the hybrid chick

My eternal quest – to be more organized….here’s a tool that I hope will help me!

Supplies used:
Perpetual Calendar Templates by Jan Hosford

Limitless – Open Sky by The Digichick Designers  (or consider Limitless – the Collection to get Open Sky PLUS Daydreamer!)

Photoshop (Jan’s templates come with photoshop files)

Epson Premium Matte Paper

Boxboard or cardboard

Cutting tool of choice

Glue stick or your adhesive of choice

Binder Rings

Crop-a-Dile or heavy duty hole punch.  You can punch multiple layers with the Crop-a-Dile which makes this project go quickly.

OR – Bind-it-All or other binding tool.  (Santa forgot mine at the north pole this year….)

Ribbon – I used approximately 45″ (I prefer long ribbons!!)

Optional – stamping ink that coordinates with your cover paper and sponge for application

HOW TO:

1) Create a cover and calendar pages in Photoshop/Photoshop Elements with your background papers and decorative elements.  FOR THE COVER:  I simply printed out the designed paper onto 8.5″ x 11″ paper and created a title on one (keeping within 4.25″ so it wouldn’t get cut off later!).  FOR THE MONTHS:  Jan’s Perpetual Calendar template has all the necessary numbers/names and lines, you simply make the appropriate title and numbers visible for each month.

I was thrifty and chose to double side print, so each sheet of paper has a total of 4 months, front & back – only 3 printed sheets!  After much brain work, I figured out this formation to make sure that my months lined up correctly:

Sheet 1 front: January, March     Sheet 1 back  April, February

Sheet 2 front May, July     Sheet 2 back August, June

Sheet 3 front  September, November   Sheet 3 back December, October

(of course the other part of the brainwork is remembering how to insert the paper so you don’t print over top of your work).  Clear as mud?!

The easier way, of course, is to just do 2 months per sheet and not bother with double side printing….

2) Next, cut out the months.  I left a margin along the top of my pages to allow for binding.  Jan’s template does have a binding margin layer so you could work that into your print out if you prefer.  I liked having extra room at the top of my print outs.

3) Create the cover.   I used a piece of cardboard that comes in the back of paper packs…  I cut it to 4.25″ x 11″ (basically, in half lengthwise).  I also cut my cover print outs to 4.25″ x 11″.  I coated the cardboard with glue stick; you could use whatever adhesive of choice you have.

4) For the back cover, I enclosed the ribbon inside the paper – so I laid the ribbon down first.

5) I then laid my decorative paper over top.  I adhered another piece of paper on the other side of the cardboard and did the same for the front cover (but didn’t bother with the ribbon).

6) I like to ink the edges of my work to make it look more finished.  For the cover, it makes a big difference due to the layers.  In the above photo, the top cover edge is not inked, while the bottom layer edge is….just to illustrate my point.  I apply the ink with a sponge which makes coverage quick and easy.

7) Prepping for hole punching.  I used my Crop-a-Dile which can punch through multiple layers (I LOVE this tool!).  I lined up all my pages and covers.  Since my pages are smaller than the covers, I left a bit of a border at the top.

I punched the hole through all layers at once.  If you don’t have a Crop-a-Dile, you could use a regular hole punch, but you’ll have to do one layer at a time.  If you have a Bind-it-All, you could use that instead!

9)  I then clipped my binder rings through the holes.  Done!!

The finished calendar – closed

The finished calendar – open.  The ribbon can be tied to hold the covers in place so it becomes an easel for the pages.  You could also choose to hang the calendar on a wall instead.

I hope that you get the chance to create your own birthday calendar – if you do, be sure to post them in the Digichick Gallery so we can all admire it!

Other Articles by Linda (yamstamps):

• Votive Covers - July 5th, 2010
• Personalized Travel Mug - June 14th, 2010
• Travel Challenge - with a Give Away! - May 23rd, 2010
• Quick Hybrid Album - May 10th, 2010
• Quick and Easy Pinwheel! - April 12th, 2010