2021 Desktop Calendars - July & August

Today, I have a few more 2021 Desktop Calendars to share! I try to work on these throughout the year (for the following year) so by the time Christmas comes around, I have eight sets to hand out as gifts. The calendars measure 4″ x 6″ and fit in a standard frame. They remain loose and are displayed one page at a time.

The pages I’ll be demonstrating today are for July and August 2021.

July 2021 Calendar Page:

The July page features several products from the Whale of a Time Suite. I particularly LOVE the Whale of a Time 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper. There are so many fun images, including whole pages of sea turtles that I used to cut up and decorate these calendars.

This calendar page makes me think of snorkeling in Maui, one of my favorite things to do!

July Tutorial:

Cut background Pool Party Cardstock to measure 4″ x 6″ and dry emboss with Seabed 3D Embossing Folder.
Print calendar pages (see below for links) on Whisper White Cardstock and trim down to measure 3″ x 5″.
Select a background from the Whale of a Time 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper. (Each sheet can make two calendar pages.) Trim down to measure 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ framing the seabed as shown.
Fussy cut a small and large turtle of your choice from the same paper pack.
Use the Smooth Sailing Dies to cut the seaweed die from Shimmery White Cardstock. Watercolor with Granny Apple Green and Shaded Spruce ink using a Water Painter. Let dry. Add white spots with a Chalk Marker to mimic the spots on the designer series paper.
Position the turtles and seaweed to determine where to fit the small school of fish. Stamp the Whale Done school of fish with Pacific Point ink.
Adhere all layers with Stampin’ Seal Adhesive.

For the month, I used the retired Date It stamp set. You could substitute any other small alphabet stamp set. I embossed the month in white on Blackberry Bliss Cardstock and then used a Classic Label Punch to punch it out.

August 2021 Calendar Page:

For the August page, I used the Seaside View stamp set and Water Painters to watercolor the image.

August Tutorial:

Cut background from In Good Taste Designer Series Paper to measure 4″ x 6″.
Cut a layer of Soft Suede Cardstock measuring 3″ x 5″.
Print calendar pages (see below for links) on Shimmery White Cardstock and trim down to measure 2-7/8″ x 4-7/8″.
Use Seaside View stamps and Stazon ink to stamp chair/table, palm trees, and seagulls.
Watercolor the image with Water Painters as follows: (Gather ink colors by squeezing pads to pool ink in the lids or pressing an acrylic block into the stamp pad.) Use medium brush to paint sand with Sahara Sand ink. Cover with quick wash and then add more saturated color to highlight shadows under chair, table, and base of trees. Using a ruler as a guide for the horizon and the medium brush, paint the water in the background with Pacific Point and Bermuda Bay ink. Use the medium brush to watercolor the sky with Balmy Blue ink. Let dry.
Watercolor the details with the small brush as follows: Palm tree leaves: Granny Apple Green and Old Olive ink; Tree trunks: Soft Suede ink; Seagulls and table: Smoky Slate ink; Drink: Poppy Parade ink; and Chair and fruit: Mango Melody ink. Start with a light wash and then add more saturated color for shadows.
Adhere all layers with Stampin’ Seal Adhesive.

For the month, I used the retired Date It stamp set. I embossed the month in white on In Good Taste Designer Series Paper, used a Classic Label Punch to punch it out, and then ripped the edges.

I created the calendar pages using My Memories Suite software. You can download the July calendar HERE (PDF) or HERE (JPEG) and the August calendar HERE (PDF) or HERE (JPEG.) Print the July calendar on Whisper White Cardstock and the August calendar on Shimmery White Cardstock with the smallest margins possible for your printer. The print is colored black on the July calendar and Soft Suede on the August calendar. I designed the pages to go all the way to the edges of a standard 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock. Trim as follows: (July is 3″ x 5″ and August is slightly smaller at 2-7/8″ x 4-7/8″)

I’ll be back in a couple months with two more 2021 calendar pages, so stay tuned! Have a wonderful and creative day!

Use the June Host Code A7KKSXW3 for purchases at my online store to qualify to receive free exclusive tutorials and a special thank you card from me. This month’s PDF features products from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog, as well as fun stamping techniques and new colors!