Tuesday, December 28, 2010

2011 Calendar Blog Hop



Welcome to another great Blog Hop sponsored by Karel at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity. If you have arrived from the always fabulous Belinda's blog, then you are on the right track. Here is the list of wonderful crafters just in case you may have missed anything!

1. January and April: Celeste at Touched by a Butterfly at http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
2. January and September: Jessica at Overjoyed Scrapper http://www.overjoyedscrapper.blogspot.com/
3. February: Christel at Scrappin' Sista http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
4. February and March: Karelj at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity  http://karelj.blogspot.com/
5. March and July: Diane at Crafting This Moment http://www.craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/
6. April: Bonnie at A Scrap Above http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com/  
7. May: Michelle at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs http://peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/
8. May: Natalie at Timeless Legacy Designs http://timelesslegacydesigns.blogspot.com/
9. June: Lisa at Lisa's Paper Butterflies http://lisaspaperbutterflies.blogspot.com/
10. June: Jamie at Glitter, Paper, Stamps, Oh My! http://jamieisacraftymomma.blogspot.com/
11. July: Summer and Jennifer at Cricut Diaries http://cricutdiaries.blogspot.com/
12. August: Denise at Starlight Scrapper http://starlightscrapper.blogspot.com/
13. August: Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/
14. September: Deb at If It's Groovy http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com/
15. October: Rebecca at Creations with Becka http://www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/
16 . October: Lora at Notes From The Scrapbook Lady http://scrpbooklady.blogspot.com/
17. November: Belinda at Queen Bee's Musings http://www.queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com/
18. November and December : Col at Col's Creative Corner at http://www.scrappycol.blogspot.com/ you are here!
19. December: Deb at Tidbit's Place http://tidbitsplace.blogspot.com/

Don't forget in order to win the awesome grand prize Cricut Designer Calendar Cartridge that Karel is giving away as a grand prize, you will need to visit and leave a comment at all the stops on the way. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to visit all the stops, the hop is from today until December 30th! Don't forget to leave a way for Karel to contact you! She will choose a winner by random.org on the 31st and announce it on her blog as well as contacting the winner personally! I can't wait to see all the calendar pages that are going to be shown for this hop. I already have two months down on my calendar!

Here are my pages

I had the pleasure of creating calendar pages for November and December. For both months, I took 12x12 paper and adhered it to chipboard for extra sturdiness. I will break down each month
This was so much fun to create. To make a calendar set like this you will need a Cricut Machine and the Thanksgiving Seasonal Cartridge. Here are the other supplies I used:

12x12 paper
8 1/2 x 11 paper
Martha Stewart Glitter (Fire Opal and Golden Beryl)
Distress Inks (Scattered Straw and Wild Honey)
Adhesive (Zig Pen, Xyron Machine, and Scor Tape)
Stickles
Computer to print the Days of the Week
I-Rock
Cricut Cartridges (Thanksgiving, Blackletter, Gypsy Wanderings and Independence Day)


I have been on a self imposed paper ban, so I dug through my stash and found a piece of paper that I got when my LSS closed, and it's called Acorn Harvest by Kathy Griffiths for Provo Craft. Yep, Provo Craft. I never knew Provocraft produced paper. Then again, I am still new to paper crafting, it's only been about three years since I started. I cut my 8 1/2 x 11 paper to 6 1/2 x 9 1/2. I created the calendar grid and printed out the days of the week. I cut them and inked them with Wild Honey Distress Ink. I adhered them to to a strip of orange paper that I cut to make a header on the calendar.
I then cut 30 leave shadows at 1x1 and inked them with the Distress Ink. I also inked the paper that used for my dates area. I found some number stickers in my sticker stash, so I used those for the dates. For Veteran's Day, I cut a 1 inch I Love the USA from the Independence Day Cart. For Thanksgiving, I cut a 1 inch Turkey from the Thanksgiving Cart. I love black Friday, so I cut a couple of shopping bags off a Lily Of The Valley Stamp that was left over from Christmas cards, and added some twine to look like handles. I colored them with Copics. I marked my son's birthday with a party sticker. One thing to note:
I loved the pumpkin on the paper and didn't want to lose it to the dates grid, so I took a craft knife and carved the top of the pumpkin and slid the calendar grid under it.



I cut my photo mats to 3x5 size. I am crazy about glitter, but I really hate gluing glitter, so I cheat, all the time... I used my Xyron, ran anything I was glittering through it so that the side that would be facing up would have adhesive, and glittered to my hearts content. Here are a couple of shots showing the process.


I did the same thing for the picture mats and the Count You Blessing Phrase. I used an I-Rock to adhere some bling on the picture mats and the Count Your Blessings title. It's so hard to see in pictures, but they look so nice. I cut a Pilgrim Silhouette and a leaf corner from the Thanksgiving Cart. I used SEI Velvet paper for the Pilgrim head and the leaf.




Materials for December Pages:
Cricut Cartridges (Joys Of The Season, Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art, Celebrate With A Flourish, and Wrap It Up
12x12 paper
8 1/2 x 11 paper
Martha Stewart Bird Sticker
Distress Ink (Pine Needles and Fired Brick)
Ribbon
Viva Decor Pens (Gold and Silver)


I followed a similar idea for my calendar grid as I used for November, except I made the grid slightly bigger. It is 8 x 10 1/2. I cut 1 inch Christmas ornaments with my Cricut to use as my Day markers. I inked the ornaments and used my Viva Decor Pens to add the gold and silver at the top of the ornaments. I used more of the number stickers to mark the days. The paper for the ornaments is by Anna Griffin.  
Does anyone remember when swapping "inchies" was all the rage on the Circut MB? Well, I finally used a couple from my stash to highlight Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New year's Eve and my Mom's Birthday. Belinda might recognize one of the inchies.....



I just wanted to mention the background paper for this month is by Bo Bunny. I have been hoarding it for the longest time, and it was just perfect for this page. I cut the word December and the year using the Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art Cartridge. The mats will hold 4x6 pictures, and the ribbon isn't adhered, so the pictures will slide right under it. The lovely Poinsettias are from the Wrap It Up Cartridge. I cut the reindeer at 2.50 x 2.75. Merry Christmas is from Celebrate With A Flourish.
One last hint. I have a tough time keeping my rulers straight when I am drawing grids. In order to keep the date grid looking nice, I used my paper cutter as my straight edge. I marked where the lines would start, then placed the dot on the out side of my paper cutter and drew my lines.

I hope you enjoyed my calendar pages. I am giving away some blog candy. I am always in need of Cricut blades, so I will be drawing a name using random.org on New Year's Eve to give a pack of blades to. That's not all, I will also be giving a set of stamps to the winner. Just leave me a comment and a way to reach you! I will get a picture up of the blog candy before the hop is over. Thanks for stopping by today! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas or whatever Holiday you celebrate! Happy New Year to all my fellow crafters! I am looking forward to creating some fun new projects this New Year!
From here, you are heading to Deb at Tidbit's Place blog. I know you will be impressed by her creations! She is quite talented!
Happy Crafting!
Col

53 comments:

  1. You've done a wonderful job! Both pages are fabulous! TFS!
    sensationallychicboutique(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Both of your layouts are amazing and full of wonderful details - December is my favorite!

    Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I love both of your calendars! So beautiful!
    tracyg398@yahoo.com

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  4. Oh my absolutely beautiful. I love them both....

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  5. oh Col - BEAUTIFUL layouts!! Those papers are gorgeous and perfect :)

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  6. Wow, I love your calendars! I love the ornaments for december and your thanksgiving one is my favorite!! Thanks for joining in on the hop!!

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  7. Amazing LO, but I really love the calender page from December! Thanks for the great tutorial and Thanks for joining us on this great hop!

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  8. Wow! Great tutorial! I think you did great work on both! Glitter can be a bite when working with the loose ones...suggestion just in case you've not tried it out. Look for Diamond Glaze. You can cover the glitter with it or start with it as you would a glue bottle and it dries so well not leaving any flakes...that is just in case you don't want to use your Xyron that day. Also, a glue pad like a stamp pad is fun to use if you want to stamp into it and then pur the glitter :)

    Back to your calendar pages...LOVE the Cricut cut outs you used and the inchies! I have an inchie swap going now and plan to use them in my calendar too :)
    Deb♥
    groovydeb@yahoo.com

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  9. They turned out so good. I like the idea of the number stickers for special days. Cute
    lfuchs1 at wi. rr. com

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  10. Great job on your calendars. Both of them are awesome & full of amazing details. It's so interesting seeing everyones take on creating these calendar pages. Thanks for sharing yours.

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  11. Fabulous layouts; what awesome details and colors. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Thanks for sharing your great ideas

    dhoffman

    at
    spacey

    dot

    net

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  13. I knew you would have amazing creations and you do! Such detail Colleen! Beautiful layouts.

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  14. I love your layouts but I am afraid of loose glitter!! I get that paranoic feel that my daughter is going to throw it all over the floor. TFS!! Take Care!!
    Jennie @ http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com/

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  15. Thanks for all the tips!! Glitter and the lines tip were much needed!! I learned alot! TFS!!
    kacee
    mcvicwif@yahoo.com

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  16. Good job --wonderful pages --thanks millierose651@aol.com

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  17. Gorgeous calendar pages!!
    bhoward at kci dot net

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  18. Brilliant pages! Thank you so much for sharing. You are extremely creative and I love what you did with everything!

    Heidi Browning aka Liadan
    liadan@liadan-mes.com

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  19. Your pages are so wonderful. I knew that they would look so good. I just love the use of glitter!!! Great tip for the lines. I haven't dabbled into the world of inchies yet. It's part of my New Years Resolution.

    Your did a great job. Thanks for hopping with us.
    Michelle

    mpetrovich23(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. I love your vintage layouts! And the detail! The glitter was a great addition! I am in awe!
    Thanks for hopping along with us!
    Gina
    GRKIDDO
    At
    Verizon
    dot
    Net

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  21. Col, these are beautiful calendar pages! I love the details and all the sparkle. TFS.

    jlhudson2(at)cox(dot)net

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  22. Wow, I love the two calendar layouts--I would also love to see the other 10 months. :-)

    Kathy
    Katsews at gmail dotcom

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  23. Great job!!! Love the bling!!!
    annadowdy at gmail dot com

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  24. Beautiful as usual Col! I always love your stuff.

    paperbutterflies AT sbcglobal DOT net

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  25. gorgeous layouts/calendar pages! tfs!
    esigmon at cox dot net

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  26. Great Hop! Really like the Calendar pages.

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  27. Wow, these are very beautiful! Wonderful job :) New follower!

    Tanya
    phenis2031 at yahoo dot com

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  28. Thanks for sharing these lovely layouts! I am a new follower and glad I am :) This is such a great blog hop and I love these pages! TFS them :)


    Happy Scrappin'

    Sue B

    http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/

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  29. Beautiful job on both months, so many wonderful details to make your pages extra special. TFS
    jennyplace26@gmail.com

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  30. New follower here..you did a beautiful job. TFS!

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  31. I think out of all the layouts in the hop, I love yours the most! TFS!

    dfhenson@q.com

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  32. Great job! Thanks for all the detail on how to do it. They are both beautiful

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  33. I became a follower too! lol

    dfhenson@q.com

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  34. Beautiful pages, I love the techniques you shared! December is my fav month, since it is my birthday month as well as Christmas.

    Happy New Year!

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  35. AMAZING! I love your calendars, you have some major details here, I am going to have to come back to get them all down!
    I am a new follower of your blog, glad to be on this hop with you.
    (OH, and I LOVE your candy, I need to go get some more blades...)
    TFS and a chance to win
    Bonnie C
    http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com

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  36. I M really so excited I can not belive this happened I was just fussing about the calendars I need one to set up for Hubbies Doctor app.. So ALL HELPED Me SO MUCH I M going to get off my BEHIND and MAKE ME ONE.. THANK UUUUUU

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  37. What gorgeous calendar pages! I love how you used little Christmas ornaments on the dates for your December! CUTE!

    Melissa
    www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com

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  38. Beautiful layouts...love the ornaments for the days of December. TFS! Thanks for the blog candy!!

    stephs361@yahoo.com

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  39. Girlie, both of these are really nice. I love have you made the number markers for both calendars. I also love the glitter on everything. TFS!

    Christel
    Blog Hop Sista
    onescrappinsista.blogspot.com
    christel(at)majesticdesigns(dot)net

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  40. I love how your write! I feel like I've known you for years! You sound like you are a lot of fun to be with and you make me giggle! These are so pretty and December is my favorite cause I love Christmas. My name, Natalie, means "Child of Christmas"! So glad to meet you and hop with you! Thanks for sharing!
    Natalie
    mtmcbroom at gmail dot com
    http://timelesslegacydesigns.blogspot.com

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  41. Nice! I often use my Xyron to add glitter also. Much less messy!

    Keltonsmom at gmail dot com

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  42. Just lovely pages! Love the 2nd layout especially!! Very cute, you all have put so much work into these calendars. Great job!! Deb and Natalie sent me so I am going to hop all through now!!
    jmdegruc@yahoo.com

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  43. Both of your pages are so pretty! It's hard to pick which one I like the best.☺
    Happy New Year!
    reneeleeak at yahoo dot com

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  44. Pretty pages! I like all the sparkle! ~Vanessa W
    baboo7192 at gmail dot com

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  45. Great pages! I really like the way you layered the letters after you glittered them. I will have to remember that one!

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  46. I just wanted to stop by to thank you for hopping in the Calendar Blog Hop. I've had such a good time! I hope you've had tons of fun, gotten some new followers and found wonderful ideas for your 2011Calendar. Don't forget to hop through yourself, and leave comments, so you could maybe win the Designer's Calendar! Thanks again! karelj

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  47. OH FABULOUS. I love the one with the flourish cut.

    Hugs,
    Raven
    thatsmerb at gmail dot com

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  48. Thanks so much for sharing these layouts! They are wonderful. I love how you added a special touch to the days. The bling is a great touch! I love it all :)

    Thanks for joining the blog hop and sharing
    Jamie
    bamiester(at)gmail(dot)com
    www.glitterstampsandpaperohmy.com

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  49. LOVE the papers! LOVE the colors! LOVE the design! LOVE the detail! LOVE EVERYTHING about BOTH! TFS! :)

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  50. Col,

    Your calendar pages are absolutely AMAZING!!! :) I love them! You are so talented! I am excited to be a new follower...my favorite part of blog hops is finding new creative crafters to come & visit!

    Thank you so much for sharing,

    Jennifer
    partridgelu at yahoo dot com

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  51. Thank you to everyone for all your wonderful comments! You are all too kind!
    Welcome to the new followers and if you left me your blog addy I will follow you too!
    Happy New Year!
    Colleen

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