How to Create a Paint Swatch Dry Erase Board Calendar

This instructable will help you create a customizable paint swatch dry erase board calendar. Similar products found in stores are often expensive and come in limited colors and styles. This economical alternative can be tailored to complement the existing style or color scheme of your home, apartment, dorm room, or office. Anyone with one or two hours of time is qualified to craft this calendar and the finished product will likely cost you less than twenty dollars. Completion of this project will leave you with a sense of accomplishment, a practical product that you can use every day, and a masterpiece to display that is sure to bring you compliments.

Supplies you will need for the calendar include:

• 1 - plastic or glass frame 18 X 24 inches or larger (plastic frames found at Target, Walmart, or a craft store for $7 - $15)
• 1 - large poster board of your color choice for the background (found at Target, Walmart, or a craft store for $0.50 - $1.00)
• 42 - paint swatches of your color choice (found at Lowes and other paint selling stores for free)
• A color pattern in mind, some examples include: All one color, a checkerboard, a light to dark gradient, a dark to light gradient, a chevron, or random

Tip: Take extra paint swatches in case you make a mistake or want to add embellishments.

Tools you will need to complete the calendar:

• Scissors
• Black Permanent Marker
• Scotch Tape
• Ruler

Items for later use:

• Dry erase board marker
• Dry erase board eraser

1. Cut off the brand label from 35 of the paint swatches for the days of the month.

• Cut along the white line.
• Optional:
  • Cut the identification numbers off of the top of the paint swatch.

2. Cut paint swatches for the days of the week labels.

• Measure 7 paint swatches to a width of 1.5 inches using a ruler.
• Draw a line on the back of each paint swatch at 1.5 inches.
• Cut along the line.

1. Label the days of the week.

• Write Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday on the 7 days of the week labels with a permanent marker.
• Optional:
  • Type the days of the week labels on computer paper.
  • Cut them out.
  • Paste them to the paint swatches.

1. Trim the poster board to fit into the frame.

• Open the back of the frame.
• Lay the entire poster board in the frame.
• Cut the overhanging edges of the poster board off.

2. Arrange the paint swatches 5 X 7 on the poster board.

• Organize the paint swatches in the pattern of your choice.
• Trim the pieces if they are too crowded.

3. Place the days of the week labels above each of the seven columns.

• Start with Sunday on the left.
• Optional:
  • Leave three inches of space at the top for a month label (January, February, etc.)

Tip: Check that everything fits on the board now. If you need to remake a particular square or trim edges to prevent crowding, do it before moving forward.

1. Tape the paint swatches to the poster board.

• Place tape on all four corners of each paint swatch to avoid flapping edges.
• Tip: Use a ruler to ensure the squares are aligned.

2. Place the poster board in the back of the frame.

• Secure the poster board to the frame with tape along the margins to prevent shifting in the frame.

3. Secure the back of the frame.

• Orient the hooks how you prefer them for hanging.
• Lock the backing in place with the clasps.

4. Flip over your new paint swatch dry erase board calendar.

You have now created your own paint swatch dry erase board calendar, congratulations! For future reference, when you need to clean last month's schedule off the calendar, use an alcohol based solution to easily remove dry erase marker stains from plastic or glass, but always rinse alcohol residue off with warm water. Proper care will ensure that your paint swatch dry erase board calendar endures many busy months.