Crackled Perpetual Calendar for 2008!!

Another fun calendar project to welcome in the New Year! This perpetual calender is a great chance to dig those Crackle Paints out and put them to use. You know you've been wanting to ;) All components of this calendar were coated with various shades of the Crackle Paint to show the colors available and what lovely creations you can make with them.

Another plus to making this type of calendar is that everything is stored on the inside of the baking sheet!! No keeping track of various little pieces which inevitably get lost in the shuffle ;) Sooo, let's begin!

Supplies:

Ranger Crackle Paints - Various Colors
Ranger Metallic Dabbers - Silver
Ranger Archival Inks - Various Shades to match Paints
Rubber Stamps - Various stamps used to match months/seasonal themes - Autumn Leaves, TAC, Hero Arts, Inkadinkado, etc.
Calendar Rubber Stamp - Purple Onion Designs
Die Cuts - Cricut Stamped Alpha
Vintage Baking Sheet (new works but you don't get the cool patina of a vintage pan.)
Chipboard, lots and lots of chipboard!
Magnetic strips
E-6000 or other strong adhesive
Rub-ons if desired.

Instructions:

1. Measure twice, cut once ;) You will need to determine what size your finished months and days will be. This will dictate how to go about several of the following steps. The pan I used was fairly large so I was able to make my month headers 2" x needed length and numbered days 1 1/2"x 1". You will need to adjust these measurements to the size of pan you have.

To do so, measure across your pan width and divide by 7. Now subtract 1/4" from that measurement. This will be the width of your days. For example if your pan is 10" wide divide by 7 = 1.43" Now take off .25 (1/4") = 1.18" A bit over 1".

To determine height, you will go about it in the same fashion using 2/3's of the pan height. The upper 1/3 will be used for a frame & year calendar if desired.

2. Once you have determined how large your letters and numbers can be begin by cutting all numbers and months with your preferred die-cut machine. I love Cricut's "Stamped" font so that's what I used. You will need 15 - 1's (actually 14 but I like to cut an extra just in case); 14 - 2's; 6 - 3's and 4 of each additional number including "0". You will also need to cut letters for each month.

3. While your letters & numbers are being cut, it's time to start on the chipboard. Cut out 31 days plus as many extra holiday markers as desired. I tried to make at least one for each month as well as one for birthdays and anniversary's.

4. Once your chipboard is cut, paint every piece with silver or other desired Metallic Dabber.

5. It's time to Crackle**!! I used Broken China for the photo frame and numbered pieces, Faded Jeans for the day header as well as the special occasion markers (birthdays, valentines, etc.). For each month I used a color that best fit that time of year. You may choose to use one color for your entire set. It's totally up to you. This is a great opportunity to personalize it to your tastes. Set aside to dry.

**Tips on Crackle Paint

- The thicker the paint the larger the cracks. You don't want to use a very thin layer as you would acrylic paints. If you do you will get very tiny tiny cracks or no visible cracks at all. You need to have a good layer of paint in order for it to do it's job.

- Don't worry about getting an even layer, for the most part it is self-leveling and will do that for you. Actually - I didn't paint the entire piece as I wanted a more distressed look.

- Crackles take time! Don't get in a hurry...the cracks will appear, it just takes a bit of time. If you want, after you see a dull "skin" form over the paint you can hurry it along a bit by using a bit of heat on the BOTTOM side of your piece. (I normally do this because I don't want to wait ;) lol!!)

6. This step is totally optional but adds a lot of character to the calendar. Stamp various images onto each month using Archival Ink. For example, I used snowflakes for January, hearts for February, etc.

7. Now that you've achieved amazing crackles and stamped cool little designs on your months, apply the letters and numbers to each piece. (set aside the special day pieces for now.) To help me make sure I didn't repeat or skip any days I laid them out side by side after I made each one. Trust me, if you don't it will get very confusing!

8. Special Days - You may personalize these days with whatever materials you like. I used several rub-ons and stamps but you can also use stickers, printed images, ephemera, etc. Whatever your heart desires.

9. Optional - Stamp or print the entire year onto a piece of chipboard that has been coated with silver Metallic Dabber.

10. Apply magnetic strips to each piece using a strong adhesive. Set aside to cure.

11. Stamp flourish or other designs to the baking sheet. I used Autumn Leaves Fancy Flourishes & Silver Dabber paints.

11. Assemble the current month on the "front" of the baking sheet and store the remaining pieces on the back side.

Your calendar is now ready to be used!! :)

Hope you enjoy this project...if you decide to give it a try, please be sure to share your creation with us by posting a link in the comments section. We'd love to see your take on this project!

Wishing you all the very best in the New Year!!!!!!

Happy Inking Friends!!