As another new year looms around the corner, it's a great time to start thinking about those 'calendar style' projects. So I thought I'd share some ideas using our Calendar Stamp set.
This set was one of our first stamp sets that we released in 2008 and it is still a very popular seller, especially at this time of year as everyone gets ready for their yearly projects! The set can be used in lots of different ways, from scrapbook pages, journal pages, homemade calendars, birthday books and diaries. Loads of uses!!
When you first purchase the set as a full unmounted sheet, you need to cut each month out individually. As for the date section, this can be cut in two different ways, depending on how you prefer to use it.
First option: Leave the numbers and lines together as one whole stamp. Like this:
Second option: Trim the numbers and lines separately. This is the option I prefer as it gives you more versatility in the stamp set, which I'll explain later. But here's what it looks like when you trim them apart: (keep the numbers in a full row like shown, otherwise they will be far too fiddly to work with.)
But first, let's look at the first option of having it all together as one stamp. You'll notice the numbers on the left are the right way up and the numbers on the right are upside down. When you stamp the first lot of numbers, don't ink the numbers on the right hand side. Just ink the left numbers and the lines. Then stamp.
Next, turn the stamp around so now the numbers 17-31 are the right way up. Ink those numbers and the lines, then stamp underneath your first set of numbers & lines.(you may need to mask the 1-16 numbers as they may still have ink on them)
If this is the only way you want to use this set, then having the numbers and lines together is an easy way to go. But! if you trim the numbers away from the lines... you can use the stamps in more ways!
1. To stamp the numbers and lines together, just place the numbers next to the lines on the acrylic block and stamp the same as I mentioned above. When you're done, just take off the strip of 1-16 numbers and replace with 17-31 to stamp the next lot as required.
2. Having the line stamp separate means it can be used as a journaling block! Just take off the numbers off the acrylic block (if they were on there like in the photo above), and use the lines by themselves. Super easy to use on scrapbook layouts or to create your own notepaper or diary. Here's a layout where I've just used the lines as my journaling block:
3. Use the line stamp to create a grid. Simply stamp the lines horizontally, then turn the stamp 90 degrees and stamp vertically to create a criss cross effect. Godelieve did this to create a crossword puzzle effect, then stamped the numbers separately down the left hand side. Then added the month at the bottom. Great for specialising birthday cards:
4. Or just simply create a grid background with the lines: (Another card by Godelieve.)
5. Do a layout a month, using the Calendar set as the place to jot down notes of what you did each day. It fits perfectly to fit a 12x12 layout. Here's one I've created:
6. Create a birthday book! Check out this gorgeous book Godelieve created: (Can you tell she loves this stamp set?)
So there you have it... lots of ideas for the Calendar stamp set! I hope this has sparked some inspiration on how this stamp set can be used in your 2010 projects... remember, the new year is just around the corner! (yikes)
Unlock the artist within!
