Year of the Calendar — by Guest Mom Hailey Liechty
This school year has been berserk. We have had 6 different school schedules for 5 children. (Our one son goes to 2 kindergartens, to help him with speech/language.) Many times I have missed important things because I didn't write something on the calendar or didn't check it. Then I realized: It has to be the year of the calendar!
For years I've wanted a simple, oversize (but not massive) calendar. That shouldn't have been too hard to find. Silly kittens, icky flowers, great rock gardens of the world were not necessary. I also wanted to find one printed on uncoated paper, so I could write and erase! The calendar becomes a family journal. The squares are large enough for small daily drawings. Since I couldn't find it anywhere I had to make it and have it printed.
My friend Hiedi helped with the design and many suggestions. It is bland and fun to decorate. I have the children fill out their dates and they are so proud when their month is up. We have three months hanging on a metal door. I also keep a secondary calendar close by to help plan far down the year.
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Monday, May 14, 2007
8 Comments:
I have the same calendar dilemma! In fact, I only use google calendar now, because I can't find anything hang-worthy. I love your solution, thanks for the idea!
Great idea - I have been wringing my hands over the calendar lately too. Can't find anything that fits the bill.
We like Flylady's calendar (quite similar to the one you've shown) with big squares, sturdy, erasable paper and no-nonsense layout & design. You can find it at www.flylady.com
I would put mine on the back door over the post it note that say things like "don't leave the house, friends coming at noon!" Families need big calendars. I would love something like that mounted to the back door so I could check it before I left. I'll have to check the flylady calendar. Great post!
Ms. Hailey, Did you have extras printed for close friends? Love your calendar...hint, hint.
Yes! Or just print some up and sell them. ;) Hint, hint!
I certainly see the beauty of a large family calendar. It adds color, and at-a-glance ease, to put each person's events in a different color. You can have each child pick a unique color and then write all of his/her activities in that color.
If anyone would like, I have some of the pictured calendars available. $14.00 for 14 pages, including postage and a few clay magnets. Contact me at hailey@xmission.com
Of course, for the cost of airfare and lodging (and no lecture fee!) I'd even come and decorate them for you, at your home!
That last bit is a joke but I am planning a little Calendar Decorating fete with some young friends, breaking out the rubber stamps etc. once school is out. The beauty of this calendar is that it can start any month of the year, or be used for just one special month/occasion/trip.
Also, Janika, thanks for the comment! I have spent a considerable amount of time at FlyLady.net. I fight a raging daily battle with clutter. I appreciate her insights, especially her house zones; once I even subscribed to her emails. Then one day, several years ago, I wrote an email asking for the emails to stop, they were cluttering my in-box. (I'm talking +5 a day, including reminders to go to bed!) Then I received a nasty email from her stating I was banned from receiving her emails. Ducky with me. It rather dimmed my view of her, as does her use of color and design.
Hope that is helpful!
Hailey
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