Apple-Stamped Notebooks for School

Back to school is quickly approaching and the stores are filled with all kinds of back to school supplies. My kids and I found some cheap notebooks in the school section and decided to make them a little more back-to-school friendly by stamping some apples on them. These notebooks are probably best to keep at home to practice letters and writing and so on. They may not hold up as well being transported in a backpack all the time.

What You’ll Need (to make 2 notebooks):

• 2 notebooks
• 2 pieces of heavy-duty cardstock
• scissors (please supervise children if allowing them to cut)
• glue
• craft paint (red, yellow, green and brown)
• small paint brush
• 4 paper plates
• 2 apples, sliced in halves (I like to scoop a small piece out of the middle to leave an opening in the apple stamp)

How To Make It

1. Line your cardstock up to your notebook and cut the cardstock with your scissors so it’s the same size as your notebook.

2. Pour some paint on your paper plates—red on one plate, yellow on another plate and green on another plate. Save your fourth paper plate for later.

3. Place your apple half in the paint and swirl it around so it’s nicely covered with paint.

4. Stamp your apple onto your cut piece of cardstock. Press down firmly, making sure the entire apple surface touches the paper. Remove the apple and make sure you got a nice print. If not, add more paint to the apple and press again in the exact same spot.

5. Repeat this process using all three colours.

6. On your fourth paper plate, pour out a little bit of brown and green paint.

7. Take a small paint brush and dip it in the brown paint. Add apple seeds to the middle of each apple and a stem to the top. Wash your brush and then dip it in the green paint. Add some leaves to the stems of some of the apples.

8. Allow your paintings to dry completely.

9. Once dry, squeeze some glue onto the front surface of your notebook. Press your apple-stamped painting to the cover. Allow glue to dry. I like to place a heavy object on top to make sure it glues flat.

10. Marvel at your amazing new notebook for back-to-school!

This fun craft will not only help get your kids get excited for back-to-school, but it will give them a gorgeous notebook to practice their school work in at home.  A win-win!