Calendars

Hi again, after many moons I have finally got around to posting another blog.  I am hoping that 2013 will not see me as lazy as 2012.

I am in the process of making calendars as Christmas gifts so I thought I would share the technique with you. It is really easy and makes a good gift.  I did some last year and was given instructions that more were needed for this year.  My friends and family have hectic social lives, if it is not written on the calendar, they don’t go.

So here are the steps I take.

For really nice printed calendars I use http://www.timeanddate.com , their calendars are customizable, for countries, holidays, layout etc.  Follow the instructions to design a calendar that fits your needs.  When you have the calendar you need print off each month, it is also possible to save your preferences this saves having to re-designing the calendar again next year.

I use my Letack Craft cutter and the Perforating wheel so that each month can be torn off.  Measure from the top of the page to slightly above the header , in my case about 5cm (2”). Run the wheel across the same measurement on each page. Check you have all months in the correct sequence, carefully align the pages and staple them together.  Attach a strip on double sided tape to the front of your calendar taking care not to cover the perforations.  For mine I used tape that is about 4.5cm wide.  Put it aside.

Now the fun part begins.

Cut a piece of very stiff cardboard to the same width as your calendar paper. The length should be about the same measurement as your calendar from the perforation line to the foot of the page.

I use a Milo cereal box. Bonus is that I get to eat the cereal all in the name of crafting.  If you are one of the strange people who do not save old boxes (in case you need them one day), any sturdy, strong board or a canvas will do.

I gave the printed side of the cardboard 4 coats of Heritage craft acrylic paint.  It is better to do several thin layers of paint rather than 1 thick layer.  The card does not bend out of shape and the layers dry really quickly.  I start off with White, this means if I change my mind about the design I am not restricted to a particular colour.  This works well for me as I usually change my mind 14 times before I actually get cracking on a project.  If you are less indecisive, paint in the chosen colour from the start. Lighter colours need more paint layers than darker colours if you are using printed board.

Punch 2 holes at the top of the board this is where the “string” to hang the calendar will go.  It also shows you where NOT to decorate.  If you are planning a calendar with a magnetic strip there is no need to punch holes.  The strip can be adhered when you are done.  My holes are about 1cm from the top and about 2cm in from the sides.

Begin decorating your board.  I use string, ribbon, paper, rubber stamping foil, jewels, polymer clay, yarn, rubber stamping, alcohol inks, distress inks, crayons, gel pens, in fact, whatever takes my fancy.  I try not to make the board too heavy, a couple of mosaic tiles are fine but if you want to mosaic the entire board you would need to use a wooden base and then things get complicated and it would be very heavy to hang.  When you have finished embellishing, a matching piece of string, ribbon or raffia can be threaded through the holes as a hanger. Pull the protective strip off your double sided tape and attach the finished board.  I add another strip of clear tape to the back to give additional support to the two sections. Voila!! Your masterpiece is done and ready to be gifted (or kept)

I made this one a couple of years ago. I used a canvas and painted a background.  I then adhered polymer clay, charms, ribbon, and mirrors.  I rolled the clay fairly thin and embossed it with a rubber stamp before baking. This is a great alternative to mosaic tiles as they weigh almost nothing.

This is the board I made for myself for 2012. I covered it is scraps of paper and “gold” foil from a sweet wrapper.   I then rubber stamped images onto the paper and adhered cut outs, flowers, yarn, and gems. All the embellishments came from Joan at http://www.country-crafts.co.za/ . She has an amazing shop and is extremely helpful.  She also runs a mail order system for people who are not fortunate enough to live close by.

I am currently busy with a calendar for my daughter.  I painted it, attached string , cut out leaves, gems, and polymer clay ladybugs.  (Clay & lady bug mould also from Joan).

  

I hope you can understand these basic instructions, this is my first tut ever.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I will try and help.

Lucia