Paper Issues "Learning Curve" & Football!

Happy Sunday all my friends! I hope everyone is doing well getting into the groove of fall with the kids starting back-to-school. Paper Issues reveals the newest theme today, "Learning Curve" which is perfectly fitting for this time of year. To me, the first thing that naturally pops into my mind is first day back-to-school photos, school supplies, and everything that comes along with it...cooler weather & football! I live in Norman, Oklahoma which is a huge football town. Known for the competitive football here, the University of Oklahoma resides at the epicenter of the chaos. When the kids start arriving for the fall semester, our town suddenly has 30,000 more residents...the OU college students! Talk about a major transition each fall for the remaining 70,000 of us that are permanent residents of this college town. Hosting 9-10 home football games each season, the whole town is painted varying shades of crimson & cream. As our town prepares for all the exciting madness of it all, I thought it would be fun to create a calendar focusing on football and all it entails.

To create, I have been purchasing/collecting football stamps for months. The outer border of the circle corkboard is covered in lots of different stamps from Hampton Arts, Karen Foster & Fancy Pants. Using black StazOn, it gives each image a crisp clean image. I created the numbers using my 1" button maker and lots of assorted papers from GCD, October Afternoon, Prima, Cosmo Cricket, Graphic 45, Teresa Collins, Pink Paislee, CTMH, Simple Stories, My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper, Basic Grey, Creative Imaginations, 7 Gypsies and some vintage papers. In addition to the paper, I used some stickers and rub-ons from Echo Park, American Crafts, Karen Foster, Hambly, Making Memories & The Paper Studio.

For a fun twist, I created 3 felt pennants for the calendar. These would be used in place of the number on corresponding game days. For those that are big football fans, what a great way to look forward to the big game day cookouts and tailgating parties! If you are interested in creating one of these yourself, I will share with you some quick details on creating these fun little mini pennants. If not for a calendar, they would make great embellishments on a layout or card too.

Mini Pennants Tutorial:1. Stamp directly onto sticky backed felt using stamp slightly dipped into paint. With a fine tip paintbrush you will want to repaint the image since felt tends to absorb the paint initially.

2. Once paint dries, cut out the pennant like a long skinny diamond since you will be folding it in half. For the pin, I used quilting T-pins since they are longer than reqular stick pins. To make the pennants bendable, here is a fun little trick for you...use some copper or metal sheeting on the inside! That way once you have folded over the felt with the pin and metal securely tucked inside, the pennant can be folded, rippled or wrinkled to your liking!

This is my "Learning Curve" project for you today. As Paper Issues unveils this new theme, be sure to play along and share your projects with us. Your project might just be featured! Remember, it can be anything that you interpret it to be. I look forward to seeing all of your amazingly creative projects!

Thanks for stopping by my sweet, beautiful friends! :)
Amy

"Out of Print" Bird Cage Calendar

So I am sure it seems that I have been MIA from the blogword, but I am still around! Wonderful life experiences like birthday parties and big family vacations have gotten in the way, but I am not complaining. :) My little guy Sam turned 4, and we went on a long road trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. It was beautiful, green & not in the 110 degree heatwave like here in Oklahoma! I can't wait for this intense heat to subside. Unlike Michelle, I am ready for the fall! (yeah willieburg, I am talking to you! :)

As promised, I told many of you that I would eventually share a tutorial on my perpetual calendars and today is the day! I present to you this one-of-a-kind bird cage calendar. Truly unique because I didn't buy more of these cages, and I am kicking myself like crazy because they are all sold out. :( I created this calendar using the lovely Basic Grey "Out of Print" collection. I have always been a huge fan of Basic Grey, and they nailed it again with this line. In addition to the papers I used, I incorporated some of their new "bow ties" and "lace it up" stickers.

Here are the details...
1. Choose a metal surface for the base of your calendar. Be sure that magnets will stick to it before you begin. It can be very deceiving but magnets definitely don't stick to aluminum but do stick to tin and other metal substrates. My best advice is to take a magnet with you when shopping to be sure it will work.
2. Choose the background papers and cut accordingly to the shape of the metal.
3. When adhering the paper to the metal, it is crucial that you use an adhesive that will hold permanently and covers every bit of the paper! Through trial and error, I have found that when there is moisture in the air the paper tends to warp a little. If it is not absolutely stuck to the metal, the magnets won't stick to the metal...and if the magnets don't stick well poo! That wouldn't be good! My favorite recommendation is to use a 5" Xyron machine. Just cut your paper down into 5" strips and reassemble accordingly onto the metal.
4. Create your grid in pencil and then come back over it with a Sharpie. I always do 7 rows accross and 6 rows down to accomodate for the months that start & end mid-week.
5. Put your permanent days on there via stamps or Dymo tape.
6. Stamp around the edges of the metal as desired or add sweet embellishments like flowers, ribbon, etc.
7. Raid your junk drawer for unique numbers like keys, dice, dominoes. Next, raid your scrapping stash for chipboard letters and rub-ons.
8. Once you have decided what numbers to use, glue heavy duty magnets onto the backs of each number. For paper thin pieces like tickets for example, you can use magnetic sheeting. That stuff totally rocks! For your adhesive on the numbers, use E600. Yeah, it is rather toxic smelling but it definitely has a good solid bond.
9. Lastly, create your days of the month using scrabble tile. To be able to form a complete set for all the months, keep in mind you will need several of some letters and some not at all. Here is a handy little list of the numbers you will need...A:2, B:1, C:1, D:1, E:3, F:1, G:1, H:1, I:1, J:1, L:1, M:1, N:1, O:2, P:1, R:2, S:1, T:1, U:2, V:1.
10. Guess what? That's it! Now you can make a calendar that you can enjoy for many years to come!

I hope as you create your calendars as I know many of you will, please be sure to share! I would love to see all of your fabulous creations!

As always, thanks for your sweet comments and support on my blog. You all inspire me to create! Happy Weekend to one and all! :)
Amy