October 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! It’s OCTOBER already! (Although here in North Idaho, late September already brought us several days of snow and freezes, so at the time I’m writing this it’s a little hard to feel oriented to the seasons, lol.) But traditionally, I’ve always thought of October as a “shoulder” month – a bridge, as we transition from warmer days into the colder months. But however the weather ultimately decides to behave, my October 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar is ready for you!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat-sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your October 2019 wallpaper/calendar

Note: You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy! 

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

    1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
    2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
    3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (Typically 1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture may not work for you.

Shucks! And I’m real sorry about that!

Download your October 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar

Oct 2, 2019
Download your October 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar
October 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! It’s OCTOBER already! (Although here in North Idaho, late September already brought us several days of snow and freezes, so at the time I’m writing this it’s a little hard to feel oriented to the seasons, lol.) But traditionally, I’ve always thought of October as a “shoulder” month – a bridge, as we transition from warmer days into the colder months. But however the weather ultimately decides to behave, my October 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar is ready for you!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat-sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

How to download & install your October 2019 wallpaper/calendar

Note: You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy! 

Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

    1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
    2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
    3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (Typically 1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture may not work for you.

Shucks! And I’m real sorry about that!

Time to beautify your computer monitor again

Sep 3, 2019
Time to beautify your computer monitor again
beautify your computer monitor

Well, I’m a couple days tardy with making this official announcement, but it’s time to do your monthly refresh – and beautify your computer monitor again!

And, as many children are heading back to school this week (or so would suggest the numbers of pictures of kids appearing in my Facebook feed who are sporting new backpacks and lunch boxes, anyway), my thoughts go to teachers, and then that, naturally, leads to apples. So here ya go!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download September’s wallpaper to your own computer

Note: You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy! Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

  1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right-click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture will likely not work for you. Shucks! I’m sorry ‘about that!

August’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Aug 1, 2019
August’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download
August's wallpaper/calendar is ready to download

While on my usual monthly search for the perfect image to anchor August’s wallpaper/calendar and I ran across this one, I knew instantly that it would be my choice for this month! Look at that stunning sunflower! Can anything even get more cheerful, happy and proud?!? And what about the glorious blue of the sky?!? Yep, there would be no debating THIS month; this one leaped into my heart in a fraction of a second!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download August’s wallpaper/calendar to your own computer

Note: You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy! Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

  1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right-click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format or some other variation, the picture will likely not work for you. Shucks! I’m sorry ‘about that!

July’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Jul 1, 2019
July’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download
July's Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

July’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download. This month is all about red, white and blue… and what could be more July-appropriate than a platter of chilled sherbet and berries on a hot summer afternoon?!? I think the only thing better might be to set the real thing in front of me and hand me a spoon!

My monthly desktop wallpaper & calendar offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all. It also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to PDF’s and websites you may want to know about and access.  And it’s even FREE to download, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download July’s wallpaper to your own computer

Note: You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy! Here’s how you can (probably) do it, too.

  1. Start by left-clicking right here and the full-resolution image should open in a new tab. Then right click on the image and save it to your hard drive.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved, click on your saved image to open it. 
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system and your laptop. Assuming you still have both these days, lol!)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will likely not work for you. Shucks! I’m sorry ‘about that!

Birthday Card for Three

Jun 19, 2019
Birthday Card for Three
So have you ever had to come up with a birthday card for three siblings (1 boy + 2 girls) celebrating their birthdays at the same party, yet their ages range from 9…  down to not-quite-3? Actually, these kids’ birthdays are scattered all throughout the calendar year, but not particularly at convenient “birthday party” times. So last weekend they were all honored at a joint fete at the local splash park – so they and their friends could usher in the beginning of summer.

The “Birthday Card for Three” Dilemma…

So exactly what’s a card-maker to do for such an event? Gifts were discouraged, yet there would be an opportunity to donate some spending cash to a fund for an upcoming family theme park trip. But certainly, a handmade card was in order for an event as unique as this. So I searched through my stamp collection, hoping for inspiration. I contemplated basketball, princesses, and mermaids. I’m sure if I could draw I could have come up with something that incorporated all 3 of their signature themes, but the reason I’m a rubber stamper is precisely BECAUSE I cannot draw! And sure, I realized I could make each kid a separate customized card, but hey, they get their own separate cards for their “real” birthdays anyway. But THIS event was unique…. more like an “all-of-us” kinda party.

Inspiration finally strikes

Ultimately I ended up turning to words and phrases to convey my message. Enter the stamp set “Itty Bitty Birthdays”, paired with some of Stampin’ Up!’s newer colors Poppy Parade, Call Me Clover, and Mango Melody, along with a good ol’ standby birthday balloon from the retired stamp set “Balloon Adventures”. Itty Bitty Birthdays
Itty Bitty Birthdays Cling Stamp Set Itty Bitty Birthdays Cling Stamp Set [148618] $23.00
If you’ve stamped with me for very long you’ve surely heard my philosophy of “You can’t ever have too many flowers, words, or alphabets in your stamp collection”. And once again, this philosophy ultimately resolved my dilemma. What really surprised me, however, was that I found all the sentiments I needed right there in a single stamp set: “Itty Bitty Birthdays”! I’d surely expected I would need to mix and match words from several stamp sets – but that wasn’t even necessary! For a stamp set that’s only been around for a few months, I’ve found myself reaching for it over and over again. I guess that confirms it was a valuable investment!

You can’t ever have too many flowers, words, or alphabets in your stamp collection.

Here's the card I eventually designed.
Here’s the card I eventually came up with. I was really surprised (and pleased) with how well it coordinated with the cake – that I hadn’t even seen yet!
So next time you need to make a birthday card for three (or some other unusual, out-of-the-mainstream theme) and you’re stumped for inspiration, consider using words as main images!

June’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Jun 2, 2019
June’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Strawberries! Probably my favorite fruit, and this will be the 7th summer I’ve grown them in containers on my balcony. Now that I’m eating very low carb, I choose not to eat very many at a time, but I think this year’s modest number of plants should probably supply me with just the right size of daily harvest. I purposely chose mostly ever-bearing varieties vs June-bearing types for my containers this year. So if I can treat myself to 2 or 3 or 4 berries a day, I figure that’ll be just about perfect.

My monthly desktop wallpaper background offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all; it also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it’s even FREE, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download June’s Wallpaper/Calendar to your own computer:

Click HERE to download your FREE background & calendar.
You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. Download and save the image to your computer – from the link just above that starts with “Click HERE”. (NOT from the picture that appears with this post!)  TIP:  To “download” the full-resolution image once it’s open (from Google Drive where it’s stored), click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to your computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to your computer’s hard drive, open the image. 
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system as well as your laptop.)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry ’bout that.

May’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

May 1, 2019
May’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Tra la! It’s May! The lusty month of May! That lovely month when ev’ryone goes blissfully astray. Tra la! It’s here! That shocking time of year when tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear!

Guenevere: Camelot

Gotta admit, not only did I get to see a bit of the Camelot filming excitement as a youngster living in Spain back in the early 60’s, but many years later when I finally had the chance to watch the finished movie production it immediately became part of me. It’s remained one of my all-time favorite movies, and every single May 1st, the lyrics of “The Lusty Month of May” replay all day long in my mind.

My monthly desktop wallpaper background offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all; it also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it’s even FREE, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download May’s wallpaper to your own computer:

Click HERE to download and save the full-resolution image to your computer.

You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. Download and save the image to your computer – from the link just above that starts with “Click HERE”. (NOT from the picture that appears with this post!)  
  2. Once the file has been saved to your computer’s hard drive, open the image.
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system as well as your laptop.)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry ’bout that.

April’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download

Apr 1, 2019
April’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download
Download this complimentary wallpaper/calendar for your own computer monitor!
Download this complimentary wallpaper/calendar for your own computer monitor! See instructions below.

The sun has FINALLY arrived, and for a little while this afternoon I actually had my sliding door open for the first time this season! Even dumped a little water on the poor bedraggled potted plants in hopes that something might have survived the incredible winter that just concluded. It’ll be a while before I know for sure, but I figured a little water wouldn’t hurt them. And yes, I’m even starting to get the “planting” itch.

My monthly desktop wallpaper background offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all; it also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it’s even FREE, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download April’s wallpaper to your own computer:

Click HERE to download your FREE background & calendar.
You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy!

  1. Download and save the image to your computer – from the link just above that starts with “Click HERE”. (NOT from the picture that appears with this post!)  TIP:  To “download” the full-resolution image once it’s open (from Google Drive where it’s stored), click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to your computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to your computer’s hard drive, open the image. 
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system as well as your laptop.)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:

  1. Windows 10, 8.1 or 7: http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-customize-desktop-background-windows 
  2. Apple Mac: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Desktop-Background-on-an-Apple-Macintosh-Computer 

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry ’bout that.

March’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download.

Mar 1, 2019
March’s Wallpaper/Calendar is ready to download.

Man-oh-man! After the unusually incessant February snow and cold we’ve had here in North Idaho, it’s hard to envision that March might look any different. Spokane, WA (our neighbor across the border), just finished their 2nd-snowiest February on record, so I presume we’re probably somewhere in a similar range as well.

March 2019 Wallpaper/Calendar for your computer monitor.

But by contrast, I’ve heard that some of my friends (who obviously live in other states) are already seeing crocus buds beginning to push out of the ground. Now, I do know that croci are determined little flowers and can sometimes push their way through patches of snow that might still be lying around, but these sweet little flowers certainly won’t be getting through the feet of snow we’ve still got around here! Nonetheless, I chose a snow-free picture for this month in hopes that perhaps sometime before the 31st this white-as-far-as-you-can-see may begin to recede. I think we’re ALL ready for a glimpse of springtime color!

My monthly desktop wallpaper background offers you a pretty seasonal picture to brighten your computer monitor. But that’s not all; it also includes a handy monthly calendar and serves as a cheat sheet reference to websites you may want to know about and visit.  And it’s even FREE, so please don’t hesitate to share this page with your friends and family.

Download March’s wallpaper to your own computer:

Click HERE to download your FREE background & calendar.   You’ll probably want to consult your own computer operating system’s installation instructions, but installing the background image on my Windows 10 system takes just 3 quick steps – and less than a minute. It’s super-duper easy-peasy!  

  1. Download and save the image to your computer – from the link just above that starts with “Click HERE”. (NOT from the picture that appears with this post!)  TIP:  To “download” the full-resolution image once it’s open (from Google Drive where it’s stored), click on the downward-pointing arrow. THAT is what actually begins the download process to your computer.
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, named and saved to your computer’s hard drive, open the image. 
  3. Once open, right-click on the image and select “Set as” > “Set as Background”….. then right-click again and select “Set as” > “Set as Lock screen”. And poof! That’s all there is to it! (For convenience, I recommend you install this on both your desktop system as well as your laptop.)

Tips for other operating systems:

And in case you may have an operating system OTHER than Windows 10, you may find these installation tips helpful:  

Finally, please keep in mind that the format of my monthly picture is designed for most modern-day 16:9 monitors (a common format for monitors and HD TV’s since about 2009), oriented in landscape format. (1920 x 1080 pixels.) If you’re working with an older monitor (one that is more square-ish in format), or your monitor is set up in portrait format, the picture will probably not work for you. Sorry ’bout that.

Throw-Back Thursday: “Stamp on, Dear Steffi”

Feb 28, 2019

Eight years ago today I wrote and published a post honoring a dear stamping friend, Steffi Sidney-Splaver, who had passed away shortly before. As I’ve been perusing ancient articles during this website transition process, I came across that post again, and thought it worthy of sharing again. Read it here.

Steffi Splaver
Steffi Splaver

And our stamping group had also created the brochures distributed at Steffi’s Whidbey Island memorial service. I’d shared some of that design and assembly process here, as well.

For additional articles in which our stamping friend Steffi was mentioned, just type her first name into the search bar on this page.