Quick and simple calendar idea

Digital Calendar by Scrapdolly

Happy New Year everyone!

It’s not too late to make that must have addition to your desk. There is nothing like having a homemade calendar with pictures you have taken to enjoy all year and this one is so quick and simple to make. It’s simple and it is digital. Now, paper scrappers, don’t switch off yet … bear with me. You never know!

For those of you who have never tried digital scrapping, here is a fab tip for 2010. Try out digi scrapping by using a trial version of a program and see what you think. The calendar was made using Photoshop Elements 5 and, believe me, you don’t need to be an expert to use the program. There are free trials of Photoshop available on the internet, so you can have a go and see if you like it.

Whilst you may be like me and never give up your paper and glue, I can guarantee you will find digital work fun. There are so many cool products to use and many kits and elements are available, for free, on digital sites around the world. However, a word of warning. Once you are hooked you will find limiting yourself to the free stuff is not an option. You will want to buy some of the fabulous kits out there.  Imagine, you never run out of the letters you need, you have papers in just the exact colour you want, your elements coordinate perfectly and ….. you can use the products again and again and again. Now if you are like me, that is the real bonus. No more holding a sheet of paper and worrying that, if you use it, you won’t have it to use again.

I made the calendar small enough to fit on my desk. It stands in a CD case and takes up very little room.

You could just as easily make a thick cardboard base and bind it along the top with a bind it all or ribbons and have a simple flip calendar.

Making anything less than A4 means you can print it out yourself at home, although there are plenty of places you can have digital work printed. I printed the pages out on archival card. I have an Epson printer and use Epson Archival Matt paper for digital printing. The quality is superb and the card is the best I have found. You will need to find what is best for your printer. As a general rule of thumb, the same make paper as the printer is usually the best option.

The cute little calendar blocks are by Dawn Inskip from Pickleberrypop http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=42

I loved the fact that you not only got the calendar blanks but also the mask so you could fill the block with the paper or pattern of your choice and make it really coordinated.

Each page follows the same format and uses coordinated digital elements from a range of designers. A lot of the products are by Dawn Inskip, but I have also used products from Peppermint Creative, K Pertiet, Sunflower designs and many others.

Trying something small like the calendar is a great way to start digital scrapping. Go on – give it a go.

Comments

[joy aitman]

Very nice. I have been over to pickleberrypop - lots of yummies there.

[Diana]

Ok you have convinced me I HAVE to try this...
Love from Di

[NIcola Goodlad]

Oh i love this and would absolutley love to do it but have no idea where on earth to start with digital scrapping ! i need someone to come round to my house and show me !!!!

[dawn inskip]

This is delightful Karen - fantastic idea :)

[alexa]

Love it - not come across pickleberry pop, and delighted to go and order those calendar pages! Gorgeous inspiration - thank-you!

[Julia]

Love what you've done Karen. I can't do digital though but might try it with the real stuf! lol!!