Fairy Lights

Fairy Lights and Bells Christmas Umbrella

Are you an extravert? Is your Auntie bonkers? Is your Granny Christmas mad? We have the perfect Christmas gift idea, which will definitely get them noticed.

Presenting The Fairy Lights and Bells Umbrella so named because it is an umbrella with some unusual Santa's grotto features. Fairy lights, Christmas baubles and some tinkling bells to ensure the user of the brolly jingles all the way.

To make this Christmas brolly you will need...
An umbrella, felt fabric, Christmas baubles, small cable ties, some bells (the larger the bell the more 'Sleigh bell' they sound, whilst tiny bells sound like fairies and pixie dust). You will also need a packet of battery operated multi-colour lights.

Open the umbrella and sit it upside down on the table. You will notice that along each spoke of the metal part of the brolly, the umbrella fabric is stitched to the frame. At this point sew a couple of stitches on top of one another to finish off.

In a similar way, sew a Christmas bauble to the end of each spoke where the umbrella fabric is sewn to the tip of the spoke.

To attach the lights to the umbrella frame, you need to make a little 'pocket' to hold the light’s battery compartment.

Cut out a piece of felt that is half a centimetre bigger than the battery compartment all the way around. Cut out a second piece, but this time as well as the half a centimetre all around, also make an increase in the length of the rectangle by 3cm, this will give the pocket a 'tab' at the top.

Put the two pieces of felt together as sewn along the two side edges and the bottom. You will be left with a pocket with a tab.

Fold the tab over one of the spokes of the open umbrella, be careful to avoid any joints because this will prevent you from closing the brolly later.

Sew the tab to the back of the pocket to hold the pocket in position. Do not sew the pocket closed. Insert the battery compartment into the pocket.

Use the cable ties to attach the fairy lights to the other spokes of the umbrella in a circular fashion, again avoiding any joints in the umbrella's framework. Pull the cable ties firmly and trim off any surplus.

Now switch on the lights. As an optional extra plastic mistletoe can be hung from the spokes at the centre part of the umbrella. Bonkers Christmas brolly or what?

S. Roberts has more Christmas ideas than you can shake a reindeer at, visit http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/homemade-christmas-gift-ideas.html for more Christmas gift ideas. Get a free personalised email from Santa to your child this Christmas at http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/your-letter-from-santa.php SantasPostbag is in association with http://www.bigboystoyz.com – Together keeping Christmas Magical! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S._Roberts

pixie dust

Fairy Party Idea for Pixie Stix Fairy Wands

For a great fairy party idea, make Pixie Stix Fairy Wands. They make a wonderful party favor or kid party craft for a fairy birthday party, Tinkerbell party or Barbie Fairytopia party.

You can also use them as fairy party invitations. Simply write party details on the reverse side and hand deliver.

Pixie Stix Fairy Wands make an attractive centerpiece on your party table when grouped in a colorful vase, too.

How to Make Pixie Stix Fairy Wands

Materials:

Large (16 inch) Pixie Stix filled with candy powder (one for each party guest)

Shiny gold paper or gold card stock

Star shaped cookie cutter

Permanent black marker

Shiny gold curling ribbon

Gold glitter (optional)

Hot glue gun

1. Spread a double layer of the gold paper on a flat surface. (We cut up a large gold gift bag). A shiny finish will give the best look when completed. You can also use gold card stock and embellish with glitter. Tape the two layers together to keep them from slipping.

2. Place the star shaped cookie cutter onto the paper and trace the shape with the permanent black marker. Repeat for each fairy wand leaving at least one inch between each traced star shape.

3. Next, cut around each star about ½ inch from the black line. This will make a larger star shape with the traced star in the center. Since you have two layers of paper, you will end up with two perfectly matching star shapes, for the front and back of your wand.

4. Write the name of the party guest inside the black traced star.

5. Sandwich the label end of a pixie stick between the two gold stars with the gold shiny sides facing out.

6. Hot glue the stars to the pixie stick. If you used the plain gold card stock, not is the time to jazz it up with gold glitter.

7. Measure 4 feet of gold curling ribbon and tie around the pixie stick below the star shape with a double knot. Curl ends with scissors if desired.

8. To display, place your finished pixie stix fairy wands in a decorative vase tied with a ribbon.

9. Hand out as party favors or write party details on the reverse side of the gold star and hand deliver as party invitations.

10. Tell party guests their wands are filled with magic pixie dust!

Variation: For the boys at the party, trace a different shape onto the gold paper, such as a crocodile, dinosaur, race car, or whatever favorites they may have. Browse the cookie cutters at your craft store for ideas.

Check out our website to see our finished Pixie Stix Fairy Wands.

Patricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food. For all the latest party news, read her Kids Party Blog. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Jensen