Monday, November 02, 2015

Fairy Christmas Card Advent Calendar

Ok, I've let Halloween pass and now it's full steam ahead with the Christmas posts. I have a few projects coming up that I KNOW you're going to want to try so I'm posting nice and early to give you plenty of crafting time. Today, a totally freaking adorable advent calendar alternative.

Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Imagine waking up each day to find a card from the fairies helping you count down to Christmas! I've put together a Fairy Card Advent Calendar, a 2 page download that includes 25 miniature cards with vintage holiday imagery, numbered postage stamps and three envelope templates to fit the various sized cards.

Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Now, when I showed this project to my kiddo he said "Yeah, but what about the treat?" The wheels in my mind starting turning and I thought of all the little things that would fit in those envelopes... letters, notes, coins, buttons, glitter, jokes, stickers, charms... then the light bulb above my head lit up. 

Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Every few days a charm could be included in the tiny card and your little pixie could make their own Christmas charm bracelet! The sets I've used here are the Santa Sleigh Silver Charm Set and the Silver Snowflake Charm Set from Alpha Stamps.

Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Cute as buttons and sugar free! Although if you do like the sweet stuff you could always give a lolly or chocolate kiss.

Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Don't do the advent calendar thing? No worries! You could always make these up and pass them out to the people in your life who need a little extra fairy magic around the holidays.

Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Now, as for decorating the outside of those envelopes, here's what I suggest:

1. Using the templates from the Fairy Cards Advent Calendar, trace the envelope shapes onto a piece of regular white paper.


2. Cut the shapes.
3. Fold the two short sides, then fold the bottom (the one with the flat edge) and glue into place. Be careful not to glue the envelope shut!



4. Sprinkle both sides with a bit of tea or coffee. I prefer tea as it doesn't leave a lingering scent. Allow to dry. NOTE: You can age your paper before creating the envelopes, but I found that doing it in this order results in a flatter, smoother finished piece. See wrinkles above.

5. Add little postage stamps and 'cancel' them using a rubber stamps. Any patterned stamp will do. Place a scrap bit of paper beneath so as not to ink your work surface.


6. Address the envelopes, personalizing them for the recipient.


7. Add the wee cards and any tiny surprises you'd like to include.


Fairy Christmas Cards, an alternative Advent calendar - Nichola Battilana

Lastly, and this is kind of important, these can NOT go through the regular postal system. Their size requires that they be handled only by Royal Faerie Post. If you want to send them to someone far away, I suggest mailing them within a larger card with a note of explanation.

Supply round up:
scissors
glue
tea/coffee for staining*
rubber stamps*
ink pad*
*optional

Do-dads for the charm bracelet:
Chain, clasp and jump rings / or pre-made bracelet
Santa Sleigh Silver Charm Set

Silver Snowflake Charm Set