Tutorials

Tutorial #2
Digital Calendars for 2013


Perfect Poppies Calendar #1


This gorgeous digital kit was purchased from Etsy Seller:
  


Here is a link to this lovely Etsy Seller:  http://www.etsy.com/shop//EclecticNoteCards

This gorgeous digital 'download and print' kit has proved to be a very popular 'handmade' gift in my household this year and I thought I would share what I have been doing to make this just that bit 'special'.   

This is what I did with my kit (I purchased the 5" x 5.5" for jewel case pdf version) .....

  1. I started by printing out the calendar pages on white A4 cardstock  (160gsm - purchased at the local OfficeWorks Store in a pack of 100 sheets for about $12.00)
  2. I trimmed the pages and finished off by using a corner punch to round the edges
  3. Use Kindy Glitz (glitter glue - mine is the crystal one) I outlined the flowers on the pages and put aside to dry
  4. Once the pages were dry, I add pearls and 'bling' from my scrapbooking stash in the centres of the flowers to give dimension (but if you don't have this don't worry - because they look very nice with just the glitter glue outline)
  5. Using a large white photo frame I created my calendar 'mount' (I think mine was a suitable for a 5" x 7" picture) but please check your calendar to get the right fit!
  6. I took out the glass and used the frame backing to trace out the right size on some pretty scrapbooking paper
  7. I decorated the paper with some paper doily, canvas heart, crochet flower, large decorative brad, decorate stick pin - anything I had in my 'stash' to make a nice but simple cluster in the top left hand corner
  8. I attached (with strong glue) a pretty cabachon (purchased from Etsy - refer to link below) to the top of the small silver document clip (purchased from my local newsagent)Link to Cabachon Seller http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabulousbrass?section_id=10055066
  9. I put my calendar page in the document clip and found the position I neede it to be and pierced through the back of the clip (where the hole is) into my page and used a 'brad' (split pin) from my stash to secure it in place
  10. I then used double sided tape on my frame backing and position my finished page in place and re-inserted it into my frame - minus the glass!
  11. To complete my 'gift' I wrapped up the rest of the calendar pages with some 'pretties' (see pictures below)
The nice thing about this gift is that you can complete a new calendar next year for the recipient and they can continue to use the frame as the calendar 'mount' - if not they have a lovely frame to add a current photo.










 

The Owl Calendar #2

 This next gorgeous and fun kit I used was for a special friend who loves all things OWL!




This beautiful kit was purchased from Etsy Seller:


Here is a link to this lovely Etsy Seller:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/AtomicOwls

Here are some pictures of my final version (same steps as above)











Doodle Art Calendar #3

This final digital kit I purchased to 'play' with was a gorgeous 'doodle art' calendar.





This fabulous kit was purchased from Etsy Seller:



Here is a link to this lovely Etsy Seller:  http://www.etsy.com/shop//poppydreamz

The aim of this kit purchase was all about my daughter (DD) doing some handmade gifts for our family.  She loves to colour in 'doodle images' so this was the perfect way to get her involved.

  1. I started by printing off the calendar on white cardstock (like my samples above) and then I let her loose with her pencils, watercolours and my scrapbooking stash
  2. I let my DD choose some scrapbooking papers she liked and I created a cover for the finished calendar - she designed it
  3. I finished off by using my 'Bind It' machine (metal comb binding) at the top (each page is an A4 sheet) and bound the front cover, pages and a plain piece of cardstock at the back (if you don't have a binding machine - take it along to OfficeWorks and they have this service and not very expensive - but definitely gives that professional finish)
  4. I had my DD write a handwritten note to the recipient and we put this inside the front cover (that lovely personal touch)
We will upload some photos of this beautifully finished 'giftie' after Christmas as my DD didn't want a very special Aunt who reads my Blog to see her Christmas gift before it was given to her.... so stay tuned!!!

Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and will visit the Etsy sellers I have showcased as they have so many other beautiful digital prints that I am sure, like me you will be purchasing more!










Tutorial #1
Owl Advent Calendar Activity




This gorgeous digital kit was purchased from Etsy Seller 






Here is a link to this lovely Etsy Seller:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/wildolive?ref=seller_info

This fabulous and fun digital 'download and print' kit has been a great present and activity in my household this year and at a small cost of around $3.00 - what a bargain!!!

This is what I did with my kit.....

  1. I recycled an 8" x 10" photo frame I had in my 'repurpose' stash
  2. Next I printed the Owl picture page on A4 cardstock (160gsm) - cardstock gives a bit more 'stability'
  3. While printing I then printed the A4 sheet of 'feathers' with the numbers on - now the instructions told me to do this on plain A4 paper as this allowed me to 'scrunch' them up and make the feathers a bit more 'worn' - great idea Miss 10 year old told me!
  4. Before I put the Christmas Owl in the frame I decided to 'tart' him up a bit - I outlined some areas with 'kindy glitz' (Crystal is my favourite), added some buttons for his eyes and now he was all 'festive' and had a bit more 'dimension'
  5. I also 'tarted' up the 'repurposed' frame - I just raided my extensive Christmas 'scrapbooking stash' and finished off with some Washi tape that co-ordinated with the colour scheme
  6. Next step was to remove the glass and put in the Christmas Owl picture
  7. Put the 'kidlet' to work and had her cut out the 'feathers'
  8. My last step was to put some foam dots or double sided tape on the back of each of 'feathers' leaving the protective piece on so that Miss 10yr old can peel it off as she add each feather to count down the days to Christmas






The great thing about this cute kit was that it made the best pre-Christmas gift/activity for my busy little nieces and nephews.  This is what I did to make up my 'gifties'....

  1. Using a colour printer I printed out the pages for the Instructions and feather pages on A4 plain paper (because I added some extra steps to my finished version, I also printed a copy of the Christmas Owl (above) and indicated the 'extras' (like eyes) and pop dots)
  2. Next I printed (x 2) of the Christmas Owl on A4 white cardstock (160gsm - purchased at the local OfficeWorks Store in a pack of 100 sheets for about $12.00).  Printing two of these means that the kidlets can do one as an activity and also do one as the Advent Countdown!
  3. I added a nice but 'cheapie' 8" x 10" photo frame to my parcel
  4. Next I used a paper bag (stamped with a little owl to take if from ordinary to extra-ordinary) and filled it with some buttons (for the eyes) and some 'pop dots' (purchase  from Spotlight  - RRP $3.00)
  5. This was gift wrapped to make a fabulous, fun and well priced present/activity for my family kidlets this pre-Christmas season!!!
Here is a link to this beautiful and fun filled kit:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/113916944/little-owls-at-christmas-printable

I hope you have enjoyed my first tutorial!



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