School days are almost over for the year, so with the start of the last six weeks this week, inevitably I've been hearing "How many more days until summer vacation, Mom?" :) So I decided to revamp my Christmas Countdown calendar into a "Days until school is out" calendar! Since I have two girls, I went with a flowery/girly theme, but you could also do a gender-neutral or boy theme . . .
This cute new graduation stamp from JustRite Stampers' Favorite Occasions 10 Borders & Centers set made the perfect flower center I was looking for. (It looks like this stamp set is scheduled to start shipping May 10!).
I thought I'd share a tip on how to align the custom lettering I created on the Harmony Classic Circle Stamper I (1-5/8") with the Times New Roman 15-pt. font in the border space. I use the horizontal footings/grooves as an indicator (white arrows shown in the photo below) of where to place the font letters, so they will be perfectly aligned with the center image:
I stamped the image with Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink onto Neenah Natural White cardstock and then colored with these Copic markers:
I used Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday papers and Spellbinders Nested Flower die to create the flower. More Girl Friday paper covers the 4" x 8.50" insert I created with Craft-a-Board, so it would stand up nicely. The "OUT" letters are also from the Girl Friday collection. I cut them out, outlined them with Copic Spica glitter pens in Olive, Pink & Turquoise, then inked each of the letter squares:
Zva Creative Crystals, Martha Stewart Butterfly punches, and Papertrey Ink vintage buttons complete the insert. If you remember my other calendar, where I have placed my tall insert is where a pad of notepaper would normally go. Good news, Taylored Expressions is carrying these wonderful wooden alterable calendars now!
Since I only have 42 days left until summer vacation sets in, I'm off to do some more creating . . . it's Weekend Sketch Challenge time again tomorrow and I'm hosting. I'll have a little bit of blog candy to go with this weekend's sketch challenge, so I hope you'll check in here around 8:30am in the morning to see my sketch and play along!
Super cute, Sharon! What a cool idea!
Posted by: Ree Donnelly | April 23, 2009 at 01:18 PM
What a great idea! I never would have thought to buy a countdown calendar because I don't celebrate Christmas but my 8 year old is so time challenged, we could use this to count down to things he is looking forward to or even just the weekend. How clever to alter it using craft-a-board so you can swap out themes. Fabulous!!
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | April 23, 2009 at 01:49 PM
This is adorable Sharon! I love the colors. My baby will be done with college soon so he knows EXACTLY how many days, hours, etc. Me? I have mixed feelings about having a totally empty nest! :( Anyway, I love your project!
Posted by: Karen | April 23, 2009 at 02:01 PM
oh my goodness, this is just too adorable! lovin' the flower!!! now I would want to put it on there even though I do have all teenage boys! ;)
think they would notice?!?! :D
Posted by: Jennifer Scull | April 23, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Man, you do good work. This is just precious! I know, I'm running out of adjectives and have begun sounding redundant where your art is concerned. I can't help myself - I just love it.
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | April 23, 2009 at 02:42 PM
This is a great idea, although I think my teacher friends would appreciate it at least as much as your daughters :)
Posted by: Tamara | April 23, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Totally CUTE -- I love it!!!
Posted by: Sharon (notimetostamp) | April 23, 2009 at 03:15 PM
What a wonderful idea! Perfect for the graduate in the family. I just love the colors and the paper.
Posted by: Valerie | April 23, 2009 at 04:18 PM
What a clever mom you are! This is a fantastic idea. I just love it :-)
Posted by: Debby | April 23, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Fantastic, I love this idea - I have a friend who's retiring soon, this would be perfect for her countdown!
Posted by: alison | April 23, 2009 at 05:21 PM
OMG!!! I LOVE this!!! Soooooooo cute and clever!!!
Posted by: Michele | April 23, 2009 at 06:15 PM
This is darling...
Posted by: Lori Craig | April 23, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I LOVE this idea! Right when you walk into the high school (on the senior's side) there is a count down for the seniors. I never thought to do something like this for my boys or for the SPED kids I work with!
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | April 23, 2009 at 09:16 PM
oh how super fabulous!!! I think my kids would love this countdown as much as the Christmas one!!!
BTW--you won blog candy on my blog:)
Posted by: Carolyn King | April 23, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Sharon, if this isn't THE coolest calendar--you rocked it, friend!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | April 24, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Pretty past belief!
Posted by: Alyssa B | April 24, 2009 at 03:59 AM
So very cute!!
I have seen those calendars in WalMart and Hobby Lobby--and I always thought there would be a good use for them!!
Fantastic!
Posted by: Juliana Swanson | April 24, 2009 at 05:47 AM
What an adorable idea!!! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: anne | April 24, 2009 at 10:55 AM
i prefer the happy birthday stamp, as i do so many birthday cards. love them all!
Posted by: judy | April 24, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Sharon, thanks so much for the tutorial! I didn't "get it" with these stamps but now think I am seeing the light. ....one more thing to get addicted to is what I'm thinking now! LOL!! TFS!!
Posted by: Kim Evans | April 28, 2009 at 05:53 AM