A Window of Opportunity...Wall Calendar

I've had these window frames for over 20 years from my great uncle. They have been different colors and have served different functions like mirrors, flower boxes etc, but for the last 10 years or so they have been my organizers in our family office. The family office was our dining room, but we turned it into the computer room/office for all to use.
space
The window on the left has cork board in each pane to keep important papers or school flyers close at hand. The window on the right is our 6 month calendar. I was in the process of changing the months and thought I would share how I did it in case you have a window frame you'd like to transform.
space
The window on the right has cardboard in each pane so I can tack the calendars to it.
space
space
This is what it looks like with the calendars in it.
space

space
I don't buy calendars...I just print them from a free website.
space

Just go to this site. On the right side under Calendars, I click on "monthly calendars". Then from there, I use the Holiday version, because it already lists each holiday in the month. Click around though, because there are different styles and sizes for every purpose. Some are vertical or horizontal. Mine are vertical.

space

It's a great site...I have no affiliation to it, just wanted to share!

Print off your desired calendar.

My window panes are longer than the standard 8"x11" piece of paper, so I print the title of each month on a separate piece of paper in a large font.

You can just tack them up with thumb tacks, but why not have something cute up there each month.

Like these cute little buttons that I just hot glued to flat headed push pins. The buttons are from my friend Carol who I met through blogging. Hi Carol!! She sent me 2 big boxes of buttons and thread that she received from a friend. I'm amazed every day by the kindness of strangers. She just sent me the buttons knowing I would find a project for them. I have others in the making...it's just taking me longer than I thought to get them done. You know how that goes. One big long list of "To Dos". Thanks again Carol for all the goodies.

To put the calendars together, I just tack each monthly title to each pane...

with these adorable button pins.

Here's the window partially set up.

Now take your printed calendars...

I cut off the smaller monthly name on the top and some small print on the bottom. Sorry about this upside down picture.

I use double side tape on the back top side of each calendar.

I place each calendar on the first printed sheet so it fills in the space at the bottom to hide the cardboard.

Now you're all set to fill it in with your family's crazy schedule. If you're like me...it gets filled in pretty quickly.

This little close up is the detail in the old window. Great to find these in flea markets, junk shops, yard sales, thrifting...

Love it!

So easy to have 6 months at a glance!

Don't miss this "Window of Opportunity" for organization. Go forth...recycle, paint and organize.
space

Have a great day,

~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Needle Keep iTunes Card

Old, used up, empty gift cards. We have so many of them around our house, especially after the holidays. Our 2 teenage daughters always receive gift cards to different stores and itunes...lots of itunes. Such an easy gift to buy for them and they love them!!
space
Well, I started saving the old ones. Of course I did, adding more to my ever growing stash of crap...garbage that turns into gold though! I've been thinking long and hard about this one and have come up with a few ideas. I'm hoping to post a couple of them throughout the week, but the first idea is a needle keep and it's for today's TTT.
space
The cards come in different sizes and shapes, so this tutorial is just an example. You need to measure your gift card and then go from there. For this project I used 2 of the cards on the left.

space
These little ones measure 3 inches long by...
space

2 inches wide.

space
For the needle keep, you will need 2 cards of the same size. To cut the fabric needed, I measured the length of the 2 cards and added 1 inch and the width I added 3/4 of an inch. To break that down for you, each of my cards is 3 inches long x 2 cards= 6" plus the extra inch. The width of my cards are 2 inches, so I added 3/4". The final measurement for the fabric is 7" x 2 3/4"

You will need 2 cards, 2 pieces of fabric cut to your measurements and 2 pieces of matching ribbon. I cut the ribbon about 7" long and then trimmed it later.

The first step is to fold one of the pieces of fabric length wise and just finger crease the fabric to find the center.

You only need to find the center of one piece of fabric.

Pin the 2 strips of ribbon over the center marks.

Ball up the ribbon and pin it to the middle so you don't catch it in your seam allowance.

Now take your second piece of fabric and with right sides together, pin it over the piece with the ribbons. Leave an opening big enough for the cards to fit through.

Sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, pivoting at the corners and back stitching at the beginning and the end.

Clip the corners.

Turn fabric right sides out and unpin the ribbons. There should be one piece of ribbon sticking out of each of the short ends. Press the seams, but don't let the iron touch your ribbon (don't ask)

Now insert one of the cards into the left side of the opening...

and snug it up into the corners.

Insert the second card into the right side and do the same thing.

See the 2 cards in there? There should be about a 1/4 space between them. Whip stitch this opening closed.

Lay the rectangle on the table and push the cards to either side. I placed 2 pins up against the ends to hold them in place.

Run a stitch down the middle.

I placed a little dab of hot glue on the back of the felt and then the bow to secure it. You can add or change the embellishments if you'd like.

and here you have it...a cute little needle keep made with old, used up gift cards. (oh my gosh...make sure they're used up or this will be the most expensive needle keep ever).

Isn't she adorable...I think I'll call them ikeeps when I use itunes cards or Victoria's Keeps when the girls use up their Victoria's Secret cards. The name possibilities are endless...

First, have fun shopping to use up all those gift cards and then have fun sewing and using up all the empty cards.

spaceHave a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

A Winner and Quilt Show Pics...

And the winner of the quilt magazine is...Jo from West Side of Straight. Just need your snail mail address and I'll get it right out to you. Go visit her blog, she makes the cutest tea cup pin cushions!!
space

space
Here are the pictures I took at the MQX, Machine Quilters Expo, last week when I went with Tina and Sarah. There were so many beautiful quilts from so many talented people, I couldn't take pictures of all of them. The catalog said we could take pictures for our own person use, so I hope this is ok to post on my blog. I'm just sharing the inspiration for all to see and not taking credit for any of these!! The one picture with someone in it is Tina. She entered her quilt and did an awesome job. Woo Hoo for Tina!! I'll let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves. I was speechless looking at these quilts. I don't think I'll ever be at this level in quilting. If you can believe it, some of these were quilted on a regular sewing machine!
space

I hope you enjoyed the show...I'm still drooling, especially over the last one. I think that one is my favorite!!
space
Have a great night,
~Karen~