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:

Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Donna Baker
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Emily Giovanni
Lee Murphy
Melanie Muenchinger

Theresa Momber

September's Center Stage Spotlight Team:

Janice Melton
Joy Hadden
Kay Simmons
Lori McAree

Finally, my talented Guest DT and friends:

Crystal Bernsdorf
JenMarie Taylor
Lisa Hjulberg

------------------------------------
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.