How to Make a Paint Swatch Calendar


So weโ€™ve only been at this blogging thing for a short amount of time, but we have both quickly learned that a lot of PLANNING goes into running a blog.

Projects, pictures, and posts need to be prepped all.the.time. (Wow, way too much alliteration going on there!) Good thing we both consider ourselves to be big planners.  Just call us the โ€œTo-Do List Queens.โ€

To keep all of our posts in order, I figured I needed to have a handy monthly calendar.

Here were my must-haves for my calendar:

  • Easy to switch up and move things around. Dry erase perhaps?
  • Large enough to write in each day (Donโ€™t you hate calendars where you have to write teeny tiny to fit anything in?!)
  • Affordable. Enough said.
This paint swatch calendar is easy to do and keeps on you track
This paint swatch calendar marks off all of my must-haves.
 

How to DIY a Paint Swatch Calendar

All the supplies you'll need

Here are some of the supplies needed for this project.

Some burlap backing

I used white burlap for the background of the calendar. It was on sale and I figured it would provide a nice texture.

Pick up paint swatches at any local paint store, home store, or Wal-Mart

I stole picked up tons of paint swatches from Walmart. I would grab at least 50 if I were you. Try not to look like me (a madwoman shoving paint swatches into her purse by the handful…)

My first order of business was to secure the burlap to the cardboard that came with the frame.

Start by adding burlap to the frame backing

Look at that cut job. Good thing I’m not a hairdresser.

Elmer's Craft Bond is the perfect tool

I used some spray adhesive to adhere the burlap to the cardboard.

I then taped the edges down- not pretty, but effective!

I then just used tape to fold the edges over onto the back and secure. Not the prettiest, but it did the job and would be hidden anyways.

Voila! Ready for swatches!

I then got to work arranging my paint chips. I decided to only do 6 days across…and just combine Saturday & Sunday into a “Weekend” column.

I laid out the paint swatches in the colors and patterns I liked best

Then (after careful calculations and measurements) I cut my paint chips into 3-inch tiles and stuck them to the burlap using a glue stick.

The finished product
I wrote the dates right onto the outside of the glass on the frame with dry erase markers. All it takes is a paper towel and some water to change everything up for the next month!
Fill in the dates and info on the outside of the frame with a dry erase marker
I ended up using some scrapbook paper for the area where you can write the month.
The paint swatch calendar- a detail
Important dates and upcoming playbook posts are all scheduled right on my new calendar!
I used different colored markers to denote different types of events and activities

I still need to find a spot for this big bad calendar.  For now, I’m just happy to have an inexpensive new “home” for all of my upcoming events.

So happy with the finished product

Casey


 

The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.