Creative Calendars

Today we have two calendar projects to share with you. Jennifer Edwardson has created a fun, hanging countdown calendar, perfect for helping the kids count down the days until holidays, birthdays or big events. And Local Artista Allyson Meinholtz has created a calendar that also acts as a scrapbook, including a layout to go along with each month.

Countdown Calendar, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I had so much fun creating this and was starting to call it the neverending project as I kept adding pieces the longer it at on my desk. I saw a really cute Christmas Countdown Calendar online last year (Pinterest of course), but it was really small and just for the 25 days of Christmas.  

I wanted to create a piece that had my kids able to visually see the days leading up to many special times throughout the year. Their Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, summer vacation, etc, are all so exciting for kids and mine are always counting down to something on the calendar. I thought this was a fun piece to get them just a little more excited throughout the year.

I started with a canvas that is 8 x 10" and 1 1/2" deep with a recessed back. I covered it in the new Freestyle Sophisticates first and then added some designer tape to the edges. Once I decided on the size of my cards I was able to add the mini clothespins and wording using the High Five Alphas.

Each of the (10) cards are 4 x 6" and were created either with journal cards from the Cute Cuts or simply cut from patterned papers. I used more Cute Cuts, stickers, designer tape, alphas, buttons, chip shapes and flags to embellish each one specific to it's theme – LOVED making these special cards.

I adhered a piece of grey/white sohpisticates inside the back of the canvas and added a glassine bag to hold the cards that weren't being used.

Then I punched out (30) pieces of the brown/tan chevron paper (Daddy's Girl) and lightly sanded all the edges. I printed out the numbers onto white cardstock, punched them into circles and adhered them onto the patterned paper bases. 

I made a cute little envelope to keep them in and adhered it using velcro so that the kids can take it off to search for the number and then tuck it back in behind. Once it was finally complete, I showed it to the kids and they LOVED it. Can't wait to get it up on the wall as St. Patricks Day is just around the corner.

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Calendar, by Allyson Meinholtz.

Every Christmas I make my mom a calendar. I am a bit behind on finishing her calendar from this past Christmas, and am still working on it. It is mainly done, and I am just printing and adding the photos. Since my mom has 5 granddaughters, each of the girls get their own month (their birthday month). Although this year we have 2 June Bugs, so they have to share their page. It was a bit tricky and I’m still trying to come up with a plan!

Comments

[Beth E.]

Love the countdown calendar idea and the way it's stored! Finally, an out of the box idea I can follow through on!

[Mendi Yoshikawa]

I love your calendar ideas! Jennifer's idea with the title and numbers you can switch out is so fun--What a great way to use all your Bella Blvd. collections released over the years. ;)

[Ruth G]

Both ideas are wonderful! I love the countdown idea for the first one - so clever to include birthdays and summer vacation! I love the idea of making a photo calender to send to a far-away grandparent (we've got that in our family!) Thanks for sharing how you did these!

[Jessica Toulmin]

Love the countdown calendar with the changeable events. Wonderful idea which I think I might give a go!
Thanks for sharing both projects.

[Kathy Martin]

These projects are so detailed and adorable! :)

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Soooooooooo in love love love with these!!!!

[Tiffany Hood]

I think I really want Jennifer's calendar. Love it.

[gretchen]

these are brilliant girls!!