DIY Calendar for Tech 4 Stampers Blog Hop

DIY Calendar for Tech 4 Stampers Blog Hop in November. The theme for November is “anything but a card”. Thank you to the lovely Sara Sayers who set the theme.

There’s a funny story to how I chose to make a Calendar. Stampin’ Up! retired the Make a Difference photopolymer stamp set with all the alphabets and numbers which were just perfect for Advent Calendars, so I had to look for an alternative. This year my Advent Calendar was in the form of a Gingerbread House which you can see HERE. I went through the catalogue and found the “Days to Remember” photopolymer stamp set thinking it would be ideal. When it arrived it wasn’t suitable at all and I thought I’d wasted my money. So I was delighted that I could put the stamps to good use by creating a Calendar with it.

The Tech 4 Stampers is a monthly subscription group run by Louise Sims. She mentors and enables members to understand IT jargon and equips them with a fountain of Technical knowledge to build or manage their own websites. It takes the mystery out of “tech” and I’ve certainly grown in confidence thanks to her expertise, patience and guidance. Not only that, I’ve met and made new friends with my fellow “Techs” and love the camaraderie within the group.

The Calendar for 2022

Easel card

The calendar is basically an easel card. In November, Stampin’ Up! launched an early release collection from next year’s January – June 2022 mini catalogue called Eden’s Garden.

Consumables

The consumables like the Ever Eden 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper, Ever Eden 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) cotton paper and Garden Gems are only available while supplies last. The papers are stunning with gold foiling on one side, and plain on the other.

Calendar section

I created a window sheet pocket to hold the calendar. It’s not visible in this photo, but I punched a finger hole with a 1″ circle punch so you can easily access the calendar to change each month. This is the calendar closed, so in fact you could mail it as a gift. You’ll need to create a belly band for the calendar so they don’t fall out if you’re posting it. Another idea is to tie a ribbon round it.

Framing

With the Eden Dies, I die cut a frame as a feature to frame the numbers for the new year. These came from the Playful Alphabet dies.

Extras

I sourced these re-cycled Post-It notes because I wanted them to tone in with the Soft Succulent palette. When it arrived, they were the wrong size! They were 2″ x 1-1/2″! I was looking for a colour match, but forgot to check the size. All sorted now, though – had to order more. Sheesh! Aren’t genuine Post-It notes expensive?

Stopper

The Easel Stopper is entirely optional. The Post-It notes will act as a stopper. I was thinking ahead to make the easel stand up independently. At some point or other, the Post-It notes will be depleted and if you rely on the Post-It notes as your stopper, your calendar won’t stand up until you replace it with another Post-It pad.

One of the dies in the Eden Dies set is this fancy label. I shortened it and die cut several so I could glue them together to make it thicker. Some of the more delicate detail was trimmed off to make it sturdier.

Measurements

Imperial

Easel/calendar base

1. Card Base : Soft Succulent 4-1/8″ X 11-3/4″, long side on top, score at 2-15/16″, 5-7/8″
2. Easel piece : Soft Succulent 4-1/8″ X 5-7/8″
3. Mat 1 for Calendar base and easel : Evening Evergreen 2 pieces 3-7/8″ X 5-5/8″
4. Pattern 1 Ever Eden SDSP easel : 3-3/4″ x 5-1/2″
5. Pattern 2 Ever Eden SDSP calendar base : 3-3/4″ x 5-1/2″
6. Gold foil to die cut numbers and frame
7. Easel Stopper : Extra Soft succulent card stock to die cut stopper (optional)
8. 3″ x 3″ Post-It Note pad (non-Stampin’ Up!)

Calendar holder

1. Window Sheet : 3-1/2″ x 5″, long side on top score each end at 3/8″, 3/4″. Short side on top, score one side at 3/8″, 3/4″. Crease score lines well.
2. Backing piece to Window sheet : Soft Succulent 2-7/8″ x 3-1/2″
3. Mat layer for calendar holder : Evening Evergreen 3″ x 3-5/8″
4. Calendar : Basic White card stock for stamping calendar, trim for each month to 2-3/4″ x 3-1/4″

Metric

Easel/calendar base

1. Card Base : Soft Succulent 10.5 cm x 29 cm, long side on top, score at 7.25 cm, 10.5 cm
2. Easel piece : Soft Succulent 10.5 cm x 14.5 cm
3. Mat 1 for Calendar base and easel : Evening Evergreen 2 pieces 10 cm x 14 cm
4. Pattern 1 Ever Eden SDSP easel : 9.5 cm x 13.5 cm
5. Pattern 2 Ever Eden SDSP calendar base : 9.5 cm x 13.5 cm
6. Gold foil to die cut numbers and frame
7. Easel Stopper : Extra Soft succulent card stock to die cut stopper (optional)
8. 76mm x 76 mm Post-It Note pad (non-Stampin’ Up!)

Calendar holder

1. Window Sheet : 9 cm x 12.5 cm , long side on top score each end at 1 cm, 2 cm. Short side on top, score one side at 1 cm, 2 cm. Crease score lines well.
2. Backing piece to Window sheet : Soft Succulent 7 cm x 8.5 cm
3. Mat layer for calendar holder : Evening Evergreen 7.5 cm x 9 cm
4. Calendar : Basic White card stock for stamping calendar, trim calendar for each month to 7 cm x 8 cm

Product List

Days To Remember Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [155026]	Very Versailles Cling Stamp Set [149275]	Eden Dies [157831]
Playful Alphabet Dies [152706]	Ever Eden 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [159996]	Soft Succulent A4 Cardstock [155777]
Evening Evergreen A4 Cardstock [155575]	Basic White A4 Cardstock [159228]	Gold Foil Sheets [132622]
Adhesive Sheets [152334]	Window Sheets [142314]	2021–2023 In Color Jewels [155571]