A Purse Calendar for 2010

This is going to be a long post, so those of you who trek it out, thanks and I hope you take some inspiration and tips along with you. There is a saying in the "Art World" ....."An artist is only as good as his/her tools". Some tongue in cheek but some truth also. If you are a watercolor artist you want a "Windsor Newton" sable for those oh so important washes. So, if you have Regina Easter from "The Cutting Cafe" in your bag of tricks it is like having a "Windsor Newton" Sable. So don't hesitate to check her out. Thanks Regina for all your awesome inspiration. I was working on another project when this came to me, I could not finish fast enough so that I could get started on this one. I had already done a Safety Pin Calendar using "The Cutting Cafe" templates but this one was from the Muse, it just went together like I had directions in front of me. I am going to post a rough how to here of the calendar and accessories, if you have any questions please feel free to email me. Last year I did the pocket calendars and I did love them, however, they were not perfect, I had to find it first in my purse and it was a tricky little thing, and then I lost a couple. So I have been calendarless for the first 2 months of 2010. I think this is going to work. Although this is a little more elaborate than my Safety Pin Calendars ( I will post them tomorrow). It is not as difficult as it looks. You will need "The Cutting Cafe" 2010 Calendar. Fifteen 2" circles and12 - 1 3/8" circles, thank goodness for George Cricut Cartridge. Although I do use the EKSuccess 1 3/8" punch and will explain in a minute. You will need 8 - 7mm oring findings and 8 -10mm (I use Metal Madness from Michaels throughout this project). One packet of large Spaces and one packet of large lobster clasps. You are going to adhere 2-2" circles for your calendar, and 2 1/38" circles, you are then going to punch out the computer generated calendar and punch it out with the 1 3/8" hole punch and adhere that to the top of the 2 - 1 3/8" circles, you will have 2 mos per 2" circle - front and back - Jan/Feb, etc. You will then need 6 - 3/16 eyelets and a setting tool, (I use the Crop A Dile), set eyelets at the top add the 7mmoring then the 10mm and secure it to the large large oring at the bottom of the lobster clasp. I did a cover for my calendar which is optional, I used 3 -2" circles adhered them together and then added a charm from "Blue Moon" and embedded a crystal in the opening at the top (also from Michaels). Your calendar is done.

The gift box is easy, easy, easy, get one of the 12packs of instant coffee from Starbucks, if you don't drink coffee give them to your best coffee drinking friend, but keep the box, take it apart and lay it face down on a 12"X12" sheet of decorative patterned paper and trace around it, cut it out, score the folds and adhere one flap and it is done. Add a little ribbon for excitement.












Here is a close up of the calendar.














Here is a closeup of the cover page for the calendar.














Now for one of the fun parts of this set. I will definitely agree that the lettering is a little small, however, I can read the numbers fine if I have good light and my glasses on, but just in case, the calendar comes with its own magnifying glass and it really works. So here we go, cause this one is really fun.
From the Cricut Cartridge "Sentimentals" cut the magnifying glass out in black-out-4 times (shadow) at 3.33 width and 3.302 heighth, (DO NOT CUT IT OUT WITH THE HOLE). Adhere two together twice, so you will have 2 pieces that are 2 deep. Now take your 1 3/8 hole punch and punch out a circle on white card stock, position it on the magnifying glass as a template (use repositionable adhesive on the back) and punch out the hole on both pieces. If you use the template on Cricut with the hole already there you will never get it the right measurement (trust me). Now using UltraPtix Bookmark Magnifier *lightweight approx. 2" X 7", they are around $2.25 and you can cut about 4 - 1 3/8" circles from one sheet with the EKSuccess 1 3/8" hole punch, I buy them at Barnes and Nobel. Around the edge of your opening on the back magnifier piece put a very thin line of adhesive lay your magnifying glass on top and now adhere the second piece on top and let it dry for 35mins or so under a stack of books, it is done, now create a little jacket for it and embellish to your taste. I have just put a couple of scrap rub-ons on mine.
I told you it was long, but it really goes together quickly, hope you enjoyed, Happy Friday, Hugs