January 2015 Project of the Month - Four Season Wall Calendar Frame

[mtylerfl]

Hello,

A wall calendar is a fixture in most homes, but is often a little “plain”. This wall calendar frame will dress it up a bit, and features a carving design that represents the transition from one season to the next - Spring flowers, Summer sun, Autumn tree and leaves, and a Winter snowman and snowflakes!

This wall frame is open back, and simply hangs over your existing standard size
(8.5" x 17") wall calendar to give it a nice framed appearance. The overall dimensions of the frame itself are about 1.25" thick x 14" wide x 24.5" tall.

Main items you will need:
1) The Project Files (included):
• Corner_Pieces.mpc
• Top_Bottom.mpc
• Thick_Strips.mpc*
• Thin_Strips.mpc*

*These MPC’s are optional. You can use a table saw to cut these wood strips instead.

2) Boards with the following dimensions:
Corner_Pieces: 0.5" x 5.5" x 16"
Top_Bottom: 0.75" x 9" x 22"
*Thick_Strips: 0.75" x 5.5" x 27"
*Thin_Strips: 0.5" x 5.5" x 24"

Do not use boards that are smaller than specified above unless using an appropriate jig. Larger boards are fine in all cases.

3) Sandpaper, clamps, wood glue, stain and/or paint and clear finish

4) A Dremel-type rotary tool with assorted sanding wheels and bits to sand small details and speed up preparation for finishing.

Apply your choice of finish. Here’s what I used on my Four Season Wall Calendar Frame made from Select Pine:

• Two light coats of spray Shellac

• Rust Oleum Ultimate Stain - Wheat

• Several coats Krylon Clear Acrylic spray overall

This is an open back frame design, but you could very well install a backing, if desired. You could use .25"-thick hardboard or ply cut about .5" bigger than the opening, then fasten the backing with small brads.

Another option is to paint the four season carve area with acrylic craft paints of your choice, then apply a stain and wipe off to achieve a sort of “antique” effect.