Christmas Calendar Card

I didn't invent the easel card, but I sure wish I had.  It looks so complicated, but it's super easy to make.  I guess the original concept was from Deborah March, but I found a great video tutorial at My Stampin' Dreams . I haven't seen anyone turn it into a calendar yet, so I guess that part is sort of my own.

Oh, and if you're wondering why it took me so long to post this article, it's because I made 40 of these puppies to send for Christmas cards this year. And no, I don't have too much time on my hands, I just can't stand the thought of going to all the trouble of making Christmas cards and then having them tossed or packed away after the holidays.  Maybe they'll keep it out for the calendar. (At least until spring, LOL)

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  Holiday Lineup, Pg. 43 #111648; Many Merry Messages, Pg. 33 #116586; Punch Pals, Pg.40 #116588

Paper:  Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (DSP), Pg. 160 #102482; Real Red Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #103133; Old Olive CS, Pg. 156 #100702; Whisper White CS, Pg. 155 #100730

Ink:  Jet Black Staz-On, Pg. 190 #101406; Old Olive, Pg. 156 #102277; Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Pg. 156 #100052; Old Olive, Pg. 156 #100079; More Mustard, Pg. 156 #100076; Ballet Blue, Pg. 157 #100066; Basic Black, Pg. 155 #100082; Optional:  Use Blender Pens, Pg. 192 #102845 with inkpads.  For instructions on using Blender Pens, go to my Snowman Cube tutorial.

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Pg. 186 #107214; 1/2" Circle Punch, Pg. 186 #104390; Dazzling Diamonds, Pg. 180 #102023; 2-Way Glue Pen, Pg. 192 #100425; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Sticky Strip, Pg. 192 #104294; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Sponge Daubers, Pg. 192 #102892; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; Craft & rubber scissors, Pg. 191 #103179; Paper Piercing Tool, Pg. 191 #116631; Calendar Pads.  (I found mine at Stamp On This! LLC

Cut Real Red CS 4" x 8" and score at 2" and 4" on the 8" side as shown.  Apply Sticky Strip to the 2" x 4"  end panel.

Cut Whisper White CS 3" x 1-1/2".  Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position in image and stamp with Staz-On.

Color image with markers or Blender Pens.  Then dot the image with the 2-Way Glue Pen and apply the Dazzling Diamonds.  Ink around the edges with Old Olive. (Or your choice of color.) 

Cut Real Red CS 4" x 4".  Cut Designer Paper 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" and ink around the edges with Sponge Daubers and Old Olive ink.  Attach to the 4" square with Snail Adhesive.

Attach the image to 3-1/3" x 1-3/8" Real Red CS with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Attach to the card front with Snail as shown.

Attach the calendar with Sticky Strip.

Peel off the Sticky Strip on the card base and attach the card front as shown.  Only the bottom part of the card front will be attached to the base.

Now flip the card over and attach DSP to the 4" x 4" panel.  Measure in 2" from the front corner as shown and mark with a small dot.

Stamp a small snowflake image on Whisper White and punch out with the 1/2" Circle Punch.

Pierce the center of the image and insert a brad.  You'll have to cut the ends of the brad so they don't stick out of the circe when open.  You can use a wire snips, but I prefer my Craft & Rubber Scissors.  It cuts through wire and brads like string.

Attach the brad over the the mark in the center of the DSP with a dimensional.  You'll need the extra height to hold up the card front.

Stamp the sentiment on 3" x 1-1/4" Whisper White CS.  Punch out the corners with the Ticket Corner Punch and ink around the edges.  Cut Old Olive CS 3-1/4"x 1-1/2" and punch the corners.  Attach the sentiment with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Then attach to the card with Snail.

I'll be adding a piece of Whisper White to the top portion with a personal note and signature.

I ran a little experiment on this card yesterday:  I showed it to four different people to see if they would realize that the calendar would stand up.  Not one of them did.  They just read it and then closed it up like any other card.  I was afraid of that, so I'm going to add a little sticker behind the calendar saying that it should be tucked behind the button.

One other thing.  This card would fit into a 4-1/4" square envelope, but you'll have to pay an extra $.17 postage, so I'm send mine in standard A1 envelopes.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure and check out My Stampin' Dreams to see the video I used to make the easel card.

Mickey