This is one of the most popular projects I’ve ever shared on Somewhat Simple!
MATERIALS: All you need is a glass frame, a sharpie marker, a ruler and vinyl stickers if you have them. (If you dont have them, just write the labels yourself with the marker, or email me- I will get you some!)
Here is the frame I chose:
DIRECTIONS: First, I painted the frame red and then distressed it by sanding the edges.
Then I flipped the frame over to the backside, got my free ruler from the grocery store and my trusty Sharpie marker and went to work drawing lines!
I was worried about this part, wondering if one slip of my hand would make a line not straight and ruin the entire glass, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the marker comes off with a little Windex and paper towel. I changed my mind on the spacing of each area and had to erase that “permanent marker” several times!!! PLEASE NOTE: It is important to draw the lines on the back of the glass so you don’t have to worry about the lines coming off the more you use this calendar.
After the lines were drawn, I applied my vinyl stickers, also to the backside of the glass. (If you are cutting your vinyl, you will need to cut it backwards so it looks right from the front.)
Lastly, I added some hardware to the back so it will hang on the wall, like so:
When all of that is done, your calendar is finished! Simply use a dry erase marker to write and rewrite your family’s happenings!
One cute variation I saw was done on a 12×12 frame so you can change the background of you calendar with scrapbook paper to match the seasons of the year! This idea is a lot of fun, so make one and get creative with it!
Here are some more pictures of one I made using a $5 Ikea frame.
The frame was the perfect size, but watch out, the permanent marker is not as easy to rub off of the plexiglass!
About Steph from Somewhat Simple
still one of my faves Steph!
I love, love, love (and NEED!) this! Where did you get the vinyl letting? It's amazing!
I love this too! I want to make one right now! Where can I get the lettering??
I love that! I also wanted to let you know that rubbing alcohol with also take Sharpie off things! We had to use it on our tile! Long story!
Fantastic idea and great tutorial! With 4 kids still at home, I definitely need something like this
Thanks for linking up to Mi4M~
cindy
I have NOT seen this and I love it!
Great idea, can't wait to try it. Thank you for sharing. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
pk @ Room Remix
I haven't seen this version before and it turned out VERY cute! Like that you used the vinyl letters.
This is amazing! Did you use a cricut to make the letters? I have to make one of these!
how hard would it be to get the vinyl lettering? love your calendar!
I love this one , it is the best I have seen can you email me the labels ? My email is marthug38@yahoo.com . Thank you , I can't wait to make one . Oh and what size is the one you made ?
I love this one , it is the best I have seen can you email me the labels ? My email is marthug38@yahoo.com . Thank you , I can't wait to make one . Oh and what size is the one you made ?
oooh, I hadn't seen this version before. Nice!
Oh so very cute and necessary!!
Come link your cute tute at my party: Thursday's Treasures!!
http://treasuresfortots.blogspot.com/2010/02/thursdays-treasures-week-8.html
thanks for the tutorial
shared on my blog and sent it to my son.
http://deefna.blogspot.com/2010/02/dry-erase-glass-calendar-tutorial.html
Oh, I just love this message board. What family doesn't need one of these? You always do such a great job on everything. THanks for linking to my very first We're Organized Wednesday party and not letting me party by myself.
Oh, I just love this message board. What family doesn't need one of these? You always do such a great job on everything. THanks for linking to my very first We're Organized Wednesday party and not letting me party by myself.
Oh, I just love this message board. What family doesn't need one of these? You always do such a great job on everything. THanks for linking to my very first We're Organized Wednesday party and not letting me party by myself.
Excellent idea, what a great job! LOVE IT!
way cool.
I have been looking and looking for something exactly like this but I couldn't find one that I would love. This one I want. Where did you get the lettering?
I absolutely LOVE this! With a family of six, owning our own business and me working a separate job…this sure will come in handy. Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to make this.
Jessica @ http://myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com/
I'm making a modified version of this – don't need the monthly calendar. Also, thinking of a different title than Our Busy Family. Any ideas?
how do you use vinyl lettering?? ive never really seen it until i found your site a few days ago..and now im falling in love with it. i want to try a few of your ideas..but i dont know where to find them or how to use them and so on…. can you help?
Hellena, you are missing out! Vinyl is so FUN! Vinyl is basically a sticker cut out from a certain machine. A lot of people have these machines, so you should be able to find a zillion ideas online as well as people who will make you anything custom that you want. Some craft stores and even Target sell some vinyl sayings. Do a search online and you will be amazed at what you can find!
where can you buy the machines and how much do they normally run?? i would be interested into looking into it.
I have this machine (the 15 inch one):
http://signwarehouse.com/cutters/Roland/stika_content.htm
I got it when I was actually selling vinyl for a business. It is a bit pricey, but I paid it off in no time by selling vinyl orders:
Lately the Silhouette is all the rage- it is a craft cutter that cuts not only vinyl, but fabric, paper and more! I also have this and I love it! It doesn’t cut objects as big as the other one I have, but it is probably sufficient for what you had in mind. Here is a link to purchase that:
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/default.aspx?mid=irwzX6zr7GS8NgNMgDwKhxRQetiVsLav
Hope that helps!
I was wondering if you were selling the vinyl for this frame yet? I know you did a few months back and I was retarded and didn’t buy it then. So I was wondering if there is any way to order it? Thanks so much
-Cassie
I too would like to know if you are still selling the vinyl for this project! My girlfriend is looking for something exactly like this and I would love to make one for her.
oh I love it!!!! So creative and just so cute!
I would love to do this for my family. How much for all the vinyl? And where did you get your glass piece? Please email me the info pj.stephcloud@gmail.com
I am hoping, hoping, hoping that you are still willing to sell the vinyl to do this project. It’s exactly what I need. Please let me know! Thanks!
Good evening!! I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this project and am hoping you are still able to sell the vinyl lettering. I can’t find it anywhere! Can you please email me back to let me know if you could possibly sell me the lettering for this project? Thank you!
This is so creative. I’m actually going to be using this idea for a craft event so we’re making this in bulk. The frame used above is actually a cabinet door from IKEA, which they often have in the as-is section. It’s a wonderful size for this!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! THIS IS AMAZINGLY PERFECT!!! I have bought so many calendars through the years of being a m om of all daughters!!! i have yet to find one that works for us. I LOVE IT. i think i will make 3 for a 3 month span. I have 2 nerve deseases that effect my memory so if i don’t have things wrote down then i don’t remember it. (are you still willing to help with the lettering??)
I do have a cricut but haven’t never done vinyl. i wonder if i do the words in paper and then modge podge them on the back????
I dont know how the mod podge would look on the glass, but you can try it! I am actually making a few of these tonight- if you’d like me to send you some, I charge $12 per set. If you send me a paypal payment before 6pm tonight I can have them shipped to you tomorrow. Just put a message in the checkout box about this being a payment for the calendar vinyl and make sure your shipping address is correct. My paypal address is steph@somewhatsimple.com. I make these every few months, so if you wanted to try the mod podge idea first, that is totally fine. If it doesnt work you can always purchase these next time I have them available. Good luck!
I would love for you to add this busy calendar to your printable list. I don’t have the time or talent to make this awesome calendar, but I would love to print it and put it behind a glass frame!
Hi! Where did you get your vinyl letters? If I can’t find them at a local craft store would it be too late to get some of them from you? Just let me know how to pay for them. I was hoping to make one of these before Valentine’s Day. If you could contact me via email that would be GREAT! Thank you!
Love this! I am wanting to make a calendar like this and cant find the vinyl lettering anywhere. Please help! email me when can. Thanks.
I have been looking everywhere for a cute family calendar and absolutely love yours!!! Are you still selling the vinyl lettering?
Thank you!!!
Wendy
Found this on pinterest! Could you hook me up?
SO cute. I’m definitely digging this. It appeals both to my OCD ‘What am I forgetting to DO?!’ side, and my funky ‘I don’t want everything to be in one font!’ side.
What a FABULOUS idea! I’d love to have you share this with our readers for our Fun Stuff Fridays link up! http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/fun-stuff-fridays-11.html
You are just too clever! I would have never thought to do all that on the BACK of the glass!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
This probably seems like a dumb question, but how do you get the glass to stay in the frame? Mine is wobbly.
Try adding some hot glue around the edges- I’ve done this several times on floating frame projects. Hope that helps!
I absolutely LOVE this idea! Doing this for sure. Thanks for sharing!
EXCELLENT IDEA!!!!! CONGRATS:
Have y got any label examples to mail me?
I actually did this and it turned out great.
This is so neat!!! What a great idea… Seeing as that I am the #46 comment everyone else likes it too
I’m having a link party if you want to join: http://wp.me/p2f7DH-8v Have a great weekend!
I just did this following your tutorial. ^_^ It looks great and even though I had no vinyl stickers, I did get the Sharpie to stay on the front of the glass.
Love this project, thanks for sharing
Omg! This is the best! I’ve seen so many things done with old frames/windows but never a dry erase board – totally clever
You should enter this project in Craftbaby’s ‘Upcycle Challenge’ http://www.craftbaby.com/contests/3/upcycle-it-sweeps