Keepsake Calendars
By Alison Beachem

Keepsake Calendars can be made for several different reasons. They can be made for gifts or for yourself. This aspect will decide how you create this calendar. If it is for a gift, to whom will it be going to? Most likely a relative like a parent of grand parent. If it is for yourself, what is the purpose of the calendar? Will it remain a keepsake as a diary of a year gone by or will it be just for fun. If you are planning to embark on this project, here are a few things to keep in mind.

July

There are several ways to create a keepsake calendar. You can create one devoted to recording daily events. If this is the case, you might want to consider leaving the photo spots blank and adding the pictures as the months go by so that you don't have last year's pictures telling the stories of this year's events. If the calendar is for a gift or general use, place pictures and stories in it that are meaningful for the recipient even if it is you. 

As you are creating the designs for each month, think past the holiday and more towards what is memorable for that month to you. Maybe Valentines takes second seat to your son's birthday. Rather than create a Valentines theme page, create a birthday theme. Don't forget the first thing you do when you get a new calendar… you check your birthday month to see if you like the picture! 

September

October

Creating the monthly pages will be the main emphasis but don't forget the titles of the months as well as each day's square. Add little details to the bottom portion of the calendar like mini punch pieces or stickers. Create fun monthly titles with lettering templates or your own creative lettering.

One last thing to keep in mind is your own personal details. Calendar companies are limited to generic holidays but you are not. Write in your own details like the anniversary you were engaged or your graduation anniversary. These little reminders of special events will be great for a personal calendar or for a gift to someone. 

Remember, pictures are not the only things that remind us events gone by. A personal calendar can become a personal journal about the daily events of your life. 

November