If
you're a parent, then you know how many papers, projects, and arts and
crafts the kids bring home from school, church, etc. How many do you
save? Where do you save them? How long do you hang them up on
display? Do you finally, gasp, throw something away? It's a
conundrum for sure.
One
method I've employed over the years with their school work is the
“good work” folders. They choose what goes in it. This way I've
managed to condense a year of school into one manilla folder. They
are treasures for sure.
The
art though? I've saved most of it...just couldn't bear to part with
it. Yes, serious pack-rat here. Sentimental pack-rat, which is the
highest level of pack-ratness one can achieve, and you know I'm an
over-achiever.
Every
once in a while though, a treasure comes along which is so special
that I'll never part with it.
The
assignment was “Memory Jars” and the students were to bring in
special things, from their earlier childhood, to create their
masterpieces. This canning jar is so YellowBoy. On his jar
of memories are nerf darts, lego pieces, a carabiner (his Amazing
Aunt Risky taught him rock climbing – this isn't his real one, it's
from a water bottle), lincoln logs, k'nex, the special Volvo keychain
his Morfar (mother's father) gave him, and the last of the hot wheel
cars he saved as his special ones when we gave away the collection
during the kid-to-teen transition of his room.
His
jar wouldn't be complete without one item he uses for many
applications. Look at the top
That's
a mostly used up duct tape roll around the rim of the jar.
Now
that's totally YellowBoy.
What
do you do with your kids art, papers, work, etc? Have any favorites
to share?
~
Tina
10 comments:
No kids, but for me personally, save for a while and then toss. Except drawings. Let me toss those.
Happy to say that has eliminated any bad homemade Christmas ornaments from plaguing my tree...
That is a problem. I keep most standing around for awhile - the bigger the project or more important, the longer it stays. But in the end, I get rid of most things. The really special ones, I'll treasure most of my life :)
i would so keep that...how cool....we keep some but cant keep them all but this is so cool...
I was in the doghouse a few months ago because #2 son retrieved a piece of his art that I'd put in the recycling :-( Oops!
No kids = No art. My mom didn't save hardly anything of mine.
Hi Tina,
Ah yes, that's wonderful seeing those memory jars.
I treasure all of my son's artwork and other special childhood memories that relate to him. His very first ever painting is framed and has pride of place in my bedroom.
You take care and keep smiling, my friend.
Gary :)
That memory jar is priceless. I'd keep it in a prominent place on my desk forever. I'm a reeeeally bad person to ask about how long to keep your kids' stuff. We're expecting our thirteenth grandchild this year, so our kids aren't exactly "kids", but I still have folders full of artwork they did when they were in elementary school.
Super Awesome!!!
Hi Tina .. no kids - but I've always been ruthless with my things .. one or two I regret - but usually na - they've gone.
I have papers to go through now my mother's died - but I think I'll be just as ruthless ... the blog has many memories, the tributes I wrote have others - so I've probably been quite efficient ...
Now kidlies - actually I keep letters they've written to me, or photos they've sent etc ... so if I can keep them til 18 or 21 then I can wrap them up for their memory bank.
Clever idea with the manilla folder for each year - and they select ..
Very clever idea ... cheers Hilary
I'm a huge fan of the Artkive App. It lets me get rid of all the papers but keep high quality images, file them, share with friends, and later print in a bound book. It's freeing! http://www.artkiveapp.com/
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