Crafting: perpetual calendar blocks

This post was updated in 2025.  I made the three original designs for perpetual calendar blocks that you see here a decade ago in a now-defunct software program called Studio.  You can see just a few examples of crafting I've done using Artisan here.  I have created a new design for these blocks which you can easily order using an amazing digital scrapbooking software called Artisan by FOREVER, which is doubly wonderful because FOREVER also offers professional printing that is top-of-the-line. Just follow the updated instructions below.

I promise some day my posts will not mostly be about crafting with scrap pages!  But I keep having fun trying new things, and I keep wanting to post what I'm doing!

I really love these little perpetual calendar blocks.  I don't know why, but I think perpetual calendars are kinda fun.  If you've never heard of perpetual calendars, you just switch sides of the blocks (in this case) to give the current date.  These sit nicely on a desk or a kitchen window sill or shelf.  I've made three different styles.

UPDATE 2025:  The new block design is shown below and available here to order, this time created in neutrals.  When you open the link, you'll see directions on how to order the scrapbook page prints, then just follow the tutorial steps below.

See all three of the pages you'll need for the project here, with details at the right.

STEP 1:
Order the cuteness!  And by "cuteness," of course, I mean the scrapbook pages.  I designed these myself, and they are on 3 12x12 scrapbook pages. 

 

Oh, these are CUTE!

STEP 2:

Buy/order and prepare the wooden blocks.  You will need 21 2-inch wood blocks for this project.  You could also get away with 1 3/4-inch blocks if you prefer.  I tend to like them better, but scroll back up to look at the natural blocks (not painted) and the painted ones.  The natural ones have a wider margin--they are 2-inch blocks.  The painted ones have a much smaller edge.

You should be able to get wood blocks at craft stores, but I order mine online because I get them in bulk.  I use http://caseyswood.com/.  Go in on it with a friend--share shipping.  :)  You can paint the blocks if you like.  Allow to dry thoroughly.  (I didn't--I'm kind of on a natural wood kick right now.)

STEP 3:

Once you get the scrapbook pages (in about 2-3 weeks), cut out the individual pieces.

 

STEP 4:

Use a spray adhesive, permanent double-sided tape, or a Xyron sticker machine to stick the pieces onto the blocks. 

That's it!  These make a cute gift, or just a darling little home decor item for yourself.

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DIY tutorial: mini birthday boards

A while back, I made a family birthday board.  My mom loved it, so I consider it a success.  :)  It's a rather big board, and very cute, but I started thinking about making some birthday boards on a smaller scale.  

I took a mix of Pinterest ideas and Heritage Makers awesomeness, and came up with a pretty cute thing, I think!!  (I love this idea because it puts special dates right in front of my face so I don't forget them!)

I made the same project in two different styles.  You write birthdays (or anniversaries) with a dry erase marker on the month pieces, then hang them on the knob.  There's a hanger on the back so this can be hung on a wall.  So you can SEE it and never forget a special day!  :)  Just rotate the months so the current month (or NEXT month, if you want to plan ahead!) is showing on the front.  This board measures 7.5x7.5, so it doesn't take up much space.  Here's how you can make your own mini birthday board:

STEP 1:
Order your print in your Heritage Makers account.  (If you don't have one, contact me.  No problem.)  I designed these on 11x14 prints, and I really did try to make them fit all on one page, but, alas, you will need two prints for this project.  

I created both of these designs (one above, one below) in my Heritage Makers account.  They are not in the template gallery, so you'll have to contact me and I'll get them transferred over to your Heritage Makers account.  Easy peasy.  

So the top design, as you can probably tell, is more colorful with holiday/season-related art on each of the month squares.  February has little hearts, May has purple flowers, etc.  The design here below is more neutral (I printed a few of the month pieces on the design above, you'll notice).

 
Be sure you select the UV coating option when you submit these for publishing!  (UV coating option is free to Club members.)  You MUST have that, or this project doesn't work as well.

STEP 2:
It'll take about 7-10 days for Heritage Makers to send you your pages.  (And I always suggest you order as much as you can at a time to save on shipping--so get your Mothers Day gifts or your phone case or your wedding invitations or your family yearbook at the same time!)  Next, cut your pieces out.

STEP 3:
Punch small holes in each of the month squares.  I did NOT use a regular size hole punch!  You could, I'm sure, but I prefer the smaller size.  I bought this smaller hole punch at a craft store.

STEP 4:
Cut about 7- or 8-inch pieces of jute (also available at craft stores).  Thread one piece of jute through one hole and tie in a knot.  Repeat with all month pieces.

STEP 5:
Buy an 8" piece of pine wood (called "common wood" at Home Depot or Lowe's).  The 8" size comes in various lengths, and if I remember right, the shortest piece is 6 feet long.  They're only a few dollars.  Cut a 7.5" piece from your pine wood.  (It's tricky.  It's called 8" wood, but it actually measures 7.5".  So cut a 7.5" piece so that you have a square.)  

While at the home improvement store, get a cabinet knob (my favorites are the 99cent ones) and a sawtooth hanger for the back. You can paint your board if you wish, but I didn't.  If you want to, do it now and let it dry.

STEP 6:
Center the sawtooth hanger, mark with a pencil, and tap the itty-bitty nails in.  (Hint:  The pine is soft, so I actually push the nails in a little with my hands so they'll stand up on their own when I pound them.  They are VERY hard to hold with your fingers when pounding in because they're so small.)

 

STEP 7:
Your knob with come with a screw, but it's not sharp.  I highly recommend drilling a hole in the wood.  I recommend drilling the hole about 2" up from the bottom of the board, centered.  Next, screw the screw in only until it almost peeks through on the other side.

STEP 8:
Next, you need to adhere the front piece (from your Heritage Makers print) to the front of the board.  I use permanent double-sided tape around the edges because I feel like I need a little "give" when I push the screw through to the front.

STEP 9:
Now screw the screw in more, but ever so slightly until it just makes a little "bump" in your page.  Can you see mine almost coming through??  It's in one of the gray areas near the bottom center.

 

 As soon as it makes that little bump, I unscrew the screw back out.  (Not all the way, just a little.)  Then I have a small mark on my page where I know the screw will come through.  To break the page, I gently push a screwdriver into that little mark (which has your drilled hole underneath it).  This basically keeps the page from ripping too much when you put the screw all the way in.

 

I just make the tiniest hole/indentation with the screwdriver.  See below.

STEP 10:
Go ahead and screw the screw in all the way so it comes through the front of the board. 

 

STEP 11:
Now you're ready to twist the knob onto it and tighten with a screwdriver. 

 

TA-DAAA!  It's all done--now just write special dates on the month pieces, then hang the month pieces on the knob.

This makes a great Mothers Day gift or birthday gift!  I even had some newlyweds make one.  We all have special days to remember!

2023 UPDATE:  Heritage Makers became YPhoto under Youngevity (which purchased Heritage Makers in 2013).  YPhoto uses only templates, so the creativity showcased here is no longer available there. Best-in-the-industry quality and permanent cloud photo storage with guaranteed privacy are required for anything recommended here by Photo & Story Treasures, so we highly recommend Forever.  

Using Forever's Artisan program for digital scrapbooking, you can make items similar to those shown here.  This video tutorial shows you how to craft with high-quality scrapbook pages, and this one shows you how to use Artisan to create something unique and then print at home (for instances in which you need thinner paper, sticker paper, etc.)  You can see just a few examples of crafting I've done using Artisan here.

books are magical - Where are your stories and photos?

This is true of any book, but a book with photos, memories, family history???  Even more so!!

Books really do bind people together and break the shackles of time.

And are proof that humans are capable of working magic.

Where are your stories and photos?  If they're not in a book yet, it's time!  

This is one fantastic option if you're short on time but want something beautiful and heirloom-quality:

Or if you want full creative flexibility on your pages, with that same heirloom quality, give digital scrapbooking a try:

There are so many amazing personal wellness benefits to putting your photos and memories in pages that you don't want to miss any of them--especially for kids!  Read more at that link, and then 

get started here!

You can always contact me if you have questions--I love helping people do something meaningful with their precious memories and photos!