Saturday, October 17, 2009

GinaK Lord of the Season Blog Hop

I am so glad you joined us today featuring my new stamp set, Lord of the Season. Since the gift-giving season is upon us, I thought I'd share two projects with you using this all occasion set - one that takes a little bit more effort and another that can be easily mass produced.

Lord of the Season is a perfect set to make handmade desk calendars with because each season is represented with a topiary image. I made about 50 handmade calendars last year and I think i might do it again this year. First is one that I will make for hostesses or dear friends and family, who enjoy handmade gifts. It takes about an hour to make, so this may not be ideal for mass production.

Long Desk Calendar. I used Green Apple, Cranberry Tart, Soft Sand, PL White cardstocks. You really need to use good quality, thick cardstock for the covers, so the calendar can sit well on your desk, especially when you put a lot of embellishments on it. Click on the photos for a larger view.

Look how well it stands with GinaK's Green Apple for covers.


And the rest of the stamped images inside:


The patterned papers I used are digital papers from GinaK Designs: Bug Me Anytime Pastel, Vintage Holly, and Grungy Elegance packs. I colored the images with Copics and stitched around. A simple stringed button embellished each one.

In order to make this, I created a Calendar Template that you can download >>>Calendar Template HERE<<<. And you can download the tutorial on how I made this >>>Calendar Tutorial HERE<<<.

Desk Calendar for Mass Production
. I designed the second calendar so you can make a few in an hour. This also uses the Calendar Template. The tutorial on how I made this is found towards the end of this post. Not only is this super easy to make, it is also economical. It uses 1 sheet heavy weight cardstock ($0.30), 3 sheets of layering weight paper ($0.62), string, ribbon ($0.25), button and scraps of paper. The total amounts to less than $2 a piece and the result is beautiful and lovingly handmade by you. Click on the photos for a larger view.

Please scroll below to read how I made this calendar.

If you make either calendar, please leave me a comment so I can see. And if you want to have a chance to win this set, leave a comment at Gina's blog.

For even more ideas with my Lord of the Season stamp set, visit the blog links below, as well as the GinaK Idea Center here: Lord of the Season.

GinaK Designer's joining in on the hop tonight:


September's Center Stage Spotlight Team:


Finally, my talented Guest DT and friends:

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Desk Calendar for Mass Production Tutorial: Click on the photos for a larger view.

1. Download, print and cut in quarters the Calendar Template.

2. Cut the full sheet of heavy weight cardstock in half and cut one of the halves in half, as shown. I used Moonlit Fog.

3. Score the half cardstock at the 4.25" mark and one of the quarter panels at 2.125," then fold. My ScorPal comes in handy for this step.


4. Put strong adhesive on the edges of the folded half sheet. I used Scor tape.

5. Adhere both folded panels as shown.

This is what you should have now.

6. Now, you're ready to decorate the front panel. You can make this as elaborate or as simple as you'd like. I stamped my topiary and colored it with Copics. I found scraps of paper and used those. The 2010 is die cut using my Cuttlebug. You can use chipboards, stickers, cut out printed text or handwritten note, if you want. A few stitching and ribbon finished the front.

7. Mark the upper part of the front panel, the back cover and the calendar months on the 1.5" and 4" marks as shown. Hole punch where you made the marks.

8. Thread string or ribbon through the holes and you're done.

I found that GinaK's medium clear boxes are perfect to package this. Or if you want to include a few coordinating cards, they will fit easily in the large size. It's sturdy enough for mailing, too.


I hope this gives you another idea for gifts this Christmas, handmade and from the heart.

Photobucket

48 comments:

  1. Awesome project, Nina! Love your gorgeous coloring.

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  2. I love your calendars Nina!! I make calendars every year too and will be using your images!!!!

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  3. WOW Nina! How totally FABulous!! LOVE these!!

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  4. What a perfect gift! Thank you for the tutorial on how to make these!

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  5. Oh wowza Nina! these both are just awesome! Your coloring so rocks too!

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  6. Love your calendars and the set is so awesome.

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  7. These are simply amazing! Great job!

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  8. Wow, what awesome projects - and of course the stamps are the centre piece of them all!!

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  9. What wonderful projects. And your new set is beautiful.

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  10. Gorgeous Nina! And thanks for the templates and instructions. I think calendars are the nicest gifts!

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  11. Love these, Nina! Great tutorial too! I love being able to see the entire process!

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  12. Awesome set, Nina, and thank you for sharing the tutorials!

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  13. This is a great idea!! I think I will make my own calendar this year!!
    Thanks for sharing.
    God bless
    Giovana

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  14. Love this...I make calendar pages that fit into a cd case. I'm sure my friends would love a change and this surely is the ticket. Thanks for the aweome tutorials and the link to the free calendar page.

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  15. What a gorgeous Calendar Nina!!!! And ROCKIN' tutorial!!!! I definitely want to try one of these!!

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  16. Oh, I love calendars Nina! These are so beautiful! I will be making some of these for sure!

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  17. Absolutely gorgeous calendars! Thank you for the tutorials. They are both just amazing!

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  18. Whoa Chicca These are Fantastic. I love them and thank you so much for the great tutorial and ideas.

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  19. I really like this project. Thanks so much for taking the time to show how to make it.

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  20. My goodness, Nina! How very beautiful and creative! Perfect for gifts!

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  21. Thanks for sharing this!! Great idea, these are fab!

    Hugs,
    Vanessa

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  22. Great idea, Nina! I love these kind of handmade gifts and yours is fabulous! Thanks for the templates - I'll be sure to add them to the Idea Center later today!

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  23. what a fantastic gift idea! Nina, thanks for sharing!! it came out beautiful

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  24. These calendars are fabulous Nina. I don't have your set yet but hope to get it soon. I definitely want to make one of these.

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  25. Wow! Your calenders are gorgeous,Nina! What fabulous gifts! Thanks so much for the tutorial on how to make them!

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  26. Nina the calendars are beautiful. I'll definitely be using your tutorial to make some.

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  27. What a terrific project and the details are great!

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  28. Nina, I sit here with my chin on the floor, needing to reach down and pick it back up! This is divine! Thank you for sharing the beautiful work that you create!

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  29. Thank you for tutorial!
    That is great idea for gift or just like great decoration in the house!
    You made great one!
    I love your stamps!
    Hugs!
    Sandra!

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  30. wonderful nina!!!!!! Great set and love the calendars.

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  31. Wow! I love your calendars as much as I love your set! Thank you for sharing!!

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  32. Nina! These calendars are amazing! I love them!!

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  33. This card so pretty I love the bule and disgen and layout!

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  34. Nina, a great project. Unfortunately, Mediafire says the link is invalid. Is there another link for the calendar pdf file? Thanks

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  35. Hey Nina, I know how much work one of these calendars take.........awesome job!

    I have given you with a honest scrap awarded........go check out my blog.

    Shell~Alaska
    SBS28

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  36. Nina,
    You never cease to amaze me. Your calendars are incredible. as are all your projects. It's something I'm going to give a whirl. What a fabulous job you've done and how kind and thoughtful of you to share with everyone. Thanks so much for all you've done to make the tutorials and share the files with us.
    I went to Gina's a day or so ago to post a comment. my fingers and toes are all crossed : )

    Beautiful work Nina!

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  37. Love love love love love this project!!! I am so going to use this for presents this holiday season!! Thanks for the tutorial!!

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  38. What a wonderful idea to make a desk calendar, Nina ! Certainly appreciate your step-by-step with this! Beautiful color choices and ideas on all your cards with this set !

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  39. I love your calendars Nina!! I will have to try this, you have inspired me LOL>

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  40. Great idea for desk calendar. Thanks for the detailed instruction. I tried to download the calendar template but its no longer attached to the link you provided. Any possibility of sending it to me via email? Thanks.

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  41. Hi Nina, the downloadable calender link isn't working anymore. Could you possibly email me a copy of your file? I would greatly appreciate if you could :) kim.teasdale@yahoo.ca

    Thanks so much!

    -Kim

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  42. Any chance of you doing this for 2011?? I made a ton of gifts with 2010~~ Again TFS. Can you tell I am perusing your blog... lol

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  43. I too am wondering if you would consiger doing a 2011 downloadable template. I would LOVE to make these for teacher gifts this year. PLEASE!!

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  44. Gracias por tan bello trabajo ! Dianabel, Panamá

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Thank you for your kind comments.

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