Monday, June 7, 2010

Hand-made Calendar

When Justin deploys, I like to make him a gift for every month he is gone (sometimes even two depending on what happens that month). Last deployment I made him a pocket calendar and he LOVED it. He said he carried it in his back pocket every day and it was used many times daily. I marked everything on it for him, special dates to when to open his next gift! So I knew I had to make him a new one this year, but I wanted to do it better. lol.

Here's what you need!

A paper cutter(you can use scissors if your that gutsy)
Card stock
Enough pictures for all the months you want to do
Scissors
Glue (I used a glue stick)
Laminating sheets
Hole punch
String or key rings to hold it together
Blank calendar pages (I printed mine off the computer and added in the days)

Here's what you do!

Cut your cardstock to the size you want it. I like mine to be 5x5 1/2. I also added scrapbooking paper over the top of each to give it a more personalised feel.

Then add your calendar pages to each page (make sure you really look to make sure once it's put together they won't be upside down, same with the pictures).


Once I had all of the things glued on and the glue set. I laminated them (you can go get it done or buy the sheets to do it yourself)

After I laminated them I hole punched three holes at the top of each page, trying my best to make sure they all lined up right. lol.

Last time I used string to hold it together but wanted to do something else this year. I bought key rings at the craft store and they worked perfect! If you do use the key rings they are a little time consuming since you can only do one page at a time. I'm sure you could get the easier ones that open and close, but they were a little bulky for what I wanted.

Let me know if I let something out!

4 comments:

Michelle D. said...

You are SO talented! Thank you so very much for the idea. My hubby is deploying soon and I think I'm going to HAVE to make this for him. Thank you again! Stay strong sweetie! I love checking on your blog every day. Keep it up! I'm off to find photos for his calendar now!

Anonymous said...

I think this is ADORABLE! I can't wait to make one for my husband before he deploys! I also gave you an award!

http://dogtagsandpearls.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-first-award.html

Jen said...

KK, that is a great idea! I think I am going to do the same for my hubby's deployment as well! I've been looking for ideas for gifts for him so that I can get a head start, and this is a seriously great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Yours looks awesome! I want to make one but I don't know how well it'll turn out!