Last week I shared some inspirational ideas on creating a Central Command Center, as well as my new CCC spot. One of the features in my newly organized space is the personalized dry-erase calendar that I made. I had previously purchased a dry-erase board from Tar-Jay, but it was just too small to write all the activities and notes to keep my family on track for the month ahead.
We needed something that had space for our daily schedule, as well as a place for notes, like:
bring books to the library by Tuesday or
pick up the dry cleaning after 6 on Friday or
don’t forget to buy MILK!
Hopefully with this new and much larger calendar, tasks and plans won’t fall through the cracks…
Last week right after finishing this CCC wall, we had some friends over for a bbq. While enjoying our cocktails, the husband shouts out while pointing to the calendar, “That’s exactly what we need, where did you buy that?”
My response, “I didn’t buy it, I made it”
His response, “really?” … (he totally wasn’t believing it!)
But I really did make it myself and so can you… for less $15! I started off with a 18″ x 24″ frame from AC Moore. The Portrait frames are always on sale for 40 or 50%, so I scored this for about $13.
At the time of purchase, I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull this calendar together, but I knew I wanted to add some color and pizazz. I found some pretty scrapbook paper (which was also on sale) for $0.40 a sheet. I loved their modern designs and vibrant hues… a perfect compliment to the kitchen and dining space. (I have a lot of paper leftover, which I will definitely be using for another project!)
Then using the Excel program, I was able to make a calendar and print it on 11 x 17 paper. I also made a separate sheet for notes. Using the cells in Excel, it’s really easy to create. Are you an excel user? It’s one of my favorite programs to use ~ weird, I know.
Using my good ole’ imagination, along with my pretty paper and magic scissors, I created my personalized dry erase calendar.
To add a bit of personalization, I included our family name – Burger – to the top, using one of the stylish papers and my printer. No silhouette machine here… ( I would love one though!)
I have to admit, this vibrant red polka-dot paper wasn’t the best choice for writing our name on, but O well, it works. A quieter background would have been better – you learn from your mistakes, right? That’s what is great about this personalized calendar… I can continually change the background and it’ll only cost pennies!
Here it is, complete and ready to be used!
After Post Note: I’ve received ALOT of questions about writing directly on the glass. Just like a dry erase board, a dry erase marker can be used to write on the glass and it’s easy to clean with the felt end tip, a paper towel, or even your finger. DO NOT USE A SHARPIE – that will not erase!
It wasn’t up on the wall for five minutes and was already filled out…
And if you missed my new Central Command Center, here’s a peak and you can read this {post}.
In making this calendar, I was inspired by the personalized calendar that Beth created using one of her favorite go-to resources. Check out her post {here}. Thanks Beth!
How do you stay organized? Do you have a ‘go-to’ spot in your home where everything is layed out for the whole family? Do you have a family calendar? or a Central Command Center? I have to admit, it sure is nice to be organized (at least in one area of my house, ha)!
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Other great idea! Thanks for sharing. : )
~ Catie
Catie @ Catie’s Corner recently posted..Pinterest Dream Home
Thanks Catie! I so appreciated all your kind comments!! xo Jenna
Love this…thanks for sharing! I love the Print Friendly tool you have on your blog…makes it so easy to copy and save for later! Happy Crafting :)
deb recently posted..Proud MOM of a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader!
Thanks so much Deb! I think the print friendly button makes it so easy for readers to click and print! Thanks for stopping by SAS Interiors. xo Jenna
Thank you! You inspired me – see the result here: http://megbaxter.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-dry-erase-board.html
Looks great Meghan – so glad to be your inspiration for this project!!
xo Jenna
I keep seeing these and telling myself to just go ahead and make one. You’ve inspired me to start one today!
Jill @ Junky Vagabond recently posted..Going Bananas
Thanks Jill, glad to hear that I’ve inspired you to create your own. Please share it with me once it’s done! xo Jenna
Love love LOVE this calendar! Ever since I saw your command center post, I have been waiting for THIS post! :) And I am dreaming up my own command center for my house!
I do have a couple of questions for you though if you don’t mind. First, do you just use a regular dry erase marker on the glass that came with the frame? Maybe I am a little slow, but I didn’t know that worked! Haha! Second, any chance you want to share your very pretty excel calendar sheet? It’s ok if you don’t…but I just thought I would ask :):)
As always your site is AMAZING and wonderful! Thanks!
Ashley @ Simply Designing recently posted..Rocky Road Fudge
Thanks Ashley!
YES, you can write directly on the glass with a dry erase marker. Believe me, I’ve got a lot of questions about that, so no worries! I don’t mind sharing my excel calendar sheet, but I didn’t save it. If I have a chance, I will recreate it again. Are you good with excel and the cells? It’s really easy to create.
You are so sweet – thanks for the kind comments!!
xo Jenna
I would love to know how you made the calendar on Excel too. Or if you could recreate it that would be awesome too! Im not too experienced with Excel but Im sure with a little help I might could get it!
Hi Racheal. Here is a link to the post with the printable for the dry erase calendar: http://www.sasinteriors.net/2011/08/calendar-and-notes-printable/
I love it! I think your paper choices are fantastic!!! I MUST DO THIS!
Thanks Kelly! You definitely have to try to create this calendar – it’s a must for any family!! Thanks for visiting SAS Interiors
Such a great idea. To add you can also use wet erase markers. These won’t rub off and can only be removed with a damn cloth. It may be useful to use the wet to fill in date and dry for everything else. That way you don’t accidentally erase the date if changing an event. Oh, I pinned this :)
Good to know Nicolette! Like you said, that type of marker might be good for the days, so they don’t rub off throughout the month. Thanks for the comment! xo Jenna
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!! I am working on recreating your spreadsheet and am having trouble making the little box where you put the date. Can you please let me know how you did that. Thanks!!!
Thanks Sue for the kind comments. I am putting together a PDF doc of the calendar – I hope to have it up later!
Awesome idea! And one that I could really benefit from! Great job!
I’d love for you to link this up at Show & Share!
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-share-3.html
Lindsay recently posted..Show & Share #3
Thanks Lindsay for stopping by SAS Interiors to check out my project! Jenna
Very cute! Love the whole command center vibe you have going on. Nice!
Ellie recently posted.."Brothers" Sign
Thanks for the kind comment Ellie! The CCC is GREAT and certainly keeps me organized on a daily basis. Jenna
Hi;
I stumbled upon this post and so happy that someone else had this idea with the scrapbook paper! I am still trying to recreate the excel calendar, but am having trouble sizing it. I read that you were putting up a .pdf, where will be able to find this? Your site makes me love DIY projects!!!
Thank you for sharing your creativity!
Hi Meagan, Welcome to SAS Interiors. Glad you found me through Stumble Upon! Here is the post with the PDF for the personalized calendar: http://www.sasinteriors.net/2011/08/calendar-and-notes-printable/. Your words are so kind and I hope to have you as a regular follower. Thanks for visiting! xo Jenna
Just coming across this now and what a lifesaver! I have been a SAHM for almost 7 years and just recently got a PT job out of the home..with a 2nd grader & preschooler this will help! thanks for sharing :)
Thanks Nichole…so glad I’ve inspired you to create you own!! Can’t wait to see it – send me pictures! xo Jenna
I love it!!! Where did you find the cute organization holders under your calendar? I made my calendar and think that it would be a great addition to the wall.
Thanks Tessa! I found the boxes at TJ Maxx. They didn’t always look like that though – they were beige and said “seas shells” before I gave them a makeover with some black spray paint. If you take a look at this post, you’ll see the transformation: http://www.sasinteriors.net/2011/08/my-new-central-command-center/
What a great idea! You inspired me to make one myself! Also, you CAN use Sharpies! A Magic Eraser will take the Sharpie off the glass! (I used this trick at work!)
Thanks Deann! And good to know about being able to use a sharpie – I didn’t know that. And with a sharpie, I’m sure it stays on better than a dry erase marker.
I am working on making your calendar! I LOVE THIS. Thank you for sharing with us. :)
That’s great! Please send me a picture when you’re done or link it to my facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/sasinteriors
This is a great idea. I would love to build one. Do you still have the excel spreadsheet you used to make this as I am rubbish with it.
Aron Cain recently posted..Paleo Almond Raisin Cookies
Thanks Aron, it’s really come in handy. If you check out this post, you’ll be able to print out the calendar and notes: http://www.sasinteriors.net/2011/08/calendar-and-notes-printable/
Brilliant! Thanks Jenna, look like a busy weekend in store!
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1. If you accidentally write on glass with Sharpie, you can go over it with dry erase to get it off.
2. Wet Erase works very well too, especially so that important things don’t get erased by accident.
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A sharpie will erase with alcohol or nail polish remover.
How do you print off an 11×17 piece of paper??? Thanks! =)
You’ll have to have a printer that prints using 11×17 paper or bring it to printing store like Staples or Office Max.
Hi…I’m just wondering about the pictures above the calendar. Did you make those or happen to know where you bought them?
I found them on Pinterest and printed them on my computer. If you want to see the specific quotes, visit my pinterest account: http://pinterest.com/JennaBurger/great-quotes/