I am a procrastinator. So it is inevitable when I really need it, like at the last deadline minute, my old but worthy HP printer is running out of ink. Thank goodness I am also prepared so have at least one back up set of ink cartridges. Hope that will be enough to print my calendars for Christmas.
February photo from Death Valley National Park Super bloom 2-17-16
I haven’t exchanged Christmas presents in decades, cards even longer (isn’t that what social media is for). I remember sending out 70 Christmas cards to family, friends, and business acquaintances. I remember the frenzied shopping, wrapping, unwrapping, and putting it all away. That certainly slowed down after the kids were gone. I don’t miss it yet was happily surprised when attending Christmas with a house full of fun and well behaved kids last year.
January photo from Kelso Dunes Mojave National Preserve 2-20-16
Starting in childhood I made presents as I had little money. Potholders for Mom on one of those square looms. A cutout portrait silhouette for Dad placed under the glass on his dresser, a lanyard for my brother. Later, crafts and a larger gift list meant everybody received a macrame plant-holder, silk-screen greeting cards, stained-glass sun-catchers, dream-catchers, sweaters, jewelry… yes, I used to be that ambitious. But I always waited until the last minute and occasionally a package would be full of un-knitted yarn.
March photo from White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument 3-18-16
Last Christmas, with Bill’s help and encouragement, I supplied photos to a professional who printed in their calendar layout and I got them back with at least a week to spare.
April photo from Snow Canyon State Park 4-6-16
This year I’m putting together another calendar and printing it as well. Certainly not of the same quality, but from the heart. Going through literally 1000s of photos from 2016 to pick out 13 took way more time than expected. Thank goodness I rate the best with one or two stars. You’ve probably seen most of these here before.
I processed and printed each photo deciding I didn’t like some in the final print. Figuring out the template was interesting. Just think about your calendar and how March’s photo is actually on the September calendar page, printed both sides, and some upside down. That took a little planning. I did use a free online pre-made calendar to save myself making a template with a table, font and numbers. I chose to use standard size 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
I began setting up the calendar in Word but couldn’t move stuff around easily. Maybe it’s just me. I found PowerPoint to work well. After layout and photo insertion I printed the first draft on plain paper. With back-to-back printing the colors bled through on this thin 20 lb paper but I was able to make all kinds of notes for changes, which there were plenty of.
I considered card stock but it’s just too heavy. Then I got lucky at one of those office supply stores and found 32 lb presentation paper in matte. Plus it was on sale, two boxes for price of one, so I now have 200 sheets of paper.
Next draft printed on the heavier paper looked good except for, you guessed it, running out of ink. But I was prepared. Maybe I should have bought two sets so I don’t find myself running out of ink before I run out of printing.
June photo from Point Imperial North Rim Grand Canyon National Park 7-29-16
Now it may seem that printing only six 2017 calendars the first week in December for Christmas presents isn’t procrastinating too much. Unless you factor in that I won’t be near my printer or PC on a regular basis for possibly the next couple weeks. Berta goes in for a knee replacement tomorrow and I’ll be camping out in her yard to be close for help when she needs it. Plus there will be PT three days a week 30 miles away. And next week I’m taking another friend to Prescott for cataract surgery.
August photo from Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park 8-24-16
Weather permitting, I’ll drive to Kanab for Christmas with Bill and his family. Guess what they’re getting for Christmas?
October photo from Kirkland Arizona 10-29-16
Hopefully I won’t be running out of ink energy.
PS: Four calendars for Christmas and the printer is running out of ink. Maybe I should pay to have this done next time.