A Spring Counting Calendar That’s Also A Work Of Art! (For Sefirat HaOmer!)

Spring Count Down Calender

Ever started to make something not knowing what the final result would be? Well, that’s what happened this week and I just love the results! I knew that I wanted to make a counting calender of some sort (we are now in a 49 day period on the Jewish calender, where each day is counted in a special way) with scalloped circles but I really wasn’t sure what I do with the circles! I even got my kids busy scribbling and coloring on recycled paper to make some of the inner circles without much of a plan!

Then it occurred to me that they’d look great, all 49 of them simply lined up on a grid, and lucky for me this frame that I had sitting around was just the right size and I even re-used the bristol board already inside the frame! I don’t know whether we’ll actually use this for counting because I love it just as it is! But my idea was to write the number for the day on the glass with markers. (Yes regular markers wipe easily off of glass!)

Spring Calender Wall Art
And in case you are wondering, when I recently hung this wrought iron rack, my family thought it was for hanging their stuff, I of course envisioned it as a great way to hang a picture, or have a revolving art wall of sorts!

You’ll Need:

  • a 2″ scalloped circle punch
  • a 3″ scalloped circle punch
  • colored card stock in five colors
  • recycled non-glossy paper from phone books etc, old lined notebook paper etc.
  • markers
  • a glue stick
  • a frame with an inside measurement of at least 59cm x 75cm, and a piece of bristol board that fits the frame

How To:

Calender Doodle Paper

Step 1: Get your kids to scribble and doodle with markers on  old lined paper and non-glossy printed paper like phone book pages. If there aren’t any kids around for this step, so have fun yourself!

Calender Doodled Pieces
Step 2: Cut out scalloped circles with the 2″ punch if you want to duplicate my results. BUT if you want to make a more functional counting calender, so cut out the doodled artwork with the 3″ punch such that all the centers will be made from solid paper.

Step 3: Cut out scalloped circles from your solid paper in both sizes.

Step 4: Using a glue gun, adhere smaller circles to larger ones.

Step 5: Arrange circles on board, and when you are happy with the placement (you’ll need to play around a bit to make sure the various colors are evenly distributed) adhere them with the glue stick. Use a T-square or a long ruler to make sure your rows lineup as you are working.

Step 6: To use as a calender, insert into frame with glass (plastic might work too with a marker for dry-erase boards, give it try!) and write on the glass with a marker. When you’ve finished your countdown, wipe off the numbers and enjoy as a beautiful piece of artwork!

Comments

24 responses to “A Spring Counting Calendar That’s Also A Work Of Art! (For Sefirat HaOmer!)”

  1. Leanne Avatar

    That looks so great. I love how it turned out and that the kids were involved in it. My kids are Off track from school for a while and then would be something fun for them to do. Thanks for the inspiration.

  2. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Leanne! Hope to see you on Sunday!

  3. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Ayelet, good to hear from you!

  4. ahavah-shimeon Avatar
    ahavah-shimeon

    now this is one of those absolutely brilliant brilliant ideas and why I love this blog so much…. even I cannot get it wrong with such a visual reminder!

  5. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much, just be sure to do it with solid centers unlike my version! Great to hear from you, hope all is well!

  6. Inoursmallgarden.wordpress.com Avatar

    Hi Sarah Rivka, I’ve been reading along for a little while now but haven’t had yet commented to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. It always inspires me to try something new. I’ve been searching for an idea for counting the omer with my toddler son and I can’t imagine one prettier or easier to understand for little ones (and big ones too). The one I came up with is not nearly as beautiful – I still need to post about it. Next year I will definitely try your idea!

  7. kristen Avatar

    Ok. This is so cool! What a great idea!

  8. kimbo Avatar

    so cool…love the mobiles too! THey both were beautiful!

  9. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much, I just checked out your blog, I love it! And really, I had no idea that Zum Gali Gali was even Jewish! So thanks! All the best.

  10. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks! It would be great to see you at my crafty linking party on Sunday (Really Sat night thru Wed!) All the best!

  11. Mod Podge Amy Avatar

    Sara, this is awesome! I love it!

  12. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Amy, this would be a great modgepodge project on a piece of woodgrained something, dont ya think? xoxoxo sara

  13. Dena Avatar

    So simple, so gorgeous!

  14. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Dena, I was really surprised myself with the results!

  15. Haydee Avatar
    Haydee

    You read my mind again!! I have been procrastinting about writing you an e-mail asking for counting the omer ideas and sharing some of the things I have done, I am so happy you posted this today! I have fantasies of making a chart one out of felt for my kids, I am dreaming something like a blue background with a green mount sinai and everyday a felt flower is added with the number embroidered on. In the mean time I have made a few less permanent things for the kids. 2 years ago I made a counting garden, I drew seven brown window boxes and eveyday we added a new flower – we crafted a different flower for each week. Last year we did the same thing but with vegetables in a vegetable patch. this year we made a trail across the lounge wall starting at egypt ( pyramids) and ending at mount sinai of numbered blocks with velcro in them. I cut out pictures of the kids and now they are ‘walking’ across the wall. This is not a good way to keep track of the day because the kids have had such fun moving themselves along that whenever I look at the chart, the kids are all on different days! I was even thinking of collecting 49 pinecones , hanging numbers off them and then everyday hanging up the next number on the pomegranate tree in my garden. What I love about yours is that it is so simple and so effective and hence doable! ( sorry for the long comment, just had to get all that off my chest)

  16. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi Haydee, Wow, these are all amazing ideas! And Im so proud of you for doing some of them! Thanks so very much for sharing and being in touch! All the best!

  17. The Persimmon Perch Avatar

    I love how you hung it on the board. Great colors too. Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules

  18. Maryanne @ Scrappy Gifts Avatar

    Cute and awesome that you had your kids involved.
    I’d love if you linked up to my Scrappy Saturdays: http://myscrappygifts.blogspot.com/2010/04/9th-scrappy-saturdays/

  19. Sara Rivka Avatar

    thanks Maryanne, Ive got a party too, Sun-Wed and would love to see what youve been up to!

  20. Stephanie Lynn Avatar

    What a great idea. I love the colored circles – it adds the perfect touch to this calendar and great to get the kiddies involved. Super cute and meaningful! Thanks so much for linking up to the Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you enjoy your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

  21. Heather - Dollar Store Crafts Avatar

    Very cute project, Sara! Love how it turned out!

  22. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much Heather, great to hear from you!

  23. Alexandra Avatar

    In love with this art piece! I love that it’s something fun, and simple that can be done with the kids, and the finished piece is lovely.

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