Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The 2015 Calendar

Once again it's that time of year when people start emailing me about "The Calendar".  For those of you who might be new to the blog, the original calendar was made back in 2009 (I think) by Deb and myself when we worked for another company.  It was used as a make and take at CHA - then each year Deb would update the calendar and one of us would do an tutorial here on the blog.  Even though Deb does not blog anymore, she still updates the calendar each year and sends it too me to post.  Thank you Deb! The links to the 2015 calendar can be found at the bottom of the post along with links to each of the past tutorials.

This year I decided to use a piece of thin wood I picked up at Michaels.  The size is 6 5/8 x 4 5/8".  I believe it was about $1.99.   I also chose of piece of paper from the Collage Mini Stash to cover the front of the board.
 
I adhered the paper with Multi Medium, sanded the edges with the Sanding Grip and then inked with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.
I decided to use a Ring Binder to hold the calendar pages.  I colored the silver metal with gold Mixative Alcohol Ink (rememeber to shake it before use).
After the gold was dry I pounced a little Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the surface to give it more depth and a little more shine.
I needed holes to attach the Ring Binder so I used an awl (or maybe it's an ice pick) that I picked up in a junk store.  I had been looking for one every time I was out and I found the perfect one in Prescott on a trip there last year.  Anyway, I used the awl and the hammer to easily punch a hole through the thin wood and paper.
 Turn the Ring Binder over and add two thicknesses of Ranger Adhesive Foam to the bottom channel.
Add the Ring Binder to the surface.
The foam tape will secure it to the board but you can't just have holes on each end.
I cut piece of ribbon and a small piece of wire, which I folded in half to make a needle.
The wire works perfectly to pull the ribbon through the small hole in the wood.
I tied a knot and trimmed the ends.
Just a note here - the calendar pages will hang here, but they will not flip all the way around since the Ring Binder is mounted on one side of the board.
Because the calendar pages are small, they have to be mounted onto another piece of paper.  I decided to do something different and mount them on plastic.  I am using binding covers that I had on hand.  I purchased these at Office Depot.
 I cut each sheet into 4 pieces - 4 1/4 x 5 1/2".
I punched each page with the Binder Punch which is made to match the Ring Binder. 
I found you could easily punch 3 sheets at a time.
I printed my calendar onto manila colored cardstock but you can choose whatever color suits you.   I cut out each month and inked the edges with Frayed Burlap.
 I also added Remnant Rubs from the Life Quotes pack to each page.
 Then used the Tiny Attacher to add the months to the plastic.
Once you have the first one in the correct position, you can use it as a guide for the other months.  Just lay the new plastic over the first and line up the calendar.  Easy.
Some of the months that are shorter (like February) so there was plenty of room to add larger rubs.  I think I'm going to go back and color in special days with Distress Markers too.
 I decided to add a large Remnant Rub to the Ring Binder.
 Now just add the pages.
I am using a small easel I picked up at Joanns for $2.99 as a stand.  Works great.


Calendar tutorials from previous years

2015 calendar pages can be found by clicking on the links below.  
Each page has 4 months and should be printed on 8 1/2 x 11" cardstock.

I'm off to Texas today to teach at The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie.  I hear there are some new shops in Waxahachie (you know I'm not going to miss Dove's nest!)  You can follow me to Texas via Facebook and Instagram - Just click on the links on the sidebar to find me.

now carry on,
paula



30 comments:

  1. Love your calendar Paula! Thanks for sharing another awesome crafty idea! Have a safe trip.

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  2. Fabulous Calendar!!! Pinning this :) Save travels

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  3. Great calendar and a fab tutorial! I shall follow Nicole's example and pin for future reference... Thanks to both you and Deb! Have a great time in Texas! Here's hoping the Calendar will print on A4 (the paper size us Europeans use), - I expect it will.....

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  4. I've had the originial calendar on my work table and am always so glad to see they pages for the new year. I do think it's time to upgrace the calendar holder, and this one is very nice. Thank you for continuing the calendar tradition, and for all the inspiration throughout the year.

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  5. great calender! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Great idea for Christmas gifts thanks for sharing have an awesome trip take card

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  7. Love it!! Thanks for the calendar download!!

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  8. I love seeing how you "do" your calendar every year!

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  9. Thank you - Thank yo - Thank you - I look forward to this post every year - love it!

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  10. Thank you so much for this year's calendar - I love it and I love what you made with it this year!!! I can't wait to get started and these will make nice gifts for friends!

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  11. I think we all look forward to "The Calendar" project every year. I know I do. Thanks Paula and Deb

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  12. Thanks Paula and Deb for always coming through with these fun and just right calendars. I"m going to get a head start and not wait until January!

    Deb, I think you live very close to my daughter in Gilbert and I always think of you when I visit her. Again, thanks for these new pages.

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  13. PS: I forgot to say I love your salt shakers with the buttons!

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  14. Thank you & Deb for the calendar pages again! Love all your tutorials!! It is always a "Lucky Day"when you land in my inbox!

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  15. What a lovely calendar for 2015, Paula! I can barely look past the end of October, let alone look into the future into 2015 ;) :) and here you are with your wonderful yearly calendar tutorial to motivate and inspire us :) You are AWESOME!! XOXO-Shari T.

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  16. Thanks for another great calendar! Have fun on your trip!

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  17. Thanks so much Deb & Paula! you two RAWK!

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  18. Now THAT"S a cool calendar!!! TFS!! :D

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  19. Thank you so much for the tutorial and thank you too Deb for the updated calendar pages, these will make great Christmas gifts for crafty friends. x

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  20. Great calendar and tutorial, perfect for gift giving! Thanks Deb & Paula!

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  21. Love the calendar and I love your Halloween creations, Paula... thank you for the inspiration and great ideas you share with us...you are the best...
    Best wishes

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  22. Beautiful and clever idea!!! Inspirational as always! Barbarayaya

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  23. Thanks for sharing "The Calendar" with us. ;) I love what you've done with yours and you've inspired me to make one myself. :)

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  24. Thanks so much for posting the 2015 calendar. I made several of the dragonfly for gifts. I'll be making a few of these as well. On another note … I still have my artful village up. I just couldn't put it away this year :-).

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  25. What a clever idea for a calendar. Thanks for sharing Paula. Jenny x

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  26. Wow! I accidentally came across this on Pinterest and am so glad I did! It's lovely! So nice of her to update the calendar each year and for you to share with all of us for our crafting. Thank you. I am making calendars for gifts this year. Again, thank you :)

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  27. Thank you! It's so nice to be able to continue this fun tradition!!

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