Showing posts with label little people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label little people. Show all posts

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


Thursday, June 04, 2015

Faerie Weaponry

Today I'll be exploring faerie weaponry. 

Faerie weapons are used for protection, to cause harm (in the case of malicious faeries like boggarts and goblins), for ceremony, and as tools. As with the other artifacts we have examined, they are made (mostly) of natural materials and difficult to uncover in the wild.

Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

1. Pixie Bow and Thorned Arrow: The Pixie Bow is a lightweight weapon used primarily for protection. The tiny thorn tipped projectile does not cause massive damage, its hit being likened to a bee sting.

Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

2. Feather Blow Dart with Sliver Points: Made from a hollowed feather shaft the blow dart is an excellent choice for faerie folk who wish to keep their distance and remain silent. Slivers of wood are often used as ammunition. Injury may not be immediately felt but may result in infection.

Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

3. Unknown Bone Staff: I readily admit that I am not absolutely certain of the origins of this object. It may, in fact, be a ceremonial artifact. That being said, it is quite possible (and rather more likely) that this claw tipped bone once belonged to a Dunter. This is a logical conclusion as the objects effectiveness as a weapon would being secondary to it's ability to intimidate.

Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

4. Faerie Pike and Pine Cone Shield: An unusual metal tipped specimen. Fair folk are usually reluctant to use steel, preferring shards of glass, stone or sharpened bone to tip their weapons. Whoever created this pike could not resist the allure of a discarded cutting blade. The shield, made from a pine cone has moss embedded between the 'cones'. The moss is likely included for it's healing properties, to pack any wounds incurred during a clash.

Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

5. Twiggy Slingshot with Dried Bean Shot: A very simple but effective weapon and tool. Commonly used to plant seeds by shooting them into the earth. A favourite weapon to protect against cats.


Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

6. Wishbone Slingshot: A stronger, larger version of the Twiggy Slingshot more likely to be used during a ruckus, rumble or rumpus than it's wooden counterpart.
Faerie Weaponry - Nichola Battilana

7. Wooden Tuck Sword: A simple point carved from wood with a woolen grip. A common accessory for many little people. It is especially useful for poking, prodding, pricking, piercing, and puncturing.

These artifacts will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. Open house dates can be found HERE

Note: Our first open house is this weekend, please be aware the garden/fairy tour is NOT yet set up. The tour will be revealed on July 4th. This Saturday is for studio snooping only.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Faeries, Frocks and Godmothers

With the arrival of the glorious spring weather the faeries have come out of hiding and hibernation. I thought it might be a good time to talk about them, the fair folk, and share some faerie truths.

When one thinks of faeries they often imagine tiny winged pretty ladies either scantily clad or clothed in frilly frocks.

Faerie Frocks - Nichola Battilana

While it is true that in the throes of summer many fae opt for minimal covering (they don't have air conditioning after all), I am assured they do not pose with arched backs nor push their bosom forward seductively. That said, please beware that there ARE several varieties of faerie who like to lure men into harms way. Long story short, if you happen upon a sexy faerie, tis best to run in the opposite direction.

Now, about those frilly frocks...

Faerie Frock - Nichola Battilana
Five inch frock worn by Miss Gwendoline Twinkle during the strawberry harvest festival of 1913.
Frilly frocks and pretty dresses are rarely worn by the fair folk. The little people usually prefer clothing that is comfortable and practical. The above dress and slippers fit neither category. There is an exception to this general rule: Fairy Godmothers.

Faerie Frock - Nichola Battilana
Full 6" dress, boots, hat and wand from the closet of Miss Mulberry Threadbare.
While Fairy Godmothers are soft hearted and mostly very nice and down to earth, there is a recent trend among the younger faction to wear large ornamental dresses and completely impractical footwear. The appeal seems to be gaining momentum through the ranks of Godmotherhood, extending as far as the matronly Eldermothers.

While many faerie folk believe these dresses to be ostentatious and showy (some rolling their eyes at the mere mention of them) they also know that there is no harm in it. 

The general consensus is "So long as their job is done, let them look as silly as they like."

The frocks pictured above will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. You can find the current "Open House" schedule HERE.