How to Make a January Calendar with Cricut

Creating a custom calendar for the new year is a fun and practical project, especially with the help of your Cricut machine. In this guide, we’ll show you how to design and make a January calendar where the month and grid boxes are drawn by the Cricut, and the numbers are added by hand for a personal touch.

Materials Needed:

• Cricut Joy Xtra (or another Cricut machine)
• Cricut Design Space app
• Cricut-compatible pen (fine tip, your choice of color)
• Cardstock or thick paper (12×12 or 8.5×11 inches, depending on your desired calendar size)
• Ruler (optional for alignment)
• Pencil or pen for hand-drawn numbers

Step 1: Design Your Calendar

1. Open Cricut Design Space: Start a new project.
2. Create the Grid:
   • Use the “Shapes” tool to draw a rectangle for the overall calendar size.
   • Add smaller rectangles to represent the calendar boxes (7 columns for days of the week and 5 rows for weeks).
   • Align and distribute the rectangles evenly using the “Align” tool.
3. Add the Month Title:
   • Use the text tool to type “January” at the top of your calendar.
   • Select a font that pairs well with your calendar’s style.
4. Group and Attach:
   • Group all grid elements and the month title together.
   • Attach them to ensure they draw as one piece on your Cricut.

Step 2: Prepare Your Cricut

1. Select the Material: In Design Space, choose the material setting that matches your cardstock.
2. Load the Pen: Insert the Cricut-compatible pen into your machine’s pen holder.
3. Position the Cardstock: Place your cardstock onto the standard grip mat and ensure it’s smooth and aligned.

Step 3: Draw the Calendar

1. Load the Mat: Insert the mat into your Cricut machine.
2. Start Drawing: Click “Go” in Design Space. The Cricut will draw the month title and grid boxes on your cardstock.
3. Unload the Mat: Once completed, remove the mat and carefully peel off the cardstock.

Step 4: Add the Numbers by Hand

1. Mark the Days: Use a ruler or the drawn grid lines to guide you.
2. Write the Numbers: With your preferred pen or pencil, handwrite the numbers 1–31 in the appropriate boxes. This adds a personalized and creative touch to your calendar.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

1. Decorate (Optional): Add stickers, stamps, or doodles to embellish your calendar.
2. Display: Hang your calendar on the wall, pin it to a corkboard, or place it in a frame for a polished look.

Tips for Success

• Test your pen on a scrap piece of cardstock to ensure smooth writing.
• Use light pencil marks to draft the numbers before committing to ink.
• If using a smaller Cricut machine, adjust the calendar size to fit your mat.

Creating a January calendar with Cricut is a great way to stay organized while expressing your creativity. Happy crafting!