Monday, December 31, 2012

30 days hath; oops 366 days hath 2012

Kate at The Kathryn Wheel asked us to show a wrap-up of our 2012 calendar pages.  I have NO idea how Kate gets all those pages into a single shot, but here are my entries for 2012.

January was colorful.


For February I tried something new.  I realized how much time I spent cutting and gluing those hearts to the pages, so decided to find an easier way.


I used a few stickers and some cutouts for March, and cut up an extra calendar I had on hand.


April was all about the birthdays of my friends, as well as my bEARTHday which is always on Earth Day.


I used some stencils and stamps to create my May calendar pages.


I spent a lot of time in the garden in June.


It was too hot to be outside most of July.


For August, I created a button tutorial that took me forever to finish.


September saw me still enjoying the outdoors.


In October, I once again had computer woes.


I have no imagination when it comes to decorating my calendar pages, as November proves.


This, my December calendar spread, is the final one in this book that has been such a god-send for nearly two years.  It started out as a book I used as a backdrop for spraying and misting, or to wipe excess paint off my brush.  When I cleaned my Staz-on filled rubber stamps, I would smear the images on these pages, too.  Now this book is history.


This is the left side of my December calendar,


and the right side for those who like to read minutia.

For over two months I've looked for a suitable replacement for my 2011-12 calendar to no avail.  I've even tried various books to see how well they would hold up, but I have no other books with spiral binding and none of the books I contemplated worked when I tried to add paint or mists.  So this is where I stand for 2013.  In desperation, I decided to cut old, used file folders in half.  I still haven't punched holes, but plan to place it in this book on the left at the end of each second month.  I also plan to decorate at the end of each month, since I never know what each month will bring, and I want to spotlight whatever is relevant that specific month.

As you can see, I plan to continue into 2013.  I'm trying to use what I have, which also includes this calendar.  Thanks for your continued support over the past two years.  I look forward to seeing all of you next year (in less than 24 hours).  And please remember, if you have embedded comments, I still can't leave one to you.



23 thoughtful remarks:

KatzElbows said...

You've totally convinced me to give this a go. Next year I'Ll be forty, so it seems like a good year to start!

Happy new year!

Helen said...

Still not sure if I'll join in, we'll see... Happy New Year and I hope you have no computer woes this time!

Halle said...

I'm just so impressed at your ability to stick to it with this project. Good for you!!
Happy New Year!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Good for you seeing it through to the end and starting again in 2013. I would like to art journal my way through the new year. Wishing you all the best, Tammy

Monica said...

What a great use for sprayed pages. Just completing a book that I am making in a class. and plan to use all year. hope Bluebeard had some special tip bits over the holidays.

Terrie said...

What a treasure trove of memories and milestones. I started a 'perpetual journal' this year on 4x6 cards - same idea just on cards with the daily points of interest and the idea is that I can see what I did on that particular day over a series of years. I keep the cards right by my computer so I remember to fill them out every day or two. I thought it sounded like a fun way to "journal".

I've watched your monthly calendar project this year and never really thought about it for me. Now I have to wonder....would it be better to see a month in review like you (could see that you spent the month of June in the garden, etc) but my way wouldn't show that at a glance. Hmmm....may have to rethink my calendaring/journaling.... what to do???

elle said...

Congratulations on keeping up and you are set with a good plan for 2013! Race you to the end! lol

SandeeNC said...

Very neat to do a journal calender! I'm too scatter brained to focus for that long, lol Here is a free site where you can collage your pictures together:
http://www.picmonkey.com/ ( I think I got it from BJ, or Anne? ) Anyway Happy New Year my friend, waving hi and counting down from the hills of North Carolina :)

Margaret said...

Awesome Elizabeth! I'm well impressed. All the best to your and yours this New Years eve, I wish you all a happy start to 2013! Mx

Julia Dunnit said...

I'm the one that loves to read the minutiae !! I like the idea of retrospectively decorating....and I love your dictation to using the calendar for notes. I tend to only log stuff that we collectively need to know...hmm, I need a re-think!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

It was a real accomplishment seeing this project to the end. It is a neat way to record what happened during the year and be able to look back at (if you need to).

Best of everything in 2013!

Dawn said...

What an achievement Elizabeth, you must be so proud sweetie. Your calendar is beautiful and very very 'you', thank-you for sharing the whole project, was lovely to be able to see it all in one go.
Happy New Year my lovely, here's hoping its a good'un.
Huge huggles x x x x

Darla said...

You are so great at sticking to these long term projects. I admire that. Looks like you are set for 2013.

Have a Happy New Year!

Darla

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Your calendar pages are colorful reminders of the year just past! The looking back is my favorite part since the days go so darn fast, I can never believe I've done that much "stuff". Have a great New Year!

Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly) said...

I think it does become more and more difficult to make each month unique, and not just a copy of the previous month(s).
Love seeing all your pages from the year. Such an accomplishment.
Happy New Year!

Linda Kunsman said...

Congrats on last year's calendar-your pages are really wonderful!! here's to another calendar year- happy 2013!! Oh, love your idea of file folders for the pages :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful achievement to look back upon. I like the idea of using the file folder for your calendar book for the year. Using what you've got is alway a great idea! happy new year to you
Peace~
Dawn

patcrafts said...

Loved seeing all your pages, you say you lack imagination I see lots of imagination there on each page. What a brilliant idea to use adapted file folders for this year.Looking forward to seeing how you decorate at the end of each month.
Have a happy and creative New Year.xx

Laura Spano said...

Oh wow! You finished the whole year- congratulations. So far, I did 2011....Jan until May, and the last two months of 2012. Normally I would just give up, but I'm hoping to keep it up as best as I can, even if that means, ahem, not even finishing my January page yet!

Anonymous said...

Way to go Elizabeth. Good job.

XX Rachel XX

Susan said...

Hi Elizabeth,

And does the video run now? I remember the difference by:
stencils: are most of the time a patern in some way or another.
Masks; they mask something, mostly one figure like a heart or the contours. It sounds a bit stupid now, but in Dutch a mask means to hide something.
You don't really need a book. But I like it too get al the techniques in one.
I hope the video's run and you can start the fun.

Love Susan

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love all of your pages - must say I like the way you make yours! A brilliant idea to make your new journal, glad you're still taking part! Happy New Year, Chrisx

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