DIY File Calendar

The past few years I've been using a calendar file system to keep track of everything: orders, goals, reciepts, YTD sales vs prev year sales, sales tax, income tax, etc. All organized by month. It's been quite handy. Well this year when I went to purchase my 2013 File-It calendar, I was disappointed to discover that they don't make the File-It calendar anymore. :(

So, I decided to make my own! And then I decided to make a tutorial for you all, in case you want to do the same. Seriously, I never would have thought of using my calendar as my filing system, but I've been using it for years and it's fantastic!

SUPPLIES
12 - file folders. You can use just plain ones (I did on my first attempt) but I thought these pretty polka dot ones were great. I got them off Amazon.

Calendar pages. I printed mine off from a template using Microsoft Publisher, but you can find them anywhere, including scrapbook software.

Glue stick or double-sided tape.
Stapler (optional)
1 yd ribbon
fancy edge scissors


I wanted my calendar to be a little fancier, so I took my Victorian-edged scrapbook scissors and trimmed off a bit of the straight edge.

Then I took my file folders over to the sewing machine. I chose a coordinating thread color (a turquoise, in this case) and stitched close to the edge of each side of the folder. I set my stitch length to the longest setting (a 5 on my machine).

If you don't want to stitch your folders shut, or you don't have a sewing machine, you can always staple them closed (hence the optional stapler listed above). I'd recommend 3-5 staples per side, just to make sure they hold everything in nicely.

Next, attach the calendar sheets to the fronts of the file folders. I used Elmer's glue stick, but had a hard time getting them to stay on nicely. I'd really recommend something like double-sided tape or glue dots, etc.

Make sure you write the month and the year on the tab, so you can see what month is what once it's filed. :)

Now, to get it ready for hanging. Punch a hole in each side of each of the folders. Try to get them in the same position so that they line up nicely when stacked on top of each other.

Thread the 1 yd piece of ribbon through the holes, back to front, leaving a tail about 3 inches long. Tie it in a double knot. Eyeball how much you think you'll need for hanging. Thread the other end through the other side, back to front. Double knot that end too. Cut off the tail ends of the ribbon close to the knots. You are ready for hanging!

And, when you're finished with a month, you can just rip through the punched holes in the side.

And there you go! It took me maybe an hour (mostly due to the cutting with the fancy edge scissors) start-to-finish to make this. If you make this, I'd love to see your photos! send them to me at designsbylaurajo {at} gmail {dot} com, or link back to this post. :)