Save the Date | $3 Dry Erase Calendar

I was watching HGTV the other day (I do occasionally stray from my beloved Bravo!) and I saw this idea on a Sherwin Williams commercial. Sometimes I have a little guilt about using paint chip samples, because someone is paying to produce these little things. But, I figured if Sherwin Williams was advertising this craft using their paint chips, then they must really WANT me to do this, right?

Step 1: Gather your paint samples in your preferred colors. My calendar needed seven squares across and five down for a total of 35 squares. You can most likely get 2-3 squares from one solid color chip depending on the size, or buy the long ombre strip paint sample and cut along those lines. You will also want week day labels at the top, so grab a few extras for those.

Step 2: Find the frame you want to use. I was making two Calendars (one for my sister) and didn’t want to spend a lot on large frames. So I visited my local GoodWill and purchased a modern white frame for my sister’s, and a traditional silver frame for my own. Each frame was about $3! I had to remove the artwork inside and touch up the paint on the white frame, but well worth the work.

Step 3: Measure and cut out your squares. I started with a larger sized rectangle for each day, but by week three I realized I would need them to be smaller. My sqaures are about an 1.75″1.75″.

Step 4: After all of the squares are cut, arrange and space them out on a posterboard that is cut to the size of your frame.

Step 5: After they are evenly placeda nd arranged, begin gluing. I used small dabs of hot glue, but double sided tape or a strong glue stick would work too.

Step 6: After they are all glued, place the posterboard inside your frame.

Step 7: Use a dry erase marker to label the day names and dates. Then begin filling out your schedule.

I really love this project and have it hanging in my home. The blues match my design aestethic and its not a bulky paper calendar that tackies up my kitchen. My sister said this would be great on a larger scale for offices or classrooms. Use cardstock instead of paint chips and a poster sized frame.

Anything that helps us stay organized in this crazy, crazy world. Am I right? 😉