An Interview with a Calendar Maker

 

  

My good friend and colleague, Abby McAden Rubin, gave me a beautiful handmade calendar for the holidays. I loved it so much that I asked Abby if I could interview her for my blog. Abby had attended my first Stampin’ Up! Workshop back in May 2009. Here’s what Abby did and what she had to say. Enjoy!

 
 

1) How many calendars did you make?

I made 42!  Once the number got to be in the double digits, it seemed like it wouldn't be that much more work to make a few more. I made four different versions because I was giving them to different people, both male and female. Somehow I thought my Hello Kitty stamps would be lost on my dad.

 

 

 

2) When did you start making them?

I worked on it in stages. I started by listing the stamps and the paper color and doing ink tests on the paper, etc.  That started back in July, which gave me plenty of time to work on it slowly and carefully as opposed to rushing through it like I do everything else.

 

3) On average, how long did each one take to make?

I have no idea, because I did every piece of it in bulk. First, I cut all the paper, then I stamped the grids, then I stamped the numbers, then the images.  I bet, if I had made just one, I could have done it in a weekend -- Saturday for one side of each page, Sunday for the other.

 

 

 
  

4) What stamping techniques did you use?

Nothing too fancy! I did regular stamping with ink and some embossing. I only embossed one side of every page because I realized that if you emboss two sides of a page, the first side melts again when you emboss the second side. [Gina’s Note: Great tip, Abby! Thanks!] I also flocked, but that is more of an involved process, so I limited that to just a few pages on only one version.

 

 
  

5) What Stampin' Up! products did you use?

The calendar grid stamp! I think that's what started this whole project. I bought it because I liked the idea of making a calendar, and it all just grew from that. Making one for everyone I know seemed like a really good holiday gift because it's personal. Everyone can use a calendar, but after a year, they can toss it. I don't like giving gifts people are stuck with. I also used many of the other Stampin' Up! stamps, like the adorable Forest Friends set. That's actually what I flocked!

 

6) How did you keep track of everything?

I made a lot of charts and lists. It's hard to keep everything straight when your kitchen table is covered in ink pads and paper and stamps so preparing a list of every task was really important; for me, at least. I think others might be more comfortable just creating as they go, but if I did that, February would have ended up with 31 days and there would be flowers in questionable hues on every page.

 

 

7) Is there something you would do differently if you were to make these calendars again?

I'd simplify it for myself by only making one version for everyone. Part of the reason I used so many stamps was that I was excited to use all of them for the first time, but now I think I'd just rein it in and make one version. I wasn't 100% happy with every single color combo or use of embossing, so next time I'd spend more time making every page as strong as I could, rather than funny or cute or whatever.  For some pages, I used the same stamps in a few colors, or several stamps in different colors, which all just added to the time it took to complete those pages, so I'd try and avoid that next time.

 

 

8) Would you make these calendars again?

Yes...although my husband might insist I scale it back! There were a few lost weekends in the fall that he wishes he could get back.  He does love his calendar, though!

 

 

Thanks, Abby!

 

If you have any questions for Abby (or me) or you would like to leave a comment, please feel free to do so. We would love to hear from you!

 

Comments

[Patti MacLeith]

What a task to take on. Abby did a wonderful job and I'm sure the recipients appreciated her efforts.

[Carla Bazhenow]

Gina, what a wonderful interview. Love the tip, never would of thought of that. The calendar is awesome. Hugs,

[Kalshelia]

Love the calendars. Great job Abby and wonderful interview Gina