A Way With Words Shimmer Sheetz

Calendar Makeover

March 4, 2017

Calendar Makeover by Judi Kauffman

My friends love knowing that I will turn their old calendars into something brand new! It’s a January ritual that extends throughout the year. Here it is March and I’m still having fun slicing and dicing the pages…

I cut some of the pages and fold them into envelopes. I cut other pages into small pieces for layering onto card fronts and gift tags! If the paper is heavy enough, I’ll even die cut some sentiments.

When I’m done, I give some of the cards and envelope to the friends who donated the calendars! I get to have the fun of repurposing would have otherwise gone into the recycling bin, they get to enjoy the calendar again in its second incarnation.

Sometimes my goal is to render the original calendar unrecognizable by choosing how to cut up the pages and how to position the folds on the envelopes. You might know that there is a sky or get the feeling that you’re looking at snow or fall leaves, but the end result is as abstract as I can make it.

Sometimes it isn’t so abstract. I’ll keep it obvious that the card was cut from a Matisse painting, make sure that a rose or puppy is right side up on an envelope, show that beach scene… Every page in each calendar offers so many options!

Since no two people have the same assortment of old calendars, please use the projects as a jumping-off point.

 

The recipe:

  1. Look through the calendar and decide which pages to use for envelopes and which to use for card fronts. Choose some solid color cardstock in coordinating colors. Hand- or die-cut envelopes and lots of layering pieces.

  1. For cards and tags: Create a top- or side-fold card base; die cut a tag or start with a pre-made one. Add a rectangle cut from a calendar page, bordered with one or more contrasting cardstock mats. Not shown – use additional calendar pages for some or all of the borders. Add a word (or several!) die cut from Adhesive Velvet Sheets, or from cardstock or Shimmer Sheetz that’s backed with Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape.
  2. For envelopes that will be mailed: Add a white label for the name and address. For envelopes that will be hand-delivered: Add die cut sentiments, spell out the recipient’s name in die cut letters or use alphabet peel-offs.

 

 

  1. More options:

*Embellish cards with peel-offs or buttons that coordinate with the colors and designs in the calendar. (Shown: Glitter Stars, star-shaped button)

*Add a layer of lightly sanded Shimmer Sheetz for extra sparkle and use Washi tape to hold the die cut word and Shimmer Sheetz rectangle in place.

*Hand-deliver any item that includes fragile embellishments like the shell button on the tag.

 

SUPPLIES –

Elizabeth Craft Designs:
A Way With Words – Prayers, Blessings, Gracias, Danke, Merci, Amazing, Beautiful, Always, Together
(or other words and sentiments you prefer)

Glitter Stars Peel-offs in Silver/Gold
Velvet Adhesive Sheets in White, Yellow, Light Blue, Royal Blue
Narrow Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape (to adhere card layers and sides of envelopes)

Other:
Old calendars
Solid color cardstock in assorted colors
Shell buttons
Washi tape

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  • judi kauffman March 5, 2017 at 7:54 am

    Thank you all for the kind words! I really love being invited as Suzanne’s guest designer and am super pleased that these projects are giving other people ideas. I always wonder how anyone can just throw away last year’s calendars – such beautiful images ready to cut up…

  • Paula Lewis March 4, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    Another great idea. Now where did I stash my calendars?

  • Patricia Howarth March 4, 2017 at 11:51 am

    Hi Suzanne, What a brilliant idea this is !!
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

    • quietfire March 4, 2017 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you Patricia, but it’s actually Judi Kauffman who is the clever person with these projects! (I was simply the person who formatted the blog post) I know she’ll appreciate your enthusiasm!

  • Nancy Yoder March 4, 2017 at 10:18 am

    Beautiful, creativity knows no bounds! ???

  • Carol Coleman March 4, 2017 at 9:21 am

    I love this idea. I have many calendars because I can’t bear to throw them away. Never thought of using them to make cards. I will definitely be looking at my calendars in a new way . Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Karen Aicken March 4, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Oh, haven’t recycled calendars in YEARS! I have no idea why I stopped, but thank you for the inspiration.

  • Jeannie Huff March 4, 2017 at 8:30 am

    Love your idea and use of these old pictures.

  • Karen Wade March 4, 2017 at 8:27 am

    That’s a wonderful idea, I die cut butterflies from the pics, the colors are amazing

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