Petaloo Goes Back to School: A Trio of Graphic 45 ABC Primer Projects
Hello, Friends! Here we are at the tail end of August! I think we all deserve a pat on the back for making it through this long, hot month. My Facebook feed is filled with photos of cutie patootie kids headed back to school, and that inspired me to create this trio of G45 ABC Primer goodies for the Petaloo Goes Back to School event that’s been going on all month on the Petaloo blog.
Petaloo Goes Back to School YouTube Video
Because a picture’s worth a thousand words, I’ve prepared this short YouTube Video tour of the project. But don’t worry; I have still photos below. Hope you enjoy!
Petaloo Goes Back to School Project #1: Upcycled Message Board
While out junkin’ with my honey one Saturday, I found a plug ugly, electric blue message board. Because it was toward the end of the day, and because no one had purchased this ugly duckling, I was able to snag it for a very good price. My husband is so used to my eccentricities at this point that he didn’t even ask me what I was going to do with the monstrosity. After painting it with black chalkboard paint, I dressed it up in ABC Primer papers, pretty ribbons and some gorgeous Petaloo goodies. Now this is a message board that anyone would be proud to display!
Although this message board had a cork layer on top, it was very thin, and the little tacks didn’t stay in place very well. I solved this problem by adding a second layer of cork. Then I painted the wood squares black and decorated them with fussy cut elements and chipboard from the ABC Primer Collection. Black gingham ribbon and a chipboard clock took this message board from frumpy to fabulous.
Dress your message board in its back to school best by adding Petaloo Blackberry Picks, Vintage Velvet Hydrangeas and butterflies to the corners. Here’s a fun tip: curl the end of the berry stems around a craft pick for a custom look.
Anchor the design with a floral cluster that’s pretty as a school picture! I’ve topped a red plaid bow with this bodacious Chantilly Mixed Bloom and more sweet blackberry picks.
Petaloo Goes Back to School Project #2: ABC Primer Mini Album
Capture all the memories of a great school year in this handy little mini album. Chantilly Mixed Blooms are just the right shade of red, and look great when paired with black gingham ribbon. I’ve used a Black Staples Alphabet Banner Tag as the background for my collage pieces. It’s such a time saver, and goes beautifully with the theme.
Create custom embellishments by gluing wooden buttons onto paper clips. To do this, first punch out a 1/2″ circle. Add a dot of hot glue to the center and place behind the paper clip. Place hot glue on the back of an apple shaped button. Glue to the prepared 1/2″ circle. Quick and easy, and oh, so cute!
Lots of great little tags, a waterfall folio, and plenty of places for photos are tucked inside this darling album.
Petaloo Goes Back to School Project #3: ABC Primer Easel Card
The final member of this Back to School trio is a cute ABC Primer easel card. Chantilly Velvet Hydrangeas and Mixed Blossoms really make the design pop!
I love easel cards because they fold down for mailing, but pop up for display.
I’ve created a darling mini envelope inside the card.
Well, I think I am ready to go back to school with Petaloo. How about you? If you have any questions or comments about any of these projects, please share in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
Back to School With Petaloo Supply List and Links (where possible)
- Petaloo Chantilly-Mixed Blooms x 6 Red/Burg. SKU: 1279-192
- Chantilly-Velvet Hydrangeas Red SKU: 1272-192
- Mini Butterflies x 8 Teastained Red SKU: 1486-101
- Botanica Flowering PIck x2 Black Berry
- Graphic 45 ABC Primer Deluxe Collector’s Edition
- Graphic 45 Staples Alphabet Banners, Black
- ATC Alphabet Banner, Black, Graphic 45 Staples
- Black Chalkboard Paint
- Black Gingham Ribbon, micro
- Plaid Ribbon, Black
- Bold Check Red Plaid Ribbon
- Novelty Buttons from my stash
- Black Cardstock
- Pencil, paper clips,

This is just too adorable!! Love it!!
Thanks, Ginger! I think we both love this collection a lot! You made my day!
OMG, everything about this set is absolutely gorgeous!!! Wow!!! I’m just…..WOW!!!
Hugs,
Kris
Hi Kathy, this is gorgeous,you do such amazing work. i love the music, the second song, reminded me of “The INN of Six Happiness’ movie that the children sang. I can see all these displayed in a child’s room and filled with memories. Gosh! I wish we lived closer to work with you, and shop too. …Have a good day.
Absolutely fantastic. You are SO talented. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you so much, Carolyn! Your sweet comment certainly started my week off with a smile!
Amazing as always, left my comment on Facebook first, thanks for all your inspiration.
Absolutely darling!! Do you have a tutorial of the mini album? I love it!!!
Hi, Marilyn! So glad you were inspired by this little album. I did not work up a tutorial for this particular design. I just did a major tutorial for my Sunflower Mini Album, and it is somewhat similar. If you check my Kathy by Design YouTube channel, you can find it there. Also, if you click on the tutorials tab, you’ll find a LOT of different tutes for minis in my archives. I wish I had time to do a tutorial for every project, but they are so time consuming to create that it just isn’t possible. Thanks so much for the lovely comment! xo
OMG…I love this!!! You are amazing!!! Do you ever sleep?