Twelve Days of Handcraft Christmas-Day 3 Calendars!

Welcome to Day 3!! Are you enjoying the tutorials as much as we have enjoyed bringing them to you?

Today we will be sharing a very easy way to remember important dates throughout the year with a fabulous download. Yes an Adobe pdf from Melissa. You can print and customize it to suit your needs too.

Calendars have always been one of my favorite items to make and give for gifts. I create them in different formats such as CD calendars in digital style or even as a simple stamping set. They are very versatile.

We have another inspiring calendar that can be displayed on a desk or a wall. Either way is sure to make the recipient smile. Don’t forget these calendars will make a perfect gift for teachers. You can make both of them in less than 1 hour! So get a jump start on your holiday gift giving here with us!

First let me tell you about today’s prize though. It's a great one.

We welcome our very generous sponsor:



Let’s get to know our sponsor better!

I had the pleasure of meeting Diane last year with her lovely 2 daughters. Diane told me she received her degree in Graphic Design at age 45 hence the moniker Graphic 45. As you know they are one of the hottest manufacturers out there and they are always pushing the envelope.

I want to thank Candy, Diane and Amy for their generous support. Now don’t take our word for it! Try it for yourself. A lucky winner will win a package from Graphic 45!



Things to remember:
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Now on to our designer samples:



Hi Everyone! Melissa Samuels from The Art of Scrapbooking here. I have a great calendar tutorial for you today and just in time for holiday gift giving. It's so easy to make and looks so very elegant. Who wouldn't love to receive a handmade gift they could use all year long?!
Let's get started!



Supplies:
1. Tim Holtz 6"x 12" Grunge paper
2. 7 Sheets of 5 1/2" x 11" Cardstock
3. Corner Rounder
4. Bone Folder
5. Bookbinder's Thread & Needle
6. 5 Extra Large Eyelets
7. Eyelet Setter (Big Bite)
8. 1 yard Ribbon
9. Bookplate

How To:

• Print out the calendar template I created on 5 1/2" x 11" cardstock (click here for the template), and round all corners of the paper and grunge paper.
  

• Fold all pages including grunge paper in half and crease with a bone folder.
  
  

• Stack all pages in order and make a mark on the fold at 1/2," 2 3/4", and 5." Using the Big Bite, punch a small hole through all pages. (Tip: If you have a problem holding the pages together to punch them, clip them with a bulldog clip.)
  

• Place the inner pages inside of the grunge paper cover and center vertically. Make a mark through the punched holes as a guide to where to punch the holes for the cover. Punch cover and set with extra large eyelets.
  

• Sew the pages into the cover with bookbinder's thread, pulling tightly.
  

• Add ribbon all the way around the book for a closure.
  

• Secure the ribbon to the cover with eyelets.
  

• Add a bookplate to the front, and you're done!
  

ETA: for the line running solution.

When using Microsoft Word (may vary slightly by printer type)
1. Click on "File"
2. Click on "Print"
3. Click on "Properties"
4. Select the "Page Setup" tab
5. Click on "Page Size" then "Custom"
6. Set "Width" to 5 1/2" and "Height" to 11"
7. Change "Orientation" to LANDSCAPE
8. Click "OK"
Try that and let us know if you are still experiencing issues.

Voila you are done!

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and now for another calendar idea:

Desktop or wall Calendar 2011

Hello, I’m Maggie with you today to share a desktop or wall calendar using the amazing papers from Graphic 45 Christmas Past and Debutante.I have to tell you the papers are just yummy
in beautiful sienna and chocolate colors.

I know you are wanting to get a jump start and start creating.

Supplies:

• Graphic45 Debutante and Christmas past line
• Want2scrap rhinestones
• Rub n buff
• Glue Dots International
• Iridescent Medium
• Ranger distress ink
• Ribbon
• Pearl Ex
• Ek Success scallop punch
• Embellishments
• Calendar download

How to:

• Remove the glass from the frame and mix a bit of the iridescent medium with Pearl ex. With a brush cover the mat with your chosen color. I chose a light gold. Let dry 5 min.
• Use distress ink to edge the mat insert.
• Cut Graphic45 paper of choice by using the mat as your guide.
• Print calendar and reduce the size to fit the glass frame. Use distress ink on the printed calendar too. Adhere to the bottom of the paper right under the mat.
• Cut a strip of coordinating Graphic45 paper using the scallop punch. Distress the edge and adhere to the top of the calendar to cover the cut line.
• Cut a strip of ribbon and adhere to the top of the scallop strip.
• Replace glass top and insert into the frame.

Now for decorating the glass portion!

Follow Miss Tracy's directions to make a rosette from yesterday’s post .

• Add rhinestones from Want2srap to the center of the flowers on the glass.
• Add flourish rhinestones and add more rhinestones to create visual interest.

TIP:

I cut the flourish to fit the size I needed and added more rhinestones to match the rose centers.

• Adhere rosettes with Glue Dots. Adhere embellished tag from Graphic 45 Debutante collection then add buttons.

TIP:

I ran out of the medium sized buttons so instead I colored a white button with E79 to fit the color scheme I needed.

• I added another circle to the tag and rhinestones to complete the look.
• The frame was too shiny for me so I used Rub n Buff to add more of a patina.

Voila you are done!

Here is the final Calendar!

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Be sure to come back tomorrow as we feature treats for our fur babies :)
Here’s a fabulous sneak peak, how adorable eh?




Recap:

DAY 1 - Advent Wreath
DAY 2 - Ornaments

Have a fabulous day!

Maggie

PS: Here’s the short url so you can use it to tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter!
http://fwd4.me/r2q