Authentique April Desk Calendar: Singing in the Rain
Hello, Friends! Can it really almost be April? I’m almost late with this Authentique April Desk Calendar project, but I think you’ll still have plenty of time to get yours made before the calendar turns.
Since this calendar follows the same steps and measurements as the March Calendar, I did not create a video tutorial. Just use that design with the April Calendar Collection. Easy peasy!
Do you remember how much fun it was as a kid to walk to school under an umbrella? I can remember waking up excited if I heard raindrops outdoors because I knew all my classmates would be breaking out their umbrellas, too. We bobbed along in the rain like cheery little puddle posies while the rain tapped away at our umbrellas. Those fun memories prompted me to select this darling image and sentiment as the focal for our calendar this month.
Opening this desk calendar is always an adventure! There are so many sweet goodies tucked inside!
Here’s the hidden folio for the April Desk Calendar.
Plenty of room to add a few sweet photos to these colorful pages.
Use the back side of this darling Easter image to mat a photo. The journal card tucked in the pocket is a great place to write down memories or important dates.
And there’s lots of room for smaller photos and journaling in the wallet sized folios that tuck in to the pocket.
You can watch the March Video Tutorial HERE. Are you following along and making each monthly calendar with me? I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Hello, Friends! This Celtic beauty adorns the cover of our Authentique March Desk Calendar. That’s right! With Valentine’s Day behind us, it’s time to get ready for the wearing of the green. So break out your March Calendar collection pages and let’s get our craft on!
Did you make the January and February Desk Calendars yet? The March calendar is the same size and basic design, although I streamlined a couple of features to make it even easier to create.
Just like the January and February models, the base is a 6″ x 6″ easel card. I dressed this one up with some fancy gold buttons, shimmer satin ribbon and beautiful Little Birdie Amor Mio flowers.
You’ll still find a cute pocket with folio inserts and a March calendar on the interior of the card. But the pocket construction is even simpler.
And we still have the nifty hidden pocket and folio feature. But I changed the shape of the pull tab. I can’t have you getting bored on me!
So if you’re ready to learn how to make this sweet Authentique March Desk Calendar, just click play on the video below. You’ll also find a linked supply list at the bottom of this post.
The great thing about this fun design is that it makes a great gift! Just change out the papers, and you can make birthday cards, anniversary cards, graduation cards…the options are endless!
Are you making this series along with me? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Carta Bella Home Again Boxed Mini Album Project Share
Hello, Friends! Let’s share a cuppa and take a look at this sweet Carta Bella Home Again Boxed Mini Album Project together. This lovely collection has captured my imagination. The ideas keep flowing, the papers seem to be magically multiplying, and I just keep on making. Are you tired of this collection yet? I find the colors so soothing and the patterns so lovely that I think I could keep right on working with it until every last scrap has been used up. This boxed mini album doubles as a home decor piece, which is always nice. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Home Again Boxed Mini Album: The Box
Have you ever covered a Graphic 45 Book Box? It’s such an easy way to make a home decor piece. This is the old style ivory book box, measuring 7″ x 5″. Layer up some chipboard, ephemera pieces, and patterned paper. Then accent with flowers, ribbons and metal embellishments.
TIP: Chalk paint is a great finish for metal embellishments. This Prima Door Plate was originally brass, as was the key. The thing I love about chalk paint is that you don’t have to prime the base, the paint goes on smoothly, and dries to a lovely matte finish.
Finish the inside of the box with papers from the 12×12 collection. Then add feet. These Tim Holtz Idea–Ology box feet were the perfect finishing touch. I didn’t even have to paint them.
TIP: If you add feet to your box, you must first adhere the spine of the book box cover to the back side of the box cavity. Use 1/2″ Scor-Tape or other strong adhesive for this step.
Home Again Boxed Mini Album: The Album
I built this little album from scratch. The shaker cover took some figuring out.
First, die cut the round frame from the small navy dot print.
Next, die cut a clear cardstock (acetate) circle using my Spellbinder’s Small Standard Circle Die.
Now adhere the clear cardstock circle to the back of the frame die.
Because the sides of the frame are very thin, even 1/8″ foam strips will show around the edges. And we don’t like that. The solution?
Die cut 2 leafy wreaths. Place small pieces of foam strips on the larger leaves and sandwich them together so that the edges are slightly staggered. You will be able to see small bits of the foam, but once you add the flowers and embellishments, they will be hidden.
Here’s a look at the cover details.
Home Again Boxed Mini Album: A Peek Inside
There are 6 pages in the album. Each page has a side pocket with photo mount insert.
Fussy cut the flower cart from the 6×6 pad. Adhere just the bottom edges to create a little tag pocket.
Magnetic flap pages give you a good spot for photos or hidden journaling.
Both the front and back covers have pocket spots.
Home Again Boxed Mini Album Video Tour
You can see all the pages, details and tips for making this project in this short video tour.
I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Authentique Calendar Collection Desk Decor Tutorial: January and February
Hello, Friends! I just love the month of January. The whole year stretches out before you like a blank book just waiting for you to write your story. This Authentique Calendar Collection Desk Decor Tutorial is an idea that I think you are going to love.
You know that old song, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are?” These sweet little easel style folios are designed to do just that! Each one measures 6″ x 6″ and is decorated in vintage style using the Authentique Calendar Collection. They are the perfect way to decorate a desk, entry way, or studio and they make a great birthday gift, too. I built some fun features into the design that I think you are really going to enjoy! Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Authentique Calendar Collection Desk Decor Tutorial: Filled with Fun
Open the desk decor to find the January Calendar on the inside along with a lovely pocket of goodies. Fill the dates in on the calendar, or use it to write down birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.
Adding a pocket to an easel style card is one of my favorite design tricks. I’ve tucked 2 wallet sized photo folios inside the pocket along with a journaling card. You could also add a couple of photographs here. But there’s more to this design than what meets the eye!
Pull the tab on the right to reveal a hidden pocket built into the base of the folio. How fun is that?
This folio measures 5 1/4″ square and will hold 3 photos.
Authentique Calendar Collection Desk Decor Tutorial: February
The February Desk Decor is created using the same techniques as the ones from the January calendar.
Authentique Calendar Collection Desk Decor Tutorial on YouTube
Because I thought you would enjoy creating these lovely little desk decor calendars, I created a video tutorial. Just follow the simple step by step instructions. I will build the February folio in the video, but the measurements and steps are the same for January. Just change out the papers and images and you’ll be all set.
Button Farm Club January 2020 Kit Reveal: Carta Bella Home Again Altered Etcetera Tag & Folio
Hello, Friends! I’m so excited to share my Button Farm Club January 2020 Kit Reveal with you today. This idea has been rumbling around in my head for weeks, and I’m truly tickled with result. It’s home decor, it’s an organizing tool and it’s a folio all in one. I think you are going to love this Carta Bella Home Again Altered Tim Holtz Etcetera Tag & Folio!
If you’ve never worked with a Tim Holtz Etcetera Tag before, you are in for a treat! The tags are made from thickboard: a thick sturdy surface that is perfect for collage, altering and embellishing. The small tag we use in this project measures a generous 5 1/2″ x 10″; a perfect size for home decor. And what collection could possibly be better for home decor than Home Again? The fresh farmhouse vibe, the pretty patterns and the soothing color palette are delightful to work with.
You all know me so well…I like pretty…but I like practical, too. So I designed this tag with a big ole slash pocket to hold an altered notebook. It’s the perfect place to jot down a to do list, menu plans, emergency contact numbers, grocery lists….or a little daily gratitude journal. There’s room to tuck a pen into the pocket, too so everything you need will be right at your fingertips.
Button Farm Club January 2020 Kit Reveal: The Folio
The flip side of the tag houses a delightful tri-fold folio. You’ll learn how to paper piece this adorable little house on the cover…and just wait til you see what’s inside!
This sweet little folio is filled with flips, flaps, pockets, tags and room for loads of lovely family memories.
The waterfall feature will house (18) 4″ x 4″ photos. And the other photo spots are designed for photos ranging in size from 4″ x 6″ to 3″ x 5″. And, if you add a little bulldog clip to the sides, the folio will stand upright so you can display your beautiful family photos.
I think this would make a wonderful bridal shower gift, house warming present, birthday gift and…Mother’s Day will be here before we know it! The color palette almost reads as a neutral, so it would go with almost any home color scheme.
YouTube Video Tour
To help you get a feel for the flow and function of this lovely kit, I’ve created a very short YouTube tour.
What Comes in the Kit?
As always, you will receive everything you need to complete this project with the exception of your adhesive of choice and Distress Ink, should you choose to sponge a little on the edges.
Tim Holtz Small Etcetera Tag
Carta Bella Home Again Collection
1 sheet 12 x 12 Journaling Cards
1 Coordinating Solids Pack
1 6×6 Paper Pad
1 Chipboard Phrases
Little Birdie Heleen Amor Mio Flowers
Bay Leaf Seam Binding/2 yards
October Afternoon Buttons (blue/3 per kit/small, med, large if possible)
Farmhouse Small Notebook
2 pearl stickpins
Full color printed tutorial with easy to follow step by step instructions.
The price of the kit is just $39.99, which is a great value given the contents! The tutorial will give you some new techniques that you’ll be able to use in other crafty adventures as well.
The kit is available now at The Button Farm Club. This is a limited release, and I expect it to sell out rather quickly because it is so stinkin’ cute!
For those of you who have been asking for more card tutorials…stay tuned. There’s a birthday card kit in the works even as I write this. It’s going to be really, really cute!
I have spent a good bit of time imagining kits for 2020…and I am so excited to share them all with you as they are released. 2020 is going to be a year that just overflows with creativity. Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement in this venture. If you have kits that you’d like to see in 2020, please let me know, and I’ll take them into consideration.
