The start of a new year always brings resolutions. A biggie for mom’s is to become more organized. Though many of us have already fallen off the resolution wagon as we begin the second month of 2014, this quick and easy DIY tutorial on reusable dry erase calendars using thrifted frames maybe a good way to restart those good intentions!

I admit, with three kids, running my own business, and working out of my home, I live by my calendars and am a bit over the top maintaining three working calendars daily; family, work, and meals, so it’s no surprise I was drawn to this project while Pinterest surfing for segment ideas. After deciding what to create, I headed to Thrift Town for my frames to use for the project. When searching for the right frame, be sure to look for a fairly large frame that has the glass intact. I purchased the following for no more than $3.99 each.

Other supplies needed for project: scrapbook paper, tape, dry erase markers, printed blank calendar template(s). Optional: fun stickers and embellishments.

My first calendar I chose to make was a calendar showed two months at a glance. I found a large frame, and spray painted it red. While it was drying, I took the cardboard, or photo part of the artwork that was original to the frame and applied scrapbook paper and embellishments, and taped my calendar templates into place. Once the frame completely dried, I used sandpaper to rub it back to create my preferred shabby chic finish, and put the glass and cardboard backing with the new calendar facing into place. Use the dry erase marker on top of the glass to fill in the month and days, and viola, you’ve got yourself a new calendar!

Next up was a weekly meal planning calendar. I have been on a fitness and nutritional journey since October (down 23 lbs whoo hoo!) so having a weekly meal planner has been essential. I found a cute frame that didn’t require a new paint job, and followed the same steps as above creating a design that appealed to me. Here’s the final project:

Finally, I wanted to create a calendar that also had some space to tack notes to or allowed for space for parents to leave a sitter a phone number, etc. Ok, basically, I wanted to incorporate cork board, because just like with mason jars, I’m mildly obsessed with the product! I came up with this creation. Again, followed the steps above, and in this case simply glued the cork right onto the glass top. PS: I’m a Bachelor fan…thus “Juanuary!”

Super easy, thrifty, cute and usable project! Hope this helps you all keep organized, or inspired a few of you to at least make a valiant attempt!

For a visual tutorial, check out when I debuted this on my Good Day Sacramento Thrifty Thursday segment:

http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/9736979-thrifty-thursday/

Happy thrifting!

Gina Doglione-Nielsen is featured every week on Good Day Sacramento’s Thrifty Thursdays, and owns GNJ Consulting which handles Public, Social, and Media Relations for Thrift Town Stores. Gina lives in Northern California with her amazing husband Josh, and is constantly on the go with three “very active” and “strong personality” bambinos; aka Team Nielsen, and loves every minute of it.