This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED
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- Large Frame (My frame was 14″ x 18″ and I got it from Walmart)
- Black Vinyl
- Transfer Tape
- Dry Erase Marker
- Scissors
- Poster Board
- Scraper
- Weeding Tool
- Electronic cutter (cricut explore, silhouette or other cutter)
- Cut File – Calendar BA1423 (available for free in my resource library)
HERE’S WHAT YOU DO
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD THE FREE SVG FILE
The first thing you’ll need to do is get the free SVG file you’ll use for this project. I keep all the SVG files I use for the projects I make in my SVG Library. These SVG files work with Cricut and Silhouette machines, as well as many others. This library is open to everyone and is free! You can access the library here. Look for the file called Calendar BA1423. It will be listed under the Everyday category.
STEP 2: CUT AND TAPE VINYL DESIGN
Open the design in your software program. Add a name to the top of the design and then resize everything to fit on your piece of glass. I sized mine 1.5″ smaller than the width of my glass. So, I made the design is 16.5″ wide. Make sure the height is also about 1.5″ smaller than the height of your glass. If it’s not, you’ll need to make the name smaller.
Since this design is larger than 11.5″ wide (the max the machine will cut), you’ll need to split it into 2 sections and then piece it together on the glass. You should be able to cut the calendar portion in one section and the name and family portion as the second section. Depending on the program you’re using, you might have to ungroup the design and then attach or group the two separate sections before you can cut the design.
You could cut the vinyl at this point, but I’m going to show you how to add some alignment guides that will make positioning the design on your piece of glass a little bit easier. This requires a few more steps, but it’s worth it.
First, you’ll want to create three skinny rectangles. Two need to be horizontal and one vertical. Add a small triangle to the center of one of the horizontal rectangles.. Then, you’ll also create a rectangle that’s the same size as your piece of glass. Center the design inside of the rectangle.
Next, you’ll want move the skinny line the with triangle to the top of the rectangle and center it. Move the other two lines down to the bottom and align them the edges of the rectangle.
Now, you can delete the large rectangle. Group (or attach) the top alignment guide with the name section and the bottom two guides with the calendar section.
The last thing you need to do before cutting the design is mirror it. We are going to be applying the design to the back of the glass, so you’ll want to mirror it so it will look correct. Now, cut the design with your Cricut or Silhouette. Once everything is cut, weed away the excess vinyl.
Use a weeding tool to pull out the pieces inside the letters and the squares inside calendar.
Cut a piece of transfer tape a little bigger than the design. Place the transfer tape sticky side up on your surface, then place the vinyl on top of the transfer tape and smooth it down.
Then rub over it with your scraper.
Trim off the excess transfer tape and cut apart the two sections.
STEP 3: APPLY VINYL TO GLASS
Wipe down the back of your piece of glass with some rubbing alcohol and a lint free cloth. Let it air dry before you apply the vinyl.
Grab the calendar portion of the design and cut off a 1/2″ to 1″ section of the vinyl backing under the alignment guides.
Place the vinyl on the glass and line up the edges of the guides with the edges of the glass. When both guides are lined up, press down on the transfer tape and vinyl.
Carefully pull off the vinyl backing. Make sure the right edge guide stays in place. You’ll have to lift up part of the bottom guide to remove the backing.
Then, slowly press the vinyl onto the glass. You’ll want to hold the left edge of the design up while you start pressing down the right side.
Just keep working your way over until you get to the left edge of the design.
Rub firmly over the entire design with your scraper and then carefully pull of the transfer tape. You can also pull off the alignment guides.
Next, we’ll work on the name portion of the design. Flip the piece of glass over and use a dry erase marker to make a center mark along about 1/2″ down from the top edge, then flip the glass back over.
Now, grab the vinyl with the family name and pull off the vinyl backing.
Replace the backing so the alignment guide is exposed.
Then, match up the top of the alignment guide with the top of the glass. Make sure the point of the triangle matches up with your center mark. When everything is in place, press down on the transfer tape.
Now, you can remove the vinyl backing again. Make sure the alignment guide stays on the glass.
Press the vinyl into place.
Rub over it one more time and then remove the transfer tape and alignment guide. You can also wipe off the mark you made with the dry erase marker.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE FRAME
Trace the outline of the piece of glass onto a piece of poster board and then cut along the lines.
Place the piece of glass back into the frame.
Now, add the piece of poster board, followed by the backing.
Move the metal tabs back into place and your calendar is finished.
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Thank you so much. This will make an awesome gift!
Love this idea, and will make one for a friend who just moved into a new home. Thank you for sharing the file and providing the detailed instructions!
Great file and wonderful instructions! Thank you for your generosity!