For this New Year I really wanted to create my own calendar. For some reason, I have never been able to find the perfect calendar to sit on top of my desk. Plus, I really wanted my calendar to match the rest of my decor. In this tutorial, I will show you how to make your own stylish calendar that you can customize by giving it your own personality and style!
For this project, you will need some cardstock, double-sided adhesive, metal binder rings, and a thick piece of chipboard. Then, you will choose your favorite papers from The Digichick and a calendar template. I used papers from the Golden Harvest Collaboration Kit by Mari Koegelenberg and Danielle Engebretson and the 2011 CD Calendar Template by Mari Koegelenberg.
Step 1. Using the calendar template, prepare each month to measure 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches. Six months will fit onto one letter size cardstock, so you will end up with the entire year on two sheets of cardstock. (Note that I printed out the names of the months above the calendar template. This was just to help me keep track of which month goes with which template…but more on that later.)
Step 2. Cut out each month using your scissors or an X-acto knife. I prefer the ruler and X-acto knife because it helps me keep a straight cut.
Step 3. I used my Cuttlebug and the Calendar Basics die cut from Papertrey Ink to form the 12 pages of my calendar. As an alternative to using this die cut, you can simply cut out your cardstock to any size you prefer. For your reference, my pages measure 5.5 inches by 4.5 inches.
Step 4. To save paper, I printed out several rows of my favorite patterned papers from the kit. Then, I cut each paper at 5.5 inches wide by 1.5 inches tall. For a fun detail, I used my scalloped border punch by Fiskars on one edge of my paper.
Step 5. Let the fun begin! Adhere your prepared strip of patterned paper to the top edge of the page. Decorate your page with fun stamps or images from your digital kit. Insert your calendar into the slots provided from the die cut. If you are not using this die cut, you can use your X-acto knife to slit knotches where the corners of the calendar can be inserted. Remember, I mentioned the names of the months that I mentioned before? Here is where you can stamp the names directly onto the calendar template (or before printing the calendar, you can use font or fun alpha from your kit).
Step 6. Now, we are going to prepare the front and back covers of our calendar! Measure and cut out one piece of chipboard or really thick cardstock to the same size as your pages (5.5 inches by 4.5 inches). This will be your front cover.
Step 7. To make the back cover, you will need a longer piece of chipboard. That’s because this piece will be the base of the calendar to hold it in an upright position. To do this, measure and cut out the chipboard to 5.5 inches by 11 inches. Then, score the chipboard at 4.5 inches and another score at 6.5 inches. Then, flip your chipboard upside down and score again on the back side at 5.5 inches (or just in between the score lines you created on the front side). It should end up looking like the letter “W”.
Step 8. Use a hole punch to create 3 holes in all the pages and chipboard. Use your metal binder rings to adhere all the pages and covers together.
Step 9. Decorate the front cover. Place on your desk. Enjoy! Now you have a fun, personal, calendar to keep you on track for the year!
The photo above is a sample of one of the completed pages. Below is a photo from the side view to show the free standing base.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have fun creating your own calendar!
Other Articles by aidenmak:
- Shabby Sweet Mini Houses - March 2nd, 2011
- Valentine's Day Candy Boxes - February 7th, 2011
- Holiday Gift Card Tags - November 22nd, 2010
- Recipe Box - October 18th, 2010
- Halloween Treat Bags - September 20th, 2010
oh my goodness!!! I seriously just got home from Office Max trying to find a tiny calendar that I could cut up into months to make some Christmas gifts for co-workers, I came home empty handed only to find your email containing a calendar template…..eeek, I am so excited! Carried away I know, THANK YOU!
I bought some 5×7 acrylic frames, they have them at Target. Instead using it as a frame (heaven forbid) I am placing the frame back down on the table so the folded piece it usually stands on is at the top while sitting on the table. The frame will be at a slant so the lower part is at the bottom or slanted toward your hand. I have 5×7 background papers that the monthly calendar will go on and you can put a 3×3″ pad of post-it notes on top of the acrylic just under the calendar. The calendar will be inside the acrylic frame. I plan to make a pocket on the back of the frame to hold the unused months. I think that probably sounds very confusing but it’s clear in my mind, I will post a picture when I’m finished with one. I only have 19 to make…tonight, what was I thinking.
After all that, thanks again and have a very Merry Christmas,
Jodi
Jodi, would love to see that photo if you have a moment. My friends and I are making calendars for a big Valentine’s Day celebration we host every year–this is perfect!
I love the calander and want to know where can I buy the die from? I live in Australia
can you please give me details on how to buy this die? thanks :0)