Make It Monday: Photo Frame Calendar

Today, I'm going to share with you how to make this really cute, really inexpensive craft project: Photo Frame Calendar. I, originally seen this on Martha Stewart. As usual, I added my own little twist to it and this is is what  you get. 

For this project, you will need: A wooden frame 8x10 (You can get one  at Walmart for 2.00), cardstock ( to print out your calendar),  2 screw hooks, a ruler, possibly a drill and small bit, and your favorite photo.

The frame I used for this project is one that I've already had and it's near and dear to me. My hubby gave it to me on my first Mother's Day.  The picture I chose for it was the first ever picture taken of my son William and I, just hours after I gave birth to him.

 Well, that baby is six now and a sports maniac.  While, pretending he was the next Larry Bird, his lay up hit my favorite picture frame and broke the back off as well as some other damage, but I just couldn't bear to throw it out.   Luckily, I remembered this project (Thanks, Martha!)

Measure an inch and a half in from the end of your frame.

Mark a little spot.  From that mark, measure 1/2 an inch from the long edge of the frame.

Mark that spot.  That will be where you make your hole for your hook screw ( bought these at the Dollar Store).

 The wood on my frame was very soft, so I was able to carefully screw the hook in with my fingers.  Do this slowly so that you keep your hook going in straight.  If the wood on your frame is not that soft, you may have to drill a hole in using a small drill bit, then screw your hook in place.

Repeat on the other side, so that each side has a hook.  Check to make sure they are even before you start to screw in your second hook.

Print out a calendar for 2011. 

Here are several sites that have some great caldendar templates.

http://www.freeprintablecalendar.net/2011/Calendar.aspx

http://www.printable2011calendar.com/

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/calendars/a/2011calendars.htm

http://www.keepandshare.com/htm/calendars/2011_calendars/free_2011_calendar.php

I printed out a full calendar with all twelve months on one sheet, but I think I am going to go back and print out monthly calendar pages.  After looking at the pictures,  I just don't care for the full calendar that much.  You decide which you like best.

Lay your frame flat and I just kind of eye balled it to make the holes on my calendar by laying it under the hooks and putting a little mark.

Using a hole punch or even a small nail, punch a hole on the mark you made on top of your calendar.

Assemble your frame back together with your favorite photo or clipart.

Now hang your frame, like you would any picture frame, anywhere you need a calendar.

Slip your calendar onto the hooks.

And you're done.  These are not only awesome and fun, but functional. Changing your photo is super easy and all in all, it should cost about $4.00 to make. That's including the cardstock and a bit for the ink to print the calendar.  They make great gifts for family, friends, and teachers.  Also, a fantastic way to showcase your budding artist's creation.

Make it Monday: Make a Coupon Organizer for a dollar

As promised in Saturday's  Saturdays Saving post, today I am going to show you how to make a coupon organizer for a dollar. What you need:

1 mini photo album (you can get them at your local Dollar Store for $1.00.  Sometimes Walmart has them for the same price)
Scrap card stock
Double stick tape or tacky glue
white stickers sheets or plain white paper or card stock

If you get the kind of album where the first page has inserts instead of a solid cover, you can slide them out and add your own picture, like I did on mine.  I would much prefer to look at my two beautiful babies on the front cover than some flowers.  This is a great place to keep your shopping list and cash. 

Next make your tabs.  Feel free to print out and use the tab template I provided or make your own.

Trace tab template on the back of the card stock and cut out.

Tape or glue to the tab to the top of first plastic photo page. 

The go on to the next page, spacing it so that you can see the next tab (think a recipe card divider pattern). 

Repeat with the next page.

 Once your tab is as far down on the pages as you can go, on your next page, start back at the top. Repeat the pattern through out the book.


Now, it's time to make your categories. Here the ones I use:

Coupons For Today, Pet Foods, Canned Foods, Sauces, Condiments, Detergent/Cleaning, Frozen Foods,
Dairy, Cookies/ Dry Snacks, Medicine, Baby Food, Toiletries, Housekeeping, Meat, Cosmetics, Desserts
Beverages, Pasta/Rice, Pet Food, Deli, Pasta Rice, Cooking Supplies.  Print or hand write them ( make sure you write small enough to fit your category label on your tab) on your sticker sheet or plain white cardstock or paper.

Cut them out and stick or glue them to the front of your tabs. 

Now organize your coupons and just slide them into your pages through the opening. 

Before I go shopping I check my list against my coupons and the ones I am going to use I will slip into my Coupons for Today page, so that they all ready to go when I get to the checkout.  I hope this helps you down your frugal path....and that you had fun making your Coupon Organizer for $1.00.  Happy Crafting!