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DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar

“It is a truth universally acknowledged…” that Lauren is atrocious at remembering birthdays.  And when it comes to anniversaries?  Fuggetaboutit.  They don’t even stand a chance.  Even my besties will attest that they’ve received many a belated birthday wish from me…and not just a day late, but in some shameful cases, months late!  It’s embarrassing, really.  And something just had to be done.

I present to you, The Thinking Closet’s edition of a Birthday & Anniversary Calendar:

D.I.Y. Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Below, you’ll find the skinny on how I created this calendar.  And those of you who know me know to expect a free cut file in this post to aid those of you with Silhouette Studio software.  Gotta help a sister/bro out!

Tutorial

Step 1.  Create your design.  I decided to create a mini-monthly calendar that could flip over two rings, and chipboard proved to be a great material to work with for this project.  It’s thicker than cardstock, akin to a cereal box in thickness.  As I shared yesterday, it’s one of Silhouette’s new products that I’m most excited about.

Silhouette Giveaway & Special Chipboard Promotion | The Thinking Closet
My brain works in odd ways, often related to commercials from the 80s. {Photo source.}

In my Silhouette Studio Designer Edition software, I created a scalloped frame approximately 8″ tall x 5.5″ wide (so that two frames could fit side by side on one 12″ x 12″ board).  I also added two holes at the top for the rings.  Then, I created a frame slightly smaller than the main frames, which would be a stencil for creating a border around the entire frame.

Free Cut File

To make your lives easier, I’m offering up these scalloped calendar frames for free to my newsletter subscribers. You can sign up to download your free cut file using the nifty form below or by clicking HERE. {Fine print: this design is for personal use only and is not to be used for commercial purposes. Thanks!}

Free Scalloped Frame Shape to use with a DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar via The Thinking Closet

Step 2.  Cut your design.  Before absentmindedly cutting 12 frames, I realized I could get away with 6 frames with the first six months of the year on the front and the second six months on the back.  (Hooray for economy!)  So, that’s just what I did.  And though I was worried about jagged edges with my machine cutting thicker material, it cut through that chipboard like butta’!  I even  managed to get away without doing a double-cut…perhaps because my blade is still relatively new and the design wasn’t too intricate.

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Step 3.  Paint your chipboard.  I’ve been smitten with chalkboard-anything for a few years now and decided to give all of my frames a light coating in the Krylon Chalkboard spray paint I had on hand from my chalkboard labelsNote: if you run out of spray paint, black acrylic paint applied in a thin coat using a foam brush will create the exact same flat finish.  I may or may not be speaking from experience here…ahem!  The chipboard took on the paint like a boss without any warping.

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Step 4.  Create a border around the frame.  I decided to cut a slightly smaller frame to serve as a stencil for creating a white border around the edge.  I ended up using some white paint markers for this project instead of actual chalkboard markers since I don’t plan to making changes, and I wanted to avoid smudging.  For this step, I used a medium point marker in two coats.

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Step 4.  Add the dates.  I decided to add the dates in two columns on the bottom 6″ of the frame, which mathematically works out to 6 mm each per number (with a max of 16 numbers per column).  I notched an index card to use as a guide and went month by month, handwriting my numbers using a fine tip paint marker.  You could also use stamps instead!  Note: When writing out the dates and months, it’s important to make sure you’ve ordered them correctly, so write January through June, then flip over the stack and write July (on the back of June) through December (on the back of January).

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Step 5.  Add the months.  I really wanted this calendar to have a hand-drawn look, but felt in need of some guidance where my lettering was concerned.  So, I found a free font online that I liked (Simon Script) and used Word to create samples of the text in 66 size font.  Then, I placed them beneath my header to help me eye out my lettering and spacing.  My finished product is far from perfect, but since perfect is not what I was going for, we’re all good.  Note: If you’re not feeling uber confident with your free-handing abilities, you can always use some transfer paper beneath the slips of paper and trace over the letters first.

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Step 6.  Add embellishments and names.  Now the fun part: I decided to add embellishments to bookend the month lettering (flourishes, floral designs, ribbons, etc.) and then added the names of loved ones by their birthday or anniversary.  For anniversaries, I just added a heart before the couple’s names.  Again, you could use stamps for this step if you prefer.  It’s all coming together now….

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Step 7.  Add rings and a string to hang your calendar.  I actually had bought mini-binder rings to bind the calendar together, but felt they didn’t fit well with the chalkboard style, so I found some black twine leftover from my Punched Tin Ornaments and used that to create two rings through the two holes.  Then, I strung a piece of twine through the two rings and tied it together in a bow.  You can then double that piece on itself to simplify the look.  When it comes time to flip the calendar, just untie the bow and remove the twine (leaving on the rings), flip over to the next month, and quickly re-tie that piece.

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

And with that, the D.I.Y. Birthday & Anniversary Calendar is complete!

We have our calendar hanging in our front hallway right now where even my frazzled-‘n-forgetful brain can’t miss it, but since that space is devoid of natural light, here are some outdoor photos for your viewing pleasure:

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

DIY Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

Now I have no excuses for being unfashionably late with my birthday/anniversary messages and gifts!  I hereby declare my new name to be “Punctual Pam.”  (Nice to meet you.)

This is Lauren, signing off.

Full DisclosureI was not compensated for this post, but I did receive a free pack of chipboard.  This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Please rest assured that as always, I only recommend products that I use and love.

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105 Comments

  1. Wow! I need to do this in a bad way. It would probably help me get my birthday and anniversary cards in the mail on time too! 🙂 Thanks for linking up to the “Get Your DIY On” link up party! Hope to see you back tomorrow night at 7 PM with your Halloween projects!

    1. It has definitely saved my tail this summer and fall seeing the dates that I need to focus on most! In fact, I have some b-day gifts I need to make this week! Eek! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Lisbeth! Just flipped it over to July and saw the flood of anniversaries. I guess we weren’t too original in choosing July as our month to be wed; ha ha. Either that or great minds think alike. Looking forward to celebrating our anniversary with our beloved maid-of-honor in the Grove in just a little over a week! Eep!

    1. Thanks, Tara! I definitely need all the help I can get. (In fact, thanks for the reminder to flip my little calendar over to June. It’s a brand new month with a new set of birthdays and anniversaries to remember. Eep!)

    1. Yes, I, too, am glad that this will be a one time only project…at least, until enough babies are born and knots are tied that a bigger and better one is merited. But until that day, I’m going to enjoy this little guy! And I’m glad you picked up on the P&P reference! Cool points for you, Charlene.

  2. Awww I love this Lauren! It’s a fantastic idea, really and so cute! =D. I’m so happy that you stopped by and linked this up at Bewitch Me & Titi! Hope to have you back next Tomorrow with more amazing creations!

    Hope you are having a lovely weekend

    Hugs
    Cami @ TitiCrafty by Camila

    1. Thanks for so kindly stopping by and for your encouraging comment! I love linking up to the Bewitch Me & Titi party. You create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Camila…truly wonderful.

      I did have a great weekend…it involved a fun family trip I plan to write up a post on later this week; how about you? I hope it was grrrrreat!

  3. this is such a cute idea and looks great!
    I SO need to make this! I even put cards in envelopes and mark little dates on them sometimes, but still forget to send them! 🙂
    So glad you shared this fun project @ Inspire Me Fridays this past week Lauren!!
    have a beautiful weekend!

    1. Great idea to prep your cards in advance, Maria! I may have to try that…. May your weekend be beautiful, too, Maria!

  4. Pinned. I love everything chalkboard!!! I posted about my magnetic spice rack with chalkboard tins recently and I could just stare them all day. 🙂

    Would you mind sharing this on a new link party I host with 5 other blogs: Moonlight & Mason Jars Mondays! We feature 5 blogs who link up every week. The party closes at midnight on Wednesday. I know our readers will LOVE this too! 🙂

    Xo,
    Jenn Pilgrim
    TheNewlywedPilgrimage.com

    1. A magnetic spice rack with chalkboard tins? Does it get more fun than that? I’m going to have to stop by your blog to check that out, along with your new linky party. Thanks for the invitation! (And I appreciate the pin love, too, Jenn.)

    1. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hi, Jamie. I really look forward to the Monday Funday link party each week…thanks for hosting! (And it’s definitely a relief to know I’m not the only one with birthday-remembering issues!)

    1. Thanks for the sweet words, Ashley, and for the exciting news about the feature! Grabbed a button and proudly placed it on my features page. Thanks again, and I hope you have a wonderful week.

    1. Aw, thanks Liz! Just came back from your beautiful blog…. And what you may lack in birthday remembering, you make up for in upcycling skills. You’re so talented!

    1. Janel, you are too funny. Your sense of humor is reason #458 why I fell in love with your blog last night and got sucked into reading post after post. (Reason #459: you have one of the most amazing project galleries I have ever SEEN!) Thanks for the follow, too! I’m blushing.

  5. Well hello Punctual Pam! What a pleasure it is to meet you. This is a fabulous DIY project! Love the overall idea and all the itty bitty details. If it makes you feel any better, my MIL’s birthday is May 31 and I’m still working on her gift for last year (the big 6-5). I’m a terrible DIL! Good thing I gave her some wonderful grandkids or I’d have no redeeming qualities. Thanks for sharing your genius date-remembering solution!

    1. I’m lol’ing at this comment now after our FB conversation because clearly Punctual Pam has given way to Procrastinator Lauren…maybe I need to make an exception and include Mother’s Day on my Birthday and Anniversary Calendar! And you are FAR from a terrible DIL, Jessica. The gifts that take the longest to create just spread out the celebrating!

  6. I need to do this; I’m THE WORST at remembering birthdays/anniversaries 🙂 Love this idea and great giveaway! Stopping in from Saturday Sharefest!

    1. Charlotte, thanks for stopping by! I’m starting to get the sense that many folk share my date-remembering woes! That’s one of the many things I love about blogging…it connects us and makes us feel less alone in our experience. And by the by, I love how you share both the highs and lows of your life journey on your blog. Way to be real.

    1. Why thank you, Gloria! You’re too kind. And I stopped by your blog and was delighted to see that the Resourceful Gals are a mother-daughter-team! How wonderful is that? I’d love to collaborate with my Mom on a blog someday. Hmmm….now you’ve got me thinking….. 😉 Happy Mothers’ Day to you!

  7. I also tend to forget birthdays, especially if I am not always with those person. Facebook only reminds me of those events. Haha. That’s a good idea to make your own “birthday” calendar list so you can’t forget those important days. I used to think to make a birthday calendar section on m blog, but nah, I forget about it too. Haha.

    1. Ha ha. You’re too funny, Mei! I’m that way, too. If I don’t write something down right away, it flutters off into thin air, not to be seen again until it’s usually too late. 😉 But I really like the idea of a birthday calendar on your blog. Would it be for your friends and family? Or for your readers?

  8. Ooooh! I’m so with you!
    I also forget nearly every birthday or other date.
    And when I accomplish it to think about birthdays, I procrastinate to buy a present and/or to congratulate the person. Yes, it’s possible to think about some one’s birthday and don’t congratulate at all… I’m really good with birthdays!
    😉

    I will definitely have to make a birthday calendar like yours as well!
    (Only without a fancy machine like yours…)

    Love, Midsommarflicka

    1. Loved our convo on Twitter about our struggles with procrastination. Lol. I’ve definitely gotten better…but I still have miles to go before I sleep….

      And you can definitely conquer this project without a Silhouette. It’s nothing that a sharp pair of scissors or an x-acto knife can’t handle!

    1. Thanks, Danielle! Don’t look too closely because the penmanship is far from perfect, but as I said, perfect wasn’t my goal. When you embrace imperfection, a project is so much more enjoyable! 😉 And yes, the Silhouette presents endless possibilities. My “to create” list keeps growing and growing!

    1. Thanks, girl! It felt good to create something that I didn’t first see on Pinterest for once; gotta keep those creative muscles in shape!

  9. Oh, the happy dance song! lol My happy dance is almost always inspired by Dory… usually whatever I’m excited about becomes the lyrics to the tune “No eating here tonight. No, no, no eating here tonight. No eating here tonight. You’re on a di-et.”
    So… “I won a Silhouette. Oh, oh, I won a Silhouette. I won a Silhouette. I’m gonna make stuff.”
    …starting with this calendar, or some variation thereof. Good job!

    1. Lol. Had to go back and watch the clip from Nemo to jog my memory, and I chuckled to hear your parodied lyrics. Love the creativity, London! And I can only imagine how that creativity would manifest itself in Silhouette creations galore!

    1. Ha ha. Nice to meet you, too, Kind-n-Creative Kenley! Hope your weekend is off to a fantastic start, my friend.

    1. It impressed me, too, Rachel. Makes me want to test out even thicker material now just to see what it can handle. Ha ha! Thanks for stopping by to join in the giveaway fun, my friend!

    1. Isn’t the chalkboard look the best? Now I just need to buy another can of Krylon chalkboard spray paint since I used mine up on this project. Always important to have a spare can on hand. You just never know when the inspiration to chalkboard-it-up will strike!

  10. Ahh these are marvelous! I am loving the chalkboard everything and these totally fit the classy old school feel that I connect with chalkboards. You did such a great job on them! The lettering is really nice, too. I am also so intrigued that the Silhouette can cut through chipboard! Now, that is pretty cool!

    1. You said it best with “classy old school feel.” I’d like to think my Mom was ahead of the trend because growing up, she had a chalkboard next to the phone with important and emergency numbers written in white paint marker. So, I suppose yesterday’s post was a “throwback Thursday” project of sorts! Didn’t realize it until now. Ha ha.

  11. Love this project and will be ordering the chipboard. What a fun way to remember important dates!

    1. Hip hip hooray! Can’t wait to see what chipboard creations you come up with, Diana. Do you have any leads on ideas? I think I might try gift tags and gift boxes next….

  12. Love this. Since coming to Vancouver (land of so many Dutch people), I’ve learned that the birthday calendar is a must. Yours is beautiful. And so fun to see my name on there! 🙂

    1. I had no idea until Jen’s comment and yours that the Dutch were so keen on birthday calendars. I think I’ve found my long lost people! (And of course your name is on their, friend. Wouldn’t want to forget that most important day when Do-It-Pruitt rocked the world with her luminous presence.)

    1. I’m intrigued by your giant grid idea, Kelly! That sort of thing would be perfect for a craft room or office (which we don’t have right now, but maybe once we’re homeowners).

    1. Why thank you, Manda! Something really had to be done because for someone who loves celebrating and gift-giving, I have had a pretty poor track record when it comes to planning ahead for those special dates. Hopefully this will help remedy that situation!

  13. LOVE! This is so incredibly cute! Reason number 1,897,462 that I need a Silhouette! 😉 I love the handwritten look and all of your personal additions and fun touches. Great project! Hope you’re having a great week, Lauren!

    ~Abby =)

    1. Aw…it’s true, the reasons are endless why one would want a Silhouette. I’d love to see what crafty goodness you’d come up with if you got your creative hands on one, Abby. Here’s to hoping…. And thanks for your sweet comment! Your comments always bring me a smile as wide as the moon! Happy weekend to you, Abby.

    1. Oh, yes indeed it does. Walk…no, run to your nearest craft store and pick some up! I know you’ll love it as much as I do, Karen.

  14. Ah! ouif! I’m not the only who forgets about these important dates 😉 I’m really bad ha!ha! I love, love your project Lauren! you did a great job with this calendar my friend; it’s so pretty and practical, this is something I would LOVE having in our house!!! hey, hey! I’m obsessed with chalkboard paint too!!! 🙂

    1. Oh no, Ingrid! You are not alone. And thanks for the uplifting comment. “Pretty and practical” has a great ring to it! I hope all of my projects can fall under that title. Have a fantastic weekend! Hope you continue to have great weather!

      1. Thank you too Lauren! 🙂 weather; not that great today!
        btw, so happy; you, Alex (my bloggy friends) and I we were featured at itsoverflowing today and of course many other great posts! 😉 YAY! 🙂

        1. Ingrid, thanks for letting me know about the features we got! So excited to be featured alongside you and Alex, two of my bloggy buddy all-stars!

  15. This is so flipping fabulous! (I love the ch-ch-ch-chia reference. I secretly always wanted one.) Your creativity and ease of talent amaze me. Great job, again. And you always share, which is so thoughtful. This calendar would make a great house-warming, wedding, or your favorite – baby shower gift. It would be lovely to mark out the gift recipient’s special dates ahead of time. 🙂

    I wonder if one could go one step further and make a mini one for a baby shower gift. The parent(s) can add to the calendar after each milestone – rolling over, crawling, walking, talking, etc….

    1. I’m just glad to know that chia pets are still in existence! They always were such a novelty, and their commercials always maintained my rapt attention when I was young. How could I forget their catchy tagline?

      Love your idea to gift this as a house-warming or wedding gift, pre-filled in with important dates. OR your idea for the baby shower gift with spots for important milestones is even cooler. You are so innovative, Christine, I swear.

  16. As I get older the more birthdays I have to remember…this is a wonderful idea…I need to make at least two…one to remember to remember! Ha Ha…love it! Thanks!!!!!

    1. I know, Rita, I can venture to guess that as the years go on, I’ll need a bigger version of this birthday and anniversary calendar to fit the ever growing list of important dates. (Or a second one to remember to remember, ha ha.) But for now, this one suits us!

  17. I LOVE me some chalk board paint (and, BTW that brand is my favorite!), scalloped frames, scheduling, lists and black and white! In short; THIS. IS. AWESOME. I simply love this little DIY and will HAVE to make my own.
    – Dusty.

    1. Krylon rocks the hizz-ouse! And I’m so glad that so many aspects of this creation resonated with you. Makes me feel even more kindred to you than I already do, Dusty! #kindredspirits

    1. Hard to believe that your one year anniversary is just around the riverbend! Weren’t we all just dancing up a storm at your wedding reception?

  18. I knew I liked you! I make old school hand written lists all the time. I just can’t get into typing up anything. These are really great and a very common sense approach to those of us who may not have mastered the art of typing on an iPhone. *cough*

    1. The art of handwriting is definitely waning; glad to know I have a friend in Canadia who is scribbling down lists and calendars on her kitchen table, too. And you might appreciate this – – I had a friend in college, Becky, who would handwrite all of her essays FIRST, and then type them up later. While I couldn’t imagine putting in all of that extra work, I definitely respected her process. There’s something about slowing down to handwrite something that allows for more intentionality in word choice…and more personality. I feel this way about letters, too…. I see a post coming on! A collaborative one between Northstory and The Thinking Closet, perhaps? 😉

    1. Yippee! Happy to share it, Emily! So excited to see what you create with your new chipboard.

  19. I was on pins and needles to see what you were creating from that little hint yesterday! Now it all makes perfect sense! Really cute idea ~ so much more fun than an ordinary calendar!

    1. Although it was time-consuming to create with all of the lettering and measuring, it was actually a lot of fun (like you, I can get lost in a creative project for hours). Hopefully I can now be as organized as you and my Mom are when it comes to remembering birthdays and anniversaries!

  20. “…that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Do we have a Pride and Prejudice fan in the house?? I LOVE that book, one of my favorites 🙂

    And YES!!!! Another opportunity to get a portrait!!!!!! Last time Josh said he would “think about it” (as to whether or not i could get his blessing and buy one, and he thought about it until the sale was over! So pretty excited about another sale 🙂 Also, this birthday calendar idea is brilliant. BRILLIANT. Why didn’t I think of this?? Another great post, and the photos turned out really nice!

    1. Yes we do have a P&P fan up in here! It’s definitely one of my favorites, as well. Don’t ask me why that popped into my mind when I started writing this post, but once you type a quote from Jane Austen in a post, it must not, cannot be deleted!

      And I’m glad to know you’re excited about the Silhouette sale (if it works for you and your hubby!). And if not this time around, I can’t make promises, but I venture to guess there will be more opportunities in the future.

      Thanks for the kind words about the photos, Gabby! Ever working on improving my photo taking and editing skills! You always take such smashing pics…would love to read a post by you someday on your Photo Tips & Tricks!

  21. those are super cute and really clever. you are right, now you have no excuse for forgetting a birthday. those are too cute and I bet they won’t allow you to forget to look at them!

    1. That was my hope, Kelly! I knew that if it was on a plain ole calendar, it would end up shoved in a drawer somewhere eventually. With this, however, the contrast of the white on black does scream, “Hey! Hey you! Look at me!” 😉

  22. Truth be told I am absolutely awful at remembering dates. I always know the month but can never remember the day! Then again I often get confused about how old I am adding or subtracting a year so perhaps numbers just aren’t my thing.

    I LOVE this so much! I also love how it flips like a table menu! Will definitely be putting this on my projects to do list!

    1. Well, Allison, whatever you may lack in numbers skills you certainly make up for in creativity! Ha ha, and I never thought to compare it to a table menu, but you’re right! Might need to make one of those with luscious looking photos of desserts to make my houseguests’ mouths water. Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Ha ha. It’s funny, though I’ve never heard the sound of your voice in person, Thalita, I feel like I can hear it through this comment loud and clear! If I make things adorable and useful, then you should know you make old things new again! So, thank goodness for Thalita!

    1. Wow! An honorary Dutchie? I’m thrilled! And thanks for the link to check out your verjaardagskalendar. Does knowing the meaning of that word mean that I know a little Dutch? 😉 Still basking the joy of having y’all over here yesterday….

  23. Ha! I was right in my guess yesterday!!! I keep a spreadsheet with the information…including a column to check off when I have the card made…and when I have *sent* the card…and I still end up sending the darn things late sometimes!!!! I do get better every year! Your calendar sure looks a lot cuter than my spreadsheet though!

    1. You win, Meredith!

      And I’m in awe of your elaborate spreadsheet system, especially the fact that you have a column for checking off when your card is made and when you’ve sent it. Wow. You’re an organizational queen!

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