Funky folders freshen up school

It's back to school time.

I try to say that as often as I can to my little brother. There's no worse thought for a seventh grader. He's spent the summer dreading the end of August.

For me, the end of summer always presented a final burst of creativity before the melancholy of the school year set in.

There was such potential in the new folders and notebook covers of a new year. Lisa Frank unicorns and basketball superstars never really interested me, nor did puppies and horses. And though there are much more mod and stylish school supplies available now, none can present the truly unique you as well as decorating a blank canvas.

Plus, the money you save by buying four single-color folders for a quarter allows you to invest cash in other endeavors (like that adorable new pair of jeans you've been begging mom to buy for you).

Contact paper is key to this project. Not only does it preserve your art, but it also adds strength and longevity to your folder or notebook.

So, you've got your canvas: a plain folder or notebook. And you've got your top coat: clear contact paper. What goes in between is as varied as what you can find around your house. And, while the dark ages of my school years passed without Internet and printing programs, computers would be great help for finding and creating items to go on your school supplies.

My first few folders were mostly magazine clippings and stickers. Pieces of advertisements were great creative fodder. I soon expanded to more themed folders: bugs and reptiles for Biology, letters for Algebra, literary quotes for English. Then there came the more personal: movie tickets with my reviews written to the side, pictures of and quotes about my friends, a folder of memories about my first boyfriend (right down to rose petals and a letter he gave me).

I still have most of my folders from high school, and use them occasionally. My notes for this fall's graduate class on journalism theory will be securely encased in heartthrobs from the mid-1990s. I see now my tastes at the time were quite ridiculous. But I've come to terms with that and I'm glad I can look back and see how much I've grown.

That's the fun thing about folders that last so long: If you're secure in yourself, even the ridiculous things you put on a folder for last year's class will be something funny to talk about this year.

So don't go back to school this year with folders just like everyone else. Do something unique. Say something about yourself and your tastes (hopefully something good).

How to make it:

You will need: A two-pocket folder, clear contact paper, white craft glue, magazines, stickers, assorted clippings and keepsakes, scissors, markers

Directions: Cut pictures, words or letters out of magazines or collect keepsakes and other clippings to place on your folder. Decide how you'd like the material arranged on the folder. Sometimes it helps to open the folder so you can see both sides at once.

Don't forget you've got inside panels on the pockets to decorate, too. Once you've decided where everything will go, affix all your materials to the folder using craft glue. Now go in with the markers and draw or write whatever you'd like. If you plan to reuse the folders next semester -- and I hope you will-- remember not to write anything that is applicable to only one class. The contact paper will seal in the teacher's name and class period if you write it directly on the folder.

Once you've gotten everything stuck on, it's time to wrestle with the contact paper. The measurements of an average folder are 9.5 inches by 11.5 inches (pockets are typically 9.5 inches by 5 inches). In addition to these measurements, account for 1 inch of overlap on each side.

Contact paper can be tricky, so you might want to make a few practice runs before you move on to your masterpiece. I try to cover an entire folder at once. To do that, cut a piece that is 21 inches by 23 inches. Starting at one of the 23-inch ends, slowly lift a corner of the contact paper. (I find it's easier to start on the pockets and work my way around.) Separate the contact paper from its backing about 4-inches down, all the way across the 23-inch end. Leaving a 1-inch overhang at the top and on both sides, carefully smooth the contact paper over your folder pockets, making sure not to leave any bubbles. Once the contact paper is placed, it's stuck, so be extra careful where you put it on your folder.

To continue, slowly pull the backing off the contact paper a few inches at a time and smooth the contact paper over your folder.

When the entire sheet is on, fold the top overhang over to the inside of your folder and smooth into place. The last little tricky part is the overhang near the pockets. I simply trim the contact paper on the pocket side close to the edge of the pocket. Next, fold the overhang on the top of the pockets over and smooth it onto the inside of the pockets. Then, fold in the overhang on both sides and trim a slit in it right at the top of the pocket so your papers will fit.

And, voila, no one will ever pick up your folder by mistake again (though they may disappear because they're so interesting).

Vanessa Cook is a former copy editor for the Southeast Missourian who dabbles in decorating. If you have any tips, questions or column ideas, contact her at news@semissourian.com.