TUTORIAL: Designer Calendar

Ok, another “Oh my gosh!” moment when I saw a similar calendar on page 11 of the SU 2008 Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog. So I set to work to see how I could make a calendar like this w/ similar products… I’m not sure if there is an official template… but here’s what worked for me.

This template is based on the size of calendar pages I created in Excel (which measure 4” x 8 ½”). I found that this maximizes both my white cardstock as well as the 12” x 12” Designer Series Paper I’m cutting in 4” blocks. But if you prefer a different size calendar – be my guest.

You’ll need one full 12” x 12” sheet of patterned paper, bone folder/scoring tool, sticky strip, scissors, embellishments for calendar holder (ribbon, die cuts, etc), adhesive, full 12-month calendar (I’ve prepared a 2009 version in Excel – email me if you’d like a copy and let me know what year/version of Microsoft Excel you have), and images to use for bottom half of calendar (as you’ll see, I use a mix of 4”x4” patterned paper, stamped images and die cuts).

I’m going to skip past the calendar part as it’s pretty easy – especially since I’ve already created a 2009 calendar. It involves printing and cutting – see? Easy!

Step 1: Cut your monthly calendars into 4” x 8 ½” sheets.
Step 2: Embellish the bottom 4” of each month as you would like. Below you’ll see I used a mix of patterned paper, die cuts, accents & elements (stickers) and stamps in coordinating colors.

And another view…

Next, I work on the holder (which doubles as gift wrap if you’re going to be giving these away, like I am). Plus, since I’ll only be displaying one month at a time, I’ll want a safe and cozy place for the other months to chill out until I get to them… so here it goes.

Using my 12” x 12” patterned paper I start by cutting it down to 12” x 8 ¾”. Then I score it at the following marks, lengthwise: 4 ¼”, 4 ½”, 8 ¾” and 9”. Turning the paper on it’s short side – I score one side at ¼”. See picture below for visual markings. You will have three panels total – two that measure at 4 ¼” and a smaller panel that measures at 3”. (You are currently looking at the INSIDE of the holder - notice this side of the paper is not patterned.)

On the side of the paper that is scored at ¼”, cut into the small notches up to the ¼” scored line (there will be two notches).


Next, we place the sticky strip in the appropriate places to hold this thing together. Most of the sticky strip will go on the smaller of the three panels, since this will be tucked inside. (Notice, in the image below you are now looking at the patterned side of the paper - the two larger panels will be the OUTSIDE of the holder.)

Tip on using this sticky strip, in case you haven’t used it before – after you place it where you want it DO NOT remove the red backing until right before you are ready to adhere layers. Since it’s SO sticky – you run the risk of another part of your project brushing past it and getting stuck. Seriously – once that sticky strip is in place I work slow and steady.

Back to the project - once all sticky strip is in place I start by folding the smallest layer in first - the ¼” strip that creates the bottom of the holder. Take off red backing, fold at bottom ¼” score and fold in smaller panel.

Next, I remove the red backing from the sticky strip along the smallest panel… see next 2 images.

Move slowly … when you fold the larger panel over on top of this small panel you need to be careful to line up the corners before the layers of paper touch. Remember – this sticky strip means business! (I heard a rumor that ladies sometimes use this stuff to keep “gaping” v-neck lines from gaping too much! Now THAT’S strong!)

So, after all folding is done… and sticky strip has done it’s job, you have a calendar holder. I did not create a “lid” or topper for this… but you can if you want to. I simply slid my calendar in and added some embellishments to the outside before wrapping some ribbon around it like a present.

And voila… you have your calendar and your holder. I’ll be gifting these along w/ a desktop photo holder to display one month at a time. You know the type…. the photo holder stands about 2 ½” tall and has some sort of clip at the top to hold one picture. Well, it will work just fine for this as well.

Have fun! And after trying this for yourself stop back by and leave a link to your project!

Pictorial prepared by Lori Tisdale (September 2008)

TUTORIAL: Squash Book

Prepared by Lori Tisdale (May 2009)
All images copyright Stampin’ Up! 1990-2009

Images 1, 2, 3 – finished product, closed and open





Image 4 – what you need



Chipboard or cardboard: 2 count, 4” x 4”
Decorative card stock: 2 count, 4” x 4” (to decorate cardboard on front and back)
Background card stock: 3 count, 7 ½” x 7 ½”
Various colors cardstock:
- 4 count, 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”
- Extra 3 count, 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”, cut into diagonals
Ribbon or hemp twine: approx 18”
Adhesive of choice
Stamps/ink for embellishment

Image 5 – Run adhesive along middle of one side of cardboard



Images 6, 7 and 8 – Adhere decorative cardstock to two cardboard pieces (for front and back covers)





Images 9 and 10 – Crease large cardstock pieces (sized 7 ½” x 7 ½”). Overlap large cardstock pieces

Crease cardstock down the middle, turn the cardstock and crease down the middle again. From corner to corner, crease again.

In the image below I’ve overlapped the 3 cardstock sheets to show you where to crease and where to overlap. These layers are not adhered yet. When you adhere them you want the corner of cardstock to fit just snuggly inside the crease lines on the matching cardstock – but it’s important that they do not run over the crease lines. Remember, you want to fold this up like a book.




Image 11 – Adhere. When you adhere them you want the corner of cardstock to fit just snuggly inside the crease lines on the matching cardstock – but it’s important that they do not run over the crease lines. Remember, you want to fold this up like a book.



Images 12 and 13 – Fold cardstock along crease lines.




Image 14 – Adhere coordinating cardstock across the middle of the squash book, and at the top and bottom if you desire. Tip: prep your layout first without adhesive. Then go back and adhere according to your layout.



Image 15 – fold up cardstock into book size. Using your bone folder, make a deep crease along all 4 sides of folded cardstock.


 
Image 16 – Adhere decorated cardstock to front and back of folded cardstock. Make sure to line up cover (with ribbon already inserted) correctly so that book opens nicely once untied.



Image 17 – Embellish inside book and adhere pictures where desired.



Now, go have fun! And come back and leave links if you post your finished product on your blog!

TUTORIAL: 3D scallop flowers

I spy some scallop flowers!!! Oh my gosh! I just saw the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog (Fall/Winter 2008-2009) and in several samples there are these GORG 3-D flowers made from scallop circle Designer Series Paper! Holy cow – who comes up with these things?!

So, you know me… I walked straight to my table to figure out how to make them. I’m not sure if this is the official template… but here’s what worked for me.

You’ll need your scallop punch, large circle punch, adhesive, designer series paper, scissors and a jewel for embellishing inside the flower. (seen below)





Punch out 5 scallops and fold all in half. Then fold in half again.






Using your scissors, cut out one of the quadrants.



On only one of the quadrants put a touch of adhesive (I find the Tombow Multi purpose adhesive works GREAT for this type of project. And you only need a very little!)




Now, your first fold will be the UN-glued quadrant. Fold it over on top of itself. Then take the glued quadrant and fold it over on top to create this nice, neat triangle. Press down firmly to hold paper together.


I then put my index finger into the pouch to open it up like a cone. By squishing the seams of the cone between my index finger and thumb I promote prime cone shape!



Repeat until all 5 punched scallop pouches are done. Then apply some adhesive all over your blank circle punch and start layering on the DSP pouches. They will fit snugly next to each other and may slightly overlap. Press down firmly on inside of pouch to adhere to bottom circle punch.



Once all layered, apply a small amount of glue to inside middle of flower and insert jewel or other embellishment.


So, the possibilities are endless at this point. I used this on a box top (4" x 4") for a hostess gift! But what else could we use this on? Use as embellishment on a napkin ring? Use on framed art as an embellishment to the frame? Front of scrapbooks, notebooks, … oh the possibilities are endless! Have fun!