 cents at Walgreen’s.  Although they are perfectly adequate as writing utensils, I find them to be an eyesore.  They came in several colors and most of which I can’t stand.  Of course the obvious solution is to decorate them.  But how?

Wrap them in yarn.  Actually I used crochet thread in pink and white instead of yarn.  I’m not sure what the name is for the technique I used for these pencils.  I learned it years ago in girl scouts, back then we used it on coat hangers.  Ah, those were the days.  I’ve also seen this done with hair and the occasional tree branch.  It kind of reminds me of friendship bracelets.  Friendship pencils?  Hmm.

Here’s the updated list:

• Hair elastics
• Acorn pins
• Tiny shoes
• Tiny purses
• Dress
• Pencils
• Cat toys
• Tiny dresses
• Cloth doll
• Tiny accessories
• Green dress

Two down, nine to go.  The next project should be done by either tomorrow or Wednesday.  I just need to double check on the size.

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Another Use for Pencils

I believe I have mentioned at least once my thing for rubber stamps, I collect them but I hardly ever use them.  I think the next step could possibly be to start making some of my own.

So when I came across this tutorial for making stamps with pencil erasers from Creature Comforts, I jumped on board.  Simple to do, plus I had plenty of pencils leftover from a Back to School sale at Wal-Mart years ago.  Just have to draw a shape on the eraser and carve it out with a craft knife.
I even actually tried them out on paper, just to test how well I carved them.  From the upper left is the star shape, heart, bubbles, and at the bottom is the basic triangle shape.  My favorite is the bubbles, they look so cute.  Also the hearts came out really well, I can’t say the same about the stars. 
Here’s the updated list:

• doll headbands
• halters
• camera
• stamps
• painting supplies
• knitting supplies
• video
• face magnets

Four down, four to go.  The next will be up in a couple of days, don’t miss it.

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