Special Events Calendar

Materials:
card stock for pages
6" x 11" mat or chip board for back
1/4" hole punch
2 loose leaf binder rings
craft knife
cutting board
ruler
pencil
rubber stamps, stickers, etc. for decorating

Note: Our cover and calendar pages were all computer generated. They can, of course, be done by hand as well.

1. Use your computer to generate the following on card stock: a title page with the person's name on it, to read "Carol's Event Calendar" (figure B) and 12 pages numbered and lined 1 through 31 along the left side (figure C). Note: Decide at this time if you want to also print the name of the month across the top of each page or if you prefer to print them separately, cut them out, and later mount them on each page. If you want to print the months on the pages, do so at this time. If you do not print them on the page, be certain to leave room for adding them later.

2. Also print the words "GREETING CARDS" centered on one page about 5-1/2 inches down from the top (figure D). Print all of the above on card stock that will go through the printer.

3. Cut the title page and each of the month pages to 6" x 11". Do not cut the greeting card page at this time.

4. Decorate each of the month pages and the front cover as desired (figure E). You might wish to rubber stamp images that relate to the month, draw little sketches, or adhere appropriate decorative stickers. Additional color can be stippled around the edges with a stencil brush and inkpad.

5. If you did not print the months on the numbered pages, type and print them now on card stock of your choice. Cut out each piece. Cut a piece of decorative paper 1/4-inch larger on all sides than the card stock, and cut another piece of card stock 1/4-inch larger on all sides than the paper. Stack the three and secure with glue or double-stick tape (figure F). Adhere them to the top of the numbered pages.

6. On the greeting cards page, measure in 1-1/4 inch on each side along both the top and bottom edges. Using a ruler and pencil, lightly draw a line from the top to the bottom edge along each side. Score along these lines (figure G). Draw a second line on each side 3/4 inch in from the outside edges and score along these lines.

7. Measure 6 inches up from the bottom edge on the right side of the page and make a mark. Draw a line from that mark to the top left corner of the page. Cut along this line.

8. Measure and mark 1/2 inch up from the bottom edge. Cut out the two bottom corners.

9. With the front side facing up, fold the two side edges back along the first scored lines. Fold up along the second scored lines making an accordion fold. Fold up along the bottom scored line.

10. Apply glue or double-sided tape along the folded edges and adhere to the cardboard back.

11. Punch holes in the top of each page about 2 inches apart and bind the pages with the binder rings (figure H).

Note: We erred on our book. We did not cover the cardboard with a piece of colored or decorative paper or card stock before adding the card holder. If using cardboard for the back, I recommend that you do this. If you use white mat board, this would not be necessary.