Video:How to Make a Calendar

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Transcript:How to Make a Calendar

Hi, I'm Holly Deambrosi for About.com. Want to make something special to enjoy all year long? How about a handmade calendar? You can make it all at once or just one page each month.

Choose a Display to Make a Calendar

First, decide how you will display your calendar. Empty CD cases are popular calendar holders. Acrylic calendar displays, index card rings, picture easels or photo holders also make great calendar displays.

There are many ways to make a calendar. Anything that you can put numbers on can be made into a calendar. I'm going to use a picture easel and some cardboard as the base for my calendar, which will be displayed on a desk.

Supplies Needed to Make a Calendar

To make this calendar you will need:

• Chipboard or other sturdy, thin cardboard
• Cardstock and printed paper
• A variety of stamps, including calendar and seasonal stamps
• Colored inkpads
• Pens or markers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Embellishments such as photos, punched papers, ribbon, and stickers
• A picture easel

Choose Themes to Make a Calendar

Gather your materials. Begin by cutting your cardboard to the desired size. I used six pieces of cardboard cut 6x8 inches and used both sides for calendar pages. Plan the calendar. Decide on a theme for each page and choose papers and embellishments for your theme.

You can choose themes based on holidays or family events. If your family always takes a vacation in July, then include pictures from a favorite vacation. If you’re making this as a gift for someone else, decorate their birth month with a special happy birthday message.

Prepare each part. I like to make all the pieces for a page before gluing anything down. That way I can move things around to create the layout I like best. And if I make a mistake it's much easier to create a new piece rather than redoing the whole page.

Decorate Each Month to Make a Calendar

Stamp the calendar background and numbers first so you'll know how much space you will have for embellishing the page. Use a variety of techniques for added visual interest. Stamp images onto colored paper or use gel pens or dimensional craft paint to color images.

For my June calendar page, I stamped a floral design on the page and went over it with dimensional craft paint. Use punched or folded papers for easy embellishments. For my April showers theme, I attached a folded origami umbrella.

Put it all together. Have fun arranging the embellishments, pictures, and calendar piece for a beautiful design. Remember, the design is in the details, so look for ways to add special touches: some glitter here or a piece of ribbon there.

Now you're ready to display your work. Set the page on its display and enjoy. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.