Make portfolio to store kids' art

"What can I do with the overwhelming avalanche of artwork the kids have brought home from school?" many of you ask now that the school year is over. Here are three easy solutions, once you sort, toss and save.

1. Store "keepers" in snazzy portfolios that can be placed flat under beds or upright behind a dresser or bookshelf. To make them yourself, find a sturdy, corrugated, square cardboard box approximately 20 inches by 20 inches. Cut off the top and bottom. Flatten the box along two of the side folds. Cut the flattened box in half vertically using the other two side folds as a guide. You will now have two portfolios. Your child can paint the cardboard with poster paint or cover it with colorful self-adhesive paper or wallpaper. On the inside, tape a large mailing envelope to store small drawings. For larger paintings, tape a 6-inch-by-20-inch strip of poster board on three sides near the center fold to create a pocket. Poke holes through the portfolio to attach a ribbon for closing. Decorate the outside with a favorite painting or your child's picture.

2. Make a pile of large, colorful paintings for one-of-a-kind gift wrap to use for birthday parties this summer. These splashes of colorful art are also ideal to use as protective book covers for frequently used family books, such as your phone directory, atlas, dictionary and cookbooks.

3. Paintings you are considering tossing might be ideal for summer rainy-day art projects when the kids are looking for something to do. Set out cookie cutters, rulers, mugs and other household objects that make nice patterns for shapes. Trace shapes on a drawing with a pencil, then cut them out to use as bookmarks, note cards and holiday ornaments. Add buttons, sequins and glitter, if you wish. Leftover bits and pieces of paper can be glued in interesting ways onto a sheet of construction paper for a collage. Hang it on the wall or laminate it for a place mat.

Write Donna with your questions and ideas at www.donnasday.com. Donna's newly released book, "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families," is now available in bookstores nationwide. ? Donna Erickson Dist. by King Features Syndicate

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